Karin Jurick Workshop Paintings 6x6 oil on board

Last week I had the privilege of attending a workshop with Karin Jurick, who in my opinion is one of the best "daily painters" out there. She is also a fantastic teacher, and a delight of a person to spend the best part of a week with. These are the first two paintings I did at the workshop. It's kind of hard to get back into this fast, painterly approach working from photos after about 9 months of working realistically from life/models. But I love the loose, quick method, and working from photos is very helpful for summer in VT.

The real thrill of the workshop was watching Karin's demos. I learned so much. The "Boy in Green Crocs" was from a photo Karin gave us all. The "Man in Disguise" was from one of my bench-sitter photos. I can't wait to get back to "daily painting" this summer. (A couple of weeks of travel is coming up, and then hopefully I will be back to it.)

Painting at the Met, "After Repin" 24x30 Oil on Linen

The Academy offered a class this semester in which we painted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art one afternoon a week. I chose the Repin to copy. It was an amazing experience.

"With Hat in Hand" 24 x 36 oil on canvas

Here's my latest from Sharon Sprung's class. A three week pose, but cut short by a few days of absence, both mine and the model's. All in all I was pleased. Sharon says I am moving to a new level, but need to focus on textures as well as giving more depth to the shadows, more contrast. I am really loving working on this larger size -- 24 x36.

"Stephanie - Nude with Pearls" 24x36 oil on canvas

Finally, something new to post! Although the photos aren't so great, I'm really pleased with this new painting. Done in two weeks in Sharon's class. It's big, for me. I really struggled with the skin tone and and natural light this time of year is a challenge. I plan to glaze it later to make it a little warmer, but all in all it was a good experience. The second photo is a detail shot.

"Clif" 12x12 oil on canvas

I have been working on another large painting in my class and am making good progress, however, got to class today and once again the model didn't show. Initially I was really bummed. I wanted to work on the one I had planned on working on. Boo!

Clif, one of our monitors, offered to sit for us. What a great time I had! A very fun, loose little daily painting. Surprises are always the best! As often happens when I photograph at the Academy, the picture doesn't do it justice. But I wanted to share it anyway.

"Rios in Bandanna" 16x20 oil on panel

I'm working on a large painting (24x36) in my class, but the model was out sick on Friday so there was an opportunity to do a "daily painting" from life/the other model in the room. Unfortunately this is a really bad photo, but it was fun to just paint quickly, loosely, on panel with no pressure or expectations. I think that's the magic of daily paintings. This one is a little bigger than usual, but 16x20 was the only panel I had in my locker. It was a fun day. Sorry the picture is so bad...

"Rios, Boxer" 30x30 oil on canvas

Here is the painting I did in Sharon's class in December. Unfortunately, holidays intervened and I was unable to post until today. I have sorely neglected my blog and totally understand if no one is checking in. I do plan to post as often as possible, and in fact will have some drawings from my drawing class in the next few days. I'm learning so much in my classes. Really enjoying working larger. This one is 30x30, and I'm currently working on one that is 24x36. The work in the classes is very different than the daily painting I was doing when I created the blog, and doesn't lend itself to frequent postings. So, please bear with me. Daily painting will return in the summer, I hope. For now, I will post when these larger paintings are completed, and look forward to comments and input.

"Catherine, Turquoise Teddy" 24x36 oil on canvas

Working larger than I've ever attempted and having a lot of fun with it. I have two more sessions to finish, and a few things that need to be changed. Unfortunately, I used a lousy canvas so the texture isn't good. Live and learn. But I feel like I'm making progress again after my hiatus, and I'm really enjoying my classes.

My second class is a drawing class, which is really fantastic. Great teacher, Gabriella Dellosso. But not a lot to show from the class. Lots of exercises, lots of learning. Just what I wanted.

Connie & Pigeon (18 x 24 oil on canvas)

I know, weeks go by and I post nothing, then two in one day. Inconsistent. But it's the end of two weeks of class, so here's what I've been working on. Unfortunately, bad photo. Color is off, as well as some glare. But I was so happy to get back to painting. And in spite of some drawing accuracy issues, I was pleased with my progress on this as a re-entry painting. I'm ready to work hard and make progress, and I'll post occasionally as paintings and drawings warrant.

Back to Classes

Cecily (10x20 oil on canvas). After 3 weeks off, I'm finally back to painting. Actually, I've been back for 2 weeks but did several days of sketches and color studies that I've chosen not to post. Unfortunately there isn't anywhere at the school where I seem to be able to get a good photo. Either too much glare or too dark. Oh, well. Here is the small painting from my afternoon class. Last week for this class. Next week I change to a morning painting class and an afternoon drawing class. I've decided that my weakness, and the source of much of my frustration is in the fundamentals of drawing. So I'm going to work on it. Not sure what I will feel like posting, but I will be back periodically with postings that I feel good about.