Wonderland's artists are truly talented.

For the blog this week I thought I would put together a little video. This slide show was from about two weeks ago. I will uploading more recent photos from the session with Carson soon.

The music is Philip Phillips (Home) and credited to YouTube. I hope everyone enjoys it.
I am sure all of you will be spending time with friends and family this Thanksgiving so have fun and relax see you on the 5th. Looking forward to getting back to the studio.

Best wishes and thanks again for sharing your talent with me.                            Scott

Life drawing ArT LeaGue DaytoNa: Steve's Portrait

Hello again from Wonderland. This class of Thursday November 7th 2013, would prove to be not only a teaching experience for me but a terrific learning experience as well. The artists within this class inspire me. They create beyond my visual prowess at times and they make me want to pick up my charcoal/pencil; ( I have to some times force my creative cravings back, this is one of those times).

Steve as always was professional and attentive to the artist needs. He maintained a portrait pose for most of the day. I did change the lighting a bit with evidence showing in the final illustrations. One apparent fact happen today and that was commitment and conviction. It showed within the layout gesture all the way to the final output.

Portraits can be daunting and can make an artist's attention to detail over take creativity. This was not the case in the this class. Mediums ranged from acrylics to charcoal. Support and ground were heavy archival paper and newspaper print for some.

As we listen to James Taylor and friends artist began to drift into the illustrations. They became intensely absorbed in observing and translating. How could an instructor ask for more? Styles emerged and personal creativity filled the room. There was flying charcoal, splattering talent, and minute lines that changed the appearance to perfect detail; with just a flick. All of this talent was driving me to pick up my graphite and join, yet to no avail. I saved my feelings of creation for a later date. Artist; you truly inspire me.

Thank you,

Scott

(No Particular Order)

Barbara Evans first time in the class she was wonderful, I loved this interpretation of Steve. Free and fearless to say the least.
 

Barbara P. out did herself with one I am always drawn toward the Macabre, I believe she has something here, perhaps a whole stylized show with this stylized theme.

Becky, again on her game subtle kindness in the eyes and bewilder tiredness of the expression. Just wonderful... Wonderland.

How can you mistake Carson, it is a professional aesthetic quality when your art can be recognize. Carson has no problem with that! Beautiful colors. Me likes!

Ah our new gentleman Coach to me, (cuz I forgot his name sorry my South African friend). With his new eyes and unbridled talent he set forth with his brush and conquered.

 Coach's final piece the lighting is wonderfully mapped and the contour of muscle and hinges of the folds are professional quality. What to do, what to do with his new eyes?

Georgia as always shines; dare I say Gauguin! Compare to "Femmes de Tahiti". Truly lovely.

This gesture of Jo's does not do the final piece justice. I wish I had taken a better image of the final piece, although she will be working on it throughout the week and I hope to see it again.

John's work continues to amaze me. I hope he continues down this road he has distinguished himself as true originator, can't wait to see how his work develops. Exciting times ahead.

This last one of John's (I wish I had more wall space at my house.) Wow, just wow.

Another artist setting herself apart is Kris ( I got the name right this time I hope). Her Journey of understanding the human form has been more then exciting. Her strengths are becoming more apparent, as she discovers just what a small adjustment of one line will do.

The master Masha Tidy, what can be said I am truly thankful to have her in the class. Her knowledge and experience alone can do wonders. I am dialing her in and I believe I know a way to (perhaps) guide her. 

Nancy yup Nancy, so soft and subtle. Her use of color and recognition of shapes guides her through the professional portraits she produces.  

 Adding the darker value is allowing the strength of the image to shine and creates contours and bone structure as well.

Niki, she has magic pastels. They seem to flow within her grasps. Allowing the artist interpret to her desire. Perhaps we should steal them and use this power for ourselves.

Get those pastels!! You rock. Masterfully done. 

Finally this illustration holds so much character. The deepness in expression along with the value creates a dusty hardworking feel. I believe it allows the piece to be open to several avenues of emotional impacting stories. Wow, leaps and bounds!

Wonderland figurative Live model Thursday October 31, 2013

Figurative Class October 13th (All Hallows ween) 2013

What a wonderful and fun filled class. Lots of electricity and new artist. Horay! Also finally a male artist (thanks John for join up you and Maureen). The model this week was Rachel an experienced model with long lovely lines and hard contours. We studied the Back side of the human form and how it can and will affect balance and weight. The light was from a single direction at 3-5 oclock and it created a lovely shadow display. However, I did forget to turn off the front light that were overhead and I feel this might have been a mistake. If the front light was a little more dim the directional light could have been more dynamic. 

The artist used charcoal and graphite and a select few invested time with watercolors and pastel along with conte. All surfaces were archival and some more toothed than others. We started out with 5 minute gestures and moved on toward 15 minute then finally the longest pose was for hour and half. Overall the class did very well and everyone seem to be adapting. 

As for the goal next class with full body portraits (not this up coming week | this up coming week we will be working on the skull and human cranium features), so for the following week after this week; I believe I want to push it up a notch and start to limit the gestures to 5 and 3 minutes. I believe it will jump start some more creativity and my term "happy accidents".    

 Wonderful capture of movement and steady balance. The gestures suggest a state of mind and a clear sense of tone (eg. longing, wonderment, dream)

 Great flow of light captured by Nicki. The use of pastel provide clear thought and freedom. She claimed to not use them to much. Looks great to me.

Marsha a new student in the class was very talented and jumped right in with conviction and fearlessness. You got to love the overall technique very classical. (Can't weight to see what comes next) Watercolor!

 I believe this is Kris's (I hope so she will kill me) anyway the photo I took does not give it justice. The light she demonstrated with conte was utterly beautiful. The emitting light was soft with direct placement to give the body form strength and direction.

 Niki finished this within the hour and half and is complete composition. Remarkable.

 Becky shined this week with the rendering in charcoal. The capturing of weight and mass looks as if she plopped right down with the illustration. It also also offers rhythm within the piece a subtle flow of hierarchy from should to feet. Dare I say "Rockwell".

 Overall freedom and movement. Maureen captured the strength and solidness of the model. She is wonderful and free with her movement; the feel of the composition seems complete using the entire paper and never worrying about losing space. Fearless.

 John piece is one of my favorite this quick 15 minute gesture offers nothing short than a story. the composition maintains a sense of wonderment. The model looks as if she gathering her thoughts or waiting on a special person. So many things come to mind. Take a stab at it see what you come up with?

 During this session the class was to use muted tones for a a ground. They were to lift for highlights and/or mid tones and ramping. This a was a 15 minute gesture and Kris captured it magnificently.

 Barbara, finished in about 3-5 minutes I do not think I could ask for anymore. She is a artist that will be developing an overall creative force. You rocked this one.

 The class hard at work.

 A quick study the first of the day.

 Another quick study getting ready for the value of paint.

 Wow what a class so much talent and such hard working artist.

 See you next week Princesses of Wonderland.