Special Issues

American Artist: 75 Greatest Artists of All Time

Brian Riley — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:17:00 GMT

25 Artists of Tomorrow

18 Casey Baugh

20 Aleah Chapin

22 Sean Cheetham

24 Kim Cogan

26 Kerry Dunn

28 Ben Fenske

30 Jeremy Geddes

32 Adrian Gottlieb

33 Amaya Gurpide

34 David Jon Kassan

36 Michael Klein

38 Kurt Knobelsdorf

39 Maria Kreyn

40 Brad Kunkle

41 Jeremy Lipking

42 Jeremy Mann

43 Danny McCaw

44 Adam Miller

45 Greg Mortenson

46 Eric Pederson

47 Julio Reyes

48 Travis Schlaht

49 Richard T. Scott

50 Jordan Sokol

51 Peter Van Dyck

7 Important Paintings of Our time

54 The Four Freedoms by Norman Rockwell

55 Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth

56 The Blue Robe by Will Barnet

57 Gran Vía by Antonio López García

58 Portrait of H.R.H, Diana, Princess of Wales by Nelson Shanks

59 Benefits Supervisor Sleeping by Lucian Freud

60 Self-Portrait as the Savior of Painting by Odd Nerdrum

7 Influential Teachers of Our Time

64 Jacob Collins

65 Daniel Graves

66 Daniel E. Greene

67 Odd Nerdrum

68 Richard Schmid

69 Nelson Shanks

70 Burton Silverman

25 Greatest artists of All Time

75 Giotto

76 Michelangelo

78 Titian

79 El Greco

80 Caravaggio

81 Rubens

82 Velázquez

83 Rembrandt

84 Goya

85 Turner

86 Courbet

87 Church

88 Degas

89 Cézanne

90 Homer

92 Repin

93 Howard Pyle

94 Van Gogh

96 Sargent

97 Klimt

98 Sorolla

99 Picasso

100 Hopper

102 Dalí

103 Andrew Wyeth

7 Greatest Female Artists Of All Time

106 Artemisia Gentileschi

107 Berthe Morisot

108 Mary Cassatt

109 Cecilia Beaux

110 Käthe Kollwitz

111 Georgia O’Keeffe

112 Frida Kahlo

25 Greatest Artworks of All Time

116 The Doors of the Baptistry by Ghiberti

117 Expulsion From the Garden of Eden by Masaccio

118 The Arnolfini Wedding by Jan van Eyck

119 The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

120 The Tempest by Giorgione

121 The School of Athens by Raphael

122 Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time by Bronzino

123 Girl With a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer

124 The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault

125 The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet

126 Olympia by édouard Manet

128 Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, the Artist’s Mother by James Abbott McNeill Whistler

129 The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins

130 Water Lilies by Claude Monet

132 Salome by Gustave Moreau

133 Joan of Arc by Jules Bastien-Lepage

134 Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

135 Flaming June by Frederic Lord Leighton

136 The Lady of Shalott by J. W. Waterhouse

138 Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Paul Gauguin

139 Stag at Sharkey’s by George Bellows

140 The Slav Epic by Alphonse Mucha

141 Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish

142 The Scout: Friends or Foes? by Frederic Remington

144 American Gothic by Grant Wood

Workshop: Professional Practices

Brian Riley — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:31:00 GMT

6
Editor’s Note

10
The Well-Equipped Studio

Mastering Materials and Techniques

18
Tools of the Trade: Brushes
Knowing what brushes to purchase can be a daunting task, given the volume of brush types, sizes, and manufacturers on the market. Here is a brief introduction to some of the factors that you should keep in mind when selecting the brushes that are best suited to your practice.

22
How to Get the Most From  Copying a Masterpiece
by John A. Parks
Artists looking to paint in the manner of the Old Masters should consider copying in museums or from reproductions, both of which offer invaluable lessons about the craft of painting.

28
Dynamic Theft: Borrowing From Paintings of the Past
by Austin R. Williams
As the artwork of Shelley Reed shows, paintings that explicitly reference art history can provoke us to reflect on earlier eras as well as our own time.

34
A Holistic Approach to Achieving Mastery
by Naomi Ekperigin
Bo Bartlett employs a multifaceted approach to painting that explores not just technique and tools but also the  emotional, intellectual, and philosophical underpinnings  of being an artist. In his three-day master class, he teaches participants how to integrate art and life.

42
Plein Air Paradise
by Michael Gormley
A tropical paradise was the setting for a Signilar  workshop with Judith Carducci, who led a group of  students eager to learn how to paint en plein air.

