March WetCanvas Portrait Challenge

I have been busy at work in March, so have not had much time to post. I recently completed a 4-evening Color Theory oil painting class and did the March WetCanvas Portrait Challenge. This portrait was painted in oils and is from a photo reference.

Work In Progress: Oil Portrait of Christopher

I am working on an oil painting of Christopher. Here is what I have so far. I am in the modeling stage. The vertical stripes behind his head will be curtains.

By the way, a porn site was leaving comments on my blog, so I switched to moderated comments.

100 Heads: Head #12

The live model failed to show up for my Saturday Oil Painting From Life class, so the instructor quickly changed gears and instead reviewed the standard proportions of the human head and demoed painting a portrait from imagination. We then had 2 hours to paint a head from imagination. You can see where I first painted in guide lines in a neutral color. I used 5 colors on a monochromatic scale: Titamium White with a little Cad Yellow, Titamium White with Cad Yellow and Golden Ochre, Golden Ochre, Terra Rosa, and Purple Lake. This is a fun exercise that helps solidify knowledge of the human head.

Oil Painting From Life Class: Final Painting

My Oil Painting from Life class ended on October 11th; this is my final painting. It was an 8 week class. We painted this pirate pose the last 3 weeks. I used a monochromatic color scheme, so I could focus on drawing and values.

Because I learned so much from this class, I am taking it again. This is the first art class I have repeated. Many adult art courses are as much about entertainment and relaxation as education. This is not a bad thing; it just doesn't match my goals. In contrast, the instructor in this class really helps students to improve their skills. Self-study has its limits; It is invaluable to have an instructor that constructively points out the shortcomings in your work. Also, painting from life forces you to think and paint quickly, which in itself improves skills.

Chicken, Prepared 2 Ways

Chicken #1 is oil paint, and chicken #2 is pen. One chicken model.

Oil Painting from Life: Class #2

In my second Oil Painting from Life class, we did a 20-minute pose followed by a 45-minute pose. We used a paint brush to draw the figure and then blocked in opaque color. I used Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow, White, and Black. My third class is next Saturday.

Oil Painting from Life: Class #1

I am taking an 8 week class at the Creative Arts Center in Dallas called Oil Painting from Life, with teacher Dave Kramer. In class #1, we used a paint brush and oil paint to draw the figure. I used Winsor Newton Burnt Sienna thinned with paint thinner. We did 5 20-minute poses, but used only one canvas. After each drawing, we wiped the canvas down and re-used it. This was my last drawing. The focus of the first class was on careful observation and paying attention to position and proportions.

August has not been good to me art-wise. At the end of July, my position at work changed from technical architect to project manager. August was devoted to adjusting to my new position. I am enjoying my new position, but fell into the trap of thinking if I just worked a few 60 hour weeks, I would gain control and then could cut back to 40 hours. It never happens--it is a fantasy. I just got tired and burned out. I am changing my ways, cutting back on work hours, and getting back to art. I hereby declare I am back to my normal posting schedule.

June Oil Painting #16

June Oil Painting #15

My goal was to paint 20 small oil paintings in June; I painted 19. Not bad. I painted a variety of subjects: fruits, vegetables, decorative objects, dishes, and objects from nature. Fruits and vegetables were the easiest and fastest for me to paint. I love oil painting and am convinced of the value of daily painting. I am going to finish off the year by studying some art basics, specifically perspective, figures, and portraits. In 2009, I plan to commit to daily painting.

June Oil Painting #14

I used an analogous color scheme for this granny smith apple. Scanning did not work for this piece--the scan produced blues and greens, but no blue-greens. So I used a digital camera to take the picture. (I usually scan.) This image is close to the actual colors. I need to learn the best way to photograph art work.

June Oil Painting #13

June Oil Painting #12

June Oil Painting #11

June Oil Painting #10

June Oil Painting #9

June Oil Painting #8

I am off on a short vacation to Galveston, Texas. I'll be back next Wednesday.

June Oil Painting #7

I heard an inspiring story on National Public Radio (NPR) today. It was about a study of 213 visual artists aged 62 and older living in New York City. The average income of these artists is $30,000 a year--amazingly low for New York City. NPR interviewed two artists from the study, both of whom expressed their lifelong love of art. They don't mind being poor, because doing art is what is important to them. Their entertainment? Not travel, eating out, or the movies. Rather, 78 year-old Hank Virgona says

a walk down a quiet street — especially toward dusk — is as good as going to Caracas or Venezuela or anywhere.

81 year-old Pat Dillard says

The first thing I do when I go out of my building, I look at the sky, white clouds and a blue sky, my heart goes pitter-pat.

Pat Dillard supplements her income by pet sitting cats. Art and cats. Does life get better than that?

The study found that artists never retire. If they can't continue to do their art because of arthritis, they change their art form.

You can read the story or listen to it at Perfecting the Art of Frugal Living in NYC. You can also find a link to the complete study there.

June Oil Painting #6

June Oil Painting #5

It is June 15th, and I have completed 10 oil paintings (the remaining 5 are in various states of drying). My goal is to complete 20 oil paintings in June, and I am on track to meet that goal. Here are my thoughts on painting almost every day:

• Painting almost daily is hard work. Each painting takes me between 1 and 2 1/2 hours. This exercise is giving me an idea of what it would be like to be a professional artist.
• Painting almost daily builds artistic discipline. I get up and paint because it is a habit.
• With each painting, I concentrate and strive to do my best. Once the painting is complete, I let it go. There will be another painting tomorrow.
• Because I paint almost daily, I find it easier to experiment and takes risks. So what if a painting doesn't work out? There is always tomorrow.
• Painting almost daily is the best way for me to learn. There is a place for learning from teachers and books, but learning by doing is the best teacher.

June Oil Painting #4