This session was recorded this afternoon along with part 7, which will go live next week. There is approximately 90 minutes of footage on this video and my painting is finally heading in the right direction.
2022-10-24 23:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
With all the the beautiful Autumn colors in western MA, I had to get out and make a quick video. As I'm learning, the art of getting 1. clear shot, 2. good audio and 3. no GLARE.. is just as tricky as making a good painting!
As this post is scheduled to go live, I'm supposed to be in LA (Monday the 17th) and will be back next week with the Natural Approach series live.
This little video is a helpful reminder for learning how to mix colors.
2022-10-17 23:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
In the next couple of days I have a two close friends that I'm going to be visiting with, so their work is on my mind... It's wonderful to be in conversation with such incredible artists; Purgatory is one of Dan's pieces that I love and Tropical Waters is by Joseph. I hope you enjoy both of these artists if you have never heard of them!
2022-10-07 13:43:23 +0000 UTC View Post
This month I will be traveling to Los Angeles to attend an important exhibition marking ten years for the Maxwell Alexander Gallery. The gallery has done a phenomenal job bringing new artists to the Western Market, which they coined as "the new breed of fine art", gotta love that! They maintain the highest of standards in business practices between dealing with the clients, and keeping artists happy and painting in their studios. I'm honored to work with Beau, who is the owner along with his ...
2022-10-04 12:42:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Here is the link for part 4, in the video I mentioned five hours of working but realizing now it has only been four sessions of one hour each. Just a quick minor correction, I hope you enjoy the demo!
Leave comments or questions below and I will respond asap.
2022-10-04 11:29:09 +0000 UTC View Post
There are so many lovely technical things about this piece that I can relate to. For Thayer this was complete, and I think it is stunning as is.
For me personally, and what I want to share with you, this is a great example of how I think about the block-in. While I'm painting my block-ins, I'm striving for accurate color and value relationships while developing the drawing simultaneously.
Thayer is a master at this and so many other elements; this is an excellent examp...
2022-09-30 10:57:51 +0000 UTC View Post
When we commence a painting, whether big or small... you just have to get the surface covered.
A lot of students forget that 90% of the painting is never seen.
What I mean by that is that the very top layer is manipulated so much that the underpainting no longer keeps it’s original look. It may not be 90% but it is a considerable amount.
Keep in mind as I paint, a lot decisions are made thinking about our light source as the guide to direct us. Every brushstrok...
2022-09-27 00:50:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Here is some inspiration for tonight's live recording. I'm moving into the larger work but it is such a good reminder to see how much information Boldini fit in to a 6 x 10 inch panel!
I've seen this piece at The Clark museum here in Williamstown, MA and it’s mind-bending.... the figures are so tiny yet there is still such mastery in the brushwork.
Another one of my favorites.
2022-09-26 15:51:56 +0000 UTC View Post
A few of you have commented about how helpful the glazing demo was, thank you. I'm happy it helps you expand your painting technique.
Hopefully these images of the finished piece will help you understand some of the process in my work.
I wasn't able to film the entire thing because this is for a gallery exhibit, and sometimes when I'm recording demos, a natural flow doesn't quite happen the same because I'm thinking of what to talk about.
When I'm painting by mys...
2022-09-23 20:07:55 +0000 UTC View Post
This has to be one of my top ten favorite paintings ever made, I've yet to see it in person though. I have seen many of Bouveret's works but not this one...
I'm sharing to illustrate a point I've been thinking about and want to try to capture in the current project we are embarking on together; mystery within the secondary compositional elements of a piece.
This whole painting is done phenomenally well, although it is important to look into the shadows and see what als...
2022-09-21 21:10:46 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! I'm excited to upload this recording, for those of you who were able to catch the video live, thanks for tuning in.
Each demonstration adds a new dimension referencing how I paint, whether from life or photos. You'll see in this segment, that if you stick to a sketch that may not be entirely resolved yet, parts of the composition come into view as you press on.
This makes me excited and nervous to see where the big piece will head, but I have confidence it will ...
2022-09-20 10:54:28 +0000 UTC View Post
This is a quick painting started in acrylic and finished with oil paint. I discuss why I choose to build up the painting "organically" and allow myself to be lead by an intuitive sensibility for perceiving colors and light on form.
