 Serenity 36"x28" graphite/charcoal drawing "I would hurry to my safe place, away from the tempest and the storm." Psalm 55:8 Through the window of this drawing, we are looking into a portal of calm...and turbulence. For this drawing, which is my largest so far, I could not seem to let it go to the gallery. Usually my work goes straight off to be viewed. But this time, keeping her with me for awhile was a compelling thought and almost a need during this past year of the pandemic. I was struck by it in a way that I wasn't expecting. So she did stay home with me for a time. I found refuge in it. The goal as an artist is always to communicate to others. And when someone has expressed that they are moved by a work, I feel the highest compliment. My hope is that you are as well. "I would hurry to my safe place, away from the tempest and the storm." Psalm 55:8 You can view this drawing at the Galleries at Heartland Art Club.  I'd like to share my starting progress on a portrait oil painting.  To start my process, I draw a light sketch. Over that is the first layer of oil paint, emphasizing the dark values near the eye area and hair around the face.  In a portrait, my process always starts with the eyes. Once the eyes are established and look like the person, I can then use them as a unit of measure to work down to the nose then the mouth.  This shows the progression from dark to light color values in creating her hair. The paint shapes start as large chunky brushstrokes and proceed to smaller shapes of lighter colors. These images show richer color layering. Note the hair, eye and lip area has more color than the earlier images Hope you enjoyed seeing a little of my process. Check out my web page for information on individual art instruction, for oil, pastel and charcoal/pencil. Thanks for visiting!
Value Study Exploration Tips:
 Work in progress. Here I am painting the horizon and down into the water. For landscapes I generally work top to bottom, and back to front. When the canvas is covered I go back over and add glazing and additional layering of paint to fine tune the painting.
This painting will soon be at The Galleries at Heartland Art Club. Contact Marie to inquire about this painting or visit Marie's private lesson's page to learn more about virtual lessons.  I love to take my art class to the St. Louis Art Museum. I've been taking my classes to the museum for many years now. For this session to the museum we focused on looking at the Museum's masterworks to see their composition and design within the painting. What better place to see excellent design and composition!    For more information on future class trips to the St. Louis Art Museum Contact Marie.
I look forward to taking my class there again soon. Here is a step-by-step oil painting progression. 1) After pencil sketching on a 9x12 canvas panel, I start with the focal point. For this painting the focus is the head and shoulders. 2) I paint the shapes of dark and light. Looking only at shapes right now and not at all interested in detail.  It's all about choices! Decisions have to be made constantly throughout a painting. 3) At this point I have put in a dark background to show the highlights. I chose to go dark with the background, but I could have gone light. 4) Within the tulle of her skirt, dark shapes have to go first to add the structure or foundation. Then mid tone shapes are added followed by light highlights and detail. The final focal is the emphasis of light shining on her legs and tulle skirt. So those shapes are strengthened. I hope you enjoyed this progression. Sign up on my email list to receive more of these step-by-steps and class information.
 In this book, the author tells the story of how Sargent created this beautiful painting, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, during a very low point in his career. This period of time was soon after the unveiling of the infamous portrait painting of Madame Guatreau---soon to be called Madame X because of the scandal of her dress strap falling off her shoulder (that's a whole other blog post). After the scandal, Sargent actually considered hanging up his palette and brushes!! The distraught Sargent sought a safe haven in the English countryside where he spent the summer among friends, artists, and writers, escaping the stuffy Paris Salon. Sargent nursed his wounds and thought over his next career move.  One evening at twilight he had watched some children lighting paper lanterns hung between rose bushes in a garden. With new inspiration he recreated the scene outdoors in a garden, having children pose for him during the 20 or so minutes of delicate twilight each evening. To capture the beautiful, transient light, he painted this outdoors on the grounds of his friends estate. He continued painting from August through November, 1885. Cold weather arrived before he was able to finish the painting. He continued off and on until 1887.  When it was finally finished and exhibited it was proclaimed a masterpiece! It hangs today in the Tate Gallery in London.
This story fascinates me, offering a window into this particular moment in Sargent's life.
My drawing, Intermission II, was selected for this exhibit. I am pleased and honored to be a part of Lindenwood's outstanding exhibit which includes so many talented artists. The pieces selected for the exhibit were curated by Senior Professor of Art & Design, John Troy of Lindenwood University. 23 pieces were chosen from the Galleries at Heartland Art Club (formerly OA Gallery).  INTERMISSION II Graphite & Charcoal
   His brother's reaction was equally adorable.  It was a happy experience for all. Contact Marie to commission a portrait of your child.  2020 Art Classes offered at my Lake St. Louis location, include student's choice of media - pastel painting, oil painting and charcoal/graphite drawing. Here are progress photos of student's work from classes in a variety of media. Students can choose their own subject reference in order to feel a connection with the subject.  Beautiful pastel paintings!    Oil painting in progress. Gorgeous color!  Here is a graphite & charcoal drawing getting some finishing touches.
Lovely! 20 Years with the Blues! 2019 is my 20th year creating portraits for the St. Louis Blues! I am fortunate to celebrate a special anniversary working with the Blues, in a year they won the Stanley Cup - the first in franchise history!
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