Marvin Mattelson lays down his palette and uses his words

Atlanta Portrait Artist Workshop - Day 1 Demo

July 9, 2012
Completed wash-in underpainting.

Today I started a two-week portrait artist workshop at Binders Art and Framing in Atlanta. This is the underpainting phase of my workshop demo–the first time I’ve ever posted one in progress. Being a part of history in the making is exciting, right? While I painted, I described–to my students–what I was doing and why. First, I toned the canvas with raw umber. Next, I scratched a drawing into the wet tone, working from large to small shapes. Once everything was in the relative right place, I lifted out the light areas with a rag and brushed for the darks. I continued to refine shapes and values until the session ended. I made no attempt, whatsoever, to finish anything. What would be the point of that? I’m just trying to set things up with the end in mind.

Annie, my model, did a terrific job and I’m very excited to paint her, because the set-up feels like classic Boston School. (Note to self: Don’t be so funny if you want the model to keep from smiling!) Teacher, students and model are all having the greatest time.

Lucky students get to paint for the next two days. Tomorrow night is the first in the lecture series. Wednesday, I’ll add my first layer of color.

Initial head placement into a wet tone.
Diving into smaller shapes
Pulling out lights and brushing for darks.
Refineing value relationships.
Completed wash-in underpainting.

Marvin Mattelson is now conducting his classes and workshops online in Full HD 1080p through his Fine Art Portrait Academy. For further information, or to register for an upcoming offering, please follow this link to his teaching page.

Until next time…

Previous Wordpress blog Comments

Lindsay Bradley says

July 10, 2012

Hi Marvin,
I am enjoying your blog more that anything else that I follow on the computer…it is very interesting and informative. I look forward to every posting. I attended Art College in the early seventies but I have learned more about portraiture since following your blog than I did in four years of College….

Marvin Mattelson says

July 10, 2012

Thanks so much.

Joe MATTUS says

July 10, 2012

I love it

Marvin Mattelson says

July 10, 2012

NICE TO BE LOVED!

Pat Joyce-Deegan says

July 10, 2012

This deeply depresses me because Cleve workshop cancelled: I SHOULD BE THERE!!!! 🙁 Well, I will be gracious and tell you to tell your students to enjoy these two weeks, they are life changing for any portrait artist. Thanks for posting the progress on your Blog. It will be fun to watch!! And to all who read your blog, I promise we will fill a class next summer in Cleveland Ohio area, so let me or Marvin know now!

Marvin Mattelson says

July 10, 2012

You should be here!

Mary LaGarde says

July 10, 2012

Thank you for sharing Marvin! I like the scratch out technique and plan to try that on my next painting. Recently, I toned the canvas the same way but after it dried I used charcoal to draw the figure, then painted the outline with a darker tone. That is fine for the darks, but it doesn’t define the light territories as you demonstrated. Though I could not attend your workshop this time around, these posts will truly help folks like me to stay motivated. Please keep the posts coming!

Marvin Mattelson says

July 10, 2012

Glad to be of help. This process is called a wash-in.

Catherine Pica says

July 10, 2012

Fantastic underpainting, Marvin. You’re very lucky to have Annie modeling for you. The blog is a great idea, as is posting stages of the painting. “(Note to self: Don’t be so funny if you want the model to keep from smiling!)” So true. I miss you all!

Marvin Mattelson says

July 10, 2012

Thanks Catherine. You did a great job last workshop. I’ll send Annie your best.

Annie Jefferson says

July 10, 2012

I am truly honored to model for your workshop this year, Marvin Mattelson!

Marvin Mattelson says

July 10, 2012

You are very sweet. We’re enjoying having you as our muse.

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