Off to New Mexico

 My client came by and was very much taken with the portraits. Its a great reward to paint something that you know will become part of the family as an heirloom. It gave me great satisfaction to see and hear a happy client.

 Tomorrow I leave for Kirtland AFB , as part of a team of artists  that will document and experience trainees at the ParaRescue School on the base. Casualty scenes are staged and military personal are trained in combat rescue under severe circumstances. I can't wait to take lots of action pictures and draw from what I see and learn.

 I'll be back Easter Sunday.

blessings  ... He is Risen

Family Portrait ... The End Zone

24 x 52 combined size oil on linen

 Well  ... I'm on the 2 yardline and ready to get into the endzone with this project. I'm going to wrap it  all up today. Mostly on the areas where the hair on the kids meet the sky and background ... and the boys club hand and the girls ..... is there really a time to say finished ?  Say what you gotta say and then get out ... I've found it is easier said than painted.

 I started and finished the background yesterday and my days as a matte painter at ILM really came in handy. The only major difference is that now I add alot more paint and I want the viewer to see the strokes. The key is getting the tones and values right and you will be amazed how quickly it can come together without over thinking it. Thats the key. I see colors and shapes .. I don't see trees and houses and hills. I see patches of amazing color next to each other signifying a tree and house. Its when I get that concept into my head that I can paint freely without being psyched out by all the amount of real estate to paint.

 I connected the paintings by stapling them together with cut out cardboard  straps. Its quick and easy.

  Here you can see how I just block in shapes. I stand back CONSTANTLY at

a distance of about 10 feet. I want to approach and see the painting as a viewer

would in a room. It has to work at a distance. I would rather hear, man that looks

great from here and as you get close its only dabs of paint ... rather than ... did you

see how he rendered that eyeball!

  I mix my darkest cool grey which is just above the mid grey on the scale and

I don't deviate from that range for the landscape. Therefore I have a logical

value range to work with.

   The entire color tones on the kids were blues and blacks and white. They 

really liked those colors. So I kept the background wall warm and neutral

and found color in the backround landscape that echoed the color

notes of the sitters.. except that I added dashed of small brighter colors that would

spark the eye. The Fall colors were perfect to pull this off.

 I hope the client likes it tomorrow! ... and I hope he has a check ready!

Alan ... A Portrait

 I taught a wonderful group of students at my Workshop today at Viv Justus's Studio. I was pumped from discussing the pros and cons of the limited palette against the chromatic palette.

 I came home and painted this portrait of fellow artist Alan Dunn.

 I stayed up until the wee hours the other day or rather the other night reading about Sargents painting method. My friend Park had ruined me earlier by showing me his three volume set of Sargent's complete portrait collection which I have to buy. I felt so amateurish after looking at what Johnie had accomplished. I mean ... one should not judge ...but really now.

 But what caught my interest is how he drove home the point of adding alot of paint in the halftone area to the point where the colors glide into each other. I tried that in a focused way in Alan's portrait and I feel I have turned a corner with that bit of advice.

 Again ... I am staying with a limited palette of Titanium White , Yellow Ochre , Cad Red Light , Cobalt Blue and Black  ... and a little cheat of permanent rose for the cheek and gumms ... ;v)

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Burt Silverman Video and a nice email

 I received your standard thankyou for entering the International Portrait Competition form email. I went something to the effect that you lost but keep on trying  .... so in typical On Being Frank fashion I fired off a reply to the sender of said email . I said that if they were interested they could go to my Blog to see how I was dealing with rejection....

I received this last night ...

Frank,
I went on your blog and read it, it was really funny. What a great sense of humor you have. I went and looked up your three pieces and I wanted to tell you that you made it quite a ways in the competition, to the last round. All three of your pieces were positively discussed by the judges and entry c moved forward through 4 rounds.  Hope this is encouraging I never know whether to tell someone that information or not.
My best,

 Well, I guess that makes me feel a little better. I will stage my work better next time .... that is one of many areas I plan to address in the future.

 Below is one of my favorite portrait painters Burt Silverman. This video goes to show that there are so many ways to start a portrait. Unique artists paint in the manner that works for them. There is no one way to get paint to work for you. Click on other short videos from Burt to gain some useful insights into his approach.

