Workshop with Teresa Oaxaca & Demo

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to study the portrait in charcoal with Teresa Oaxaca.  I have been spending a lot of energy this year studying figure drawing and when I heard Teresa was coming to Albuquerque I signed up immediately.  In my self-study I had been experimenting with different materials and papers and started to feel frustrated with the time limit in my usual figure drawing group. During the workshop we were only using charcoal and Canson mi-teintes papers and spending a full day on one composition.  It was such a luxury to have a so much time to concentrate on each portrait.  It was a two day workshop, so the class worked on a new portrait each day.  

 

Here is the model Malia on the first day of the workshop.  Teresa started the day with the following demo:

 my first day portrait

 portrait by Shana Levensen

David Jon Kassan's work for the day. It was such a pleasure to meet so many fantastic artists participating in the drawing session on that first day!

Here is Teresa's work on the second day. Teresa was a wonderful instructor and such a lovely person to meet.  She spent the majority of the time circulating the room and offering personal guidance and instruction.  She spent as much time with you as you wanted and answered every question with the utmost patience and respect no matter what level an artist you were.  Even though I've been painting for fifteen years I felt like a newbie, but by the second day something clicked for me and I felt really focused.  I was pleased with the work and happy because I felt like my self-instruction and practice over the year had finally come together.  Drawing on weekends and finding time in the evenings was worth it and I will continue to hone my skills during these stolen moments between painting and family.

Busy November Days

I've been neglecting my blog lately, so I thought I'd share what I've been up to this month.  I've been very busy in the studio and doing lots of creating.  I'm in high gear painting and very excited about my current work.  I don't want to post much until it's done and now that we are getting into the holiday season I am nervous that it will take longer than I anticipated to complete the series.  So I have locked myself away and have become very caught up in the art spirit, much to the annoyance of my family.  Laundry?  do we really need clean clothes every week?  Dinner?  Groceries?  do we really need regular schedules and bills paid?  Luckily my husband has been a dream and often picks up where I drift off, literally!  I don't often ask for help--I'd rather run from sun-up to sun-down meeting the needs of others before my own, and I know how lucky I am to have such a great and understanding family.

Above you can see an example of my new studies, in between painting I've been trying to spend a little time every day getting back into my drawing practice.  Lately that's been in the evenings before bed.  Since I am a self-taught artist I have to be very disciplined to move forward with my skills and there are constant issues I feel I need to improve.   Portrait study is something I've always wanted to master and I am starting to copy Bargue plates and really enjoying it!  I love slowing down and being very methodical about my lines and angles.  I tend to move so fast in life that I become impatient when it comes to drawing, this is teaching me to slow way down. 

 

What else is new you ask?  Well, my husband spent some time making a drying box for my oil paintings this month.  I've had directions for the box for quite a while, which uses black lights.  Apparently black lights give off a different type of UV ray, it is to imitate natural sunlight which greatly increases the rate of drying.  Artists have been using the power of the sun to aid in drying for centuries, but I find these lights very gentle and they do not generate much heat.  My paintings dry to the touch overnight.  I predict this box will see much use over the winter.

One last note, I received an early Christmas present-- a great new drafting table where I will be working late many nights on drawing.  I love it!

 

 best studio company ever