The Mind of McAlister

Bargue Drawing

2010-09-30T19:10:00.001-07:00

Not sure if anyone is reading this, but figured I'd post what I'm working on anyways for those that might be. Working on a bargue drawing, trying to put myself through the paces of a classical style training. Copy bargue drawings, then casts, then cast painting, then color. I'll also post a pic of the finished drawing I was working on at Hobby Lobby.

Updates on WIP

2010-08-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

Here is an update on my WIPs this week. I was inspired in this painting by my recent workshop with Thomas Nash, and here in a short time it seems like its all coming together in the intial lay-in. He recommended I strenghten my drawing skills. And after seeing Johanna Spinks' drawing challenge on her blog (http://portraitpaintingbyjohannaspinks.blogspot.com/), I realized all the wasted time over the last 9 months that I COULD have been practicing my drawing skills to improve my portraits. I knew if she could draw every day for A YEAR!!, I could put in a LOT more practice regarding my drawings/portraits than I have this last year. Where could I be now had I taken the time to do a similar challenge?

I am having my own art revival right now and it feels great because I can see the progress from where I was a couple years ago. The last 6 months of 09' and the first few of '10 were a waste as I did practically nothing. I'm determined not to let that happen again.

I keep this sketch right next to my easel to remind myself where I was when I started diving back into art in 08', a first since high school. For comparison here is my first 'portrait' attempt at my daughter with a towel on her head, the same one in the above drawing in progress. More drawing/painting updates next week.

Alla Prima Portrait

2010-08-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

Today Josette came back over, and instead of working on the drawing we had started, I went straight to painting. The drawing was a great exercise to work out placement of features and getting to know the model's face. But the drawing will take considerable time to build up all of the values, so I'd rather paint from life, it will go quicker for me and I will get more out of it.

I did snap a few photos to work on modeling some of the features. There is so much pressure for time when you have someone sitting - got to draw, mix colors, model features, etc. So I will work on it some this week and hopefully be ready to finish it next week with another sitting.

This is just a rough basic block in and making a few color notes, looks nothing like her yet!

Learn from the Old Masters

2010-08-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Copying Old Master drawings and paintings is a great way to improve your skills, or so I've heard. Just started this study Sunday of William Bougureau's painting of the virgin and child.

Jeremy Draws Josette from life Part I

2010-08-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Drawing Demo

2010-08-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

Today, I met up with my drawing instructor whom I took a course with at Hobby Lobby about a year ago and we did some demo drawing. Basically, just drawing for passerbys who might be interested in a portrait, or in taking her drawing class. I brought an old sketch I did before taking the class, and started a new one for comparison. We were there for 3 hours, but it felt like 1. I enjoyed drawing in public, I hope to do more as I improve.

Tom Nash Workshop Demo 2007

2010-08-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

I attended Tom Nash's Color workshop last week, and am taking his portrait painting workshop again this year. It started with a classroom lecture, some painting, then ended the first day with an evening demo at his studio.

I apologize for the poor camera phone pics, they don't do they painting justice, but it was all I had on me. Tom achieved a striking likeness in a short amount of time.

I am learning a LOT....

Drawing Practice

2010-08-07T21:24:00.001-07:00

I realize only one thing stands between me and greatness....hours and hours of practice.

Just some doodling here, warming up some pencils.

Attending the same portrait workshop I did last year (close to when I posted last!) next week. Should be great, going to push through to some new levels.

Small Painting

2010-01-25T17:26:00.001-08:00

Before I start on a larger painting of a model (my daughter) sitting in a chair, I am doing a few small paintings. These range from 4X6 to 8X10. This is a 4X6 oil done in about 2 hrs.

For Purchase information go to:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190371546552&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

Painting Progress

2009-09-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, I didn't realize what a big gap there was in the last time I posted and the most recent. I will try to do better. I am continuing working on a portrait that began at Thomas Nash's Portrait Painting Workshop. I am also starting to work on a surreal painting, as well as some daily practice from life. I will try to post more frequently. These are poor pictures as our digital camera is out, and all I have is the camera on my phone. Still lots more to go, got to move the ponytail higher, details in the ear, hair and chest....I have to get more FINISHED paintings done and get a portfolio together!!

