"The Poker Club" Continued

"The Poker Club" work in progress, oil, 30"h x 40"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

I've lost track of how many days have been spent on this painting ... and that's a pretty good sign that it's been many. The deadline for completion approaches, as it is one of those twelve canvases planned for my May solo show "Out & About." With so much time invested, the pressure builds to get it all right. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm hoping to finish it with two more days invested...

Today's work added a smile to one of the players in my dad's Poker Club. I generally try to avoid teeth at all costs ... but one of the reasons for tackling this painting was to capture the friendships/comraderie between the Club's members. My dad, whose back is to you, tends to make it difficult to keep a straight face. There are other factors weighing in on my approach overall. Let's see where it goes from here.

Tomorrow's the second day of my portrait class. Time to see my students paint. During breaks in last week's demo, I was warned by one of my students to keep an eye on him. So that's part of the plan.

Exhibits and Events

April 14-May 4, Salon International 2012, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX. Opening Reception: Saturday, April 14, 10am-8pm. “Contrapposto”

See "Classical Painting Atelier" in the April Art League Exhibit

April 3-30, "Classical Painting Atelier" was accepted for the April All-Media Membership Exhibit at the Art League in Alexandria. "Torpedo Factory Dock" is in the Bin Gallery. Both can be seen this month at the Torpedo Factory, Art League Gallery, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA.

April 2 -30, "Sunflowers and Gladioli" and "Cup of Tea" are on exhibit as part of the Great Falls Studios group exhibit at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA throughout the month.

May 15-19, Wayne Plein Air Festival 2012, one of 34 artists juried to participate in a plein air competition and exhibit in and around Wayne, PA. Gala Preview and Artists' Reception, Saturday, May 19, 6-10pm at the Wayne Art Center. Exhibition to follow May 20-June 23 at the Wayne Art Center. 

May 1-31, "Out and About" Solo Show, Katie's Coffee at the Old Brogue, Great Falls, VA. Reception: Sunday, May 6, 2-5pm.
 
Web: www.jillbanks.com
 Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project

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Phone: 703.403.7435

"Classical Painting Atelier" Still Life: Just About Done

Blurry photo ... but you get the idea. "Classical Painting Atelier," 24"h x 18"w, oil

Sorry for the blurry photo. I took it under pretty low light ... and I moved.

There is just one little part I need to fix on this ... that I couldn't do with the paint wet ... and then this is done. There are some "ghosts" of two leaves I moved that need to be sanded a bit and then painted over to meld with the background.

I love how this one has evolved. "Classical Painting Atelier" has presented plenty of challenges (like the book cover portrait, the feather, some very unusual forms with the gourds) ... but it tells the story of the classroom. The red feather in the foreground is from boa I had as a prop for my portrait class demo the day before. They were sprinkled all over the room. "Classical Painting Atelier" is the title of the book by Juliette Aristedes, one of the many resources in the classroom. Juliette Aristedes would have no doubt approved the still life set-up and exercise in learning. I chose this still life inspired by the Great Falls School of Art Student Exhibition that is hanging in the Artists' Atelier gallery upstairs from the school this month. Students of all ages are getting a great foundation in drawing, lights and darks, the academics of art. This painting is a nod to what's going on here.

Lesson One of the Week: I also added many more reds to my palette today to get the intensity and variations shown in the red silk fabric. My usual palette includes in the red family: Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Quinacridone Red, Cadmium Red Light and Venetian Red. Today I added: Perylene Red, Cadmium Scarlet, and Cadmium Orange. The reason for the addition is that reds are tough to lighten ... it's hard to change their value without dulling their intensity. Add white to a red and it turns it pink. But, add white to Cadmium Orange and you get a light color that's pretty intense. Put something like perylene red or cadmium scarlet on top of that and you have a light, bright red. Like the color of the cloth in the light.

Lesson Two of the Week: I don't like eating brussel sprouts. But, they are fun to paint.

Tonight I put up the easels, tables and Randy and I worked on a boom light for tomorrow's portrait class.  It should be an interesting day ... and I'll probably mention something about being worn out tomorrow night. Going back to school after the break is rough (and exciting) for teacher and student.

"Cars and Coffee," oil on Raymar panel, 16"h x 20"w, ©Jill Banks 2011

"Cars and Coffee" Painting of the Old Brogue
This painting was done over two plein air painting sessions up on the hill looking down at the Old Brogue Irish Pub, the Great Falls VA gathering place Randy and I happened to eat at tonight. It had been off the market for a little bit ... (I do that for various reasons) ... but it is available for purchase. Contact me if you are interested.

On Exhibit:

"Dining Alfresco" Juried into the Art League January Show

On view at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA for the month of January. Take a look!

"Ostrich and Polka Dots," "Ramsey" and "Half Dozen Donuts" are on view in Great Falls Studios' January Virtual (online) Gallery Exhibit "Patterns"

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
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A Full Day of Painting

"Classical Painting Atelier" work in progress day 2 ... sort of

I really just planned to show you pictures. I worked most of a long day on "The Poker Club" but I'll wait for another session to show what's up there.

So, this is my painting from yesterday with about another hour and half's worth of work.

While I was giving my demo for my Still Life class, we talked about its focal point. Giving a demo is different than just painting. There's less careful consideration. It's all action. 

I thought my focal point would be the yellow gourd on the right. That's changed. The brussel sprouts on the left and that green gourd are my main areas of interest and the yellow gourd points the way.

A quiet still life.

On Exhibit:

"Dining Alfresco" Juried into the Art League January Show

On view at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA for the month of January. Take a look!

"Ostrich and Polka Dots," "Ramsey" and "Half Dozen Donuts" are on view in Great Falls Studios' January Virtual (online) Gallery Exhibit "Patterns"

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
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"Classical Painting Atelier" Still Life in Progress

"Classical Painting Atelier" wip, oil, 24"h x 18"w, ©Jill Banks 2012

The name might change ... and there's more work to do ... but this started as today's demo for the first day of Still Life class. I definitely didn't get this far with an audience. It's a case of biting off more than you can chew. Or something like that. Too large. Too many elements. Too much fun and other stuff to cover to get it in respectable shape during class.

When my students realized that there wasn't any way they were going to see it come together, they asked me to finish (or more fully develop) one part. I chose concentrating on the book in the scene, "Classical Painting Atelier" by Juliette Aristedes. As they watched me paint the portrait on the book cover, I wasn't hearing overwhelming praise. I won't repeat any of the comments.

I think it's just fine ... and I like the introduction of a dark and portrait elements with the book. If I developed it more it would jump forward in the scene. Not what I'd want.

In addition to liking it as an object, the book tells a story about the painting. It's pulled from the classroom library. It places all those gourds and brussel sprouts at the scene.

That's enough for this post. It's been a long day.

Oscar Haynes as my Face #13 for my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project

Tomorrow is Oscar Haynes birthday. Happy Birthday, Oscar!

On Exhibit:

"Dining Alfresco" Juried into the Art League January Show

On view at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA for the month of January. Take a look!

"Ostrich and Polka Dots," "Ramsey" and "Half Dozen Donuts" are on view in Great Falls Studios' January Virtual (online) Gallery Exhibit "Patterns"

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 1 (faces 1-54): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
100 Faces in 100 Days Project Page 2 (faces 55-100): www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project_2.html
Email