Whitaker techniques

[Kimberly Dow]

I had the pleasure of seeing this little painting in person yesterday in Midland, Texas. It is just lovely and this image does very little to show it off.

I have a few questions for Bill and he gave me permission to post them here. (I've made bold what I consider the most important questions to me - in case you cant answer all at once).

First, I will tell you - on my screen - the vibrancy of the painting does not show up at all. It is very small and the detail is great. The blue ribbons are much brighter than shown here. The lace and ribbon parts on the painting are the tiniest dots of paint - just perfectly placed! I believe it is the only area of the painting where there is some thicker texture. Her hair and skin is just luminous. Her arm in shadow fades from the light in just the perfect way. There are sharper edges and clear lines (like the dark part of her hair above the bun/ponytail) and much of it so soft... The cloth itself is all different tones of gray - which suprised me as I have in the past always thought of shadows on white as usually bluish.

One of the things I am most curious about it the quality of the surface of the painting. It is a very very even sheen. No glare, but a beautiful sheen. Hard to describe actually. Very smooth, except where the paint is raised up a bit for texture.

Here are my questions Bill:

The size of this?

What was the support used? Some kind of panel?

Tell me about that frame - the curator was going on about it being gold leaf. I'd like to know your supplier.

I'd like to know the mediums used. You have mentioned marogers before. I ordered some and have never used it. Do you put it in each paint nut? What percentage?

If it wasnt the marogers with this one, were there other mediums used? The surface quality of your paintings is so fascinating - something I'd really like to acheive.

Did you sand this painting to get it so smooth? Or is this just something you do well from the begining?

This may be back to the medium used, but: Studying it up close makes me think the paint was much more liquid in consistancy than how I am using mine. What is the consistancy of your paint when you apply it? The details at the ribbon and lace are so small and look as if they are applied as drops...

This is going to sound silly - but my word- how do you paint so small!? Your brushes must be tiny! And your eyesight must be outstanding!

Uh - I am sure these are enough questions for now to keep you busy...

Thank you!

Oh - one more! The curator chatted me up for quite awhile and ended up showing me the portfolio you sent him concerning commissions. (I prmoise, I didnt ask and I am not a stalker!) The quality of the prints were outstanding - how did you have those printed? Were these regular film photos? Digital prints?

[Kimberly Dow]

I fiddled with the image you sent Bill - and on my computer this is a little more accurate. It still doesnt show that blue as true as it is though.

[Timothy C. Tyler]

It's hard to read color on-line we all get different colors but Bill, I'd like to know if that is Manganese Blue in her ribbon.

Kim, Midland has oil money and some good art. For years they had a show there that was very famous. Bill's work may have been sold thru that show.

[Kimberly Dow]

The show this is in has been going on either 17 or 27 years now. It is at the Haley Library in MIdland. It is quite well-known and they have the same returning artists every year. I didnt recognize too many of the names because several were western art, but I did recognize Harley Brown of course. They usually sell over 50% of the art and these are good prices. And - they only charge the artist 20%. It is hard to imagine a library having a show like this! This is my second year to see it. I was dropping off ar for a show last year at the Museum of the Southwest and was suprised to see one of Bill's paintings on the front page of the newspaper. You can bet I hightailed it over there. The curator tells me the hardest to sell there are figuratives, but I notice Bill's always sell. He said the western art doesnt go well anymore either - the hot thing there is now landscapes and some animals. He also says because the smae artists return every year (its an invitational show) he hasnt been able to add new ones for quite some time although he has several he'd like to. He said he would walk next door to the museum and see one of mine there, but this show at this point may be out of my league.

Midland has about 100,000 residents, and it is filled with wealth. I''ve managed to get a couple clients there (one who cried yesterday when he saw the painting in progress!) and hope to get more. I was contacted by a charity for children that raises 2 millon in one evening at a black tie ball and auctioneach year. I've donated a small painting and they will be letting me display a portrait and business info. If I can find a proper fru-fru gown I will attend as well. It is held at the Petroleum Club (sounds just too wealthy). Wish me luck!

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Bill,

That white gown is as lovely as anything in this exquisite painting. I am admiring this as I try to paint similar cascading white fabric (with questionable success). Now this is white functioning as a color! Is this painted with Flake white, or more with Titanium? It appears as a richer, more glowing white than what comes out of the tube. Have you warmed it up in the highlights and compressed the lightest tints so they are slightly diminished from pure white? It's hard to be sure from the small post images. This is so beautiful and inspiring.

Thanks Bill and Kim for sharing this!

Garth

[William Whitaker]

I have to get ready to go teach in a few minutes, so I won

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by William Whitaker

Tim, the blue is ultramarine and a fabulously lovely cobalt blue made by Steve Salek at http://www.shopvasaricolors.com/default.asp . I love his paints.

Bill,

Steve Salek (Vasari Classic Artists' Oil Colors) dropped in on me back in December and spent a long evening shooting the breeze, mostly discussing how paintmaking has evolved into it's current renaissance. He mentioned you with enthusiasm, and how much you appreciate his exquistely rich paints. I am in LOVE with them too. They inspire better paintings.

Garth

[Janel Maples]

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

If I can find a proper fru-fru gown I will attend as well. !

I say go in your painting duds, it would be more fun AND you would stand out in the crowd. Good luck!

[Kimberly Dow]

Bill -

Thank you so much - I am soaking all the information up. I am going to have to order some of those paints.

Janel, I sure would stand out wouldn't I?