Thanks, Alexandra. In this case, the model for the wash-in is a friend, which always helps. What frustrates me is that it really doesn't show her warm and friendly personality.

John, I mentioned to Marvin that you're coming to the workshop. Is that this Friday or next? I'm assuming next (marketing lecture)?

Here's a shot of Marvin at work. Today was a "demo" day. Truly an eye-opening experience. So much can be learned just by watching someone paint. I hope I understand it enought to do paint well myself tomorrow (a class painting day - we are alternating days now - one day painting, one day watching Marvin demo).

That's correct, Julie,

I'll be attending his marketing/portfolio lecture. I'm working on a self portrait reminiscent of my first critique Marvin gave me. I'm hoping to have it finished in order to bring it to Atlanta but at the rate I'm going I don't think I'll make it. I have made it a challenge and still have some issues to work out.

I'm looking forward to meeting you.

John, I hope you get in done so you can bring it along.

Today was our first day to work in color. I was worried that I would have trouble with the palette, because brushes are laid out for use in each value, there are a lot of them, and I was afraid it would be hard to get used to. But I found that I was able to adopt easily after one false start.
To me it was as if I was playing the piano and choosing which keys to play as I went up and down the scale (of values).

Here's the first layer of color. Other layers will be added after this dries.

Julie,

Thank you, thank you, thank you.....

I tried so hard to get there and am glad that at least I can share this wonderful experience through your postings. Please give my regards to Marvin. I second John's sentiment that Marvin's input and critiques are greatly missed here at the forum.

By the way great job on our mutual friend. How is she holding up? You have captured her likeness right off the start and I can't wait to see your end result.

Using all these brushes was a change for me too, but in the meantime I have added my own adabtations to Marvin's brush holder and keep most of my brushes organized in that manner.

What a beautiful start and such an informative thread. Thank you for sharing. Would it be at all possible to take a photo of your set up?

Dianne

Enzie, I'll send that message on to Marvin. Our model and mutual friend is doing well, although sitting in one position for that long has not been easy for her.

Dianne, the paint system can be seen at this link: http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...elson+workshop
As for the brushes and how they are laid out, I'll describe it now and post a photo later.

The brushes are put in rows that match each value. There are 3 brushes per value - small/medium/large brushes. Even though there are four possible colors per value, you don't have a different brush for each of those colors in that value string. You simply wipe your brush if you want to change colors, and you only use that brush for that value. For example, let's say you're starting the portrait and you want to lay in some darks. You take your value 1 brush (1 = darkest color, 9 = lightest) and put it in your value 1 paint. You might lay in some black, or some raw umber mix, or some red mix, but you're only using one value. Then, when you're done with that value, you move on to another value string, using its designated brushes. It sounds more complicated than it is.

I like this system because my colors are cleaner with less effort.

Julie,

Great start, I can see Marvin's influence. Your colors and drawing look great and you appear to be well on your way to a happy conclusion.

I found Marvin's pallette easily adaptable to my thought process and his method of organizing his brushes was such a help for me that I had a permanent brush holder made based on his design.

I will try to photograph my set up Monday morning before I get too far along. I'm rather happy with my set up.

Here's one picture of Marvin with his setup.

And here's one student's setup for brushes, stuck in a foam block. Sorry it's blurry.

Here's an update on how my workshop painting is coming along.