A Drawing Resource...Vitruvian Studios

by Kevin Mayes

'Dana' by David Jamieson

Searching the web for a studio or school that teaches representational drawing, painting, anatomy and sculpture can be a daunting task with there being so many to research. Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to present one here that I feel is well worth the time and money.  This studio is Vitruvian Studios.

This Chicago based art school offers the student a studio environment that is affordable, flexible and encouraging. You will find online courses, in-studio courses and video downloads available through their website.

These courses are for everyone, beginners and professional alike. 

'Drawing Basics' is their "foundations" drawing course. There is a video sample lesson in the course description that I recommend viewing. It will give you a good idea of what to expect from the course and actually, it looks like a lot of fun.

There is a video download page that is worth your time to explore. The videos are well done, interesting to watch and learn from.
You can also view their videos through their YouTube channel for regular uploads from the studio. The videos through the 'video for download' page are extended cuts of three time-lapse videos. The longer version features a detailed voice-over by David Jamieson describing aspects of his process for drawing. It's like a mini master class in drawing!

Portrait Drawing The Complete Online Course has an introduction video in the description that is worth watching and will introduce you not only to the Portrait Drawing course, but to David Jamieson.

David Jamieson

I really like the approach David takes with the courses and the way he presents the information to the student. Whether you learn online or in the studio, this is simply a very good way to get excellent instruction.

There is so much more information that I could share with you, but that would be just copying what is on the website! It would be well worth the time to visit Vitruvian Studio and explore all the possibilities offered by the studio.

Thank you for looking!

Morning Monarchs
by Kevin Mayes

 Once in a great while you find yourself with a client that turns out to be your dream client. Such is the case here. I have done a lot of work for him for his business and three weeks ago he called me and asked to commission a painting. What he had in mind was to have me base this painting on a fine art poster he had gotten back in the seventies. Now he didn't want it reproduced but rather for me to use it for inspiration to create my own work using the same subject matter and nothing more. So, what I did was to give the print a look. The print was so  faded that the only color left in it was blue! Okay, the subject is butterflies with a plant. I did some research on Monarch's and found that their favorite food source is the common milk weed. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the blossoms of the plant are not only very nice but very interesting as well! Below is what I came up with and a very brief description of the stages shown. The painting is 28" X 22" oil on paper mounted on a Birch panel.

 

The line drawing submitted for approval. Once approved the drawing is copied onto a good paper and mounted. For this painting the drawing was mounted on a 28" X 22" Birch panel and sealed with acrylic medium.

Once the drawing has been mounted and sealed I rough in an acrylic under painting to serve as a guide to the color scheme. This allows me to get a feel for the painting and a reference point for making choices and decisions about color, lighting and form.

I work from the background forward. Here the background and the plant are almost done and the blossoms in progress. The butterflies have not had their first pass yet nor has the foreground blossom.

The finished piece framed ( the frame was provided by the client) and ready for the client.

As I mentioned earlier, this client is my dream client. He knows what he wants and yet leaves the creating to me. Gotta love it when the clients says, 'Make it your own, I am sure that I will be more than happy with what you create'.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

New Work...not yet titled
by Kevin

This new painting places the character leading her horses through a dangerous mountain pass at the start of a storm brewing. I want the challenge of doing a piece that is not only small (12 X 12 inches), but more narrative and atmospheric. The character is a female warrior finding her way on a quest.

 Now, for those who look at this and wonder about costume and equipment those details have been drawn and will be added during the painting. I am approaching this this way so the detail of the items won't be muddy or lost. I will post more on this work as it progresses.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!
As we gaze into the future of this new year may we find it filled with good fortune.
 

Hi-Fructose Article with Eric Fortune:
by Kevin Mayes

The current issue of Hi-Fructose Magazine features one of Eric Fortune's works on the cover and has a very intriguing interview with Eric inside. It is a good read! I found the comments to be honest and sincere and a bit amusing as well. The accompanying work is what you would expect....extremely good. If you haven't already, plan on getting this issue.

Cover Art by Eric Fortune

Eric Fortune

 Thanks for looking!
 

A Reminder...

I have three Andrew Loomis books listed on my website that are original printings. These books are in excellent condition and would be a great addition to any artist library! If you would be interested please click here. 

Thank you for looking!

Delays in new posts...
by Kevin Mayes

I haven't been able to post anything the past week or so and probably won't have much over the next week either due to some renovations and repairs to the home and studio!

My wife and I own a victorian home and it is in dire need of a good cleaning and some repair. My studio is in my home and it needs work as well. So, as a result I am not getting a lot of work done in the studio as far as my art is concerned!

I hope to be back in force soon so please check back for updates and new posts!

Thanks for looking!