Book Review: Oil Painting Techniques and Materials

A few peppers sitting on my couch
(getting going on my sketching goals for 2009)

This post is a review of Harold Speed's Oil Painting Techniques and Materials.

What This Book is Not
This is not an easy read. This is not a "5 simple steps to a masterpiece" type of book. The chapters are long and at points rambling. The book was originally published in 1944 - it's not a book written for the modern "scanning" reader. However...

What This Book Offers
This is a marvelous book! There aren't many books that I read that I feel like I would benefit by reading again. But, this one is an exception. I learned there are several historical approaches to painting. I learned how certain effects have been achieved. I have a blueprint to try for approaching a painting.

In all of those areas and in others, I feel like there is more for me to understand in this book. Some of it went over my head, so I would benefit from returning to this book - and plan to do so in the future.

I do see a great improvement in my painting since I started reading this book. I have a better idea of how to handle painting wet-into-wet...what happens to the color, what can be achieved, etc. (Actually, I have been painting with open acrylics, not oils, but many of the same principles apply.)

Top Ten Dreams for 2009

Self Portrait
(this is how the self-portrait finished...a fun ending to 2008)

This is my third post on goals for 2009. (See part 1, part 2.) This is the fun one...the one where I dream about what would make me feel like I had an amazing year if I accomplished a few of them.It should be noted that I am not committing myself to doing all of these this year. These are like a wish list, some challenges to throw at myself to keep it interesting. If some of these seem out of my reach, well, they probably are, but I like to aim high!

Top Ten Dreams for 2009 (actually 8, but I'm saving space for new dreams! :D)

1. Enter a competition. (I actually did enter a friendly competition in 2008 - it was a challenge to myself and one that I really benefited from.) As I am working on some new mediums I am not sure that I can really deliver on entering a serious competition this year, but it's here on the wish list.
   
2. Make y dollars this year. I'll tell you that y > x (see here.) Another "push me".
3. Submit an article to Art Calendar.
4. Keep a drawing from memory log. I'd love to do what Jeanette Jobson does, sketch a memory from the day each evening for a few minutes.
5. Win a portrait commission. I'm working on my portraiture skills this year, I'd love to get good enough that someone wants to buy one...
   
6. Paint something to hang in my living room over the couch. There is a big blank space over my couch, everyone always asks about it. The answer is that I want to put something I am really proud of there.
   
7. Make a calendar for 2010.
8. Meet one of my cyber chums. I'd love to do a face-to-face with someone this year. (Jo, I had this written before you mentioned it...I think we should do it!)
   
9. ?
10. ?
    

Top Ten To Dos for 2009

Delicate Beauty,
7in x 5in,
open acrylic on Gessobord

(Purchasing information to follow.)

On Friday, I posted my general plan for 2009. Today I am going to flesh it out a bit with my top ten "to dos" for the year.

I will still be doing my monthly goals. They will be drawn from this list and anything else that comes up. At the end of each item, I'll name the area of investment it's attached to. This list of ten gives me some measurable goals to achieve, without overwhelming myself. If I finish all ten early on in the year, I'll add to it! :D

Top Ten To Dos for 2009

1. 50 Paintings - Fairly straight forward, I'd like to average one painting a week. They need not all be finished to the same degree. The idea here is to be painting frequently. Reading about painting only gets you so far. (painting)
   
2. 100 Sketches - Sketching is a joy for me and so I put this in here as an easy goal. (drawing)
3. 10 Drawings - These are more polished drawings than a sketch. I imagine that most of these will be my VSD entries. (drawing)
   
4. Create Business Images - This year I want to expand my image manipulation skills - both so that I can create references for myself and so that I can design my business images. So, I will be scheduling time with PS Elements and my new camera. "Get better" isn't a good goal, I'll choose to create new business images (a measurable goal). (business)
   
5. Make prints and/or cards available. (business)
6. Writing project - I hope this comes through. If not, I'll replace this item with a similar writing goal. (writing)
7. Complete my book list - I have an embarrassingly big stack of books on my night table of books half finished. I'd like to finish them before I start any new books. They are: Capturing Radiant Light and Color, Practice and Science of Drawing, Oil Painting Techniques and Materials, Portraits from Life, Paint People in Acrylics, Art of Pencil Drawing. Other possible additions to this list are Elements of Drawing and Creative Perspective for Artists and Illustrators. (drawing, painting)
   
