Leanna monochrome

[April Phillips]

This is an oil of my husbands bosses daughter Leanna (10 yrs old), that I did yesterday using the wipeout technique. Now that I have it on the computer, I can see all kinds of imperfections. But I would love to get feedback from all of you--on the photo and painting--to help improve my work. Being of a drawing and sculpting background, painting is still fairly new to me. Thanks in advance.

ps. I am taking classes to learn new oil techniques that don't require finishing the work in one sitting (before the paint dries).

April,
Your work seems to me to have been executed in the so-called "Reilly Method", taught by the late Frank Reilly. He was an immensly popular teacher at the Art Students' League decades ago. If I'm correct, this underpainting technique is called a wash-in.
According to his approach, you'd next lay in the colors. Don't you utilize a controlled palette too?
Out of my own curiosity, where did you learn this approach?
Thanks,
a.

[Chuck Yokota]

April,
This is a very nice painting. You might take a look at the modeling of the shape of the upper lip, and also lighten the facial highlights as it curves around toward the light to bring out the 3D form.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Hi April,
That's a beautiful grisaille.
I'd suggest you to review the right side of her face. The eye is not so wide open and not so big, the right side is not so round.
You made a correction on her chin, if you hadn't made that, her face would look longer as in the refference.
First of all, correct the eye dimensions, then you'll see clearly the other necessary chages, but that's a very close likeness. Check the shadows above her lips too.
Try to soft the edges on right cheek and to scumble her neck too.
But that's beautiful anyway.

[April Phillips]

Originally Posted by Albert Loewy

April,
Your work seems to me to have been executed in the so-called "Reilly Method", taught by the late Frank Reilly. He was an immensly popular teacher at the Art Students' League decades ago. If I'm correct, this underpainting technique is called a wash-in.
According to his approach, you'd next lay in the colors. Don't you utilize a controlled palette too?
Out of my own curiosity, where did you learn this approach?
Thanks,
a.

Actually this painting is done. I'm not familiar with this Reilly technique, but am now intrigued. Is there a book?

With this method, I paint the canvas a solid midtone shade of burnt umber and then paint in the darks (same color) and wipe out the highlights using a cloth. Once the paint dries, there is no more adding highlights--only adding darks. I learned this technique in a portrait drawing class in San Francisco taught by a woman whose first name is Electra. It's really the only painting technique I know so far, but am learning more. I don't love having to finish the painting in one session.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Marvin teaches this technique.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Here are two links to Beth Schott's website showing his method of painting.
http://www.ewschott-fineart.com/work...elsonSpec.html
http://www.ewschott-fineart.com/work...lsonPaint.html

Dear April,
I beleive you must have learned the so-called, "Reilly Method", either directly from one of his students. (or his student's students) A ton of 'em are out there. To my knowledge, he was the most popular teacher of drawing/painting in history!!
He was an immensly popular illustrator, during the golden age of. He apprenticed to the great Dean Cornwall, and in time taught at the Art Students' League. Reportedly, his classes were ALWAYS sold out. In time he left the 'League and his own school was started. I've studied with two of Reilly's erstwhile students, Michael Aviano, (who now teaches privately) and Jack Faragasso, at the A.S.L. Faragasso has had a few drawing/painting books published. Jon DeMartin, at the N.Y. Academy of Art teaches it too.
After the wash-in, (underpainting) one applies paints from a controlled palette over the top. They also have their own means of drawing too.
-Hope That Helps,
Best,
a.

Post Script:
April,
I now recollect another teacher who teaches a Reillyesque method, Frank Covino. He continually teaches around the country. I don't actually even know if he even studied with Reilly though, so I won't vouch as to whether or not he teaches what is today known as, "The Reilly Method". 'Definitely influenced by it though.
To learn more about Reilly see americanartarchives.com/reilly.htm
Best,
a.[B]

April,
More Reilly info: He studied, or was influenced by George Bridgeman, (whom he succeeded at the 'League) Dean Cornwell, Frank Vincent Dumond and Harvey Dunn.
At the end of his too short life, he commenced with the Frank Reilly School of Art. His death brought that to an end, though.