48
A Contemporary Approach to Portraiture
by Eric Sutphin
Portraiture is a popular genre of study for artists of all levels. During a recent workshop, David Jon Kassan showed students how he creates emotive, lifelike portraits.

52
In Living Color: Learning to Master Light and Form
by Michael Gormley
To address the challenges of painting color, Steven Assael explores with his students the properties and effects of light, as well as ways in which past artists have approached these all-important topics.

62
Donald Demers: Enlivening a Tradition
by Naomi Ekperigin
Artist and instructor Donald Demers has developed a  reputation for emotive marine paintings that take a fresh approach to a time-honored genre.

70
Welcome Home: The Artist as Resident
by James Duncan
Artist residencies, such as those at Chesterwood and Vytlacil, allow contemporary artists to honor the past while also handing down traditions and concepts to a new generation.

Building a Network

78
Top Picks: Clubs, Societies, & Organizations
by James Duncan
Few things can enhance an artist’s exposure and career like becoming an active member of a professional arts association. Here we present a listing of several distinguished organizations to help you broaden your artistic horizons.

86
Accelerated Instruction: Pastel Landscapes
by Austin R. Williams
Local and national art organizations provide abundant opportunities for learning, including workshops that offer valuable instruction within a short timeframe. In a recent workshop hosted by Pastel Society of America, Robert K. Carsten taught students his most important priorities for building a pastel painting.

92
The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance: Supporting and Cultivating the Arts at a Community Level
by Naomi Ekperigin
Through an array of programs and services, this rapidly growing nonprofit offers local artists opportunities for fellowship, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary exchange, and support.

96
Advancing Illustrative Art for More  Than a Century
by Allison Malafronte
For more than 100 years, The Society of Illustrators has provided professionals in their industry with opportunities to exhibit their work, participate in educational events and community outreach, and be a part of some of the most colorful events in New York City.

102
The Putney Painters: Painting and  Growing Together
by Allison Malafronte
Joining a painting group such as the Putney Painters can help break up the monotony of solitary studio work and provide opportunities for both connection and career advancement.

106
Your Virtual Compass
by James Duncan
When your search for online resources becomes overwhelming, don’t feel like you’re alone in a dense jungle of information. There are numerous online artists’ communities you can turn to for expert advice, peer support, and other opportunities to help you reach your artistic aspirations.

Developing an Audience

112
Specialty Sculpture, Steady Commissions
by Allison Malafronte
Babette Bloch has been sculpting since 1980, and in 1993 she discovered the process of stainless-steel sculpture. Since then, she has been creating limited-edition works that combine traditional materials with modern technology. In this interview, she talks about the business end of her enterprise, including how she obtains and maintains a steady stream of commissions.

116
Percent for Painting
by Austin R. Williams
Garin Baker creates large public artworks that tell stories about the communities in which they are located. Here, the artist explains how having the right experiences and a mastery of painting fundamentals can lead to winning commissions for public art.

122
Set Up a Website That Works for You
by John A. Parks
Two web designers share their tips on finding a designer and developing a site that is easy to work with.

128
Walking a Sacred Path With a  Monumental Commission
by Michael Gormley
Peter Adams undertook a challenging commission: to re-create a traditional Stations of the Cross series for a newly constructed church. The results show the power of art and religion acting together.

134
Juried Exhibitions & Competitions:  Chances to See and Be Seen

138
Advice for Sustaining an Artistic Career
We surveyed dozens of professional artists and asked what advice they would give someone looking to build and maintain an art career, and their responses constitute a trove of hard-earned wisdom.

The Complete Painter's Handbook

Brian Riley — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:33:00 GMT

Editor’s Note

8
Contributors

Resources

12
Glossary: Key Painting Terms
Artists speak their own language, which includes terms describing materials, painting techniques, and concepts from art history. We’ve compiled a list of the most common terms that you’re likely to come across in classes, workshops, books, videos, and this magazine.

22
The Cookbook: Recipes for Mediums and Mixtures
We’ve assembled a cookbook of favorite color mixtures, recipes for painting mediums, and other advice about how to achieve the perfect look for your painting.

28
Artist Roundup: Reading and Resources
Professional artists recommend books and other resources that helped them develop into the painters they are.

Improving in Painting Media

36
Tony Pro: Seeing the Color of Light
by Michael Zakian
Portrait and figure painter Tony Pro teaches artists how they can better observe and understand the qualities of both natural and artificial light, and how they can use that information to make appropriate color choices.

