Animal Portraits as Fine Art

Description - If you love painting animals of any kind you will definitely love this workshop. We will concentrate on the beloved dog but what you learn here applies to any four legged animal with fur. We will concentrate on the underlying gesture of the body along with the unique personality of your chosen subject. Achieving aliveness will be the focus and end result. Demos will be conducted throughout the 3 days covering specific features as well as the overall portrait. We will have an opportunity to study a live model (or two) going well beyond a mere photograph. Of course, we will discuss how to use photo references and utilizing vital information required for their use but foremost, it is from life that we understand what we are looking at. Leave any concerns you have about drawing at the door. From our live models I will show you the basic structure and important landmarks that make your subject believable. This workshop will help you see beyond a detailed drawing that so often ends up being constrictive when painting. Each student will follow their own path. This instructor will push you to the next step but will be sensitive to the idea that maybe another way will work for you. Instruction is not cookie cutter. Limited palettes are a fast track way to learn value and color mixing. You will then learn how to expand your palette. The instructor will provide photographs but you are welcome to bring your own reference photos or paintings you are already working on. Get ready this is going to change your life!