Chris Saper Workshop
 

I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Arizona where I was fortunate enough to take Chris Saper's three day workshop in Prescott.

It was such a pleasure to meet you, Chris. The class was so much fun and I learned a great deal in just three days, too. We all enjoyed Chris' teaching technique and her humor is delightful! There is a lovely gallery at the Mountain Artist's Guild where two of Chris' paintings are on display. As I walked into the gallery her paintings drew my attention immediately, they are very luminous and beautiful.

My classmates were delifghtful as well. All in all, for such a short workshop I came away very happy for the experience and, I hope, a better artist for it!

Carol Norton was also in the class. Carol, I hope you post your painting as well. It is beautiful...

These are just great! Can you folks that attended give us a bit of a "blow-by-blow" or summary of the class? I think it would be useful and interesting. :)

Dear Patty,

It was truly my pleasure to meet you, and I am so glad you took this class!

As it turned out, this probably could have been a juried master class, as so many of the students painted at a skilled, professional level. Patty, one of the other students said your painting was "Stunning" and she's right.

This class was a 3-day version of "The Best of Both Worlds", beginning from life day 1, working from photos day 2, and finishing from life day 3. Part of the goal for this class was the understanding of the differences in painting from life and from photos, and why it is important to work regularly from life. But it also shows students how to get and interpret excellent photo resources. We dealt with color temperature a great deal, and had one model in a warm light, and one in a cool light.

We had two FABULOUS models - Patty and Carol were two of the students who painted Fil, a Hopi Native American. Fil has a beautiful sturctured face, and wore his traditional Hopi Ribbon shirt, which is the dress shirt of the Hopis, made by his grandmother. He also wore the ceremonial/traditional bracelets, arm bands and necklaces of his tribe.

Our other model was the lovely Mischa, whom I 've painted in the Mountain Artists' Guild Open Studio before.

Here are some of the students and their work.

Fil

Carol's painting

Ok, Chris, I'll let you keep the pic of me in, just so everyone knows...
...it's back to WeightWatchers and makeup. . . vacation is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously now, thanks Chris for the compliments on my painting. And yes, there were some great artists in this class as well . . . Judy, where are you???????????

And More About The Saper Workshop
 

One more great Saper workshop! No matter how many workshops I've taken from Chris from 2003 to 2008, I always leave as a better painter. Her method of showing students the differences between painting from photos and life have always been a part of her teaching strategy. This workshop was no different. AHA! moments were experienced by all, including Fil, our Hopi Indian model, an art student at a nearby college.

Chris' explanations of photo value compression and distortion were especially clear and helpful.

The Mountain Artist Guild people were warm and friendly and the facility neat, comfortable and attractive. As a first time visitor to Prescott, it was a thoroughly delightful experience.

So glad you went, Patty! Your painting came out very well, and it sounds like it was a great workshop to have attended.

And that picture of you with the model is so "Patty" (that is, fun and friendly)! :)

Julie,
You are a perfectily dear friend to say something flattering about that pic! Thank you for your compliment on the painting too. I wish you could have been there too, you would have loved it. We had allot of fun!

So your backdrop there looks a LOT like "Whitaker Green" - was that intentional, and if so, where did you find it! :)

Also, can you talk a bit about your model setup? Your lights look like they were positioned quite forward - or perhaps there was a series of lights?

Good strong shadows and highlights!

LOL it is kind of a Whitaker green, a bit less saturated. The backdrop consisted of a couple of queen size sheets I picked up at Linens N Things for about $6 each. Which just HAPPEN to be the same color as the Canson "Ivy" pastel paper. .And I just HAPPEN to have a backdrop that is exactly the same color as the Canson "Sand". What a coincidence:)

The lights were positioned rather forward, as you've observed, Michael. It was necessary for each easel position to have both shadow and light, especially the profile/near profile positions. There were 7 students per model. The lights perpindiular to the models were newly installed gallery track lights - their color was strange: the constraints of the room and its lighting options directed what I could to with lighting.

The Ultimate Set-up
 

"The lights were positioned rather forward, as you've observed, Michael. It was necessary for each easel position to have both shadow and light, especially the profile/near profile positions. There were 7 students per model. The lights perpendicular to the models were newly installed gallery track lights - their color was strange: the constraints of the room and its lighting options directed what I could to with lighting."



And ...... just like kids who have no idea what their parents have done to achieve the lifestyle their children enjoy, we students were so spoiled in this workshop! Such beautiful backgrounds, lighting and costumes! Somehow, it just didn't "just happen!"

Heck! Do you mean that it didn't just materialize out of the ether???