8. Make X dollars from my artwork - a measurable goal. (business)
   
9. Marketing Advancement - If I'm going to sell online, I need to know how to do it well. So, some sort of advancement is in order. I need to do some SEO work (labels and image tags). Also, I'd like to give Twitter and Facebook a go. (business)
   
10. Do 12 portraits - this is the item for my portrait group. I've emailed around a few folks and gathered a great group of people to do some portraits with this year. We'll work once a month from the same reference and then offer critiques for each other. The blog is private because we think that will help with the critiquing. We are keeping the group small. (drawing, painting)
    

Investments for 2009

My Christmas Bouquet
(I so can't wait to get painting!)

I decided to revise how I set goals for the coming year. Last year I had each month planned out. It worked well, as long as I allowed myself to revise each month as I went along. But this year I'm going to run it a little differently.

I'm calling this year an "investment year". I have 5 areas I want to invest my time and energy in. As opportunities arise I can make decisions based on how the proposed project fits in with these 5 essential things. And, to make sure that there is some measurable stuff in there I have two top ten lists - a top ten "to-do" list and a top ten "dreams" list.

The to-do list should provide measurable goals I can put into each month, while still leaving me with room to change things as the year progresses. The "dream" list should give me a few extra challenges to shoot for. (Last year I did better on the challenges than the to-do list. :D)

This post is about my 5 investments. The "top ten" lists will be posted on the 29th and 30th.

Investing in Business
I began selling my artwork online in 2008. Like any responsible business owner, I need to invest in that business. This will include things like marketing (researching SEO, website improvement, using new technology), technical skills (using PSE, manipulating images, getting the best images of my work online), and image/brand-building.

Investing in Drawing
I want to keep my drawing skills sharp and strengthen what needs improvement. This will involve some regular drawing assignments. I'll be investing through participation in VSDs, drawing regularly with my portrait group, researching, and regular sketching. I am very excited to be a part of a portrait group. A gracious group of talented artists has agreed to be in a private group for purposes of critique and growth.

Investing in Painting
In 2008, I picked up the brush and I just can't put it down! So, I want to invest in painting skills - reading, researching, and lots of painting.

Investing in Writing
I'd like to expand my participation in the art world through writing. I have a project I hope will come to fruition. If that doesn't happen, I will do things like write some articles for publication. As well, I'll be doing my usual art history research.

Investing in the Artist
These are more of a personal nature, but I tend to stick to the goals I publish on this blog, so I want to put these here. I hope that these goals will help me feel better more of the time as well as strengthen my body for all that I put it through. We're talking regular exercise (3 times a week), cut down caffeine intake, cut down sugar intake, increase fruit and vegetable intake.

That's an overview of how I plan to spend my 2009. My next two posts, Monday the 29th and Tuesday the 30th will have some more specifics for you. Until then, enjoy your holidays.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my home to yours! My sons were allowed to open one present tonight...fun, fun times.

I'll be back on Boxing Day, the 26th, with some general thoughts on 2009. Then on the 29th and 30th with specific "to dos" and "dreams".

Top Five Big Blogs of 2008

Sketches made with my new open acrylics!

Top Five Big Blogs of 2008
I love all sorts of blogs, and all of them are special to me in their own way. (I even purged my reader list this year and many I just couldn't part with.) I can't possibly name all of the smaller ones and what I enjoy about them, I thought that I'd just name my favorite "big" ones this year.

1. Making a Mark - Katherine Tyrrell has consistently strong and timely content and information. The blog seems to have taken a new direction this year.
   
2. Empty Easel - Dan has expanded this year with more writers, it has made the site even better. There is alot of great advice there.
   
3. National Portrait Gallery blog - there aren't that many institutional blogs that I enjoy, this one is a notable exception. There's alot for the art buff and the history buff.
4. Lines and Colors - I think Charley Parker is directly responsible for the expansion of my art library this year. He has lots of good information, but I really enjoy the bios of illustrators and the book reviews.
5. Dani Jones Illustration - this one earns a spot here because of this article on style - but there is alot of good advice here.
   

