Thursday evening with the Clague's for portrait painting

I will post each session I attend with Adam and Andrea Clague for the Thursday evening portrait session.  If you are interested in following this blog, sign on and you will receive a notice when I post!

This is the painting I did from photo reference in my studio.  I am much happier with it.  

This week was very special.  Adam and Andrea invited a young girl from their church to model.  Elizabeth was 10 years old (if I remember correctly).  She was such a beautiful little girl, it was difficult to begin a painting.  She was a splendid model, still as a little mouse.

Elizabeth

Debbie's

Adam's

Andrea's

Peggy's

Workshop with Adam

Tina Garret and I took a mini workshop with Adam Clague this week.  Tina's daughter modeled while Adam made portrait painting look easy! Grace is only 12, but modeled like a pro! A child's beauty really throws me in the attempt to capture that essence.  I have started a painting from my photos of the session using Adams technique. I will post those photos next time.

Adams method is different for me, so I was frantic taking written notes and photos.  He spent four hours with us, giving Grace about 15-20 minute sittings then short breaks. I wish I has the whole thing on video. But hopefully my photos and notes will be sufficient.

Andrea had a pot of coffee and a wonderful veggie plate to snack on. She also took some photos and video while Adam painted and taught! They are quite the team. I would really love to just sit and watch her paint. She is amazing. I would give my eye teeth for a painting she did of her sister in a hammock! It was sent to a gallery last week. I am sure it will sell immediately.

Adam's palette.

After 'toning' with a grey he felt was 'harmonious' with the average color, he applied a blue grey with a towel and turp.

With the toned canvas panel, Adam began to wipe out areas (drawing with a paper towel to remove the grey), to decide his composition.  He also used a light application of vine charcoal to demo drawing on the canvas also.  

Adam mixed the lightest skin color using Cad Lemon (cool), Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue deep and white.  Later he added Transparent Red Oxide and Cad Yellow light to warm the mix.  

At this stage he is locating the lightest lights and darkest darks.  He is keeping the darkest areas thin and transparent.

He began to define the face with only flat color.

The darker side of the face was mixed warmer and grayer, adding Transparent Oxide or Burnt Sienna.  He also added a little Viridian green. 

He began to connect 'like' value areas.  I do that in landscape painting, but hadn't  thought of  doing that in portraits!  Duh….

Noting the 5 shadows on the face: eye sockets, under the nose, upper lip, lower lip, and chin.

Adam stressed to keep the mouth really 'soft'.

Still keeping soft edges he began to paint the eyes.  I was waiting rather impatiently for this step!

Grace began to come alive.

Nearly 4 1/2 hours later, Adam stopped at this stage and took photos for reference so he can finish it.

November Challenges

November was a month of challenges!  The trees were fantastic in their fall colors.  And Day of the Dead celebrations were not just at church!  Although I did attend mass for All Souls Day.

My friend Susan Rose put out a challenge to paint this photograph she took in the Flint Hills of KS near her house.  

We were invited to a Dios de Muertos party last weekend.  I decided to go all out and paint my face 'a la Day of the Dead'.  It was a blast, and I had lots of compliments on my face painting!  I had on a cute black hat too.

Another challenge by Greg Summers.  Paint what you see within 50 ft of your front door.  The Airstream was just waiting for this opportunity!

Brian Flowers does Civil War Reenactments and this was from a photo he posted.

Here is my painting from Susan's photo.  It is a tiny 6" square.

Thursday evening portrait session

This model was actually a previous student of Debbie's.  She didn't make it that evening to paint with us unfortunately.  He was a good model, with that hat turned backward!  He said he was going to shave of the beard the next day.  I suppose we can have him again, and it will be like a different model.

His tattoo was challenging to paint.  I nearly omitted it, but decided to give it a try on the second painting.  I need to slow down and learn to have patience.

Rachel's painting with Tina in the background.

Rachel overlooking Tina

Adam's

Andea's

Peggy's second

Peggy's first

Week one at Andrea and Adams Thursday night portrait session

Bo was our first model.  He is a good friend of the Clagues.  He was a great model.  Very nice looking guy with great features.  8 of us painted.  Here are a few shots from the evening.

Andrea's work

Tina begins with an eye!  

 Tina Garrett

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