Male Sleeping Figure Study - sold

Oil on canvas, 9"x12"

This painting is a study of a man sleeping, a theme I have painted several times. This is the most painterly version I have done so far. I took the colors and brushwork in a more experimental direction, scraping down the surface a few times and using unusual colors, multiple layers of glazes and scumbling. It created interesting textures that I like and an impressionist effect. I played with the edges to create the visual effect of dissolving the figure against the light.

Copyright © Pat Kelley. All rights reserved. 

Man Sleeping in Antique Bed - sold

Oil on canvas 14"x18"

This painting is a classic male nude of a sleeping figure in an antique bed. The model is angled across the bed with the white sheets framed by the dark tones of the wooden bed and room interior. There is a vigorous, painterly quality to the brushwork while maintaining a high degree of realism. It's a contemporary work but the interior details and classical technique rich with impasto imbues it with a vintage feel. This is a sleeping figure but something about this figure, perhaps the bold foreshortening and the strong diagonal of the figure conveys a restless energy.

Copyright © Pat Kelley. All rights reserved. 

Man in Bed - sold

Oil on canvas, 10"x8"

This painting is a study of a sleeping man with light pouring across his back and the bed. I wanted to present the warm colors of the body in contrast to the cool tones of his surroundings. I kept the brushwork quite loose and painterly while maintaining a high degree of realism. I love painting sleep, trying to capture the essence of that peace and comfort.

Man Sleeping in Morning Light - sold

Oil on Canvas, 12"x9"

This painting is a study of a sleeping man in a room with light pouring in, highlighting his back and the sheets on the bed. I wanted to present the warm colors of the body in contrast to the pale aqua tints of the surrounding room. I kept the brushwork quite loose and painterly while maintaining a high degree of realism.

Fine quality prints of this painting are now available here.

Man Sleeping - sold

Oil on Canvas, 10"x8"

This painting is a study in serenity and light movement. I wanted to explore cool flesh tones with soft light and edges. There's something very calming about a sleeping figure and this is highlighted by the quiet shades of blue throughout. I've seen many paintings with sleeping female nudes but I wanted to feature a man instead. It's an unusual context that gives a vulnerable and tender aspect to the masculine form.

Upon reflection I think that's what I wanted to capture. That moment of peace. There is no guile or malice in a man asleep. He is free of his conscious torments, childlike and pure. Sleep is a wonderful thing that I rarely get enough of and I like to celebrate these simple, precious things in life.

Fine quality prints from this painting are now available here.

Copyright © Pat Kelley. All rights reserved.