Day 1 and 2
Were life painting sessions with very attractive models – Jaki and Rachel. Attractive to draw. They posed well and patiently under the warm spot lights. Since my painting looked muddy, I practiced in my hotel room once again, this time using my large mops that I am used to. The lesson to be learned with the portraits was that getting the right flesh color and value was paramount along with soft edges.
Day 3
Was plein air painting in town of Clayton, CA. I didn’t realize how hot a day it was until I came back and fell asleep for the night in a sofa chair as I was working on editing this photograph. I had a very varied day on Wednesday. Out of 7 paintings I made, the flowers turned out to be the funnest and free most!
Day 4
Was still life painting
I was amused to see the decoy props that are so famous now from Charles’ paintings be present for the still life poses. Scott (another workshop participant) even gifted the Reids with one other. My focus was to get the faint values in the white flowers which I struggle with. Even after 3 failed attempts, I never got to have bright white highlights and darks on the other side of them when painting into the light.
Day 5
Was painting from old black and white photographs. It was an exercise I had done once in 2009. This time around, it was harder for me to add vivid colors.
After 4 days of consistently using pencil, I had developed an ease of drawing that was palpable this evening.
I was very happy with the choice to have a horizon for this painting when the reference B & W photograph didn’t. Pink sky works!
Many of the attendants were repeat workshop attendants so they knew the format quite well. That helped to set their expectations and also helped them to procure critique from Mr. Reid. Having perused through his books on portraiture, I felt that age had caught up with the master. His speed, quality and general language was not what I had come to expect from his books. With his growing age, was the growing age of most of his workshop attendees as well who enjoyed the milder critiques and gentle prods instead of ruthless opinions. It was a good experience to have been in his workshop once, to have spoken to Mr. Reid in person himself, but I felt that I missed his prime of teaching and painting.
Peter
September 14, 2016 3:48 pmInteresting, do you feel that an artist has a ‘ prime time’, like a sportsman ?
boss
November 6, 2016 4:32 amI do! I’ve seen it in more than one artist and dread that it will come to all of us. Ugh!
Peter
January 23, 2018 12:27 amOnly saw the reply now… Prime time. art. sport. coach. routine. death. I don t agree. Prime does not really exist in art. At least not tied to an age. But that is, obviously, my humble opinion. I like your work Uma, you are good. almost as good as you were three years ago… sorry , bad joke…