46
Adding Movement and Interest to Still Lifes in Oil
by Naomi Ekperigin
For her oil floral paintings, Joni Falk uses paths of light and carefully delineated values to grab and guide viewers’ attention.

52
Achieving Optimal Effects in Watercolor
by James Toogood
A watercolor expert shares fundamental advice about materials and techniques that will help you master this luminous but challenging medium.

64
10 Steps to Determine Values in Watercolor
by David R. Daniels
Although my paintings may appear playful and spontaneous, the key to their success is a carefully laid-out value structure. Here is how I teach others to use studies to plan effective compositions.

70
Working With Acrylics
by M. Stephen Doherty
Charles Harrington teaches how to take full advantage of acrylic paints and how to avoid problems with the fast-drying, water-soluble medium.

76
6 Pastel Painters Share Materials and Techniques
by Linda S. Price
The style and appearance of finished pastel paintings are influenced by both the pastels an artist selects and how the artist uses them to create a finished work. Here, several top professionals share how they create vibrant pastel paintings.

88
Everything You Need to Know About Encaustic Paint
We recently sat down with Richard Frumess, president of R&F Handmade Paints, to learn more about encaustic painting. He explains how the paints work, why so many artists are devoted to the medium, and how an interested artist can learn more about this ancient practice that’s experiencing a major revival.

96
Know Your Aquamedia
by Michael Skalka
Egg tempera, casein, and gouache may not be as commonly used as watercolor and acrylic, but each offers special qualities that are not achievable with another medium. Here, we describe the unique advantages of these types of paint, along with some of the challenges that they present.

100
Artist Roundup: Painting Advice From the Pros
We asked professional artists and teachers to impart the wisdom that they feel is most important to share with artists looking to reach mastery of their chosen medium. Their recommendations range from words of encouragement and inspiration to specific advice about materials, composition, and values. Here’s what they said.

Studio Essentials

108
Create Your Own Solutions to Painting Challenges
by Joel Popadics
Sometimes it falls to the artist to devise ways to paint in difficult conditions. Here, watercolor artist Joel Popadics shares how he created a simple, inexpensive palette that allows him to paint in the winter.

112
Mixed Media: Experiencing the Experimental
by Naomi Campbell
The development of new materials can have a huge impact on an artist’s body of work. I recently had the opportunity to test a select number of newly released products, many of which have provided new energy to my creative process.

122
Artist Roundup: Painting Supplies + Studio Equipment
No two artists have the same working methods, nor do they have the same preferences when it comes to materials. But knowing what works for experienced painters can provide a great starting point from which you can experiment and find the tools that work best for you.

Achieving Mastery

132
Using Layers to Create a Sense of Space
by John A. Parks
John Evans’ evocative and compelling oil paintings emerge from a long process of struggle, overpainting, layering, sanding, and soul-searching.

140
Encaustic Alchemy
by Courtney Jordan
New Mexico artist Francisco Benitez employs ancient methods to produce works of art that feel both contemporary and classical.

Plein Air Painting, Fall 2011

Erin Carey — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:55:00 GMT

Discover the essential tools and techniques of 30 top plein air painters!

Perfect your plein air painting skills as you learn the secrets to working directly from nature with the complete guide to Plein Air and Landscape Painting.

Find your own niche with the essential instruction and advice in this comprehensive outdoor painting guide. There's always more to learn from nature, and we've got even more outdoor painting how-tos, art demos, expert tips, and material advice to help you in that pursuit.

Order your copy of this new special issue today to:

Capture the mood and magic of your plein air subjects-discover an exclusive article on color and light in James Gurney's own words!
Join a top new England painter on a two week discovery-explore the new methods and techniques Joseph McGurl found in Tuscany.
Get the most out of your time on-site-streamline your painting process with quick and deliberate outdoor painting secrets.
Paint the poetry of Color-capture the vibrancy of forests and mountains in all seasons with Trek through the mountains with instruction from Don Sahli.
Learn from acrylic master Marcia Burtt's plein air painting process and use her techniques in your own seascape work.
And more!

Capture info from on-site studies, direct observations, and outdoor painting instruction from top plein air painters of today.

The industry's favorite plein air resource is back with more of what you love!

Order your copy of this highly anticipated special-edition now.

Still Life Painting Higlights

Brian Riley — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:44:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Persian Bittersweet (detail)
by Claudia Seymour, 2003, oil on linen,
20 x 16. Collection the artist.

