The Four Humours Series

Completed a series of oil paintings based on the 'Four Humours' temperamental categories named by Galen as "sanguine", "melancholic", "choleric" and "phlegmatic" after the bodily humours. These humours are traditionally associated with the colours Red, Black, Yellow and Blue respectively. The general idea is that personalities should be balanced, or at least avoid extremes. My natural inclination is towards the Phlegmatic.

I did a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test at work which characterised me as INFP (introversion, intuition, feeling, perception) with borderline INTP (introversion, intuition, thinking, perception). INFPs have been refered to as Healers and INTPs as Architects. Amongst my scientific colleagues I was unusual in being 'feeling' slightly more than 'thinking'. There is no one type that is best, but it is interesting to appreciate that different types are largely inherent and that we should take account of these when dealing with others, and perhaps in our life choices.

These square format paintings combine trompe l'oeil with 'colourfield' composition.

The Four Humours: Melancholic (Somber – Guardian – Sensing-Judging (SJ)). Oil on canvas. (c) Mike Todd 2011

The Four Humours: Choleric (Enthusiastic – Idealist – Intuitive-Feeling (NF)). Oil on canvas. (c) Mike Todd 2011

The Four Humours: Sanguine (Cheerful – Artisan – Sensing-Perceiving (SP)). Oil on canvas. (c) Mike Todd 2011

The Four Humours: Phlegmatic (Calm – Rationalist – Intuitive-Thinking (NT)). Oil on canvas. (c) Mike Todd 2011.

Life drawings

Posted a couple of drawings from this week's Life Drawing group at Stamford Arts Centre. All rights reserved.

Leicester botanic gardens drawings

I visited Leicester University Botanic Gardens on a lovely summer's day. There was an outdoor sculpture exhibition around the grounds. See below for drawings in pastel and pencil.

New painting: Lydia and flowers

Just finished a new portrait painting. The model, Lydia, posed with killer lipstick for one afternoon at the Stamford Arts Centre. The work was completed from photographs, with flowers added to fill the space and to reflect Lydia's sunny and colourful personality. The whole aims to suggest femininity and fecundity. Click on image for larger version.

Lydia and flowers, oil on canvas, (c) Mike Todd 2011

Life drawing

Pen and ink drawing over graphite.

New painting - Blues guitarist

Completed a portrait in oil of a guitar player. This was completed over two sessions at the Stamford Arts Centre together with working from photographs. Blue was chosen as a background to complement the guitar and provide a 'blues' feel. The darkness and 'streelight' outside are fictions to give an atmosphere and provide colour echo and contrast, altough a real window was there. The guitarist, Andy, runs the Arts Centre Bar and performs in a band.

Blues guitar player, oil on canvas, (c) Mike Todd 2011

New painting - Three Pears

Completed a new oil painting of three pears. This is painted on canvas board. I've taken some framed still life paintings to the Backstairs Gallery within Swans of Oakham. Feel free to visit and buy!

Portrait Drawing

I enjoyed going back to pencil for this drawing of a pregnant model. I used an 8B pencil then moved to a 4B, with stumping and erasing. Click image for larger version.