Painting the Merry Men of Mount Rushmore: Where the Tears Collect

The Merry Men of Mount Rushmore with nose touchups.

The Merry Men of Mount Rushmore with a touched-up sky.

The Merry Men of Mount Rushmore with the start of tears.

The Merry Men of Mount Rushmore in process.

I know how paintings can languish for weeks, months, or even years. At times, this one has almost moved me to tears being so difficult.

That has almost (or really has) happened to the Merry Men of Mount Rushmore. I am just now getting back around to them, and they do not quite look like where I left them.

They were not making me very happy, so out of the rotation they went.

Then the sandcrabs started making me unhappy also. So, I picked these fine fellows back up again and came back to them.

I have added some shadowing, and Gary helped me with the noses of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. It is amazing how time and perspective can help you figure out what needs "fixing." I touched up the sky as well.

Theodore Roosevelt's mouth is still giving me a few issues. (A feeling his political opponents probably would have sympathized with. 😉) Every time I think I have him settled, something shifts again. The mustache is not helping.

George Washington continues to keep me on my toes. I never realized how much his shoulder comes in front of Jefferson or how much of the collar around his neck actually shows. It turns out there is more to a painting than just faces.

Thomas Jefferson has made himself known. The eyes have definition now, the lips are coming together, and there is even a chin. He has gone from being something in the background to someone insisting on being noticed.

Abraham Lincoln's eyes are finally fixed. Unfortunately, his mouth has developed a smirk I did not intend. It is subtle, but it is there. I still think Lincoln and Roosevelt need a little more help from Gary in the nose department. They are close, but not quite there.

It is amazing how stepping away from something can make the problems obvious instead of just irritating. Time and perspective have a way of showing you what needs fixing.

I have tentatively started adding a few streams of tears. I can see them there in my head, flowing down their faces and collecting under their chins where the paint would naturally pool. I am building up to it, but I have not fully committed.

And with the tears, "Merry Men" may no longer be the right name.

There is hope for this painting. I am actually feeling a little excitement for it again, which feels like a small but important shift.

Progress is slow. Noses require consultation. Tears are next.

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