Painting Demo

Another semester has started this week at Watts Atelier. Here is a demo I just did for a painting class. Done from the live model, approx. 3 hrs

Figure Painting Demo

Here is a demonstration I did for my figure painting class this semester. I cannot say I am particularly proud of this piece, but I promised my class I would post it.

Christmas Relay Demonstration

For the last five years, at the Watts Atelier Christmas Party six of the instructors have done a "relay demo" from the live model. This year we were fortunate enough to have Fred Vrabel pose as Santa for us. Each instructor does a 15-20 min sitting on the painting and then passes it on to the next instructor.

picture of our model Fred

Erik Gist 20 min

Stan Prokopenko 20 min

Ben Young 15 min

Lucas Graciano 15 min

Meadow Gist 15 min

Jeff Watts 15 min

Alla Prima Friday (Dec 10)

1.5 hours +/-

4.5 x 7 oil on canvas panel

Alla Prima Friday (on Saturday)

Actually I did paint this on Fri, I just didn't get around to shooting it until this morning

2-3 hrs 9 x 12 oil on canvas panel.

Alla Prima Friday (Nov 26)

After last weeks painting being ruined by a mediocre head I thought I would take a shot at another portrait. I still need to work on my edges, amongst other things.

9 x 12 on canvas panel.

Alla Prima Friday

2hr+ figure gesture

8x10

Gesture Portrait part II

Here is another quick painting I did today about 2 hours. I experimented with a new palette today that has a chromatic and tonal version of each primary. Cad Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Cad Red, Transparent Red Oxide, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black, and White.

oil 9 x 12

Reilly Method Painting

I posted a demo I did for a class I am teaching based on the "Reilly Method" of painting. Frank J. Reilly had a very controlled method of painting that has been well documented in three books.

1)Student's Guide to Painting by Jack Faragasso- currently of print, but I was told by Mr. Faragasso that may change in the near future

2)Values for Pictures Worth a Thousand Words by Apollo Dorian- Also technically out of print, but you can send away for it.

3)Mastering the Craft of Painting by Angelo John Grado- Also out of print but affordable

In short the "Reilly Method" utilizes a form of controlled palette in which you mix up to 10 values of reds, yellows, grays, fleshtones, and sometimes blue. I generally limit it to 5 to simplify for my student.

In Reilly's teachings he would preach a way of calculating value accuracy through a combination of local value and a given planes angle to the light source. This requires a long term dedication to the study of form and its ability to refract light. To simplify I tell my students that on the average person the general value of flesh in the light is a 2 (if numbering 1-5, left to right on the chart above) halftone (planes at an oblique angle to the light) are a 3, general shadow(planes facing away from the light source are a 4, dark accents a 5, and highlights a 1. This of course is a huge over simplification, but a good way of learning to control your values when beginning to paint in color. You can increase accuracy and precision by adding more values, but this will also add complexity.

Once you have established the correct value (often done using a burnt umber pick-out form of grisaille or underpainting) you can adjust the generic flesh tone by mixing in the corresponding red, yellow, or gray.

Gesture Portrait

A quick study done in between helping people today.

Oil Painting Demo

Here is a demonstration I did for my Reilly Method Painting Class at Watts Atelier. I will discuss this method a little more in depth in the coming weeks.

Life Drawing Studies and Demos (Sept 2010)

Edit: I forgot to mention, I have had some people over the last year or so express an interest in buying some of my life studies. I have started up an Etsy shop for just this purpose, so go and check it out. It is a little sparse right now, but as I catalog the better drawings that are still in good shape I will list them. Quicker studies will list at about $3o and longer studies at about $50.

30 min +/-

1.5 hrs +/-

40 min +/-

25 min

5min

4 hrs +/-

Life Painting (July 2010)

Tags: art, portrait, painting from life, oil painting