Abby from Zimbabwe

From yesterday's alla prima class. This was tough for several reasons. First, that there was even less time than usual for this portrait, just a little over two hours' painting time, as the model was late (brought by her rather obnoxious boyfriend).


Second, I painted way too big. I've realized that, for whatever reason, my alla prima portraits have gotten incrementally larger every week...weird. Perhaps it's because I find portraiture--a real live human being's utterly individual face--so awesome. I'm going to really concentrate on whittling the size back down to something more manageable, starting next week!


Third, this was our first non-Caucasian model, so the entire palette was switched to something that none of us students had ever used before (but which was sooooo fun and colorful!): all earth colors, plus ultramarine, alizarin, and white.


So, all in all, a real shock to the painting mind--it was good for us, I'm sure, to shake things up, though my brain felt completely fried afterward, for the rest of the day. Amazing how tiring that much concentration is.  I hope to be able to experiment more with painting dark skin. If only I could get The Husband (he's from India) to sit still for more than 15 seconds!

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

A young model

This is actually the youngest model we've had in our weekly alla prima class, so I did a lot smoother brushwork than I normally do, in order to capture that youthful skin. She was a very good model, barely moved, but by the end of it, I think she was regretting doing it, as she looked more and more uncomfortable. It's so hard to sit still for so long.

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

Bobbie

Bobbie was a great model. She had a lovely, calm presence. We were remarking on how still she stayed, and she said she is an artist and also a meditator. But she still let out a big sigh of relief on every break.

This is alla prima done from life yesterday in about 2.5 hours.

$345.00 - Bobbie (Ready to Frame)

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

The snake hunter

This is James, done alla prima from life in one session yesterday. He's Australian and has that same charm, accent, and outgoingness as the late Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. (Don't you love that expression, "late"? Like, late for what? A party? A dentist appointment? Life??) James, however, catches venomous snakes for a living. Oy, those Ozzies! Not sure what he's doing in Colorado at the moment, though, besides being an art model.

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

Dan

This is actually not from today but from a few weeks ago. Since my blog is still so new and lean, I thought maybe I'll fatten it up a bit here and there with some more pics of my work over the last few months. Is that cheating, in blog-land? 

People seem to be enjoying seeing the previous alla prima portrait I posted here, Jenny 2, so I thought I'll also show you Dan, alla prima from a few weeks ago.

$435.00 - Dan (Ready to Frame)

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

Jenny 2

The art school I attended for two years, Colorado Academy of Art, shut down unexpectedly this year, leaving those of us studying classical art technique rather SOL. Fortunately, one of our excellent teachers there, Michelle Philip, decided to start teaching again soon after the school's closing. If you're looking for great classical art classes in the Boulder area, take a look at her site, Classical Art Academy (listed in links). The only class I'm taking these days is one of hers, Alla Prima Portrait, once a week. It's known as the "adrenaline class"--you hardly get a chance to catch a breath or go to the restroom; you're mixing colors and applying them with tremendous haste. Only the observing cannot be hurried.

$435.00 - Jenny 2 (Ready to Frame)

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com