Giving Back...Donating Art

In a week of trauma like no other in The States, it feels good to be giving back. This morning I am doing a sitting from life and hosting a lunch for the winner of a raffle, 100 per cent of the proceeds going to FOOD Share which feeds the hungry in Ventura County each month.

FOOD Share also have supported my art in a way only angels can. Please donate if you can.

http://www.foodshare.com

I also donated another portrait demo this week to talented young artists, more on that later.

Catch my "Master The Masters" class at CAI this coming Wednesday, if you dare!

Going Dutch
By Johanna Spinks
Oil on panel, 12"x16"
Available at my online store later today.
http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com

KICK START YOUR ART IN 2013

Come Study With Me in  2013. New class schedule

How to paint a portrait?...what was I thinking?

How to do paint a portrait demo? Well, don't ask me.

All I do know is that I had just one short hour to do this one yesterday at my teaching class at The California Art Institute from START TO FINISH, 18 x 24

What was I thinking?

*keep it simple stupid

*Don't mess up as new students watching

*carve out the face like sculpture...think planes

*hang on to the dry blue toned canvas for half tones, no matter what

* Keep it airy - use mid value purple for that

*That long hair is going to be a w-itch to paint in such a short time

*Don't get sloppy

*I must eat a low-carb lunch

* Wish the school would make coffee soon

Quick Sketch With A Belly Dancer...

Even belly dancers need a break. This was a super quick sketch demo I did at CAI today in my teaching class. Wish I could have taken it further.

Ever felt that way?

Orange and blue was the color harmony with two light sources set up on the figure, one orange, one blue, to push the theme. This makes it harder for students because it is harder to see the form compared to a raking single source light.

Quite a few students got frustrated with their work for one reason or another...harder for the teacher! No coffee break today for me. I was working flat out.

The model had to move her pose because she was uncomfortable after half an hour of sitting. People complained the about orange and blue lights being in their eyes; two lights on one pose in a teaching room is going to hit someone the wrong way.

YES, it was one of THOSE days! BUT I believe in shaking things up in the teaching room. Shaken but not stirred. Hmmm....

How to paint eyes?

How to paint eyes? Well, what do I know. But funny how our art 'eye' sees things differently give it a day or two off. This was my class demo from CAI last week which I wasn't that keen on when I did it. But today, after a refreshing weekend, I think I caught something in the model's/eye mood that day. She wasn't having the best day and was reflective about life. I knew that.

They say the eyes 'have it', are the windows to the soul. For me, during this painting session all I can say is that I paid a lot of attention to the left eye but said nothing in the right one. I also let a lot of EDGES go, something my students have the hardest 'linear' time with around the eyes. I had fun with the colors in said focused eye, losing edges and pushing brushwork.

A bore says it all, don't you think? Hope I wasn't that...

Fresh and Juicy...

Another day, another teaching demo at The California Art Institute...this one was about one hour of painting. I would like to have spent more time on it but I DID like what I got. The model was beautiful and just my type.

Her skin came out kinda fresh and juicy like a ripe piece 0f peach from my local farmers' market. Maybe there is something to be gained from working fast and furious. Simplicity. Often my head studies look best at mid-way point rather than the end. What do you think?

Ariela

8 x 10

$95.00

Free shipping

Juicy Fruits of Labor...

A horror teaching class demo is never a good thing. I left this one to dry as I raced out the door for a trip, wondering if I should first put a fist through it? Glad I didn't on my return today. Here's why.

I have been trying to get more transparency and fresh juicy 'clean' color in my life-painting work. I tend to work fast and thick which I enjoy. Easy when you make a mistake as you can just repaint over with more paint just like slapping layers of Max Factor pancake on an old movie star.

To do sheer well, using a dried ground for maximum effect, as well as keeping color really fresh, NOT GREYED DOWN, I find I am challenged to have to work with much more accuracy from the get go and a plan has to be more in place. The drawing also has to be there. No mishaps. Ha!

I seemed to be having every single mishap possible on the day of my teaching class including a mild sinus infection - just not feeling in the zone. The distractions of teaching. But I battled on, furiously muttering to myself. I just wanted to wipe it off.

I have studied old master Philip De Laszlo for quite a while now and have been very lucky to have been shown some 'up, close and personal' royal portraits of his, not on public display. One outing was a very special day for me I will never forget. To be in a Scottish Royal Castle's private quarters, over morning coffee with the "Lady" of the House, gazing at the De Laszlos in the living room, the reason for our visit. Ahhhh...I had to pinch myself. The royal coffee wasn't bad either but Brits. do tea better.

In my humble opinion, De Laszlo painted very fresh luminous skin tones with great vibrancy, portrait painting of skin as juicy as it gets. I think he got more luminosity in his skin than his famous portrait predecessor, John Singer Sargent. But, sssshhh. Don't quote me on that. Unlike some artists, de Laszlo has left quite a detailed interview and film footage of his approach/technique, along with an actual painting demo, all available here...http://www.delaszloarchivetrust.com/

The De Laszlo Archive Trust has been working hard to preserve his legacy and this site is a real treat.

I realized that while this study of mine has problems with the drawing and lack of any real 'feel', the skin looked really juicy and somehow transparent when I saw it again today with a fresh eye. Progress was made...my labor not in vain. Now to improve...

Angels Flying...365 Days of Drawing

Never draw faster than your art angel can fly. I took my time on the drawing of this one yesterday, teaching class demo at CAI, almost as much time as spent on the actual painting. Total head sketch time, one and a half hours.

To be honest, I was not in the groove.

Better get it back today. Sitter arriving to be painted from life in studio for a portrait commission today.

Lost and NOT found...365 Days of Drawing..

Time is short. Quick sketch to the rescue. 10 minutes each done from the model in my teaching class at The California Art Institute from different angles.

Not that great but met the drawing challenge. Soon to be placed in the 'lost and not found again' pile. But drawing practice, especially from a live sitter, counts and is accumulative to one's skill set so I don't mind at all.

ART SCHOOL COFFEE...365 Days of Drawing

"There are no rules, just tools;" says the wise Master draughtsman Glenn Vilppu.

In art and life I find this to be so true. BUT art school coffee sure helps. With its' thick creamy film.

The view from my teaching palette today at The California Art Institute before I began my sketch - and drawing for the day.

Come back tomorrow and see if that coffee helped.