Top Five Life Lines of 2008

A Corner of the FW Zoo

Top Five Life Lines of 2008
These are 5 people who really helped me this year. Being an artist can be a lonely thing, but these people keep me from that.

1. Belinda Lindhardt - generously created my header images for me. Belinda also works hard to promote her art and take care of her family - a tricky challenge, her handling of it inspires me.
   
2. Kasie Sallee - more by example than anything else. Kasie has really worked on moving to that next level and she has made great strides this year - she encourages me to press on.
3. Valerie Jones - earlier this year when I was very frustrated with my painting Valerie, unprompted, sent me a book in the mail. Her friendship is a great encouragement.
4. Stacy Rowan - faithfully emails me about art and family goals each week, and also answers questions! Stacy may even get me to do my Christmas card for next year in January.
   
5. Ann Nemcosky - on several occasions this year offered support, encouragement, and advice. Ann and I don't get much time to interact, but she never lets that stop her from being a help when I need it.
   

Top Five Habits I Saw in 2008

Candleridge Park

I'm going to do a series this week on "Top Fives of 2008". It isn't scientific, but it's fun. I owe so much to so many online friends and resources, that I just have to highlight them. The lists are: habits, life-lines, and articles.

Top Five Habits I Saw in 2008

These are just a few examples I saw in 2008 that left a mark on me.

1. Kindness - Waheed Nasir: I mentioned Waheed in a post. He found my blog looking through his stats and emailed me to thank me.
   
2. Drawing from Memory - Jeanette Jobson: Jeanette mentioned that she draws most evenings before bed, from memory, just as an exercise. I have heard of that before and would love to get into the habit!
   
3. Generosity - Jo Castillo: Jo has been very helpful to me on many occasions this year. If I email a question, she promptly responds. She's even called me on the phone.
   
4. Knowing What She Wants - Susan Carlin: Susan offered me the opportunity to "chat" with her over the phone a few times this year. She is very good at knowing what she wants and then pursuing it. It has convinced me to do the same.
   
5. Humility - Teresa Mallen: Teresa is always generous with her time and encouragement. She never fails to say honest and kind things to other artists. It is part of her regular routine to encourage others.

And finally, a very happy birthday to my dad! Wish we were there...

Bonus Challenge for 2008

Self Portrait, work in progress

I really wanted to participate in the Different Strokes from Different Folks year-end challenge, but I was just a little too intimidated. So, I thought, why not do the challenge by myself?

I had taken a few photos of myself for submission (which weren't great, but I figured out the self-timer on the camera!) So I took one of those, did a few line drawings, transferred one to a gessoed board, and broke out the paints.

This is my first painted portrait...so I'm not expecting it to look like me, but so far it is looking like a person, for that I am relieved!

We'll see how it goes....

Looking Back at 2008

Sketch of Abraham Lincoln
Put here because "do a graphite portrait" was the last December goal I had left to accomplish. Clearly, not a great likeness, but I wanted a baseline so that next year I can see if I've improved in my portraiture skills.

I've begun looking back at 2008. I highly recommend this sort of exercise, it really does inspire you to take on the new year. This post looks at my goals list and at some statistics. Thanks for indulging me in this...posting to this blog keeps me accountable like nothing else.

Alyson Stanfield has a great list of questions to get you started. I found it very encouraging and helpful.

Goals
I had an elaborate plan for 2008. That got superseded quite early in the year, but I also had outlined my basic goals. So, I'm going to look at the general goals and see how I did. Some of the goals shifted a bit, but in general, I hit the mark. Surprisingly enough, I managed all 3 of the "challenges" I set myself.

Here is the original "general goal" post for 2008.

Research: As planned, I looked at composition, Japanese art (ukiyo-e), color, and Degas. I read one small book on Turner. I didn't do any research on Rembrandt.

Technique:

• Anatomy: I did do some head anatomy and a fair amount of sketching from life. It wasn't the rigorous study I had planned.
• Perspective: I didn't do much work on perspective at all. I began reading a book, but lost interest.
• Mendelowitz: I had big plans to finish this classic drawing textbook. I lost steam early on. But I did do a huge amount of drawing and lots of study on Ernest Watson and Ted Kautzky and the "broadstroke" technique that they made famous.

