Mattelson workshop

Julie Deane · 06-06-2006, 08:50 PM

Here's an update on Marvin's workshop. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to study with him. I'll post a little bit as time permits, because this is a very worthwhile investment, for anyone considering it for the future. Marvin is a great teacher! In the past, I was a bit worried about stylistic differences, but it wasn't necessary. He teaches the basics, and the student can do with them what he or she wants.

I attended his lecture "Everything I know about painting I learned at the Met" a few years ago and learned so much that helped me immediatly in my drawing. Heard it again last night - had forgotten a lot of things that I intend to remember to help me improve my painting.

Anyway, about the workshop (in Atlanta, at Binder's Art Supply - the evening lectures are available to the public - check out Marvin's link for info: http://www.fineartportrait.com/atlan..._workshop.html)

Yesterday was a demonstration day. Marvin has two models. Here he is working on his wash-in, which involves painting the model in one color to establish the drawing and values before color is added.

The actual progression is one that Marvin is in the process of photographing and will probably be posting on his website. I don't presume to show them, because my photos came out a bit distorted.

Here he is at the beginning of the process.

Julie Deane · 06-06-2006, 08:51 PM

Here's my wash-in from our first day painting. We'll do it again tomorrow, to better learn the process and the model.

John Reidy · 06-07-2006, 12:15 AM

Julie,

Thanks for the post. I took Marvin's one week workshop a few years ago in Atlanta and am forever grateful. I hope you can post more. And your right, his lectures are crammed full of worthwhile information and fun, too.

I hope to see you next Friday, I'll be attending his lecture that evening. I can hardly wait.

Mischa Milosevic · 06-07-2006, 03:19 AM

Julie,

Thank you for posting these. Your first day study is awesome! Good job! Have you thought about taking a tape recorder to the work shop?

Keep us posted and I hope others will as well.

mischa

Marina Dieul · 06-07-2006, 01:42 PM

Julie,
it's very nice of you to share that.
And your wash-in looks absolutly fantastic!
How long did you work on it?

Dianne Gardner · 06-07-2006, 03:16 PM

Julie, thanks for posting this and for the links. Your sketch is beautiful. You've certainly captured a drama in this portrait. Please keep us posted with this painting! I would love to see your work in progress.

Dianne

Julie Deane · 06-08-2006, 12:01 AM

Thanks, Marina, John, Mischa and Dianne-

John, I'll look forward to meet you at that lecture. Marvin's lectures are excellent. He presents his information logically, in a way that is good for students from beginning to advanced. Right after I attended his "Met" lecture two years ago, I started putting the visual principles he taught into practice, starting with my drawing of ""Bea" that I posted on this forum. It won first place and best of show in two separate competitions. Yes, I had to apply the things he taught, but his lecture opened my eyes to things I had never considered.

Mischa, I never thought about bringing a tape recorder. I would think that if someone did this, it would have to be a video recorder, because visuals are so important. Plus, the video would be a comedy show, I think, because Marvin is very funny and at this workshop at least he has fellow comedians to egg him on. Our model keeps cracking up laughing.

Marina, Marvin has his class do two days of wash-ins, one per day. We start at 9:30 and go to 4:30, with time for small breaks for the models to stretch, plus a lunch hour.

We were told that our second wash-in would be an improvement over the first, as we got a better handle on our medium and got to know our model's face better. I'm posting my wash-in number two.

Tomorrow, Marvin will be demonstrating his painting technique using his palette based on Paxton's. The palette has already been shown and discussed on this forum before, so I won't repeat that info, but I will put in my two cents: it is a very logical system, and could be used as a base and adapted upon easily.

Julie Deane · 06-08-2006, 12:05 AM

And here's a snapshot of part of our class. That's Marvin's sample wash-in to the far left.

Alexandra Tyng · 06-08-2006, 09:01 AM

Julie, I am in awe of your wash-ins!

John Reidy · 06-08-2006, 10:16 AM

Julie,

I hadn't thought of two wash ins but it appears Marvin is correct again. Have fun (like you could stop) and say hi to Marvin for me, please (and tell him we miss his wit and wisdom on this forum).