4 Sep 2019

Painting Light & Atmosphere by Joseph McGurl

by | posted in: Art DVD Reviews, Uncategorized | 0

Painting Light & Atmosphere by Joseph McGurl is a must have for any serious plein air landscape painter. This DVD starts out with Joseph McGurl painting on site in the mountains.  It is fabulous! He explains what he is doing at all times and you can see this master painter in action, along with his thought process and what brushes and techniques he uses.

One thing that really stood out for me was all the different effects you can get simply by using different brushes and McGurl uses quite a few of them. I imagine the Old Masters did the same thing with what ever they had.

McGurl then takes you inside his studio to make a larger version of his study. He does not keep strictly to his study, he can choose to change things around. Again, you see this Master plein air painter at work and each and every brushstroke. He tells you the paints and mediums he uses and when and why he uses each one.

Another thing is that Joseph McGurl does not use photographs! He paints from life on site and takes that back to his studio to make a painting. He may touch up a few things on his study but does not want to hinder the freshness of painting outdoors and the feeling that the studies have.    This is so much different from other painters who rely on photographs for their landscape paintings.  He has so many studies and has been painting outside so long, he knows what the atmosphere will do and also can take parts from each of his studies to make a new painting.

The interview with Eric Rhoads is very enlightening.  He asks good questions which McGurl answers openly and honestly.

I have been plein air painting for almost 20 years and found this DVD to be so helpful and insightful!  I highly recommend this DVD.  I watched it in 1/2 hour increments and took pages of notes while watching it.  You can purchase this video at Liliedahl Art Instruction Videos.  This video is definitely worth your time and money!

Sharon Morley
www.sharonmorley.com
September 4, 2019

10 Apr 2019

Daniel Keys “Observations”

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Daniel Keys has been an inspiration to me for quite some time.  I have watched his DVD’s and read articles on his work for the past 10 years or so.  I was very excited when he released “Observations” which is a slide show that Daniel narrates along with slides of his work.
In this work, Daniel explains what, in his opinion, makes a good painting.  Drawing, Value, Edges, Color and Composition.  He is a remarkable teacher and this slide show is so good.  Having taught art for over 15 years, I know those things are true.  The way Daniel teaches about value in depth is not something I have heard before.  He analyses a few of his paintings to demonstrate his points.  It is an EXCELLENT slide show and he has it on his website for $16.00.  The slide show is a little over 1 hour and packed with knowledge.  I enjoyed it very much.  I take notes in google docs while I am watching the video to refer back to then I watched the video again.  We are so lucky to be living in a time where we can see and listen to master artists explain their paintings and their concepts.

You go to his website, www.danieljkeys.com to download this slideshow. He allows 5 downloads per order.  I must say, I have a new iPad pro and a new iPhone and even though it downloaded on both devices; the slide show stopped playing after a few minutes.  Maybe my internet is not strong enough, I am not sure.

I then downloaded it to my computer and it played pretty well.  I highly recommend this slide show and any other videos by Daniel Keys.

Sincerely,

Sharon A. Morley, APS-ME
www.sharonmorley.com
Artist/Art Teacher

10 Mar 2018

Cesar Santos “Painting the Figure” is out!

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I received my copy of Cesar Santos “Painting the Figure” yesterday and was able to watch the first 2 segments on transferring the drawing and painting the underpainting.

Cesar is a great instructor and this dvd starts where his figure drawing dvd left off.

Cesar begins with an in-depth segment on how to photograph your figure and how to transfer your drawing. I have seen this approach before but Cesar shows you step by step all the while telling you what he is doing and why.

He then starts painting the underpainting with 2 colors plus white. This is a different approach from his portrait painting video. He begins immediately to show form using very few values. Just mesmerizing!

I watched this video and took notes -pages and pages of notes. What a great teacher as well as a master painter.  He is just so authentic and likeable!

Definitely an awesome addition to any serious painter’s education!

Art is not something one does;

it is a life one lives…

Sharon Morley

Www.sharonmorley.com

16 Oct 2017

Cesar Santos’ “Secrets of Figure Drawing” is Out! 

by | posted in: Cesar Santos, Figure Drawing, Secrets of Figure Drawing, Streamline Art Video, Uncategorized | 0

Cesar Santos Latest DVD is out! 
The DVD that I have been waiting for since the Cesar Santos Portrait drawing is now available.  “Secrets of Figure Drawing with Cesar Santos.”  I have had the DVD since the day it came out and have just finished it due to my busy schedule.     It has so much information that it probably should be watched a little at a time as I have been doing.

Cesar is a master artist; the contemporary portrait/figure artist that I look up to the most.  This DVD really delivers so much knowledge on the figure that it makes you want to study anatomy on the same level that Cesar has.  He does recommend books for study that he studied when he attended Angel Academy in Florence.  One book Cesar refers to is  “Artistic Anatomy” by Paul Richer which I find is very helpful and have started learning from it.

