Teaching Tools and Other Stuff

Painting Mouths

I painted the below mouth examples as a teaching tool for my students, and also to get them inspired about painting mouths.  They are interesting, expressive, and each one as a totally unique quality.  Two of them are movie stars (now deceased) ... can you guess?

Painting Cloth

Below is a brief primer for painting cloth.  The kinds of lights and darks falling on fabric also depends on the type of fabric, from velvet to satin.  The below would do for cotton or wool or the like.  These are simple formulas, and if you are doing an "epic" painting you should experiment with an effect that pleases you, the painter.

"Prosepine"

Started my Spring Semester Museum class in Acrylic Portraiture Monday, and below is our subject matter for that class.  "Proserpine" by Rosetti, featured in the Vero Beach Museum of Art's new exhibition, "The Victorian Radicals," a must-see for all who love portraiture.  Such a thrill to see this great work in person, even though some of it is under glass.  The hair and the folds of her garment were quite a challenge, especially since I am always in such a rush and working right down to the wire.  To me, life is a banquet and I jam-pack as much in a day as I possibly can.  All good things though, including my granddaughter Salem and little doggie Piper.  Paintings coming of both of them ... when time in between classes.

"Prosepine" 16"x12" Acrylic
by Judy Burgarella, From Rosetti

Painting & Drawing Classes

Currently teaching at the American Legion in Sebastian (pen to the public), Indian River Estates (private group), VB Museum (sign-up ahead), and private clients.  I am available for lectures, critiques and demonstrations.  Call for pricing - 772-581-8281.

Homage to Red I & II

Below is my demo painting from Indian River Estates (Vero Beach), from March 15th.  It began as a "Wipe-Out," wherein I squeeze paint from the tubes right onto the canvas, using alizarin crimson and sap green (both transparents that mix really well).  The paint is pushed around by a big ol' bristle brush (purchased at a hardware store) in such a way that it does not blend together in one solid color, but leaves both color shades somewhat visible here and there.  To add the illusion of light coming from a corner, I squeeze a small amount of cadmium orange on and lightly blend into the darkness, fading gradually out of sight.

Images are pulled out of the darkened canvas using a rag, Q-tip, toothpick, and whatever tools or household objects that give you the effect you want.  The vase was pulled out with a rag wrapped around my finger, the berries and stems were pulled out with a foam make-up applicator,

"Homage to Red I" 8x10 oil by Judy Burgarella

This little painting above was painted on stretched canvas, as a prelude to my demo piece below.  I applied a thin coat of linseed oil on the primed stretched canvas, wiping off as much as possible with a paper towel before painting.  It went quick and was very enjoyable,  After wiping of course you have to add some color.  I added color on all elements, skipping some on the twigs.  The beautiful blackness under the lip of the table is achieved by adding prussian blue.  You just can't get that from any black out of the tube.

"Homage to Red II" 12x16 oil by Judy Burgarella

Above is a repeat from the day before so I could work out any problems ahead of time, this one was painted on "bargain" canvas board I purchased off Amazon.  Never again will I skimp like that.  Since I do lots of demos--and have for many years--they pile up quick wen painting on stretched canvas.  Therefore I now do my demos on canvas board--easier to store, and less apt to get damaged in my carry box.

The 12x16 one came out good in spite of the disappearance of oil from the pigment.  My best guess is that it probably had sawdust inside instead of cardboard, and there was not much priming on the canvas.  While wet it looked beautiful, but I could see the oil disappearing before my eyes, and by the time I brought it home it was miraculously dry!  This technique usually takes a couple of weeks to dry.  But it was fun to demonstrate and the audience really enjoyed it.  When I coat this piece it will look much more colorful and lustrous.

Well, that's all for now.  will post again when something artsy-interesting happens.  I hope you're doing something artsy with your spare time--it's good for the soul!

Judy Burgarella
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