Artists Featured:
Assael, Steven
Bergt, Michael
Bermingham, Debra
Deichler, Deborah
Evans, Rob
Fraser, Scott
Frisella, Robin
Gordon, Patrick
Grasso, Carlos
Gyurcsak, Joe
Hess, F. Scott
Jackson, Phillip R
Jackson, Robert C.
Lattimore, Andrew
Legg, Jeffrey
Lyon, Susan
Monafo, Janet
Moran, Heidi
Royston, Scott
Seymour, Claudia
Sienna, Pamela
Sprick, Daniel
Steinworth, Skip
Switzer, Nancy
Uffelman, Jeff
Washor, Joyce
Wilson, Will

FEATURES

15 Artists, 5 Objects, 30 Paintings That Demonstrate Ways to Establish Your Own Style
by M. Stephen Doherty

Painting Classical Floral Still Lifes With Skill and Understanding
by Scott Royston

Creating Movement in a Still Life
by Linda S. Price

Best Professional Practices for Dynamic Still Lifes
by Bob Bahr

Summarizing What You See and What Matters Most to Your Painting
by M. Stephen Doherty

How to Enjoy the Process Now and The Product Later
by M. Stephen Doherty

Still Lifes on a Small Scale
by Tina Tammaro

Choice Morsels
by John A. Parks

Using Materials, Techniques, Inspiration, and Intuition to Paint Well
by M. Stephen Doherty

Arranging Unexpected Combinations of Objects
by James A. Metcalfe

Painting Large-Scale Floral Arrangements From Photographs
by M. Stephen Doherty

Still Lifes That Connect Memories
by M. Stephen Doherty

Painting Still Lifes Alla Prima
by M. Stephen Doherty

Portrait & Figure Painting Highlights

Brian Riley — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:40:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Anna (detail, reversed)
by Wende Caporale, 2002, pastel, 24 x 18.
Collection the Abernethy family.

FEATURES

Painting Figures With Purpose
by Arthur Egeli
After completing a rigorous program of art education, I was adept at capturing a person’s likeness but still struggling to express an idea.

Sweden’s Sargent
by Bob Bahr
We went in search of Anders Zorn (1860–1920) in his homeland and discovered a personality large enough to encompass numerous contradictions—and a natural ability to paint in both oil and watercolor.

The Similarities Between Painting Portraits in Oil and Pastel
by M. Stephen doherty
One of the top artists specializing in children’s portraits offers workshops for both oil and pastel painters. Although some of Wende Caporale’s specific instructions relate to one medium or the other, her general discussions about the importance of drawing, value and temperature judgments, and dark-to-light progressions are relevant to both.

Portrait Sketches That Guide Artists and Their Clients
by M. Stephen Doherty
Brian Neher paints two small oil sketches of his portraits subjects to help set a direction for the finished portrait that satisfies him and his clients.

Drybrush, Drawing, and Watercolor
by Lynne Bahr
Although best known for his pastels, Mario Robinson is exploring watercolor, combining washes with drybrushed lines to expand his artistic repertoire and paint important people from his life.

Alla Prima Figure Painting
by M. Stephen Doherty
Justin Wiest developed an approach to oil painting by synthesizing what he learned from some of the most outstanding realist artists today.

Capturing Emotion by Concentrating on the Movement of Light
by Allison Malafronte
Ron Hicks is known for his moody figurative and interior work that evokes emotion and conveys atmosphere. He achieves his style by breaking the subject down into shapes and capturing the gradations of light in each.

Seeing Forms, Not Formulas
by M. Stephen Doherty
During a workshop in New York, Max Ginsburg showed students how to respond to the specific lighting effects they observed rather than use premixed colors and repetitive procedures.

Averaging Values & Colors From the Start
by M. Stephen Doherty
During a workshop in Arizona, Utah artist Michael Malm simplified the painting process so that students would be better able to judge relative values, color temperatures, and edges. The participants marveled at how the resulting posterlike image could become the basis of an accurate, characteristic portrait of the model.

American Artist: Everything You Need to Know About Plein Air Painting

Brian Riley — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:16:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Deb Painting Spring Creek (detail)
by Edward Martinez, 2006, oil, 22 x 14.
Collection the artist.