You can Act like a Man!

 I was already in a bummed mood after Sunday's vote and Monday came and went which meant that I did not make the top 15 in the International Portrait Competition. I usually start feeling sorry for myself  ... then I remember that great scene from the Godfather where Johnie Fontaine complains about not getting a part to Vito Corleone.....

 Thankyou Godfather ... I needed that  ... ;v)

In Progress ...still ... Rosie

18 x 24 oil on cotton  " Rosie "

 Here's a portrait that I have changed 5 times. It started off as a demo and I worked on it some more yesterday because I want to enter it at the Placer Arts Show. The subject is Rosie who runs the Placer Arts Studio Tour. I hope she does not get mad at me but I like the old ex-hippie look she sports. She is one of the kindest , sweetest and most considerate individuals I have met here in Auburn ( no Manchurian Candidate reference! ). I hope that comes across in this portrait of her.

I'm going to add some red to the lips and a little accents her and there and I think I am done with it.

 I told her early on that I was giving this demo to her ... but I wanted to be proud of the effort before it came into her care.

Progress .... Family Portrait

Yesterday's progress.

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for Bill ...

these are the cars  I painted last fall

I plan to do more

Family Portrait ... Process

 

 Painting the 18 x 24 portrait of Nick

 Yesterday was one of those days , and you've had them I'm sure , where your body tells you that it is being attacked by a virus or some other blood sucking host. Well here at the Ordaz Clan we have a tried and true remedy . Although it does not work all the time 9 times out of ten it gives your body that extra fire power and defensive resistance to stave off the unwelcome disease . 

Here it is .. 2 table spoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and local Honey in a large glass of water . Drink it down the hatch .. add doses of Vitamins C and D and stand back . By 3 o'clock yesterday I had to stop painting as I felt achey and feverish.   Fast forward to today and I am feeling just fine. Psychological ... ? Placebo ... ? Maybe .... but it works and today I will plow ahead on my portrait of this young energetic lad.

 So I struggled yesterday under adverse conditions , but at least I made some good progress on the head. I plan to lay in the whole figure today.

 I see painting portraits as a Vocation. It can't be just another money making venture otherwise you lose the soul ... yours. Painting a portrait is an intimate process and to be successful one must relate to the subject and care about them .. otherwise the painting is just an excuse to paint with nice colors and edges and brush strokes. I guess that's okay .. but I want more .....

 With this painting of " Gus " , I tried to paint a straight ahead portrait of a man who had lost his way and who had been embittered by Life's turns and twists. We end up with the face we deserve.

Portrait Philosophy

 The client and I designed this group portrait together. He loves his children very much and he wanted a pictorial document of this stage of their lives. I suggested a triptych and that way they could each have their  own portrait when they were older and the background , which is the view from their fathers home, would bind them together by a good memory. He liked that and that is why this painting has a symmetrical composition. It was also a good visual reminder when they are older that they are tied together as a family.

 I have adopted the practice of saying a little prayer over the canvases before I start. I want these portraits to be a blessing to these unique individuals and hopefully paint them in a way that says that they are children of God and worthy of love and respect and dignity. I don't go out of my way to flatter, but I want to express a fathers pride and joy in his children. I want to present their very best spirit in my portrayals of them. Portraits are tricky things and often times the sitter may have critical issues about themselves that can really challenge the artists skill and patience. The portrait artist has to be aware of these factors and place the subject in the best possible light ( no pun intended ) to communicate the spirit of the subject.

 I have fought the temptation to paint them as I see them in terms of social comment. An artist friend of mine wanted to paint a portrait of me and he took some photos of me while I stared towards the sun. Obviously I squinted to save retina burn. When he showed me the pictures that he was to paint from as reference, I objected. I said Bill ( not his name ) I was squinting and I look mean and angry ( kinda like my self portraits ) . Can you take another picture where I am not staring into the sun? He objected and proceeded to follow his vision. I have the painting but it is not on my wall. I look mean and angry... go figure .  My wife hates it. Of course the artist is " happy " with his rendition but the client , " me " , is not happy.

