The Home-Based Atelier

Starting Out Right

A short update for all of my faithful readers: To begin the new year, I’ve made some changes. Having experienced a huge amount of artistic growth within the past year, I’m now at the point where I’ve begun getting commissions for portraiture. In order to present myself more professionally, I’ve completely redesigned the website and made it a bit more focused. The gallery section has also been… Continue reading

Tonight I’m going to walk you through the process I’ve been using to complete the Bargue drawings, step by step, with a little more detail on the use of the sight-size technique. Continue reading

After a well-deserved break from the arduous process of getting used to the sight-size method (and a very busy week), I’m back at it. Plates 1.5 and 1.6. Continue reading

Yes, I know this sounds like a simple, basic thing, but for those of us who don’t have someone at hand to show us how it’s done, understanding how to sharpen vine or willow charcoal can be quite confusing. Continue reading

This plate was another hard one. It took me 3 tries at 2 hours a piece to get an accurate drawing. It is taking me some time to get used to this sight-size method, although I am seeing some benefits of using the technique. Namely, it is much easier to see major errors than if the drawing board were on my lap. Continue reading

Starting off on our journey through the Bargue course, we encounter a number of plates that deal with specific anatomical features drawn in a simplified manner. Plate 1 deals with eyes – an appropriate place to start, since we’re concentrating on learning how to “see” as artists. Continue reading

If you are taking a similar approach to art instruction as I am – that is, going it alone – you’re going to need a well-defined plan. From the Charles Bargue Drawing Course to life classes, cast drawings, and sketchbooks, I plan to utilize a number of tools to develop my skills. Continue reading

Setting up an in-home art studio need not be a daunting task, nor should you feel like you’ll have to forget about this year’s vacation in order to fund it. In order for it to meet your artistic needs, you will have to decide what you’re going to be doing with your new studio space, then develop a plan to best utilize what you’ve got. Continue reading

Becoming a proficient artist is no easy task – especially if one wants to develop a realistic style and practice figurative painting and drawing. This, however, is the path I wish to take. In fact, I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time – I just haven’t had a clear road-map. Until now… Continue reading