Below are some photos of a small clay portrait I did in stone-ware clay that was fired to a high temperature to set it. The fired head has been mounted on a small wooden plinth. To imitate the look of antique 'Bronze' I've first coated the head in a gold paint, then a darker tone of the that same paint. Added a black into the mix and an onyxite wax vanish colour. The effect comes out darker and browner than seen in these photos. I want to start creating head portraits in either clay or resin moulds. This head is just an experiment.
I was still not happy with the face and neck so I've adjusted it with some side lighting. The right has been beefed up slightly because I felt it was a little bit weak. Below are some photos of a small clay portrait I did in stone-ware clay that was fired to a high temperature to set it. The fired head has been mounted on a small wooden plinth. To imitate the look of antique 'Bronze' I've first coated the head in a gold paint, then a darker tone of the that same paint. Added a black into the mix and an onyxite wax vanish colour. The effect comes out darker and browner than seen in these photos. I want to start creating head portraits in either clay or resin moulds. This head is just an experiment.
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Having looked at the face again, plus a comment from the audience, I've adjusted Mithras' face by making the eyes look to the right and subduing the redness and width of the mouth! The joy of using ancient themes as a reference point for creating new artworks is the strong and powerful imagery that has survived the millennia. Some imagery is still very popular today!
The second 'Mithras Mysteries' painting progressed to the main figure of Mithras himself. Starting with the flowing maroon tunic and leggings. The close ups of the torch bearers in the middle photo and on the right, are my interruption of the many different sources for this grouping. My depiction of the 'Taruoctony' is based on a 4th Century altarpiece from Italy, the colour scheme are referenced from a 2nd Century fresco in Capua. See below.... Now coming back to my versions, both shown in this article. My paintings are A4 (148 x 297mm) size, so I'm working on quite small details. The desktop I use is a free-standing A1 board, as you can see from the photo above on the left; one half is taken up by the glass palette alone! I've photographed both 'Taruoctony' together to make the reader aware my aim is to create variations of the same subject rather slavishly copy the original. In the process I've realised that the second Mithras has an unconscious similar appearance of the 'Joker' from 'Batman' or the actor Tim Curry. Both of these are now in private collections. If anyone would like a 'Taruoctony' please contact me using the 'Contact Us' link or via my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/SimonBarnesFineArtist
Sol and Luna are depicted in a slightly different way than last time, especially Luna! In the first painting version of this group I added the two torch bearers after I had begun the painting process. This time around I drew them onto the board before starting the underpainting. This allowed me to position the two standing figures more comfortably in the limited space either side of Taurus the bull.
I've got to add more texture to the cave walls and floor. Then move onto the dog and serpent. Once this is done I will concentrate on the central figure of Mithras himself and the bull. http://www.theharveycentre.com/news-and-events/latest-news/2016/01/29/meet-simon-barnes,-our-featured-artist/
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May 2022
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