Jim Wilcox: Western Landscapes

Using Plein Air Sketches, Photographs,
Research, & Imagination to Create
Studio Paintings

Plein Air Past: From Europe to America

The History of the Plein Air Movement
by Allison Malafronte

Plein Air Pioneers
by John A. Parks

The Arrival of French Impressionism in America: California’s Golden Years
by Jean Stern

Plein Air Present: American Artists & Their Regional Subject Matter

Lynn Gertenbach: California Landscapes & Seascapes
 by Molly Siple

Kevin Macpherson: A New Mexico Series
by Allison Malafronte

Jim Wilcox: Western Landscapes
by Bob Bahr

Calvin Liang: California Harbor Scenes
by Molly Siple

Jacob Collins, Nicolas Hiltner, Edward Minoff, & Travis Schlaht: Hudson Valley Landscapes
by M. Stephen Doherty

American Plein Air Painters Abroad: Educational Excursions

Gerald F. Brommer: Capture a Sense of Place With On-Site Travel Sketches
by Gerald F. Brommer

Rob Liberace: Learning From the Masters in Ireland
by M. Stephen Doherty

Ross Merrill: In the Steps of Winslow Homer
by M. Stephen Doherty

Andy Evansen: Plein Air in China
by Andy Evansen

Timeless Plein Air Approaches: Using On-Site Studies & Sketches for Studio Work

From the Site to the Studio With PAPA Members
by Bob Bahr

Using Plein Air Sketches, Photographs, Research, & Imagination to Create Studio Paintings
by Steve Armes

Take the Outdoors Into the Studio
by M. Stephen Doherty

American Artist Highlights: Guide to Painting Flowers, Fall 2011

Erin Carey — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:58:00 GMT

Paint balance, harmony, and rhythm into your still lifes with the guide that shows you how

Discover a collection of some of our best articles on painting floral still lifes in oil and watercolor, as well as pastel, colored pencil, and graphite.

Learn classical techniques with an inspiring guide that shows you how to create stunning pieces with ease and confidence. Make your colors sing and enhance your process-top contemporary masters of today show you how.
Order your copy today to:

Learn to paint passion into every still life with instruction from Guido Frick on how to relax and trust your instincts when capturing landscapes.
Create stirring florals that come alive with tips to creating pieces that are dynamic and exude action.
Accurately transfer what you see to canvas-Ellen Buselli emphasizes the importance of observation and understanding the nature of color and light.
Find out why Patricia Tribastone chooses pastel as her go-to medium to create evocative floral still lifes.
Capture the "intangible personality" of a still life subject as though you were painting a portrait with advice from instructor Jason Bouldin.
Take on a master's process for rendering even the most difficult florals-learn to discern the different shapes within and still create a unified composition.
And more!

Challenge yourself with more complicated arrangements and develop the confidence to take on more complex forms with advice to capturing roses and delphiniums. Enhance your ability to capture the effects of light and shadow that will bring your setup to life on paper with this visually striking guide.

Transform simple reference photographs into beautiful works of art with a master's approach to colored pencil paintings. Take your talents to new heights with the guide you are sure to revisit again and again.

Order your copy of the Guide to Painting Flowers, Highlights Fall 2011 today!

Plein Air Painting, Spring 2011

Brian Riley — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:02:00 GMT

The industry's favorite plein air resource is back with more of what you love!

Last year, Plein Air Painting flew off the shelves-selling thousands of copies-and now the newest edition of the beloved magazine is back with even more on-site landscape painting instruction, handpicked by the trusted editors at American Artist, perfect for spring . . . Introducing the new special-issue Plein Air Painting Spring 2011.

There's always more to learn from nature, and we've got even more outdoor painting how-tos, art demos, expert tips, and material advice to help you in that pursuit.

Dive in to this special issue to learn from 20 expert painters as they offer their best art tips for quick on-site sketches to improve studio paintings, must-have outdoor painting shortcuts, and art demos.

Enjoy your experience even more as you advance your skills and your landscape paintings with art techniques made easy to use.

Order your copy of this new special issue today to:

• Capture the beauty of atmosphere, water, and light in lively plein air pieces-Christopher Blossom shares his approach to render the subtleties of nature.
• Set the mood in every piece by conveying light effectively with art tips to capture the various sources of light you encounter, such as direct sunlight, overcast light, and more!
• Discover the secrets of successful landscapes in 3 step-by-step art demos and even more in-depth studies.
• Learn to paint your landscapes in exact scale-Marc Dalessio explains how to paint landscapes using an adaptation of the sight-size method.
• Develop your talents further with critical breakthroughs from Scott Christensen and other experts' approaches to outdoor painting.
• And more!

Discover unique approaches to painting from nature and how to truly render your environment.

Capture info from on-site studies, direct observations, and outdoor painting instruction from top plein air painters of today.

