Ryan Hastings

Benjamin Six 2024

Benjamin Six, the finished painting

72 x 72 in · Acrylic on canvas

Price on request

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The studio wall around Benjamin Six, with reference photos, sketches and inspiration pinned up

Process

01 Step 1: Got some paint down.
Got some paint down.
02 Step 2: Took a photo with the iPad. Tried lots of sketches. The square aspect ratio is hard!
Took a photo with the iPad. Tried lots of sketches. The square aspect ratio is hard!
03 Step 3: I looked up the golden ratio and sketched in the curve found in the square parts of the golden ratio doohickey.
I looked up the golden ratio and sketched in the curve found in the square parts of the golden ratio doohickey.
04 05 Step 5: Sketched it over the golden ratio curve. Not really making use of that curve, though… Step 4: Maybe this will work? Hands will be nice. Another shot from 2019, Seattle.
Maybe this will work? Hands will be nice. Another shot from 2019, Seattle.
Sketched it over the golden ratio curve. Not really making use of that curve, though…
06 07 Step 7: Better. But what is happening here? And what’s up with that wave in the background? Step 6: If I rotate this shot a little, I can match that curve with my leg. 2019 in Seattle. The camera was resting on the edge of the ceiling fan blade.
If I rotate this shot a little, I can match that curve with my leg. 2019 in Seattle. The camera was resting on the edge of the ceiling fan blade.
Better. But what is happening here? And what’s up with that wave in the background?
08 09 Step 9: The curve of my back and arm kind of matches that golden ratio curve. And the wave is curling over my body. Step 8: I found a shot of me in the shower. Maybe that plays with the paint? This shot was taken in Los Angeles, 2019.
I found a shot of me in the shower. Maybe that plays with the paint? This shot was taken in Los Angeles, 2019.
The curve of my back and arm kind of matches that golden ratio curve. And the wave is curling over my body.
10 Step 10: Sketched some colors with the iPad. Not sure how this fits with the other paintings?
Sketched some colors with the iPad. Not sure how this fits with the other paintings?
Final iPad sketch. I then wrote out the recipe for painting it.
Final iPad sketch with the paint order written on it
Start with yellow and work down. When you hit green, go right; after orange, return to the original list.
Y — Honeybee CSP-950PU — Antique Pewter 1560G — Regent Green 2136-20LB — Polar Sky 1674O — Topaz 070P — Hazy Lilac 2116-40B — Blue Nova 825