New! The twenty eighth installment of the series, "Learning From Richard Schmid" will be sent out to subscribers on Tuesday, December 27th.
This upcoming lesson is titled,
Materials and Tools
Part D
Paint Handling on a Lead Primed Surface
Richard Schmid “White Pine” Oil on linen 12x20
Thus far, two lessons have been dedicated to canvas preparation, and emphasis placed on the importance of a good surface on which to paint. The benefits of working on a custom primed lead ground have been explained and illustrated through the use of examples, but little has been covered regarding the working properties of this type of canvas.
Painting on a lead primed surface is unique, and can present challenges if you are unfamiliar with its behavior. It is common to experience a bit of a learning curve with this type canvas, especially if you are switching from using a more absorbent kind. Successful and manageable working conditions on a lead primed canvas or panel requires a bit of knowledge and experience in the way oil paint can be used and applied. Compared to more absorbent commercial canvases, painting on you own hand-made lead primed surface can feel like slick and slippery business.
This lesson will explain and illustrate ways oil paint can be used on a lead ground, and assist in unlocking the invaluable working properties that this surface provides. It will present suggestions for application that yield favorable painting conditions, and recommend ways to avoid ending up in pools of muddy paint. High-resolution images are included as working examples. In addition, this installment will revisit the painting featured in Richard’s instructional DVD, White Pine, by highlighting a few key developmental stages that further demonstrate manageable paint application techniques. To assist in your studies, included is a high-resolution image of the final piece to be used in conjunction with the video.
Richard Schmid “Nancy Painting” Oil on linen 18x24
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Richard Schmid Comments on Katie Swatland’s On-line Service:
“Katie Swatland’s presentation of our instructional sessions brings an insight and animation into my teaching that is impossible for me to achieve. This is because she speaks from the experience of one who is learning, whereas I can only speak from the perspective of one who already knows.
Thus it is that Katie presents the ideas I offer with a unique clarity. When I give critiques she anticipates the questions in her reader’s minds because they are her questions too. When the stages of my demonstration paintings are shown, Katie can explain and analyze them because she watched them happen. Her personal thoughts and observations connect with readers and vividly recreate the experience of being there.” - Richard Schmid
Learn More
Watch the Trailer Below...click play and adjust volume...enjoy!
Documenting Lessons In Painting From Richard Schmid
“Learning From Richard Schmid” is a unique online subscription series documenting the ongoing instruction in painting I receive from him as a member of a small painting group in Vermont. In 2004 I began meeting with Richard and his fellow painters regularly. Since then, with his permission, have documented every visit through pictures, video clips, and detailed technical notes on our discussions and his demonstrations. Receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering helped me develop a disciplined work ethic and a need for thorough notes. The inspiration for documenting Richard’s lessons came from a hunger to fully grasp and understand his teachings and working methods.
Once I realized the library of educational wealth I compiled, I felt an immediate sense of urgency and a duty to share this knowledge with the goal of helping others learn and grow with their art as well. Richard has always said that the best way to thank him is to give back by sharing what I have learned. It was in this spirit, and with his and Nancy’s support, that I began developing the series, “Learning From Richard Schmid.”
Richard Schmid “Fallen Pine” 12x16
[The above image is from the June installment, “Copying Works of Art.” This issue discusses the valuable experience of copying works for the sake of study. It features Schmid’s painting, “Fallen Pine.”]
“Learning From Richard Schmid” contains in-depth technical information on painting
On the 30th of every month, you can share the experience of learning from the Master. Through my online subscription service, a new lesson is released and distributed to email subscribers. Each installment contains in-depth technical information on painting and often included are step-by-step demonstrations from Richard, which come in the form of discussions, pictures, audio, and video clips, or some combination of these.
As an example, September’s lesson, “The Peony Demonstration,” contains over 85 images showing each stage in the development of “North Garden Peonies.” This sequence of images gives insight into the developmental process of building a painting and shows how Richard began and developed the completed painting below.
Richard Schmid “North Garden Peonies” 18x18 2006
Other lessons explore the fundamentals behind the “essence” of Art and illustrate concepts through discussions on paintings, drawings, and recommended readings. For example, August’s issue, “The Mancini Exhibit,” explores the concept of “Painting what you see, not necessarily what you know.” Included are audio recordings of Richard speaking inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Schmid inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art discussing Mancini
(Shown in this photo is Richard with fellow Putney Painters, Rosemary Ladd, Kathy Anderson, and Carol Arnold.)
October’s lesson, “The Power of Selection,” takes the idea of painting what you “see” a step further by exploring the endless strength in choice as a means of communicating through your art and asks: “Now of all the things before you, what will you choose to paint?”
Downloadable High-Resolution Images Sets this Series Apart From Books and DVD’s
Each article contains a printable PDF version and downloadable high-resolution images of paintings and demonstrations for use in your personal study. Viewing paintings in a high-resolution format is the next best thing to viewing the paintings in person! This invaluable addition to the articles sets this series apart from books and DVD’s.
Using any photo-viewing software, (Adobe programs are an excellent choice), you may zoom in and study the paintings' surface quality and the intricacies of Richard's brushwork. Since these images are high resolution, you can magnify them greatly to see details without pixilation issues that exist in low-resolution images you may find on the Internet, books and videos.
The articles you purchase are yours to keep, and you are allowed to keep one copy of the article and images on your computer for use in your personal study. These articles are propriety, therefore they are not to be shared or forwarded to others.
Richard Reviews and Approves Each Lesson, Often Adding Additional Images and Comments
In order to ensure accuracy and clarity of concepts presented, Richard and I collaborate closely; he reviews and approves every lesson before it is released, often adding additional images and comments to further explain pertinent theories.
Join In The Journey
A Saturday of Painting at the Barn
(Shown in this photo is Richard Schmid, Nancy Guzik, Katie Swatland and modeling is Captain John Adams at the Village Arts of Putney, where bi-weekly meetings with the Putney Painters take place.)
I invite you to join in this experience. You may sign up by clicking on the link below:
Click here to subscribe to the series, "Learning From Richard Schmid"
Cost:
Each monthly subscription includes the featured article for the month, sent to you through email. The articles you purchase are yours to keep, and you are allowed to keep one copy of the article and images on your computer for use in your personal study. These articles are propriety, therefore they are not to be shared or forwarded to others.
- $25 - 1 Month Membership
- $69 - 3 Month Membership
- $132 - 6 Month Membership
Detail regarding previous installments may be viewed and ordered by visiting the link below.