Just for Me:

• 50 Starts: I planned to start 50 paintings from life. I didn't do that exactly. I did do lots of sketching from life and I did start several projects.
  

Challenges:

• art competition: I entered a "friendly" competition. Vivien Blackburn did a paintbrush competition. Although I don't think that she declared a winner in the end, the more important part for me was that I did really have to push myself to enter. I was very intimidated by the level of the entries. As well, I am really impressed by Vivien's work, so I was nervous to send her anything.
• website: I not only expanded my website, but I created a new one.
• business: I actually began selling my artwork this year.
  

Stats
Sketches: I did 135 sketches that I bothered to photograph and post. (There were more that didn't make the cut.)
Starts: I started 61 pieces. Not all of those were finished, but they were all begun and given their own folder with at least sketches.
Page Loads: I had over 20,000 page loads this year on Rose's Art Lines.
Feedburner Subscriptions: I think I had around 20 subscribers this time last year. Now I regularly have around 80.
Quarterly Numbers: My quarterly numbers of pageloads, returning visitors, and unique visitors all rose.

Now, if you haven't gone over your year, please do. You may be very surprised at what you accomplished. I certainly was. I knew that I had totally failed the original plan and even the revised plan to some degree, but actually I did accomplish alot, it was just different than I expected it to be.

Next week...top 5 lists of 2008!

Mass Drawing and Plans

Did this last week - an exercise from Harold Speed's book - mass drawing with a brush. I'm hoping that doing this sort of exercise will help me learn to paint.

Just thought I'd let you know what is happening over the next week or so here. It's all very end of the year looking...

• Thursday 12/18: A look back over my 2008
• Monday 12/22: Top Five Habits of 2008
  
• Tuesday 12/23: Top Five Lifelines of 2008
  
• Wednesday 12/24: Top Five Big Blogs of 2008
  
• Friday 12/26: Goals for 2009
• Monday 12/29: Top Ten "to do" List for 2009
• Tuesday 12/30: Top Ten "wish" List for 2009
  

Another Moment in Painting Adventure

Last Friday night I took another step in my painting adventure. Above you see my third "painting" of the evening...the first two were just binned, nothing salvageable there. For this one, I had no reference. I just tried to do with paint the things that I believe paint can do.

So I mixed wet into wet and did washes to get the background...I just went for values and quick strokes to achieve my petals.

Of course I'm not where I would like to be, but I persevered. I desperately wanted to give up several times...but, as always, sticking with the hard task has its rewards.

Drawing from Memory

The other morning I did a bit of sketching while my son did his reading practice. Below is one of the "live" sketches. Above is a sketch done from memory.

Another Stab at the Dec VSD

My preferred crop

More Accurate Crop - it's on aquabord, there is no slicing it down in reality

This afternoon as I was thinking about it being VSD weekend and suddenly an idea flashed across my mind...why not do a close crop and go for some sort of antique (sepia) photo look?

I got the kids carted off to bed and then just had fun playing around with acrylics on aquabord. I just love the beautiful browns that Winsor Violet and Cad Yellow made - that was the tall building - then I decided to scrub it in and do another just violet wash. The smaller building was a alizarin crimson and permanent green neutral, scrubbed, and with a final alizarin crimson wash.

The sky had a pale ultramarine blue wash, which I covered with a watery cad orange. The snow on the ground is a cad orange wash.

I wasn't too happy with the background trees (that's why I prefer the smaller crop), but all in all it was a more satisfying attempt then my first sketch. I really enjoyed playing with washes, scrubbing out paint, and making it about the process more than the end product.

Be Thankful for Now

Click here for purchasing information

Feels like things are quiet this time of year online, well, unless you are Amazon.com! Things have been busy here, like they are with everyone this time of year. But I did manage a sketch of an eye...I hope to be painting tomorrow night.

Tonight I had another reminder to be thankful...I was able to help a neighbor retrieve another neighbor's car from the ER parking lot. Nothing life-threatening, but she will be in pain for a long time. My other neighbor had a stroke right before Thanksgiving and damaged her back and knee badly in a fall during the stroke. If you are healthy today, be thankful, it truly is a gift and you just never know when you won't have it.

