No. 3

[Mischa Milosevic]

Half-toans are funny creatures. When the light is strong they act one way when the light is soft they act another way. Look at your photo and try to figure out what kind of a half toan it is you wish to paint. If there is no halftone then there is a sharp line and only box type objects have sharp lines. Halftone can be wide or not so wide

[Alexandra Tyng]

I wanted to add a little more about half-tones. Not only are they a different value, but also they are a different color. Look at all the colors in the photo (assuming that the photo s now your reference) as abstract puzzle pieces. They are a certain size, shape, color and value. Mischa has demonstrated a good starting point in which these puzzle pieces are quite large. Each piece must be layd down accurately. Notice the shape of Mischa's pale blue/lavender highlights in the top of the hair compared to what you have painted. If you do not paint the size, shape and edge of the light blue shape correctly, if you try to blend it into the dark hair and thus move the edge over and make it a soft edge erather than a rather sharp edge, the painting is already inaccurate! Trust what you see before you! Its all a bunch of color pieces. When you come back the next day, you may see how the puzzle can be broken into finer gradations, a mosaic of smaller pieces. Lay each piece down and move around the canvas finding other pieces of the same color if there are any. This is how to start gaining control of your process.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Thanks guys, there is so much to learn.

I understand that resource photos unless used religiously are only a tool to capture the moment or pose (which I used them for). I notice many others don't even bother to place resource photos with their paintings when they want critiques.

I have looked back on the critiques threads and found many hesitate to show the resource photo with their work. I am not sure what I should do with photos at this stage of my training - use them to copy from religously or just for suggesting the colouring/garment references or pose mannerism.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Ngaire, there are a lot of issues in regard to photos. I will not care to get into the photo business or in the business of photo reproduction. So, I will try my best to advocate the things that one must have in order to be a good and professional artist.

Critiques can be given with or without the resource photo especially when human form, portrait is in question. The reasons the academies use models and casts, to teach students, is because the mistakes are easily spotted. The human form is precisely made. The knowledge of anatomy again a must for artists. Learning how to correctly use line, value and hue again is a must if one wishes to be a good artist.

One can copy a photo, many do and make a living. One can copy a photo and many are experts at it but sit them in front of a live model and the result is...well you be the judge.

To properly learn a kraft this takes time. My first year at the academy was exciting but quite difficult. After that first trimester was over and I was home for a brake, my thirteen year old son asked me to draw his portrait. I was honest and admitted that I did not know how. I told him that I was still learning the basics at that point in time. He would not hear it. He wanted me to draw his portrait and that was that. I did draw the portrait and it came out ok. I applied what I learn't. After I drew his, I had him draw mine and he, with a bit of instruction, did a good job as well.

Why do I share this with you. One must understand that it takes time, many hours of hard work, strain and pain to learn the craft of art.

Many on this forum are to kind with their critiques but a honest critique is worth more to a student than a hundred pats on the back. Whether one can accept the critique is another issue but we must be honest. Good instruction is important and many wish to be teachers. To be a teacher one must know ones craft well and just knowing does not make one a good teacher. To be a teacher takes time and hard work.

So, in conclusion. Each has a choice to make. Will I look to see what others are getting away with, by lying, or will I learn my craft well and stick with the truth? Discouraging issues are all around us and sometimes the people we most trust disappoint us but do not dispare. The narrow path of truth is the right path and will not disappoint.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Mischa

Another great reply, thanks. I envy you that you have been to Angel Academy, this is one of my goals one day too, but I was thinking of going to the Florence one instead of Canada. I have given myself a goal to be in Italy in 5 years time, so until then I want to develop my draughtsman skills and learn italian so that I can gain more knowledge.

I have hesistated to show my development here because I am student, but I figured that it was time I needed direction and guidance, hence this thread.

I am slowly doing the Bargue plates and I have a cast of Clytie. I have used the cast only as quick sketching exercises and have not done a sustained study of her yet.

All replies that I have received have been beneficial to me as I am getting to understand what to look out for and not what to do. I do appreciate your reply. Thanks.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Good for you! Deciding to study at a academy is the step in the right direction. I studied at the Angel in Florence and let me tell you it was tough. When one leaves the Angel school that person has the foundation built on a rock. I unfortunately got as far as the still life's and because of a loved one passing I was forced to stop. I hope and plan to finish.

As for developing your skills do the Bargues. The information how to set up, procedure and finish are here. If you are really serious about your art then you will heed my advice. If it was me, I would be spending more time with the plates than with a brush. Leave the photos bee and train. If you really wish to play with quick portraits then train your self by using the Loomis book. If you wish to train to be a artist then get the The Human Figure by Vanderpoel, I think you have the Barge book, get a good book about understanding color and a anatomy book. This is all you need to get you started and a bunch of pencils. Even if you have all these, as we all know many do, it will not do you any good if you do not use them. Stop procrastinating and put in the time!

Only wish you the best