Everett Raymond Kinstler at The Players Club

I just stumbled upon the most wonderful interview with artist extraordinaire, Everett Raymond Kinstler, shot in March 2010. In this six part short film by Sharon Littig, Mr. Kinstler gives a tour of The Players Club to a group of artists and tells some very interesting stories about the paintings, the sitters and the painters.

Mr. Kinstler gives a tour of the club, including the Sargent Room and also talks about his own work that hangs there. Sadly, one of the Sargent paintings (which had been custom fitted above a mantel) was sold and a copy hangs there instead.

Here is the link to the Kinstler video:

http://www.sharonlittig.com/Video/kinstler/main.html

Sharon Littig has also posted videos of Cedric Egeli, Joanette Egeli and John Ebersberger demonstrating the Hensche method of painting here:

http://www.sharonlittig.com/Video.html

More Jewelry and Hands by Sargent

From the same painting as the previous post - here are some lovely hands and rings for your perusal!

How To Paint Jewelery by Sargent

What we can learn from Sargent's treatment of jewelery is: don't spell everything out! Suggest things.

This is a close view of his painting of Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler. I am actually quite surprised this photograph turned out, as I took it with the camera propped on my forehead to avoid distortion. Aren't digital cameras the best?

The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

There is some amazing art here! First, a couple of close up images of Rose Frantzen's work. I thought her older people were done with particular sensitivity.

Portrait Society of America - More From The Art of the Portrait

It is so great to get together with a bunch of other artists who are obsessed with the same issues and talk shop. There are demos by many of the top portrait painters in America, portfolio critiques, art materials, books and DVD's for sale. It is fun to network and see old friends.

Here are some images of Michael Shane Neal painting Dot Svendson.

Two Alla Prima Paintings by Rose Frantzen

Alexey Steele, painted by Rose Frantzen























Tony Pro, painted by Rose Frantzen

Portrait Society of America, Art of The Portrait Conference - April 22-25, 2010

I recently returned from a few days in beautiful Reston, Virginia, where I attended The Art of The Portrait, the annual convention organized by The Portrait Society of America. I was planning to post a bunch of photographs I took of the opening night "Face-Off", where a number of artists paint a model from life, but I discovered that someone else (Matthew Innis) beat me to the punch and did a fabulous job of photographing and posting the work, so just click here to see all 15 paintings of 5 different models:

http://underpaintings.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-portrait-society-face-off.html

It was intriguing to see how each artist saw things differently.

Rose Frantzen, a master of alla prima portraiture, ended up being chosen by those in attendance to give a demo on Saturday morning. During her opening night demo, she quickly whacked in her dark background and proceeded with a very vigorous technique involving an oil stick crayon. She speedily captured the likeness, light effect, and character of her model. I would have to say that she was the star of the show and was a little bit mobbed by her compatriots. She ended up painting 2 more portraits during the weekend, of artists Tony Pro and Alexey Steele (shown in the photograph), and she was entertaining throughout the process, which is not an easy task to accomplish!

Rose Frantzen also has a very prestigious show in progress at The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and many of those in attendance at the conference traveled by bus to see her 12x12 plywood panels, unframed with edges painted black, of the 180 heads of people from her hometown of Maquoketa, Iowa. Rose Frantzen opened up a storefront in her hometown and anyone willing to pose was painted from life in 4-5 hours.

It was quite an emotional experience to see all the portraits grouped together and the impact of the show imparted the eerie feeling of being acquainted with the town and the people who reside there. The exhibit runs until July 5, 2010 so if you are anywhere near Washington, D.C. don't miss it!