Transcending the Photo Reference in Paint
June 20 - 22
Tuition fee: $1,200
Skill level: intermediate/advanced
The workshop will explain how to create a useful photo reference, covering topics such as ideal lighting, camera settings, Photoshop, and printing. Students will learn to create color relationships that portray the space and volume, creating the illusion. Emphasis is then placed
on paint application and ways of activating the surface.
By focusing on deliberate brush stroke and maintaining accurate color relationships rather than blending or rendering, the application of paint describes the form and space, rather than the details of an initial drawing. We will accentuate the structural volumes of the form over the contour, concentrating on relating all parts of the picture to each other with an organized palette. From there, students will be guided towards deciding what information is useful to look for and what usual pitfalls to avoid when interpreting a photograph. Deciding when and how to invent and experiment is perhaps the most crucial part of the process.
Students will be encouraged to look more at the painting itself than the photographic source, using it only for initial reference. We will explore ways of seeing the picture objectively, how to imply detail without overstating, and what level of finish works best for the particular painting
or style. The painting will develop through indirect layers of opaque and transparent painting
to achieve the delicate nuances of flesh and other surfaces. Methods of Glazing and Scumbling will be discussed.
The final result can be a painting that captures the essence of your subject (and your connection with that subject) and contains the intimacy of the human touch that transcends a smooth photo-realistic image. There are a variety of results varying from abstraction/improvisation to a more illusionistic representation. All will be discussed and the challenges and rewards of each will be explored.
Students may work only in Oil paint (no alkyd or water soluble substitutes). Students must have some knowledge of working with oil paints, and be familiar with basic supplies and clean up procedures. Beginners are welcome. No film or audio recording is permitted.
A detailed materials list, with notes, will be distributed upon registration up to 3 weeks prior to the class to ensure time to prepare. Students are required to be prepared for class on the first day. Alyssa will provide photo references for the students to use for the workshop, they are not encouraged to work from their own photographs.
SYLLABUS:
Day 1:
• Opening Lecture and Introduction: Expectations and Plan
• What makes a good photo reference and how to create one using a camera, photoshop, and printing
techniques. Color Mixing Demonstration.
• Students will their Photo-References from the options provided to paint and mix their palette
• Lecture and Demonstration:
• Application: Edges, brushstroke, thick or thin paint various techniques discussed
• Reading the Photograph: What is the useful information to look for in the photograph? Using
anatomical cues to see volumes of forms instead of contours to create the illusionistic effect.
Pitfalls to avoid when reading the photograph.
• Responding to the painting vs. the photograph.
• Experimentation and exploration: not following the photograph perfectly or literally. When
and how to experiment and why it’s essential to the painting process.
• Making intentional strokes and informed decisions.
• Discussion of desired results varying from abstraction/improvisation to a more realistic
illusion’
• What is the essence of your subject that must be conveyed with the intimacy of the human
touch beyond the photo- realistic image?
Day 2:
• Students begin application, using color relationships and discussed application techniques, to create
initial illusion based on photographic reference.
Day 3
• Glaze and Vellatura/Scumbling Demonstration and Lecture
• Continuing with First Layer application, Correcting color and adding detail
• How to finish, what is finished, you are the first audience
• Alyssa will spend focused time with each student and their painting
• Book signing and pictures
Materials list