Jake, and a recommended alla prima book

Here's one from art school last year. It was a quick portrait and light study. Ever since then, I've hoped for the opportunity to paint a model with dreadlocks. It still hasn't happened.  

As a matter of fact, my instructor has indefinitely stopped teaching the alla prima portrait class I was in; those of you who've been following along may have been wondering why you haven't been seeing any from me lately. Moreover, thus far I've been unable to find any open model sessions in my area that do a long pose (and only a single one that even does short pose). So, no more portraiture from me!...at least until something changes.

Unrelatedly, I wanted to share a great painting book I just discovered: it's called Alla Prima by Al Gury. Wonderful, inspiring painting reproductions from various artists including the author, good advice, a few step-by-steps. I'd say it's written at approximately intermediate level (e.g., a raw beginner likely wouldn't understand the jargon about value, saturation/chroma, cool vs. warm colors, etc.). I just borrowed a copy from the library but it's something I'd like to own.

$55.00 - Study of Jake (Ready to Frame)

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

The New Narcissism

I just received my latest issue of Artist's Magazine in the mail today, and I misread the cover blurb as The New Narcissism.  (It's actually The New Classicism--is that even a word?) As such, I feel obliged to put a self-portrait here. This was a drawing done during art school several months ago. (And which I entered into the magazine's self-portrait contest...and got nothin'.)

The pose may look familiar; most people have seen the striking National Geographic photo of the Afghan girl. I looked at the famous photo to see how the head scarf was draped, then draped myself with one, and set up in front of a mirror to draw myself from life, in 2 sessions of 2.5 hours each.  

I remember it took a really long time to figure out how to position myself so that I could be in that position in the mirror and still have my drawing board in front of me (without actually hitting the mirror) and my drawing tools easily enough to hand that I wouldn't disrupt the head scarf too much while reaching down to sharpen charcoal, etc.

$725.00 - Self-portrait (Framed)

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com