How To Paint Hair..

How to paint hair?

 I loved what I got here.  Kinda shimmery hair...cool versus warm tones, a bit sparkly... and let's not forget a SUPER successful business lady, charming and gorgeous as well, who gave me the honor of sitting before me in my studio for a two hour life sitting which will appear in The Ventura Breeze Newspaper as part of my Face of Ventura series.

I was fascinated by her hair from the get-go...blondish-white-ish,  great shape. Not so easy to get right quickly. And the conversation was divine. I could hardly paint for wanting to stop and chit-chat, this sitter was SO fascinating.

So how did I pull that lovely hair off?

Well, why don't you ask?  It is about time you asked. Post your questions here in the comment section.

Paint it fast, paint it good?

detail

Rainy Sunday Afternoon

Oil, 9" x 12"

$500 plus $5 s/h

Here's a sketch I did on Sunday afternoon. It was a rainy day in CA. I was tired from rats in my attic keeping my up all night. But the model on Jeremy Lipking's model stand in his cozy studio begged to be painted. Everything kinda begs to be painted there quite frankly. That is just how Jeremy rolls.

I grabbed my box, squeezed in a tight spot, annoying a few I suspect, set up fast, knowing I had only two hours total to nail it - or not - before the model was long gone. A back view with no arms is easier perhaps. I said to myself,  just focus, and squint.

I kinda like what I got. Hope you do too. 

Painting From Life...what's on the easel

What's on my easel that I am enjoying painting this week? "Girl With A Kindle".  Here it is at the end of the second sitting from life, a painting inspired by my recent trip to The Norman Rockwell Museum, using lots of props from my home and studio. I plan on putting a world map in the left corner to finish. Hope you like

Oil Painters of America

It's that time of the year again, waiting to hear if one has got into The Oil Painters's of America National Show which attracts thousands of entries from super talented artists.  The results will be out this week.

This is my entry this year. A portrait of a local artist who walked into my studio one day wearing this unique headpiece she had created in neon pink,  including the Georgia O'keefe-esque skull which caught my eye. As a portrait artist, I live for moments like this. I knew right away I had to paint her.

I hope you like. I also hope I get into the show otherwise you might need  to swing by my studio to mop my tears.

A Picture Worth A Thousand Words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, what a week it was out of the studio on a trip to the East Coast. HOPE YOU ENJOY AS MUCH AS I DID.

 The opening of my mentor's show "Pulps To Portraits' By Everett Raymond Kinstler. N.A. at The Norman Rockwell Museum. WOW!!! Go! here

 Study this man! Buy his books. I am so grateful for Mr. K's teachings. clickhere

 A quiet private moment in the studio of Norman Rockwell. Thank you to the staff for opening it up for us.

Going for gold at The Boston Museum of Fine Art. John Singer Sargent

Playing Footsie With William Merrit Chase

 Don't touch the painting!

 Hands down, the best hands I have seen

Leaving On a Jet Plane

Packing tonight for early flight for this great man's show, Everett Raymond Kinstler, N. A., "Pulps To Portraits"at The Norman Rockwell Museum.

 hclick here


I have been given a huge gift from this man, my mentor. He changed my life and my art thinking.  Mr. Kinstler helped me be the artist I am now. Not that I don't have a LONG way to go.

I am hugely in his debt, like so many other artists he has inspired, and hugely excited to be at this opening night. Stay posted!!!

How To Paint A Still Life?

How to paint a still life? Well, don't ask me. But this was my demo yesterday at my First Friday Studio Atelier Day.  If you want real specifics of 'how', pick up the phone or post here.

Come paint with me this September (12th through 16th)  at my Malibu Wine Country Workshop. Watch this space for details.

"Summer Glow"
Oil on Linen Panel
9" x 12"

$500.00 incl. shipping
SOLD

How to paint a still life? Well, don't ask me. But this was my demo yesterday at my First Friday Studio Atelier Day.  A most enjoyable day including lunch.

Come paint with me this September (12th through 16th)  at my Malibu Wine Country Workshop. Watch this space for details.

How To Paint Features?

How to paint features? Just paint them well, that's all I can say. Let's face it, a crooked nose out of place, a mouth slightly askew, eyes too close together, will not score you points. Someone WILL notice and you will, well, lose face! Don't pay lip service to anyone who tells you anything different!

My class demo this week at The California Art Institute in Westlake Village, CA.  http://www.calartinst.com/ Join me there Wednesday mornings.

Join me at The Los Angeles Figurative Academy of Art http://www.laafa.org/  this spring/summer semester Friday mornings, starting April 20th. This school was just voted among the TOP TEN atelier schools in the USA.

Join me for my once a month day-long painting atelier,  "Oil Painting- A Valued Approach" in the beautiful Malibu wine country. The day includes lunch and wine tasting. Email me for details. johanna@johannaspinks.com

Join me at The Vita Art Centre in Ventura, July 12 thru 14th for a painting workshop.