A little more progress

If you've been reading my FORUM you would have seen more stages with the portrait. Here's how things looked a day later. I've emailed my progress to Valerie, for her feedback and I was delighted at her response. She writes:
Actually, an excellent job!!! Don't do too well, I'd like to be needed when I get there!!! haha

Keep up the good work! You're definitely on target!!!

Love,

Val

So - totally motivated by her comments I am going to prep another 2 portraits ready to paint outside, in the sun.

Portrait Painting - with Valerie Stewart

Well, it's a long time to wait between now and next May for Valerie Stewart's portrait workshops..........so, with some time on my hands today I decided to have a little go, following her DVD instruction. Firstly, I selected a couple of photos - a celebrity and a family member. Next I prepped 2 canvas, mixing the base colour and giving a good coat on both canvas. As I settled at the table with my brushes, medium, palette, base colour, easel and kitchen towel, I was ready for stage one. I guess, the thing with portraits is........they are supposed to look like someone specific. With landscapes, we can be a lot more forgiving and add extra bushes, trees, fences - anything really..... The first few strokes were applied, following Valerie's guidance. I was a bit wary about making a mistake as I haven't ever made a detailed 'person' portrait in oils before. I'm happy to work with graphite and build up the shading, knowing an eraser will always take out bits I'm not happy with. Not quite sure how that will work with oils though. So, I'm almost at the end of stage one on the celebrity portrait and taking a break before switching to smaller brushes. All that you see so far has been created with a 1 inch brush. If you can guess who it is from this very basic layer, considering there's no eyes yet, I'd be really suprised.

Valerie Stewart Portrait Seminar

The final details of the Valerie Stewart Portrait Workshop have been organised. There's been much interest in Valerie's unique 4 day seminar, due to take place here in the UK next Spring. The details and timetable will show you exactly what's involved. You can see what is and what isn't included in the classes. A friend of mine, Kim, kindly took some photos during a recent seminar she took with Valerie in March 2009. You'll be able to see a portrait Kim made of her daughter and a double portrait of her son and grandson too. You'll also see Valerie working with a student on another double portrait. The places are limited. I'm really looking forward to this workshop and I'll be taking part along with you all. Now.......I need to select who I'm going to paint. Is it going to be a couple of members from Pink Floyd - or will it be some people a little closer to home. Decisions, decision. Still, I have ample time to decide and I'm sure my mind will change several times. Meanwhile, I'd really like to leave you with this portrait made by Valerie. I think you'll agree she's done the most fantastic job in catching Bob Ross is this friendly pose.

Joyce Ortner in the UK

Deposit time........The first deposits for the Joyce Ortner Seascape seminar, scheduled for September 2010 are being received. The only real change to the previous arrangements with Joyce are the price and the venue - and the former is because of the latter. Unfortunately Capel Village Hall has already been booked out and we've had to go for a more expensive venue at The Lambe School in nearby East Bergholt. So - once again, we'll be painting in the birthplace of John Constable, England's romantic painter. Just a short stroll from his studio and home, situated in one of the most pretty ,chocolate box style villlages. You can find more details HERE

A quiz while we paint

Neville, a regular student of mine, often poses a thought provoking question during painting workshops, (remember several weeks ago, whilst painting the stars into the Northern Lights painting, he wondered who sang the original version of 'Swinging on a Star'?). Neville keeps us entertained with his quizzes and today none of us had the answer to his question. Our little church is painted in using a sable brush. 'Where does sable come from?', asked Neville. He had us foxed until we could get home and google it............. Would any readers have been able to answer him on the spot? Incidentally, we'll be painting the Northern Lights again on Saturday 25th April from 10am till 3pm at the Green Room in Stowmarket. If you'd like to attend this class, do give me a call on 01473 311938 or drop me a line on info@ayoubart.co.uk