Perfect your plein air painting skills as you learn the secrets to working directly from nature with this comprehensive outdoor painting guide.

Order your copy of this special issue now.

Highlights: Painting Instruction From Master Teachers

Brian Riley — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:50:00 GMT

On the Cover:
John Phillip Osborne painting at the
Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood,
New Jersey. Photo: Murray Smith.

Featured Teachers:
Joni Falk
William Hook
Ted Seth Jacobs
John Morra
John Phillip Osborne
Nelson Shanks
Matt Smith
James Sulkowski
Carol Swinney
Sam Vokey
Dawn Whitelaw

FEATURES

Six Ways to Get Dynamic Action in Floral Painting, With James Sulkowski
by James Sulkowski

Improve Rapidly by Making Many Starts, With Nelson Shanks
by M. Stephen Doherty

Getting Accurate Light in Your Landscapes, With Matt Smith   by M. Stephen Doherty

Paint Vibrant Portraits With a Three-Color Oil Palette, With Dawn Whitelaw
by M. Stephen Doherty

Get Pure Colors From a Palette Knife, With Carol Swinney
by Linda Morton

Mastering Edges, Light, and Color Harmony in Still Lifes, With Joni Falk
by M. Stephen Doherty

Make Acrylic Landscapes Come Alive From Photographs, With William Hook
by Bob Bahr

First, Master the Figure, With Ted Seth Jacobs
by A’Dora Phillips

Harnessing Tradition and Design, With Sam Vokey
by Linda S. Price

Today’s Still Life, With John Morra
by John A. Parks

Make Accurate Color Choices Using a Prismatic Palette, With John Phillip Osborne
by Mark G. Mitchell

American Artist Studios 2010

Brian Riley — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:12:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Nelson Shanks in the natural north light of his home and studio in Philadelphia.

Photo: Nathan Kraxberger

FEATURES

The Proper Disposal of Supplies, Solvents, and Waste
by Daniel Grant
Artists savor many things, including sketches, correspondence, studies, frames, and art supplies. Although there may be available space to store some of those treasures, many others must be discarded to maintain studio safety and cleanliness.

The Well-Equipped Studio: A Custom Guide to Proper Studio Practice

Tales from the Studio
by M. Stephen Doherty
Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Nelson Shanks has painted in palaces, embassies, corporate offices, living rooms, art schools, the White House, and historic spaces occupied by the ghosts of great artists. As long as the light was good and the space adequate, he was able to create major works of art.

Historical Studios of Master Artists
by Stephen May
Across America, dozens of studios once belonging to master artists have been preserved and are open for artists to visit and learn from. Among them are the historical studios of Thomas Cole, Jasper Cropsey, and the Wyeth family.

Making Small Compromises in Paradise
by M. Stephen Doherty
Artists move to Hawaii for the temperate climate, clean air, inspiring scenery, and friendly art community. In exchange for these pleasures, they have to accept the higher costs of studio spaces, art supplies, and travel back to the mainland

Jim Lynch
Anita Marci
Philip Sabado
Wanda Russell
Carmen Gardner

Light, Open Space, & History in New Mexico
by M. Stephen Doherty
Four nationally known artists have either adapted or built studios in the style of those used by early-20th century painters and printmakers.

Joan Potter
P. A. Nisbet
David A. Leffel & Sherrie Mcgraw

A Rare Look Inside Private Spaces
by M. Stephen Doherty
Professional artists from across the United States opened their private studios to American Artist Studios magazine.

Sam Knecht
William Chambers
William A. Schneider
Michael van Zeyl
Heide Presse
Carl J. Samson
Ruth Ann Sturgill
Ruth Ann Greenberg
Christine Ivers
Gerald Simcoe
Arthur Egeli
Luana Luconi Winner
Deborah Chabrian & Edward Martinez
Sharon Abshagen

Studios for the Serious Pursuit of Art Education
by M. Stephen Doherty
Anthony Ryder and Ryan S. Brown rent spaces in New Mexico and Utah, respectively, where their students   follow a progression of rigorous, intensive courses in drawing and painting.

Anthony Ryder
Ryan S. Brown

Workshop, Fall 2010

Brian Riley — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:57:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Painter Peter van Dyck leading a workshop at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.

FEATURES

Frank Serrano: Accurate & Efficient Plein Air Landscape Painting
by M. Stephen Doherty
In his popular DVDs, book, and workshops, California artist Frank Serrano shows how to successfully paint directly from nature in any location.

