Recently I’ve made a few excursions painting in Paris. Although it’s been steep learning curve in both painting and logistics, I’ve concluded that it is a painter’s paradise; balmy weather, beautiful subjects, well-shaded streets, squares and gardens as well as plenty of public toilets. In case you’re planning something similar, whether you are or in… Read more »
This is a collection of studies from my last few painting classes with Studio Escalier. They are mostly unfinished but for the purposes of reflection and analysis that’s useful, as it allows me to notice particular sticking points and identify where I am consistently making errors. Colour poster studies I found the colour poster study to be an endlessly fascinating and… Read more »
Mastercopy of Thomas Lawrence’s William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melborne. Previous palette I use a similar limited palette as on my previous Lawrence copy: Titanium white Naples yellow Yellow Ochre English Red Transparent Red Oxide Burnt Sienna Raw Umber Ivory black This palette is also similar to the one Lawrence recommended to his students. There is more… Read more »
Or….. If you want to learn to paint, copy a painting….not a photograph. Let’s face it; learning to paint can be hard going. We all know that practice is crucial but what is the best way to practice? Master copies are a traditional method of practising but what is so special about them? I’ve recently been working… Read more »
Master-copy madness: I’ve been attempting a master copy of Sarah Trimmer, after Lawrence: It does look very much better when it’s not next to the Lawrence but that does rather defeat the object of the exercise. The original of this is in the National Portrait Gallery but it’s hung so high it’s hard to see. I’m working… Read more »
The Power of Art is a fascinating series of programmes presented by Simon Schama. He presents each painter in the context of his time, here are a couple of my favourites, via Youtube: Jaques-Louis David and his masterpiece “La morte de Marat” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUr3P_sIHbE&feature=share&list=ULyUr3P_sIHbE The Power of Art – Caravaggio (complete episode) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUeGRGLGXFY&feature=share&list=PLE5D765E8D8C06F8E The Power of… Read more »
Why make colour charts? There are several compelling reasons why I wanted to make my own colour charts. It all boils down to what I knew I would learn in the process: Learning to mix different colours. This sounds simple but it was one of the things I found most difficult when first starting to… Read more »
“The mere matter of putting on paint….. [Brush]strokes carry a message whether you will it or not. The stroke is just like the artist at the time he makes it. All the certainties, all the uncertainties, all the biggness of his spirit and all the littlenesses are in it.” Robert Henri Pigments and reality I… Read more »
When I first wanted to start painting I wondered which colours to buy. I did some research and discovered many different palette systems. That is particular sets of colours that work together. Each system seemed to come with a particular way of thinking; an approach required to make best use of that particular set of… Read more »
Studies from the Studio Escalier Spring figure painting class. I’ve recently returned from a 3 week intensive painting class with Studio Escalier. Last year I attended their December drawing class in Paris which was a revelation (as you can see my Louvre drawings or December in Paris posts), before the painting class I was wondering,… Read more »
