Portrait Artist Forum - Chris Saper: "For Love or Money"

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Chris Saper: "For Love or Money"

At the moment, only Debra Jones and I are Forum members, so, on behalf of the class , here are some images.

This class is a group of very strong painters. In these images the class is working from their own resource photos, taken previously under tungsten light, and using the sight-size method of painting, adapted to photographs, in the manner described by Sharon Knettel.. This is a wonderful thread to review, and a chance to see her gorgeous pastel work. In summary, she says:

Quote:

I always plan my camera position and lighting before the model comes for final photos. I always check the model's height. I can then set up a dress form with a wigged styrofoam head and the outfit or something similar. That is very useful to check lighting, angles and focal lengths.

I use a combination of photos and live models. If the model is unavailable I put the outfit on my dress form in the same light she was photographed in. I only shoot with daylight film, no flash, strobes so I can paint the colors as they actually appear in my studio. There are astonishing surprises in color when you do that, instead of just relying on your print.

I get large prints at least 30" x 40" and place them right next to my easel. First I do a smaller study, about 3"x5' and have a photocopy enlargement made to the size I want to work and transfer it to my panel. I then make a rapid color study. As I stand about 15' from my easel I can see a larger print more easily. The further back you are from your work, the looser and bolder your strokes become. You are not so attached to each little detail at first.

Here is Carol, with Athena.

Kathy & Susan, with Athena.

Rosalie with Richard.

Bill L with Athena; as you can see he paints faster than everyone else, and finished his painting during the coffee break.

Debra had to leave early with a bad cold, but she has been very active posting information from the class on some other forums, including in-process images from her work. Debra, I hope you will also post here, when you are feeling better. Everyone else in class, I'll catch you next week-

www.wetcanvas.com urls:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show...ht=Chris+Saper

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show...ht=Chris+Saper

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/show...ht=Chris+Saper

Cennini Forum ( www.studioproducts.com)
http://www.studioproducts.com/cgi-bi...ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=1;t=2748;st=105

http://www.studioproducts.com/cgi-bi...ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=3;t=947

My contribution.

You will have to content yourself with my contribution. I was sick and a bit of an over achiever. I did my picture two weeks earlier and may do the one I was going to work up in class later. Sorry the gang is so scared of their electronic devices! Chris and I are the main proponents of cyber communities.

The first model.

The first week we did Amber. I want to show you how I get three paintings for the price of one.

I took my snapshots, which I have not had the luxury of using both live and photo models until just December of this year, and made my own little reference central.

I not only printed for sight-size and gray scale, but I used a couple of slightly different photos and did posterized gray scales to see value changes. A bit claustrophobic, but it suits my midnight labors.

This is how it turned out at home. It is 20" x 18". Really my first fully "Daniel" Greene background.

From the photo I measured again.

We got the opportunity to work in class on alternating weeks so the third week, I took in a sketch MEASURED from the photos to work on in class. I left it bare bones but did my sight sizing from the photo. Piece of cake, as photos tend not to move as much as live people.

Done in studio with live model.

We used the top of the blinds open so it was cool, daylight. I want to tell Chris, it is a major accomplishment working in near dark!

But the upshot is that this may not look all that exotic in interior light, but it really sung in the trunk of my car that day.

I will get my piece out of the car and photograph today's effort for later. With sick kids you need remedial homework. I forgot my paints. NOT my fault, she wrote an email and listed MORE things to bring, but not canvas and paints. OK, everyone else knew it was a given but I was sick :bewildere . Chris handed me a canvas and her palette and another student a brush and some turps! You will see how well this one turned out in the dark, too ;)