Bennett Vadnais: 4 Stages to Successfully Painting a Landscape
by M. Stephen Doherty
Taking advantage of all he learned from painting landscapes with watercolor, acrylic, and oil, New York City artist  Bennett Vadnais recently helped workshop participants plan and execute better landscapes. He recommended making compositional sketches, drawing the best design on a panel, applying transparent washes of color, and building up thicker layers of oil paint.

Daniel J. Keys: Passing on the Legacy of Learning
by Allison Malafronte
During a recent still life workshop at Village Arts of Putney, Daniel J. Keys had a chance to not only follow in the artistic footsteps of his mentor Richard Schmid but also to pass on to others what has so generously been given to him. .

Kate Lehman: The Value of Studying With Several Professional Artists
by M. Stephen Doherty
New York artist Kate Lehman developed her approach to oil painting by studying with a number of top artists. Now, she encourages students to pursue a similarly diverse art education. “No one teacher has all the answers to your questions,” she says.

Richard McKinley: Tackling Three Key Challenges of Plein Air Painting With Oil and Pastel
by Linda S. Price
During an inaugural series of workshops at the Salmagundi Club, in New York City, Richard McKinley helped students with such painting issues as simultaneous contrast, atmospheric perspective, and refraction.

William A. Schneider: Strategies to Organize the Elements of Your Paintings
by M. Stephen Doherty
Illinois artist William A. Schneider emphasized the value of preparatory studies as he showed workshop participants how to locate subjects within their paintings and how to organize effective compositions of shapes, values, color harmonies, and edges.

Rob Silverman: Measurement Tools to Improve the Accuracy of Your Drawings and Paintings
by M. Stephen Doherty
During a recent workshop held in Edward Hopper’s childhood home, Rob Silverman showed students how to use grids, a viewfinder, and value charts to check the accuracy of their artwork..

Michael Klein: How to Adjust to the Challenges of Painting Flowers
by M. Stephen Doherty
In his workshops, DVDs, and book, Michael Klein shows students how to respond quickly and effectively to the changing appearance of flowers in oil paintings. “In these cases, I don’t spend a lot of time developing detailed drawings,” he explained in a recent workshop at the Grand Central Academy of Art. “Instead, I make sure every brushstroke of oil color is accurately mixed and placed so that I capture the transient appearance of the flowers, and then I focus on the parts of the setup that remain constant.”

How the Academic Method Can Improve Your Drawing and Painting
by M. Stephen Doherty
During a recent workshop in Philadelphia, Daniel Graves and Peter van Dyck introduced students to a condensed form of the instruction offered at the Florence Academy of Art. The participants learned how to make precise studies of plaster casts and live models, which sought to improve their ability to understand, record, and respond to nature.

Workshop, Summer 2010

Brian Riley — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:00:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Camie Davis (below) teaching at the Grand
Central Academy of Art, in New York City.

Photo by Nathan Kraxberger

Cedric Egeli: Knowing How to Learn

FEATURES

Workshops as Shared Learning Experiences
by M. Stephen Doherty
A number of valuable and lasting benefits can accrue when artists work alongside one another and engage in a free exchange of information, motivation, and inspiration. Even if the artists barely know one another, they are likely to share a feeling of camaraderie. That kind of a palpable energy was present when 10 professional artists gathered in New Jersey at the invitation of Workshop and Forbes, Inc.

Joseph Paquet: 10 Keys to Effectively Judging the Important Relationships in Painting
by M. Stephen Doherty
This Minnesota plein air painter helps students grasp the most important concepts about oil painting and shows them how to apply these concepts successfully.

Variations on Impressionist Painting
by M. Stephen Doherty
Students and faculty members at the Bridgeview School of Fine Art, in Queens, New York, recently spent eight days painting the same model to demonstrate a range of approaches to oil painting based on Impressionism.

Aaron Westerberg: Creating a Monochromatic Figure Study
by Matthew Marchant
In a recent California workshop, Aaron Westerberg showed students how to apply their drawing skills to creating oil paintings by developing a monochromatic grisaille using one warm and one cool red and handling a brush as if it were a drawing tool.

Camie Davis: Portrait Painting Based on Measurement and the Perception of Shapes
by M. Stephen Doherty
During eight four-hour sessions of drawing and painting models who held the same pose, students in Camie Davis’ classes learned to express themselves using carefully planned procedures.

Cedric Egeli: Knowing How to Learn
by M. Stephen Doherty
In two recent workshops, this distinguished artist emphasized that developing the ability to actively listen, observe, study, and practice the fundamental aspects of painting is important to making progress as an artist.