Lucy the Instigator

2009-08-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

A small 4X6 oil painting of one of our pups. She is the sweetest, yet she is also the instigator of most scuffles. Just a quick, 30 minute painting.

Plein Air Painting 2

2009-08-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

Did some plein air painting today, only my second one, so of course I have no clue what I'm doing. But the only way to get better is to practice, practice, practice. So here's the good, bad and the ugly....

Face #19!

2009-03-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

Face #19 is the same portrait as #18, but counts as another face because it was the second sitting. Thomas sat for another 2 hrs or so tonight. I would have liked to correct some errors, but time ran out. I learned a lot on this one as well. I walked away from it for about 2 wks as work has been hectic. It was very difficult to get going again, but about 30 min into it we were back in full swing. I will probably tinker around with it a little more before giving it to Thomas, but that's all I'll post on this one.

Oil on Canvas sheet, alla prima.

Face #17

2009-03-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's definitely turned into '100 Faces in 100 Days or so...'. Here's tonight's basic 'block-in' from my live model, friend Thomas Anderson. I got farther than I did on the others, so that's a good sign. We will do one more sitting to fix errors and add the details next week. I will replace this photo with the finished product when done, so check back.

Painting from Life

2009-03-07T15:33:00.000-08:00

Here's a painting I did last night 'from life'. A friend of ours posed for about 3 hrs. It's obviously incomplete, but I hope to finish from some photos I took. I like the direction it's going. Face #16 for my 100 faces blog.

Another Face

2009-02-26T19:53:00.001-08:00

Another painting....

New Painting!

2009-02-22T16:04:00.000-08:00

For those of you who aren't aware of it, I'm painting 100 faces in 100 days. You can sign up for it here if you're interested....http://100facesin100days.blogspot.com. To bring you up to speed, here are a few of the most recent paintings....

Dave the Painting Guy Broadcast

2009-01-14T19:29:00.000-08:00

For all Artists: If you haven't checked out Dave the Painting Guy internet show, you are missing out! I have learned so much since watching the show. So, go get self-educated! He is funny and entertaining....and, well...good! He broadcasts weekly, and you can literally learn to paint watching him. Here's the link:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/dave-the-painting-guy

Self Portrait Sneak Peek

2009-01-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

Wanted to start the new year with a self-portrait to document where my art capability is at. I think that's how I'll start each new year. Photographed one side to let you 'peek'....

Poolside

2008-12-25T19:49:00.001-08:00

Just finished this painting today of Meghan chillin' poolside this past summer. I will replace this poor quality photo when I can get more batteries in the digital camera! While I am trying to build my portfolio, I am considering photos for a free portrait painting. I will upload the image on this blog and give away the painting. Submit to mcalisterjeremy@gmail.com.

Oil 6X6

Portrait of a Wife

2008-12-21T20:03:00.000-08:00

So, I've been painting and have more to post....but wanted to put something up for everyone in the mean time. Here's my first portrait painting, a portrait of Toni after a recent portrait class. You can see it as a WIP from start to finish. Oil painting, took approx. 18hrs. I plan to finish 2 more paintings over the holidays to finish out the year and will post as soon as I'm done.

A Fair Pear

2008-11-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks for joining! In my pursuit of art, I will be posting my works here and on my deviant art site (under supernaturalman) weekly. You can track my progress and comment on how you like/dislike each piece. My first post is a copy of an oil painting I did in my first oil portrait painting class 2 weeks ago. It was done in about 2 hrs. I am currently working on an oil portrait and will post that in the next few weeks when I feel it is done. You can check out the WIP at http://supernaturalman.deviantart.com.

I'm also attempting to put together a drawing/sketching/painting group in the Woodstock, GA area for anyone interested. We will draw from still life and live models. Let me know if you're in the area and are interested.