While you are watching Cesar draw, you know he is a master.  Cesar knows all the anatomy of the figure and uses correct names but it is not overboard, Cesar is way too cool for that, he simply states the part as he is drawing.  You do understand that it is important to draw from life and use the correct names of the bones and muscles.

Cesar starts the DVD by showing how to photograph the model and then proceeds to draw from a model that he photographed.  (There is also a little bit about the ethics of using photographs in the video).
He then does a quick sketch of the model to get the feel of the lines and the placement on the page.  Next, Cesar does a contour drawing of the model.  His precision is outstanding!  He uses Nitram Charcoal.  – the same type he used at Angel Academy.  He uses B for the block in and HB for the rest of it (I think, it does not actually tell you when he is using which charcoal stick). I had the Nitram Charcoal and I bought the  Nitram Sharpening Bloc which I love.  Cesar has made his own sharpening block, but for the price; I think it is worthwhile to buy it.

When Cesar starts laying down tonal values, he brings the model to life.  He is so articulate and meticulous in his drawing and shading.  When you look at the model’s right knee in the drawing, it has a life of its own.  The hands, feet, head, they could all be little masterpiece paintings in themselves.  I often times tell my students that each part of your drawing should stand on it’s own, well, Cesar is the master at that!

The interview with Eric Rhoads is awesome.  It is a casual interview but that is what Eric is so good at; he asks good questions and the artist feels at ease talking with him.  (I have watched many of his interviews).  I learned so much about Cesar but also his thinking process and I think everyone should definitely watch this, he is a true master and a true inspiration!!.

Other materials Cesar uses are sponges to soften, kneaded eraser, stumps,  soft and bristle brushes to achieve the softness or hardness and tone quality in the drawing.  I am only half way through the DVD but I highly recommend it. Get this DVD!!

You can watch the trailer and buy the “Secrets of Figure Drawing by Cesar Santos DVD” here (which I do not get compensation for from Streamline Art Videos) – I just want everyone to know how good the DVD is!

I hope this helps someone else on their journey

Sharon A. Morley APS-ME
November 29, 2017

 

17 Jan 2017

Workshop Schedule 2017

by | posted in: Essex Art Center, Uncategorized, Workshops | 0
A photo from the Saugus Library, Color Your World in Pastels! Workshop
Saugus Library Color Your World in Pastels!

Learn how to paint:  which workshop is right for you?  Here are the new workshop for 2017!  Sign up early; some workshops close a few weeks before the date shown:

February 23, 2017 6:00 – 8:00 PM  Shute Library, 781 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149  Color Your World with Pastels!  Workshop Call the Shute Library to sign up at (617) 394-2308.  Teens and adults welcome, no experience or materials needed.  http://www.noblenet.org/everett/shute.html

March 11, 2017 10:00 – 12:00 PM   Holbrook Public Library, Holbrook, MA  2 Plymouth Street, Holbrook, MA 02343  Color Your World With Pastels!  Call Holbrook Library to Register.  Materials Included- no experience necessary!
781-767-3644  http://holbrookpubliclibrary.org/
April 22, 2017  10:00 Am – 12:00 PM  Sunderland Public Library, 20 School Street, Sunderland, Massachusetts 01375 – (413) 665 2642  Color Your World With Pastels!  Call the Sunderland Library to Register.  Materials Included- no experience necessary!  http://www.sunderlandpubliclibrary.org/

Saturday, April 29, 2017  10:00 – 2:00 PM  Essex Art Center 56 Island St., Lawrence, MA  Color Your World with Pastels.4 Hour intensive class- Materials Included.    Call Essex Art Center to Sign Up.  978-685-2343

Saturday, June 3, 2017  10:00 – 2:00 PM  Essex Art Center 56 Island St., Lawrence, MA  Go Outside and Play!.2 Hour intensive class  Setting up for success when you go outside to paint!  Tips on how to set up, materials etc.  Oil, pastel, watercolor and gouache.  .    Call Essex Art Center to Sign Up.  978-685-2343

No experience is necessary for any of these workshops or for my classes.  This is a relaxing time for you to explore what each medium does, how to use it, what the good materials are and why.  You may ask any questions.  This is not a drawing workshop so you need not already know how to draw.  These workshops are about exploring the pastels or oils and paying little attention to drawing.  You can follow along with me to do a simple painting, or you can bring a photograph that you took to work on.  (Please bring an easier photo as time will not permit an in depth painting tutorial).

I hope to see you at one of the workshops or classes!

 

Classes

Private, Semi Private and small group classes are held at my studio or at a location TBA.  Currently class times are Thursday 9am-11 am.  and 11:30-am – 1:30 PM  Please email me  at morleytstudio@aol.com or call me at 978-273-8925 to register or for any questions.