Making Rhyme Out of Reason: An Oil Portrait Painting Workshop

Portrait Painting: The Real Deal New York City • August 14 - 25, 2017@ the School of Visual Arts

I often post upon this blog my teaching offerings,

Like classes during the school year as well as other things.

It's always a challenge to vary my message and avoid redundancy.

So this time around I'm communicating to you in the form of poetry.

At the School of Visual Arts each August, I lead an oil portrait workshop.

From the fourteenth through the twenty fifth, the learning is non-stop.

If you truly desire to become the very best artist you can be.

Sign up and take full advantage of this great opportunity.

For two weeks—Mondays through Fridays, nine to five—there’s much to ingest.

The middle Saturday is a field trip to the Met, while Sunday's a day of rest.

I teach a contextual approach designed to enhance your individuality.

No, this isn't a cookie cutter system and you won’t turn into a mini-me.

I think most artists searching for answers, are barking up the wrong tree.

It’s not about using some historical pigment or finding a long-lost recipe.

On the other side of the coin, if you’ve been told from your youth,

That making art is intuitive. Nothing could be further from the truth.

There’s a middle ground, a balance, that I find works the very best.

My students tell me my approach is more effective than the rest.

Michelangelo said, "A man paints with his brain and not with his hands."

I believe this fundamental truth is something that every great artist understands.

What I teach is not rote learning. Why paint someone else's way?

It’s the difference between learning to fish or being fed for a day.

Style’s a poor substitute for knowledge and shouldn't be focused on.

Individuality should never be sacrificed, when all is said and done!

When you approach it step by step,

You will become much more adept.

Technique is important and I cover all aspects, but that's not really the key.

The important fact is that at the core of all great painting is a logical philosophy.

Learn in a short span what might take you decades on your own to master.

Why struggle and suffer needlessly; when you can get there so much faster?

Painting from high quality reference is the best, ‘cause everything’s there,

You'll learn to paint structure and the effects of light and air.

You’ll learn how to identify any color you see and to mix it efficiently.

As opposed to the typical hit or miss method, which is pure insanity.

I will clearly explain everything that I'm doing while I'm demonstrating.

At all other times I go from student to student; I’m continuously circulating.

You’ll learn ways to capture a likeness and to see more accurately.

And what it takes to convey on your canvas a real life-like quality.

A contextual methodology lies at the heart of everything I teach.

When you apply this framework all possibilities are within reach.

Please understand, painting isn’t a simple task, it's very complicated.

But if you can approach it more logically, you won't be so frustrated.

I hope these verses I’ve penned for you have given you some indication,

Of the wonderful experience awaiting you that will enhance your art education.

My workshops, like this poem, are designed to keep you entertained,

Making information more easily processed and so it can be fully ingrained.

In three more lines my poem will reach it’s eventual conclusion.

If you want to turn your work around, I’m offering the perfect solution.

‍You may click on this line in the event you desire some additional information.

‍To sign up click this link to access online registration.

Until next time.