DeMille workshop portrait

Richard Huante · 01-19-2004, 10:34 PM

Hello all,

Last week I attended a week long portrait workshop conducted by Sedona based artist Leslie B. DeMille. I enjoyed it immensely.

This is one of the live models we had throughout the week (also named Richard). Unfortunately I didn't have the foresight to take his photo as a reference for critique. But here it is, and any comments are appreciated. I encourage any critique, nitpicking, insults, etc. Thank ya much fer lookin'!

19 x 25 in. on Canson Mi-Teintes

Richard Huante · 01-19-2004, 10:36 PM

And a zoomed image:

Jimmie Arroyo · 01-19-2004, 11:18 PM

I like the colors used for his flesh. Although it looks very loose with paper showing through, you can tell he's alive. Nice job.

Linda Brandon · 01-20-2004, 12:56 AM

Nice to see you, Richard!

This is my favorite painting of yours so far. Very nice job! Fresh and masculine, it really suits your subject. I wouldn't change a thing.

Richard Huante · 01-20-2004, 11:53 AM

Jimmie and Linda,

Thank you both for the nice comments. They are much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Debra Jones · 01-20-2004, 08:32 PM

Richard got around a LOT last week, I have photos....I will post the work we did in Chris Saper's class for you next week. SAME SHIRT.

Sorry I missed you at lunch, I would loved to meet your teacher.

Note on the school, Sally Strand is teaching this week. I am so torn when I love the sticks and am trying to work more in oil. Are we lucky or WHAT?!
dj*

Lara Cannon · 02-04-2004, 08:42 PM

Hello Richard,

I have been thinking about what I might add to the comments. I hesitate to say too much as I see you have signed it and you are no longer able to look at the model.

All in all, it is a strong piece. I like seeing the paper through the drawing. The only real element that sticks out and bothers me is the background. It seems you did a very thoughtful rendering and then you quickly blocked in a background without giving it as much thought as the portrait itself.

The strong yellow stands out a bit much and competes too strongly with the flesh tones. If I were to revisit your portrait, I might put a little more effort into the background. Perhaps you could carefully establish a darker value, without messing with it too much and loosing the nice fresh look.

Lara

Chris Saper · 02-04-2004, 10:03 PM

Richard,

I see your work becoming stronger with every image you post. I think that your hard work is paying off in leaps and bounds.

Leslie is a terific painter, and a great teacher as well. I always look forward to seeing your new portraits.

And yes, fantastic likeness!

Chris Saper · 02-04-2004, 10:10 PM

PS I appreciate the background observations; still, I like very much the way you have handled the subject as a vignette (OK maybe we should start a new thread...)

I think that you have very successfully integrated the figure with the ground, much more difficult that it might seem at first blush.

For those who drop in, I have known Richard for quite a long time, and he has been very focused on excellence in his work. I know that he puts in many hours, and seeks out excellent teachers.

Richard, it really shows.

Richard Huante · 02-05-2004, 12:35 PM

Debra, hi, when I saw your portrait of Richard I noticed he did have the same shirt on. Mr. DeMille did a portrait of him a while back called "Diablo" shown here. He commented that he wore that shirt for him, also!

Lara, thank you for your observations. I did block in the background at the end of the day. The yellows you see are actually an olive green, also more muted in real life. But maybe a darker tone would work better.

Chris, thank you very much for the kind words. Of course, one of the excellent teachers I've studied under is you!

Sincerely,