I hope you enjoy it!
2022-09-15 00:19:35 +0000 UTC View Post
One of the things I’ve heard from you guys a few times is that you would love to see a painting from start to finish. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, maybe longer you get to see a real project unfold. Doubt is something that every artist struggles with and I’m no exception although I’ve had many years of experience to learn that it is all baked into the process of creating. The more you can control emotions the better off you’ll be, especially as a professional artist. Here ...
2022-09-13 09:39:40 +0000 UTC View Post
The compression of values is taking the profound reality of what is going on in nature and depicting it in simple mixtures of paint. If we do this properly we can transcend beyond a "pretty picture" and capture something truthful to the human experience. This demo will give you some insight into working within the context of your pigments to create an illusion. Enjoy and please leave comments below, I will do my best to answer any of your questions. Or just start a thread and others may benef...
2022-09-06 00:44:23 +0000 UTC View Post
In reference to the previous glazing video, we discussed reworking your painting with an extremely common technique for oil paint, a "glaze".
In this beautiful painting called The News Vendor, you can see that Boldini was allowing certain areas to dry before proceeding with the composition, and not always having to work all areas of the block-in simultaneously.
This interests me a lot because it is in direct opposition to the idea that all parts of the painting shou...
2022-09-01 12:03:30 +0000 UTC View Post
I very rarely draw unless it is to figure out an idea or to design a composition.
Drawing is a way to think on paper and literally see what is being processed in our minds while we search for an answer. This is a drawing video dedicated to painters out there! It is really to illustrate how I go about finding forms and looking for negative shapes to complete the puzzle. Enjoy and please comment with questions.
Material List:
Strathmore Toned Paper in Tan, medium surface...
2022-08-30 09:37:01 +0000 UTC View Post
A new piece that was recently sold through Maxwell Alexander Gallery out in LA.
2022-08-24 15:28:14 +0000 UTC View Post
Glazing is the most common way I take a block-in and render it to a finish. If you watch the form painting demo and then study this afterward, you will better understand how I think of the form for every brushstroke. Glazing is a very common technique in oil paint, this is one way to implement it.
2022-08-23 12:23:19 +0000 UTC View Post
Here is the final session from the three part series on a step-by-step illustration of how I paint a still life. This is my process, but as is the case with any kind of art, process evolves continually. Let me know what you think...
2022-08-20 19:34:29 +0000 UTC View Post
This video summarizes a history of my education and influences, and gives a short demonstration on how those influences have lead to my current techniques. Enjoy! As always, be sure to leave questions below.
2022-08-16 11:16:45 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey guys, here is part two of the demonstration I recorded last week. Addressing what my full process looks like in a condensed video series. These short demonstrations allow you to be able to watch the content without investing an entire morning in front of the computer. Be sure to watch and go practice!
2022-08-16 10:19:08 +0000 UTC View PostHey, this is Michael. I'm glad you are here! As my Patreon account grows it makes me think about what unique technical advice there is that I can offer you.
ART is a form that has to be practiced and it doesn't come easy. With that in mind, the skillsets needed can be developed through my guidance and I am honored to help you with your art journey.
Patreon allows me to connect with you all in unique and exciting ways that are different than other social platforms.
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Here you go! A pencil block-in:) This is a continuation of a short series painting a Peach. This is usually not my method of working but it is something that I think you will find beneficial. Parts 2 and 3 will be uploaded soon. Be sure to comment with questions to take advantage of the exclusive content for Patrons Only and your direct access to me, the artist. I check this page more than any other because you are paying to get information so be sure to ask me anything.
2022-08-11 19:14:04 +0000 UTC View Post
For everyone interested in a series of videos showing pencil block-in to finished painting, this is a good one for you. Content will be uploaded in a few days. Stay tuned!
2022-08-07 20:31:01 +0000 UTC View Post
If you have any questions please let me know! Enjoy
Link to Munsell
https://archive.org/details/AtlasMunsellcol00Muns/page/n5/mode/2up
List of colors used in video
Left to Right on palette
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Ivory Black
Ultramarine Blue
Cobalt Blue
Cobalt Violet
Magenta
Alizarin Crimson
Burn...
2022-07-26 00:49:15 +0000 UTC View Post
