Jennifer Balkan:
Harmonious Color in Figure Painting: painting the figure in its environment with a limited palette
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this workshop you will work on one medium sized figure painting (and a preliminary sketch) which may include props and additional compositional elements either abstract or representational. My intent is that students will improve upon their overall approach to painting the figure emphasizing brush control, paint mixing, and color harmony — with special attention to developing an understanding of how color harmony is critical to achieving a compelling realistic composition. We will approach the figure constructively incorporating a discussion of anatomy, posture and dynamics of the pose; We will explore shape and color as we create compositions which include the contextual elements around the figure, utilizing props/accessories to create a narrative. Jennifer will be demonstrating how color, value and temperature choices are critical to creating a convincing context no matter what that context is. In order to achieve a beautiful harmonious color scheme, she will require students to use a limited palette.
We will paint by learning to see our environment as composed of simple shapes and values, lay down shadow and light masses with confident brushwork, which will lead to stronger visual statements and weightier paintings. This class is designed for all levels of painters who have life drawing *and* figure painting experience. Jennifer will be doing demonstrations throughout the workshop and students will be working from a live model.
SUPPLY LIST
one 9"x12" panel or canvas
one 18"x24" panel or canvas
If you are using inexpensive pre-primed canvas or canvas board, be sure to add a couple of coats of acrylic gesso to it and sand it lightly so that you’ll have better less absorbent surface to paint on.
Clean palette, glass, flat, wooden or melamine (melamine or glass is easier to clean)
steel palette knife (3" trowel)
odorless mineral spirits (no smelly solvents) in small container (Gamsol and Turpenoid Natural are good less toxic solvents)
container for your mineral spirits
paper towels or rags
pocket mirror
Value viewer of some kind: here is one
“The Masters’” Brush Cleaner & Preserver
Small container of walnut oil
Brushes – assorted
paint brushes: We’ve got a lovely set at Rosemary so you can see the kind of brushes I like
Dojo Academy’s Rosemary Brush set!! However, you certainly don’t need to purchase this. Get a mix of flats, rounds and filberts 2,4,6,8 (natural hog hair and synthetic) plus medium fan brush and small/medium mop brush some good brands: Rosemary & Co., Trekell, Princeton, Silver Bristlon and more. If you are going to Jerry’s to find some brushes: look for the Silver Bristlon Brand — they are good synthetics!Oil colors (please use professional grade). You cannot go by the names of the paints but instead go by the pigment numbers.
Flake White Replacement : essentially this is a faux flake white which is a wonderful hearty warmish white for flesh.
Gamblin makes a great one.Titanium white: M. Graham; if not, Winsor Newton or Gamblin.
Winsor red (PR255 + PR254) try to get Winsor Newton in this one
Yellow (PY74) (Names vary by brand)
Ultramarine blue (PB29)
Raw umber (PBr7)
Transparent oxide red sometimes called transparent earth red (PR101)
Ivory Black (PBk9)
My colors are particular pigments.
RED
If you cannot find the Winsor Newton red, then see below.
So Winsor Red = PR255 + PR254
Now the Winsor Red is a mix and so you will need to buy two reds instead of one:
Rembrandt Permanent Red Medium plus Rembrandt Permanent Red Deep = PR255 + PR254;
Pyrrol Red in M. Graham & Williamsburg is PR254. There may be a PR255 in those brands, not sure.
YELLOW
PY74 : M. Graham makes a really nice one and calls it Hansa Deep Yellow
If you cannot find thIS, PY74 is also Gamblin Hansa Yellow Medium AND Winsor Yellow
BLUE
Ultramarine Blue: try M. Graham (it’s nice and creamy); if not, winsor newton or Gamblin
BLACK & EARTH
Ivory Black: PBk9: M. Graham; if not Gamblin or Winsor Newton
Raw Umber: these really vary across brand. DO NOT GET M. GRAHAM (it’s too warm). Try Winsor Newton or Gamblin.Transparent Oxide Red M. Graham; if not try Gamblin who calls it transparent earth red.
INSTRUCTOR BIO
Jennifer grew up in New Jersey and began to draw at a very young age. She studied neuroscience at Lehigh University and later attained her Ph.D. from UT Austin in Sociology in 2001 after conducting anthropological fieldwork in Mexico. Although her experience in Mexico was rich, Jennifer longed for artistic creativity. In August of 2001, Jennifer spent a month in Spain, France, and Italy where she saw masterworks that would become her inspiration. Upon returning, she began studying panting and drawing from observation, taking classes at Laguna Gloria Art School and the Austin Fine Arts School leading to further study at the Art Students League in Denver and through various painting workshops. She’s been teaching figure and portrait painting in oils to small groups of students since 2006.
ATELIER DOJO WORKSHOP POLICIES
No refunds can be issued within 45 days of workshop date, unless canceled by Atelier Dojo.