Off to the museum we go....

57 Faces of Ventura will join me tomorrow afternoon (in painted form at the very least) at the Museum of Ventura County in it's event pavilion.

Why don't you come too? Free admission, food, and song.

And a whole lot of fun in partnership with FOOD Share.

FOOD Share feeds the hungry - 74,000 mouths a month in Ventura County.

This poster is a fund raiser for them...purchase for $25, 

100 per cent of the proceeds to FOOD Share. 

email me johanna@johannaspinks.com

Paypal link coming tomorrow...

Lights, Camera Action...How to Paint A Portrait Demo On Film

Yesterday I painted Xerox Ambassador Mr.Peter Godinez, live, while being filmed over a three hour period.

How to do that? Keep it simple stupid. And make sure you request your lighting needs ahead of time. Even in a well-lit film studio, a portrait artist needs to see form.

The Ventura County Star came to do a pic for the paper toward the end so that was a double whammy. Better have something half decent to show or else. Pheweeeeee.

Just stick to the basics. Don't try for a Rembrandt if you know what I mean. And wear black.

Charming conversation while painting Mr. Godinez.  Hope I sounded somewhat co-herent while painting his fine face.  He and Xerox are very kindly donating the brochures for my show on Sunday.

The Ventura County Museum. The Face of Ventura By Johanna Spinks, 2 to 5, admission free, food wine and song.

My Show Hits The Ojai Valley News

Face of Ventura By Johanna Spinks

Poster for sale at show

Thanks to the Ojai Valley News for covering my upcoming show, "The Face of Ventura By Johanna Spinks", August 26th, at the Matha K. Smith Pavilion, The Ventura County Museum.

Thanks also to FOOD Share for partnering with me on this event.

This 18 x 24 poster is available for purchase at event, a portion going to FOOD Share: email me to order johanna@johannaspinks.com. $25

visit The Face of Ventura website: www.the faceofventura.com

FOOD Share feeds 74,000 hungry mouths each month in Ventura County.

How To Paint Details...

It is all in the details, don't you think?  This is a close-up of a portrait I painted in Sweden two weeks ago on a pilgrirmage to Anders Zorn Land with Jeremy Lipking and friends.

I was assisting Jeremy Lipking. Lucky for me. He is pure gold.

If you want more details about this trip, seeing a few of my sketches and musings. post your comments here.

Otherwise, I am as good as gold...

How to put the finishing touches on a portrait...

After a few days rest from my sketch, I was not happy with it. It needed some finishing touches. A sharpening here and there, most of all some stronger drawing.

I decided to be bold. Here's how I tweaked it...

Sharpened the jaw line up to the ear and the underplane of said jaw.

Sharpened the glow on the forehead.

Sharpened the shape of the forehead meeting the hairline.

Strengthened the shadow side of the nose. Her beautiful aqualine nose so important to who she is...

Placed the ear slightly more back

Placed some lovely darks in those deep eye sockets with a swirl of the brush leaving the stroke to show...that sealed the deal for me!

Added more hair to the back of the head...more viridian highlights...

Added some more sizzle to the fabric, pinks and greens, with a palette knife.

I think I am happy now.

A Portrait Painted From Inside Out.

I was asked if I would post more 'portraits done in stages", starting with an eye, getting that correct before moving on, considering value, shape, edges, and color temperature as you go.

So here is another one. My demo at The California Art Institute this week.

Show Time! Face of Ventura By Johanna Spinks

Hope you can make it!