Painting the Figure Dynamically
The figure is naturally dynamic. Whether it is sitting, standing, or in motion the challenge of figurative painting is not only to render a life like representation of your subject, but also to interpret its direction and energy. This workshop is designed to approach the figure in a comprehensive manner in order to best describe its state of being whether at rest or active. It will use a painter’s eye and practical techniques to paint the figure from life, as well as from a photo reference.
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August 23rd - 24th
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10am - 3:30pm (with a lunch break)
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$400
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Oils or Acrylics
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Photo reference will be provided
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Live model on the second day
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Limited space available
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Colorspace Arts, 10512 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito,
(Enter on Waldo Ave)
What to Expect
Day 1:
We will be working from photo references provided by the teacher. We will focus on several different exercises and quick paintings using different techniques in the background and within the figure to create motion, mood, and energy. The student will then take another reference (provided by the teacher) for a more developed painting in the second part of the day.
Day 2:
We will work from a live model. We will do two quick studies in order to begin tapping into the instinctual side of painting. The limited time is intended to force the student into immediately reacting to the subject and overriding any type of over analysis of the figure. It’s also a great way of warming up. The remaining part of the class will work on one painting of a long pose.
Materials:
Paints
In this workshop we will be using mainly the Zorn palette in order to concentrate on the aspects of dynamic painting, but there is one color I’ve included to be used in an exercise.
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Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Cad Red Light, Ivory Black, Ultramarine blue, and Brown Umber (used for an exercise)
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You can bring as many different types of paints as you want, but as mentioned before I will be concentrating on this limited palette.
Brushes
If you have preferred brushes, use those. There are two brushes that you have to use for some of the exercise: Fan Brush size 6, Flat Brush (synthetic hairs) size 8
Other Material
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Palette knives: just a couple for mixing paint, but we will be using one for painting
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Palette
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Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits or turpenoid in enclosed container
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Walnut oil or linseed oil
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Day 1: 1 18”x24” pieces of loose canvas or canvas board (we will segment this into 4 quadrants), and 1 12”x16” - 18”x24” surface (for more developed piece)
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Day 2: 1 12”x16” surface (for the quick studies), and 1 12”x16” - 18”x24” surface (for long pose)
Follow the button to sign up!
About the Artist
Calvin Lai’s art explores realism with a more expressive way of painting. His artistic evolution began as an illustration student at the Academy of Art, but found he preferred the fine arts. Now, working as a full time oil painter, he has continued to develop and refine his oil painting skills, shown his work nationally in galleries, group exhibitions and juried shows, and is also a dedicated teacher. He has led mentorship groups, taught privately, and conducted workshops. Currently he is on the faculty at the California College of the Arts as a painting instructor.