Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Mug #12- Jeanne Dicasali


Hilton Head Caper  - Mug #12.

Here is my new addition to the "Mug Shots" of members of Karin Jurick's 2012 Hilton Head Workshop.  If anyone is keeping track you may have noticed I skipped #11...which is a mug of me.  I'm putting it off until I get caught up.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.   

Eyes continue to be a struggle for me compounded by painting these mugs on a 4x4" panel.  I tried to convince everyone we should wear sunglassses, but got voted down.  Of course that would not have helped me learn to paint eyes.  I'm happy to see improvement, proving once again practice really does make a difference!  Speaking of glasses, don't you love Jeanne's snazzy glasses.  



Wanted

Jeanne, also known as (aka) “The Determinator”


Jeanne Dicasali, 4x4 oil on gessoboard


Lead # 12 from Supervisor Wanda Rottenfusser concerning the ‘De-terminator’:



Received notice that some sort of celebration went down on Ferry Road in Atlanta, Ga. on Wednesday. Neighbors reported people were singing and yelling Happy birthday Jeanne but we not sure what that was all about.

In fact, not much is known about Jeanne “The De-terminator” Dicasali, a relative newcomer to the sisterhood of felons.  This, of course,  leaves the field open for speculation.  We do know she is very focused  and determined but because she is unassuming often slips under the radar (a good trait to have as a felon).  But be cautious – crime, like art, is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration and the quiet ones can often rise to the top through sheer determination.

To enhance her public disguise, Jeanne began to draw as an adult signing up for drawing blogs and tutorials.  We even discovered a lovely little watercolor of cherries allegedly by her.  It appears she has now moved to oil and surveillance has shown her in the company  of Karin “Quickdraw” Jurick and the other Hilton Head felons.  Speculation is that she is likely to continue this practice.

She is also known to have international connections as her husband has been seen crossing the border into Canada often over the years.  We will stay alert in case this happens again.  She is not thought to be dangerous at this time but that could change.  Proceed with caution but proceed!




See other eye witness accounts (paintings) of this suspect at  2012 Hilton Head Caper




 Lola

created by
by Steve Dickenson and Todd Clark


Monday, February 25, 2013

National Art Gallery Copyist

Mini, 8x10" oil on gessobord (sold)
I love living in the Washington, D.C. area for a number of reasons.  At the top of my list - all of the wonderful museums at our disposal and free to everyoneA few years ago I worked close enough to run over to the art museums for lunch.  Life can't get any better than that!  I was always intrigued and loved to watch the painters who came in and painted the mastersThere was an interesting article in the Washington Post years ago of an artist who was a copyist.  I wish I still had the article because it discussed the rules.  The only one I recall was the copies of the paintings could not be the same size of the original.  I believe there had to be at least a 1" difference from the original.  

My favorite part to paint - the easel and the copy of the copy!  

If you live near an art museum check out their policy to see if they have a similar program.  Here's some additional info about the National Gallery of Art's program.

National Gallery of Art's copyist program


The National Gallery of Art copyist program has been in operation since the Gallery opened in 1941. A permit issued by the registrar’s office is required for copying works of art in oil or any other liquid medium. The Gallery provides permit holders with an easel, stool, and drop cloth; private easels are not allowed. Visitors may sketch with pencils or other dry media in the galleries without a permit.



To participate in the copyist program, applicants must meet all requirements outlined in the National Gallery of Art “Rules Governing the Copying of Works of Art” and agree to an interview and a security background check; they must acknowledge in writing their acceptance of the rules. For more information on the copyist program, please e-mail your name and mailing address to copyist@nga.gov. A packet of materials will be mailed to you within seven business days.



The issue of a copyist permit does not in any way constitute the National Gallery of Art’s endorsement of a copyist’s work. 

Gregory Stapko, Copyist  



 C. Gregory Stapko(1914-2006) was a portrait painter, painting restorer and one the nation's foremost copyist of famous works of art.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Artistic License

This was one of my first museum paintings & people in museums have become one of my favorite subjects to paint. 

I saw this young lady at the Smithsonian Portrait gallery.  I liked the color of the wall and how the young lady was so casual in that formal setting.  But as I painted it I realized the museum painting was a dark portrait and didn't work at all with this gal.  Plus, I just didn't like it.  So I walked around the Smithsonian National Gallery until I found a painting I thought matched her personality.

Finished Painting (sold)

The roughed in painting, first layer
I enjoy starting with an under-painting to get a feel for what works and what doesn't.  
  • After this quick under-painting, I decided the green was too bright, I wanted more color in her shirt, and I wanted to change the painting from the wall.   
    • The beautiful Renoir replaced the roughed in18th Century portrait
    • Changed the color of her shirt to blue once I decided on the painting I would use
    • The wall was toned down
    • Highlights & shadows were added throughout the painting
    • A touch of light blue was added to the right to indicate a hallway and add more light to the painting and to balance the blue in the museum painting & her shirt
    • Changed the color of her flip flops to red


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Hilton Head 4 Challenge #7 - "Hanging Out"

Hanging Out, 9x12" oil on canvas

It was my turn to pick the photo reference for the HH4's semi-monthly challengeI chose 2 photographs I'd taken of this young man in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden on the mall in Washington, D.C.   I've had him in my "going to paint one of these days" file for a long time.  He had such an attitude about him for such a young age.  He stood there for the longest time in what looked like a model's pose in his cool shades and layered shirts.  He was adorable.

Here are the other HH4 ladies' interpretations:  



Chris Werst
6x6” oil
What a fun and different approach!


Shades

4x4” Oil on Gessobord

Yeah…That's My Ride

8x8” Oil on Raymar Panel