The Portrait from Life

In this four-day workshop David will take you step by step through the process he uses in creating his professional works. From initial underdrawing though final glazes learn to build your painting in a series of layers that will help you effectively translate the observed model into an elegant and refined portrait.

Important Note: For out-of-town students, please refrain from making travel arrangements and accommodations until confirmation of the workshop is given. Workshops are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not met.

Supply List

Brushes:

• Bring an adequate selection of good quality brushes. I prefer a selection of filberts in both hog bristle and sable (or soft synthetic) in numbers 1 through 10. A few very small rounds for detail work are also recommended.

Some brands I have used and recommend are:

• Sable or soft synthetic:
• Trekell Legion Synthetic Mongoose
• Trekell Red Sable
• Rosemary & Co. Eclipse (synthetic) – I prefer the long filberts
• Rosemary & Co. Pure Red Sable
• Robert Simmons Sapphire (sable/synthetic blend)
• Chungking Hog Bristle:
• Trekell Hog Bristle
• Robert Simmons Signet Series

You will also need a soft synthetic hair flat or filbert brush for oiling out. An inch or so wide will be fine. This should be an inexpensive brush. It does not need to be of high quality. Something from Loew-Cornell or the like will be fine.

Paints:
Any good quality paint such as M. Graham, Michael Harding, or Gamblin will be just fine. Stay away from student grade paints.

You may use your own selection of paints if you are comfortable with a particular palette. But still try to bring some alkyd white. Otherwise I recommend the following:

• Titanium White
• Akyd White – I recommend Winsor & Newton Griffon (alkyd) Titanium White
• Naples Yellow (optional)
• Cadmium Yellow
• Yellow Ochre
• Cadmium Orange
• Cadmium Red Light
• Terra Rosa
• Transparent Red Oxide
• Raw Umber
• Ivory Black
• Quinacridone Violet
• Ultramarine Blue
• Pthalo green

Support:
I recommend size 12 x 16 (but bring what suits you). This will primarily be a head study. You will only need one canvas. I recommend a smooth weave linen or cotton, well stretched and primed. Oil or acrylic primed panel is also suitable. Please tone your support with a warm neutral color such as raw umber. Tone your support enough in advance so that it will be BONE DRY for the class. I always have one or two students who neglect this point. It’s important.

Also, bring something with which to do one or two color studies. I like to use a scrap of primed linen taped to a board. A small, inexpensive canvas panel is also suitable.

A note about toning the canvas or panel: 
“Toning” your support is simply staining the stark white with a little oil color. Rub some oil color on your canvas or panel along with some mineral spirits. Then wipe it off with a paper towel or rage (I prefer a cotton cloth) until you can’t wipe off anymore. That’s it. The goal of toning is simply to kill the stark white of the primer.

Other:

• Liquin Impasto Painting Medium (From Winsor & Newton. Please note this is a thicker gel consistency of Original Liquin. It comes in a tube.)
• A Palette Cup
• A Small Amount of 1:1 mixture of Walnut Oil and OMS (an ounce or so should be more than enough)
• A Palette – Either a glass palette, disposable sheets, a hand-held wooden type or whatever you prefer. If you are not familiar with using a hand held palette do not bring one “to try it” for this class. It takes some getting used to. We’ll be learning enough new things as it is. Stick with a glass palette or the disposable sheet type. Please try to avoid white or overly dark palettes. A gray or tan color is to be preferred.
• A Trowel Shaped Painting Knife (for mixing), the blade being 1 ½ -2 inches (or thereabouts) in length.
• Rags or Paper Towels
• Brush Basin/Cleaner
• Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS) – I prefer Gamsol by Gamblin. This solvent dissolves very slowly into the atmosphere, making it safer to use than other solvents or turpentine. Please do not bring a product you bought at the hardware store. Bring something made for artist use.
• Vine Charcoal (medium hardness) Note: We will NOT be using compressed charcoal for this class. Bring ONLY vine or willow charcoal.
• ¼ inch flat or filbert brush to manipulate your charcoal
• A fan brush to soften your charcoal lines.
• Kneaded Eraser
• Measuring Tool – I prefer a long knitting needle.
• Mahl Stick — If you are looking to achieve very fine detail and a refined finish a maul stick is essential.
• Optional (but strongly recommended):
• A Container in which to store Your Palette and Paint When Not Painting– I have a plastic “Tupperware-like” container from Masterson that works perfectly.
• Glass Scraper – If you are using a glass palette.
• Pencil Extender – I like to wrap a little tape around my charcoal stick so it will fit into one of these.
• A Small Hand Held Mirror – A great tool for seeing your painting in a fresh way and seeing your mistakes. I use one all the time.
• A Pair of Close Focusing Binoculars – Such as the Pentax Papilio. Very helpful for seeing detail if you are positioned a bit away from the model.

Workshop etiquette

• If you arrive late, please enter quietly. If you have equipment to set up, please wait for a break to set up so that you do not disrupt the class.
• The front row of benches is reserved for individuals who are sitting. Standing in the front row will block the view of those behind you. Personal easels are not allowed in the front row, unless they are low enough that it does not obstruct any portion of the view of the people behind you.
• Please be mindful of the amount of space you and your equipment occupy. Economize your work space to accommodate fellow artists.
• Please be polite to the models, and ask first before taking their pictures. The model may require a fee.
• Please do not talk while class is in session. Save all discussions for outside the studio.
• Be sure to switch cell phones and pagers to silent model.
• Don’t comment on others’ work unless it is solicited.
• Animals are not permitted at school for health reasons. Assistance dogs for the disabled are allowed.
• Please clean up your work area and properly dispose of your waste after class. Use the brush cleaning closet, not the bathroom sinks, to clean your hands, paintbrushes and other art tools.
• No turpentine or smelly solvents and mediums are allowed. Odorless mineral spirits is preferred.

Note: Tuition includes $20 registration fee.