Virtual Sketch Date - December

Here is my entry for the Virtual Sketch Date this month. Thanks to Stacy Rowan for the photo and for administering it!

I just did "sketch" this time...so much to do, so little time! I did try out some broadstroke technique on this. Although my skills are not what they should be, it was still fun to try. This is exactly the sort of piece that broadstroke is good for.

Christmas Present!

My generous husband has gotten me a DSLR for Christmas! And it has arrived!

Oh, I can't wait to play...well, play more...had a go this afternoon for a bit. Truly a fun and amazing camera! There is alot to play with, but there are "full auto" modes too, to help with the learning curve.

A little story about the power of this camera...
We've had no sunlight today, it's just a cold, windy, dark day here. So, I didn't get in any photos of the sketches I did this morning. But, tonight I thought I'd just try the Rebel and see what happens. So, sans tripod, and unable to turn off the flash (not that far into the manual yet), I propped up the sketchbook and took a quick photo. The image required much less tweaking than when I have the point-and-shoot with tripod and the flash turned off - it was incredible!

Anyway, I am so thrilled with this camera and the possibilities that lie ahead. Below is the darling man himself, being superdad this morning (putting off his own agenda because his late-rising son wanted company at breakfast.) We are a blessed family to have such a great man!

Drawing People

When I began this year, I was planning to really work on my figurative skills...that hasn't happened in the systematic way I thought it would (something I hope to correct in the coming year). But above is one of my recent attempts, from a photograph.

Below you see a sketch page from January of this year...copying from some master drawings.

I love to look back at the year and see where/if I have improved in my skills...you may have to indulge me a few times this month! :D

Friday Quickie

Busy week here...this is a sketch from a few "Family Movie Nights" ago...our honored guests, Grandma and Grandpa.

Tonight I hope to get in a few sketches of the boys during the movie and then some serious painting time when they go to bed....

Should I start the December VSD or do a mass drawing exercise from Harold Speed....can't decide yet!

Being Suggestive

I haven't had much time to paint lately, but I've been thinking about painting. I've been wrestling with the difference between brushstrokes and pencil/pen strokes. I simply melt at expressive brushstrokes...how does one become able to do that? Is it something in the wrist? the grip? the mind of the artist that just magically makes its way to the support? Can one have expressive pencil/pen strokes? Is it just scribbling in a suggestive way?

Anyway, as these thoughts had been rolling around in my mind the other day, I decided to try and "flesh them out" while the kettle boiled for my afternoon cup of inspiration. Above you see my efforts - from my beautiful Thanksgiving bouquet. Just a few quick dashes to suggest some flowers.

Note that the VSD reference will be posted on Friday (early this month to keep away from the frantic end of the month festivities.)

Sketch of Dad

Quick sketch of my dad reading...not as good of a likeness as the one of my mom.

They fly out in the morning. I will miss them...as will my boys! We've had lots of fun.

Educating Your Gut and Other Choice Quotes

Sketch of the final rose from my garden this year

Recently I have been reading Harold Speed's The Practice and Science of Drawing. It is a wonderful book...more about that later when I do a proper review.

But for now, a few quotes from the introduction:

On art education...
"Great things are only done in art when the creative instinct of the artist has a well-organized executive faculty at its disposal." (p.18)

In the past, I have referred to this as: "Always go with your gut. And always educate your gut."

On the difference between reproduction and art...
"The same fact accurately portrayed by a number of artistic intelligences should be different in each case, whereas the same fact accurately expressed by a number of scientific intelligences should be the same." (p.20)

This is an interesting perspective on the debate of photo realism.

On the perspective of an artist...
"The artist is capable of being stimulated to artistic expression by all things seen, no matter what; to him nothing is amiss. Great pictures have been made of beautiful people in beautiful clothes and of squalid people in ugly clothes, of beautiful architectural buildings and the ugly hovels of the poor." (p.22)

I find that "stimulated...by all things seen" a little challenging! I certainly have favorite subjects and dreaded subjects.

On seeing deeply as an artist...
"The commonplace view is not the true, but only the shallow, view of things." (p.22)

This again is interesting in the debate about style and communicating in art...you aren't just painting a pear and pepper, you are creating a view of the pear and the pepper.

It's a wonderful book, lots to think about...you'll be hearing more about it later. :D