Capturing A Likeness

Capturing a Likeness Supply List and Syllabus

This workshop will teach you how to see all of the shapes and angles that make up the foundation of a portrait and to be able to transfer them to your artwork. Getting this correct is how you achieve a likeness. Now, is not the time to try an unfamiliar medium as you will need all of your attention focused on grasping these concepts.

Essentials

You will be supplying your own photo reference material for the morning of the workshop. I ask that your photo be large and of good quality and no more than a head shot or bust shot of one person, only. Please, do not bring your actual precious photographs (especially those in frames), but either scan and print them so that they fill a 8.5 x 11” paper, or go to Kinko's, Staples, OfficeMax or some other quick print and have a copy made. The reason is twofold, you must be able to see what you are drawing and you don't want to damage the original photo in class.

You will need paper or a sketch pad to do thumbnails and value studies. This can be any paper that you can draw on, as simple as copy paper. Please have bulldog clips or some other kind of clip to attach your paper to your easel or have a clip board. Also, I find it extremely helpful to clip my reference to my easel or artwork so I can view them simultaneously, without the need to hold the reference with my hand. If you are working with a stretched canvas you may want a larger piece of stiff board behind so you can clip your reference to it.

You may choose the size of your support that you wish to work on, but I caution you not to work either, too small or too large. Between 8 x10” and 16 x 20” is fine. You will be doing one piece from your photo reference in the morning and another piece from the live model in the afternoon.

All students should have a floor easel as first recommendation or a table easel at the very least as there will not be easels available for your use at the Ella. Easels allow us to work more upright and less distortion will occur whether standing or sitting. If you do not have or will not be purchasing an easel of either kind for the workshop, I highly recommend your standing upright if working flat on the table top. We will be using long tables for those who will be working with table easels, but keep in mind that you will be sharing your table with others. Those who are using floor easels will be sharing the long tables as taborets unless you bring your own small table, such as a folding TV tray.

An oversized shirt or apron is a good idea to keep your clothes clean. Plenty of paper towels are recommended. I find Baby Wipes (any brand) to do a wonderful job of keeping hands clean especially when working with oils or pastel. Please bring items that you know that work for you and your medium.

Suggested Supply List

Please remember that you should work in a medium that you are comfortable and familiar with so that you can put all your attention toward developing the portrait. The suggested supply list is just that: Suggested. I really do not see any reason that you should have to go out and spend good money if you are comfortable with your supplies and you can make them do what you want them to. Please, understand that you should not skimp on the essentials list as they are that: Essential. With that in mind please go over this list and get an idea of what to bring. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. As a minimum palette, I recommend at the very least, a cool & warm of each of the primary colors and white.

Oils Water Soluble Oils	Pastels	*Acrylics*
Palette colors Titanium white Cadmium yellow light Cadmium orange Cadmium red light Alizarin crimson Ultramarine blue Cerulean blue Ivory black Palette 12x16" wood, plexiglass or disposable Palette cups Palette knife Brushes mix of long handled filberts or flats #4, #6, #8, #10 preferably two of each (make sure brushes are for oils or acrylic, Artisan makes good brushes for water soluble oils) Canvas inexpensive canvas panel, stretched canvas or Gessobord Odorless mineral spirits (traditional oils only) Sealable paint thinner container (traditional oils only) Linseed or Safflower Oil medium is a must for water soluble oils to loosen stiff paint Liquin is a fast drying medium for traditional oils Paper towels or rags to tone board and to wipe brushes Water container for water soluble oils only	Minimum 96 color set of NUPASTEL or 120 set of POLYCHROMOS Paper Canson Mi-Tientes in a neutral middle tone value or sand paper such as Kitty Wallis, UArt or others Board to clip your paper to, such as masonite or plexiglass. (You can go to Lowe's or Home Depot, etc. and have them cut you a piece approximately 1" larger than your paper size) Watercolor Palette Colors Titanium white Cadmium yellow light Cadmium orange Cadmium red light Alizarin crimson Ultramarine blue Cerulean blue Ivory black Brushes 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" 'One Stroke' lettering brushes #2 round for detail Palette White Butcher Tray or slotted watercolor palette Paper 140 lb or heavier cold press Water Container Tape and Board to tape paper to board Spray mist bottle to keep paint wet (this is a must!) Hair dryer (optional)	Palette colors Titanium white Cadmium yellow light Cadmium orange Cadmium red light Alizarin crimson Ultramarine blue Cerulean blue Ivory black Palette 12x16" wood, plexiglass or disposable Palette cups Palette knife small one shaped like trowel Brushes long handled filberts or flats #4, #6, #8, #10 preferably two of each (for oil or acrylic-not watercolor brushes) Canvas inexpensive canvas panel, stretched canvas, or Gessobord Spray mist bottle to keep paint wet (this is a must!) Water bucket to clean brushes Lid or shallow dish to keep brushes wet Paper towels or rags to tone board and to wipe brushes Hair dryer (optional)

Syllabus

9:00 am	Demonstration on how to see shapes and angles as the foundation of portraiture

9:30 am	Composing with value sketches

9:45 am	Demonstration on "The Painterly Approach to Portraiture"

10:00 am	Students block in with value and color

10:15 am	Developing the portrait and work towards finishing

12:00 pm	Lunch
	I will arrange for the Granary to come in the morning and take our order for lunch. You may have it delivered to the room so that you may continue to work or have ready in the dining room. Don't feel shy about bringing a sack lunch.

1:00 pm	Demonstrating from the live model

1:15 pm	Students begin working from model

3:45 pm	Clean up

4:00 pm	Workshop adjourns

I will be giving a 'Critique' at the JCAA meeting in the evening following the workshop and all participants are welcome to attend with their work.

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