Deconstructing Form: Simplified Painting, Inspired by Catherine Kehoe & Zoe Frank

As a painter, I’m constantly striving to distill my subjects down to their essence, to find the beauty in clarity and structure. My recent work, tentatively titled “Hunter 158,” and then changed to “Kehoe” has led me on a fascinating exploration of simplification, inspired by the techniques of artists I deeply admire: Catherine Kehoe, Zoe Frank, Euan Uglow, Susan Litchman and Juan Ruiz.

Simplification: Learning from my Heroes

I’ve been grappling with the challenge of eliminating unnecessary detail and embracing a more direct approach to painting. The artists Catherine Kehoe and Zoe Frank, along with Euan Uglow, William Coldstream, Juan Ruiz, and Susan Litchman, have been invaluable guides in this process. Their work shares a common thread: a dedication to honesty and a refusal to shy away from hard edges and flat planes.

What Does Simplification Look Like?

For me, the essence of this simplified style involves:

• Hard Edges: Rejecting soft transitions and emphasizing clear boundaries between shapes.
• Flatness: Avoiding the illusion of depth, embracing a two-dimensional quality.
• Shape-Based Light: Defining the way light falls on an object not with gradual changes, but with distinct, angular shapes of varying value and hue. Imagine light as distinct blocks of color.
• Describing Form Through Planes: Identifying the basic geometric forms that make up an object and rendering them as separate planes.
• Strategic Saturation: Focusing the most vibrant color – the highest saturation – in the illuminated areas, often contrasting against a more subdued background. This is something I particularly appreciate in Catherine Kehoe’s “Orange Jumpsuit,” where the figure emerges as a powerful silhouette.

The Photoshop Crutch & Finding My Own Way

Initially, I leaned on Photoshop to analyze the color palettes and compositions of these artists. Using the cutout filter in Photoshop proved helpful in understanding the subtle shifts in value and hue from my original image. However, I realized that relying too heavily on these digital aids was hindering my own creative process.

It’s a crucial lesson: analyzing is important, but doing is essential.

I decided to focus on the head and arm of my Kehoe, paying particular attention to the little moment of super saturated warmth on the knuckle.

I also chose a canvas size of 7×12 inches, driven by a desire to challenge myself with a smaller format.

The Struggle & The Insight

The early sessions were…disappointing. While I successfully imposed the principles of simplification, the resulting paintings lacked a certain “mystery” – a sense of depth and complexity that I find compelling. I realized that my own comfort zone lies in subtly describing form, and drastically restricting myself felt too restrictive. This wasn’t a failure, however. It was a valuable learning experience, a confirmation of my personal style and preferences.

I’m certain that someone with more experience in this simplified style – perhaps Catherine Kehoe herself – could create something truly extraordinary with this image, in fact I’m sure they would knock it out of the park. But I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what I, as an artist, need to feel satisfied with my work.

Ultimately, this exercise in simplification served as a reminder: understanding the why behind artistic choices is just as important as the how.

If you like this painting you can buy it here.