Register now for two new live, onsite workshops in April, located in Aurora IL.  Class size is limited to only six, and all basic materials will be provided.  April 17-18, Portraits, and April 24-25, Still Life.

We’ll go step by step through composition, drawing, blockin, color mixing, and layers of color intended to produce a realistic painting.  All ages and skill levels are welcome to attend.  There will be indepth demonstrations as well as one-on-one guidance and critique.

Click here for more information.

Here’s a rather hilarious music video where the band members recreate famous paintings.  J’aime!

http://vimeo.com/9752986

One of the great things about working alla prima is that you can try out methods and ideas that, should they not pan out, you can scrape right off.  After a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago on Monday, I wanted to try out some thicker paint.  I’ve painted in thin layers for a long time.  Also, I’ve been working on balancing transparent and opaque areas and wanted to push that a little further.

Another quick observation from the Art Institute, there’s no noodling, no needless surface-licking.  There’s as much technique in each master work as it needs to get the job done, and no more. Hmmmm, food for thought.

Here’s the final painting.

9 x 12, oil on linen, Pansies in Black

And here’s the video:

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube DirektPansies in Black

Jacob Collins continues his month-long, from-life demonstration.  We’re nearly at the end of two weeks.  http://grandcentralacademy.blogspot.com/

No, I’m not writing tips on this, because obviously I am terrible at it.  But Terry Miura wrote a great post for non-professional photographers on making the most of your artwork photos.  Read it here: A Few Tips on Photographing Artwork

Have a look around while you’re there, because Terry is a terrific painter.

Marc Dalessio has this great post on his blog, showing how his technical skill improved over the years.  It’s really something else - he starts out like most of us, then matures into this fabulous painter before your very eyes.

Check out the rather hilarious graph at the bottom too!

http://www.marcdalessio.com/self-portraits-over-the-years-2/

Jacob Collins is doing a month-long figure painting demonstration at the Grand Central Academy.    Yes, a MONTH.  The pose is 4 hours each day.  Here is week 1 progress: http://grandcentralacademy.blogspot.com/2010/02/jacob-collins-demo-week-1.html

New schedule!  Join me in my studio for a live broadcast of a painting in progress on Wednesdays from 9am CST to maybe 1pm CST.  Starting 2-10-10, on Ustream.   Chat is available, closeups and explanations are probable, but will not be recorded.  Thanks!

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Just like any job, there are some really irritating aspects of being an artist, even though nonartists just think all we do is sit around and drink wine and perspire great paintings.

Here’s my list of Stuff That Annoys Me.  What annoys you?  Post your list in teh comments.  :-)

1. Cleaning brushes ($20 bucks says we ALL hate this)
2. Deadlines (internal/external… they are made to be missed)
3. Mid-painting critiques
4. Paperwork
5. Interruptions (like lunch.  or phone calls.  or the end of the day.)

I used to hate doing studies too, until I figured out the Secret of Studies, which I will lay on you next week.

Tell us what bugs you!

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 Loading ... A small, quick alla prima painting demonstration of peaches and a silver cup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtzYMyBN_jA The peaches are a study for a larger peach painting that’s still in the planning stages.