Great class yesterday! The homework was to do another monochromatic self portrait, this time in blue. Those who chose to do the first one in a cool color did this week's in a warmer tone. Everyone for the most part, had an easier time with the assignment than the first go around. Not that one painting is going to make us an expert at anything, but having one under the belt, I think people felt a little bit more relaxed and was able to shake off the jitters a bit. Much better use of the value range and simplified value structure, much less fussing with detail and paying more attention to modeling the big forms.
For mine, I used prussian blue and white. I came out looking like a thug. Hahaha~
I didn't prepare a demo, but worked on one of the students' paintings which turned into a full on demo on orchestrating an image by simplifying, abstraction, edge manipulation, tweaking the drawing to suit the composition, etc. I wanted to be overt about the thinking process behind each decision I made, the how's and the why's of each change I made, and then do it. I think it was really instructional for the students to hear the reasons for making each stroke, and see me do it, and analyze immediately afterwards whether it did what I'd hoped to do, and what consequence it had, both positive and negative.
I'm happy to say that I didn't ruin the student's painting, though what I did on it was pretty risky. I would have been really nervous about it if I didn't know this group better. The student whose painting I drastically altered is himself an accomplished painter, an old pro, so he perfectly understood what might be gained by this kind of demo even if I'd ruined his painting as a result.
Teaching is a lot easier when I feel like I'm allowed to fail spectacularly.
9 comments:
Your students are very fortunate and I'm sure are learning a lot from an artist/teacher with your talent and ability.
nice Terry.
Struggle or not the Translucent piece is really great. Love what you wrote about it. Except for the name change that could be me writing about my experiences with paint and surfaces and fighting through it all these years.
I'm sorry I meant Transient
You are only too humble! I am sure its very difficult for you to ruin a painting whether yours or your student's. I must say you have very lucky students to be learning from such a technically sound teacher who can articulate the reasons for everything he does. PArticularly lucky is the one who gets to keep the painting!
Best wishes,
Vinayak
Did you work from photos or mirrors?
Methinks you are way too hard on yourself, Terry. Love this Prussian Blue portrait. Reminds me of a story my not even remotely interested in art mom told me about a painting she saw as a child and still remembers to this day and it is a favorite of her's. She said it was called "Green Girl" and I've been unable to find the image as I haven't a clue as to the artist or when it was painted. Wish I could have seen your demo. Alas, my problem is that I can't emulate a brushstroke for love or money. Sigh...
thanks so much! I'm having a great time teaching. Once a week is just right for me.
Randy, mine are done with a mirror. I gave the option of using a photo, but almost everyone opted to do it live.
ha, you did come out looking a big thuggish, but those of us who know you that's far from the truth! But hey, it's a beautiful study. That's what counts, right?
Thanks Ed, the next one will feature a kinder, gentler side of me. Or at least, a little less drama.
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