Blog

Mike has just started to hold a series of what he considers 1/2 day workshops in which he demonstrates a specific painting method in his studio and then has his students do the same work under his supervision.  The first 1/2 day workshop was held on November 11, 2014 with three artists in attendance.  Mike did a 45 minute  8" x 10" alla prima study using a larger (16" x 20") plein air painting that he had previously painted in the Sierra Nevada mountains as the subject.  The following image depicts this study in a dark frame to further show off this quick study.

  During this study Mike used rags, q-tips and his fingers to adjust the values using a mixture of Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine blue leaning toward the Burnt Sienna side to keep the mixture warm.  The linen canvas had previously been toned with a very thin Burnt Sienna straight from the tube.  He then used a small amount of color using a very limited palette of the three primaries to bring the study to life!  These colors were more or less scrubbed in using little or no solvents.  The three students then used the same techniques to complete their studies in under an hour and a half.  The results were outstanding.  Mike will make an additional blog entry showing these studies in the near future. 

Mike will be holding these 1/2 day workshops at least once or twice a month for the next year.  He will be demonstrating his knowledge of numerous techniques and methods concentrating on composition, value, edges, color and style.  Please contact Mike through his website if you are interested in these workshops.