Recent work, still working on a series of paintings for John Pence Gallery

Nature Sketch in progress

Jean Leon Gerome Copy

Knife Set at Cafe 96


30 Second Gesture

Golden Hair Girl

181 Express

John Singleton Copley
Work Phone

John Singleton Copley Master Copy

 Master copy after John Singleton Copley. There are some things that i think were successful of this master copy and some things I would like to improve. Although I can make the excuse that this was done after ballpoint pen and therefore provides technical roadblocks that i can't work around, but being the craftsmen I am I will make no such excuses for that. Simply put, I need to focus more on these key issues such as turning the halftone, keeping the lines lighter in the initial stages and building the form in soft waves not hard edges.


I am putting together a small class in the Bay area to teach drawing from life. Since I dont have a studio it will take place in cafes and restaurants that will allow us to work in private.

I will post more on this later.

Small update

More recent work still searching for that studio in the Bay Area.

Been trying to do a  meetup at meetup.com so I can make some new friends In the Bay Area.

I have a couple of master copies by Da Vinci and 1 by Sargent but for the most part these are just sketches of people on the 181 Express to work in San Jose.

Update: One Step Closer then Last Year.

I recently took a workshop at the Scottsdale Artists School with Robert Liberace which i will post an update on later, but for now here are some recent works that were done prior to and after the workshop. One thing I did take away is cleanliness of the line quality!


I am currently searching for a studio in the Bay area as well as an instructor to continue to work with and build my skill. Still aiming for Angel Academy next year....

long way to go. but closer then I was last year.

Battle of Anghiari Overview

I recently finished this master copy of the Battle of Anghiari by Peter Paul Rubens In which I used the block in method that I recently learned from Ted Jacobs this past summer In France. When I say "Block in Method" I mean all measurements were done by eye (Which I highly recommend as it really builds your eye). I just wanted to share some of the insight that I learned from the entire process of completing this long term project. This wasn't so much for me to practice my abilities to copy something as accurately as I see it, although this was the underlying goal. My main goal of this master copy was to begin to understand the rhythms of the human form. As you may know I had the chance to study at Studio Escalier this past fall where I learned on establishing rhythms in the figure by one of the main instructors Timothy Stotz. When Stotz explained the rhythm of the form it was described as "the underlying poetry of the figure".

I also wanted to practice my skill level in establishing a strong composition with lots of drama and flair but to maintain the high energy without overwhelming the viewer. I feel I was successful in that regard as I have been able to take some of the information from this piece and have put it into practice by completing a wide variety of intense but clean compositions.

Now there are some unexpected things that I learned from this piece such as being able to mix graphite and white chalk to create soft and sharp edges (such as the armor on the figures and the feather on the figure to the far right) when needed, and to also help build a wider value range. This reminded me of the importance of establishing the 4 edges (Sharp, Hard, Soft, Lost) and building relationships within the image.

I am aware of an oil copy of this painting by the Italian Artist Lodovico so as my next step for this copy I will complete a master copy in oil. Although this might take some time as I am working on a portfolio for entry into John Pence Gallery in San Francisco.

To Recap:
-Used the block in method
-Relearned the value of establishing edges and values
-Relearned the importance of value ranges
-Have a stronger understanding of compositional rhythms
-Have a MUCH stronger understanding of the rhythms In the figure
-Will take this to the next phase with an oil copy as well

I have provided the final drawing with close ups at the bottom.

On another note I wanted to announce that In the first week of June I will be taking a workshop with Robert Liberace In drawing and painting the human figure. This will be my 3rd time studying with Rob who is an excellent instructor. It will be located at the Scottsdale Artists School in Scottsdale, Arizona. This would not be possible had I not won a scholarship with the school to study there. I want to extend my thanks to the school for making this possible.


 

Progress Report

Current Progress on The Battle of Anghiari..

Visual Science Studios, Now Located In Fremont, California.

I have officially relocated to Fremont, California. At this time I am currently job hunting for a regular day job that would help continue paying the bills while I continue my education as a Portrait and Figurative Painter. I have also decided to use this opportunity to look for work In the Arts related field as I have access to many companies that could use my abilities!

Unfortunately I have not had the chance to create any big or compelling works thus far. These are in progress. For now I will post a drawing that I am working on that Is a master copy of Peter Paul Rubens Master Copy of Leonardo De Vinci's  now lost painting of the Battle of Anghiari.