Brian Stewart: 4 Stages of Successful Plein Air Paintings
by M. Stephen Doherty
During a recent workshop in Barbados, Brian Stewart explained how to achieve greater success with outdoor paintings by following a progression from a “dress-rehearsal” study to a finished work of art.

Alexey Steele: Pursuing Passion and a Personal Vision
by Michael Zakian
Alexey Steele is not the type of teacher who imposes strict guidelines or rules on his students. Rather, he offers an encouraging educational environment for artists to discover their own personal vision while he demonstrates his own passionate pursuit of the great artistic and cultural ideals of the past.

Painting Instruction Highlights from Master Teachers, Fall 2009

Brian Riley — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:46:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Jeffrey R. Watts instructing a student
during a workshop held in
Nicolai Fechin’s studio.

Featured Teachers:
Meredith Brooks Abbott
Thomas S. Buechner
Nancy Bush
Ismael Checo
Thomas Gardner
Al Gury
Johnnie Liliedahl
Joseph McGurl
Martin Poole
Jeffrey Reed
Scott Royston
William A. Schneider
Jeffrey R. Watts
Mary Whyte

FEATURES

Painting the Mouth
by William A. Schneider

Jeffrey Reed: Introducing the Basics of Painting

by M. Stephen Doherty

Al Gury: Teaching Fundamentals in a Historic Studio
by M. Stephen Doherty

How to Create Your Best Paintings Ever
by Mary Whyte

3 Views of the Same Scene
by Bob Bahr

Johnnie Liliedahl: Using the Old Master Grisaille Method to Manage Values and Opacity
by M. Stephen Doherty

Ismael Checo: Color, Richness, and Light
by John A. Parks

Seeing Nature With Fresh Eyes
by Molly Siple

Painting Classical Floral Still Lifes With Skill and Understanding
by Scott Royston

Using Subtle Tones to Express Deep Emotions
by M. Stephen Doherty

Joseph McGurl: Developing a Critical Advantage
by M. Stephen Doherty

Jeffrey R. Watts: Learning the Structure & Discipline of Painting “Controlled Chaos”
by M. Stephen Doherty

Workshop, Fall 2009

Brian Riley — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:48:00 GMT

On the Cover:
Diego Larguia helps a student with her
painting during a recent workshop in
New Orleans.

Tony Pro: Seeing the Color of Light

Kerry Dunn: Condensing Instruction
for Part-Time Students

FEATURES

Bryan Mark Taylor: Using the Safest Oil-Painting Materials & Techniques
by M. Stephen Doherty
Because his studio is in the home he shares with his wife and young children, Californian Bryan Mark Taylor changed his working methods to use the safest oil-painting supplies and techniques. He recently showed a group of workshop participants how they might also minimize their exposure to solvents, mediums, and pigments.

Stephen Cefalo: 10 Concrete Solutions to Figure-Painting Challenges
by M. Stephen Doherty
After studying with top realist painters and teaching in several art schools, Stephen Cefalo is now establishing a community of dedicated artists in Arkansas. He recently began teaching workshops during which he shares his knowledge and experience and fosters connections between painters.

Andrea J. Smith: Expand From a Limited Palette and Focus (Available Online)
by M. Stephen Doherty
In the new atelier she opened in Rome, Andrea J. Smith teaches students to use a limited palette of colors when painting exactly what they see from a measured distance away from the subject and the easel.

Steve Huston: Capturing the Rhythm of Gesture
by Michael Zakian
By breaking the figure down into interrelated shapes, patterns, and relationships, Steve Huston showed his workshop students how to capture the living, breathing rhythm of the human form.

Tony Pro: Seeing the Color of Light
by Michael Zakian
In a recent workshop in California, portrait and figure painter Tony Pro showed students how to better observe and understand the qualities of both natural and artificial light and how to turn those observations into appropriate color choices on their canvases.

Clayton J. Beck III: Using Color Charts to Control Color Selection, Temperature, and Value
by M. Stephen Doherty
During a recent workshop in Vermont, Clayton J. Beck III showed participants how to make color charts and use them to find the right combinations of oil colors to more accurately represent the appearance of a model holding the same pose each day.

Kerry Dunn: Condensing Instruction for Part-Time Students
by M. Stephen Doherty
Artists who are not able to take advantage of full-time educational programs can participate in workshops in which teachers offer condensed versions of a school’s or atelier’s valuable instruction. Kerry Dunn recently conducted such a workshop at Studio Incamminati, in Philadelphia.

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