Resources for learning paint application

Vianna Szabo · 02-01-2006, 09:00 PM

Hi, everyone.

I have been searching the net and this forum for information on brushstrokes and paint application. My awe of painters such as Sargent, Remberant, Burton Silverman, and others is in their ability to represent planes of surfaces with simple strokes that contain the correct color value. I do not find much information on these artists actual techniques. I become frustrated with my own work when I fuss with an area and lose that expressive element that a great brushstroke can give. Does anyone know of any resources, books, or videos that could help me? Is there a brushstrokes for dummies out there?

Vianna Szabo

Cynthia Feustel · 02-02-2006, 10:11 AM

Vianna,

I have a DVD by John Howard Sanden where he recreates the painting "Lady Agnew" by John Singer Sargent. It is painted alla prima and is amazing to watch. If you are looking for simple paint strokes and simple mixes this might be a good place to start.
He also has a premixed set of portrait colors which are essentially three lighter values of a basic flesh (mixed with yellow ochre, cad red, white and cer blue) and several other neutrals and grays(values 3, 5 and 7). I have been making the transition from watercolor to oils for my portraiture so this has helped to simplify things for me while I am learning. I originally tried to premix a larger palette of colors (a method recommended here on the forum) but was overwhelmed with the time spent premixing and trying to figure it all out since I was not able to attend a workshop to learn this correctly.

I know what you mean about fussing and the level of frustration that it can cause. I dream of being able to put brush strokes down the way I see Sanden do in his videos.

Like you, I am also interested in anyone else's suggestions or methods. There is so much to learn and it is wonderful to have such a pool of talent on this forum to draw from.

Cynthia

Vianna Szabo · 02-02-2006, 11:43 AM

Thanks for the advice, Cynthia.

I think I have a friend who owns that video. I'm pretty sure a pot of gumbo could be traded for a video loan. Perhaps painting along with it could help. Videos are a great stand in for workshops. You are right about the talent and knowledge on this forum. It is the best resource of all. Here's to no more fussing:-)

Thanks, Vianna

Steven Sweeney · 02-02-2006, 12:17 PM

It sounds to me like you have an affinity for the type of paint application that Gregg Kreutz demonstrates in his DVD, "Mastering the Portrait -- Rose" (also called "The Painting of Rose").

It's a very thick application, put down and left alone, without any fiddling (a technical term, sort of -- British artist Alwyn Crawshaw always amused me when he chastised himself for getting too "fiddly" with an area). There is one exception -- which I thought he was brave to reveal, given the hue and cry against "blending" -- where he takes a clean blender brush and softens some of the areas on the model's face. This was essential under the circumstances. It would have been unnecessary on the portrait of, say, an older male model.

I think the DVD is a bit higher-end in price -- $120 or so -- so you might want to rent it -- for $18, I believe, though a membership might be required -- from art-video.com. I might say that the DVD disk wouldn't play in my TV/DVD or one of my computers, but finally kicked in on the older computer. Some technical matter that exceeds the speed of light going through my day. Maybe they've fixed that.

The subject of the video, by the way, is Rose Freymuth-Frazier, herself a highly accomplished artist.

I think it's worth noting, in this matter of application, that even highly finished, blended-look procedures are much easier to manage with generous applications of paint. Trying to blend together two scratchy, miserly applications is a sad thing to have to witness, especially if you're the one doing it.

Vianna Szabo · 02-02-2006, 02:30 PM

Hi Steven

It's funny the names we come up with for "fussing" or being "fiddly" I have a friend who refers to this phenomenom as "dinkin". Guess it's all the same. Thanks for the info on the video and video rental. I did visit Rose Freymuth-Fraziers site and love her work. The "Self portrait with Odd's hat" shows the brushwork that I am so inspired by, very simple and powerful. I want to paint like that!

I have noticed on many of the paintings that I am drawn to will have areas of heavy paint application and areas of scraped down surface. Sort of like introducing opposites of angles and color temperature that keep a painting exciting. I especially love Burton Silverman's work and am amazed how he will scrape down areas and they will read beautifully.

You are right about being miserly with the paint. I make myself set out gobs of fresh paint out before each session and not just rely on what was on my palette previously. This is challenging for my frugal self but worth it.

Thanks again for the information
Vianna

Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco · 02-02-2006, 02:39 PM

Hi Vianna,
maybe you have it already, but I suggest you to have a look at Richard Scmidt book, Alla Prima.
I have spent hours on it and keep going back
Ilaria

Jeff Fuchs · 02-02-2006, 09:15 PM

Here's another rental source. You don't have to be a member, but you need a PayPal account

http://technicalvideorental.com/inde...x&cPath=108_87

I've rented several from them. They seem to be experiencing growing pains, as it now takes a while to get the DVD you order, but it's worth the wait.

I have David Leffel's still life DVD at the house right now.

There's nothing better than watching the masters do it. No text can explain it as well as seeing it for yourself.

Steven Sweeney · 02-02-2006, 09:34 PM

That is a very cool site, Jeff, and not one I'd ever seen. Thanks a lot -- you've wiped out my next raise (assuming I get off the Forum and back to work and get a raise.)

The depth and breadth of the wealth of video/DVD instruction, at full or rental prices, is more than any of us could have dreamed of, only a few years ago.

And you're right -- there's nothing like "seeing it done." No matter how many of these presentations I collect, I'll never let go of my first Helen Van Wyk demos. I watched one the other night, for about the 20th time but for the first time in years, and everybody reading this would be 20-60% better at painting if they could just internalize what she offers in only one of her tapes (which I had converted to DVDs, for longevity).

She also spreads a LOT of paint around. I'm so grateful she kept making those videos, the last ones even while she suffered from cancer. She was doing that out of pure love, not for money.

Vianna Szabo · 02-02-2006, 10:27 PM

That looks like a great rental place, Jeff. What a teriffic idea. I've tried for years to get the local library to purchase some quality videos but to no avail. It is definately easier on the wallet to rent, now I just need the time........

Vianna

Alexandra Tyng · 02-02-2006, 11:30 PM

Hi Vianna,

While you're internalizing all those tapes, of which I am sure you are fully capable given your level of expertise, I have a suggestion that might help:

I've heard that Sargent, while wanting his strokes to appear effortless and fresh, actually invested a lot of effort, practice and planning to make them appear so. If he wasn't satisfied, he would wipe an area out and do it over and over again until he got the strokes just right. It might speed up your "learning curve" to use his method. My son does the same thing when practicing a piece of music--he works on small sections, getting just the right inflection, tone, etc. before moving to the next section.