 The lesson is that I want the sitters to be proud of the portrait and see themselves as confident and attractive , not in the movie star sense , but in the way that God sees them.

blessings  ______

Family Portraits ... Progress

So far I am having a blast painting these portraits. The hands and 

background still need some treatment but I am happy with 3

days of painting.

 The photo is a bit washed out in the face but I think
you get the feel of this painting.

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Second Saturday in SacTown and Portrait Progress

 Second Saturday in Sac Town ( thats local esperanto for Sacramento ) was absolutely wild last night. I hit traffic on the way to S12 and although I left early enough I got there late and when I swung the doors open to the painting hall the place was packed and as usual I got the worst spot in the house ... in the dark. Oh Well  ... you gots to make the best of the hand dealt to you. I am one of those half full kinda guys.

 I would not ordinarily choose an view where the lighting is so flat ... but this was my challenge for the night ....

 There was excitement in the air. Patris was all dressed up and that usually means  that this is a serious sales event. People were constantly streaming in and out and  I got about 2 hrs of the 3hrs painting time in. S12 was definitely bopping and sizzling. Art lovers were treated to 20 painters painting from a model that was a tattoo road map. I got the feeling that there were more tats on her  " where's Waldo " anatomy .

Frankly, other than Marilyn Rose , I don't think any of us were on our game.  She did a beauty!!!!! There was just too much movement and activity distracting us from painting our model. But it was sure fun and I would do it again in a heart beat.

 So . I can't say that this painting is my best ... but it is one of the few times that I have painted in public sipping some really good Merlot!

 I brought a camera and my son David to record the event but alas ... nay ...  forgot ....  but ... the model had me take a pic of her with my painting in the foreground... maybe I can get a copy ? ...

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 A days painting ...

Family Portraits ... progress

 I am currently working on 3 portraits for a client. 2 Daughters and one son are the subjects. They will be in a triptych . The painting on the left is 2 days of painting. Each child is holding an object that gives insight into their personality.

 Since all three paintings will have the same background, I plan on laying in a transparent local color and finishing the second pass when all three figures are done. The white space will be a landscape scene from the clients spectacular view of the valley below last Fall.

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 ALSO ....... Tomorrow is SECOND SATURDAY in SACRAMENTO and the S12 GALLERY will be featuring the group show that I am in.  What is fun about the event is that the Gallery has an attached studio and for the evening from 6 - 9pm I will be painting a live model along with other artists. If you are local, come on down and join the FUN! I would love to meet you.

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The 2 Factor

 I just got a call to license some images from 2 clients the other day.  Licensing must have been in the air.

 The painting above will be used for church bulletins. If you have not considered licensing it always an option to generate income from images that you have in your possession.

 Any way , I am seeking the good Lord to help me make an important decision. I've had an offer to partner in running a Gallery here in Aburn on one of the main drags. I would be able to use it as a studio as well as use it as a teaching facility ... oh yeah ... and sell paintings. Call me crazy, but I am seriously thinking about it and I will talk to the other partner today. Run a Gallery ... me? I need some prayer cover ....

 Crazier things can happen .....  later that day ...

Looks like a go ....  it also looks like I will be in a Gallery in Montana in May . Plein Air painting in Montana here I come  ... yippy kai aee ...

hit it ....

Eye Candy ... George Lambert 1873 - 1930 / Aussie

Crazy Heart

 

 That's me holding an Oscar... boy was that golden boy heavy ... thats an ol picture and a time long ago in the past  ... but it sure was fun ..... or at least I thought so ....

 Jana and I saw  " Crazy Heart " last night and I can't remember enjoying a movie as much as I did this one. I think you have to be middle aged to appreciate having it all and losing it all , to go deep into the soul of this movie picture. Jeff Bridges won the Oscar and if you have seen this movie you can only come away with identifying with the struggles and honesty of his character Bad Blake.

 Best Line ... when your've fallin ... it feels like flying  

 I have a soft spot for Jeff Bridges. I was a freshman at USC and I had a film class where we dissected and learned from 1 motion picture the whole semester. Professor Roth had us see " Hearts of the West " in 1975 starring Jeff Bridges. We met the director Tony Bill and learned about the difficulties of writing a script and getting it produced.

 What I like about Crazy Heart was that Jeff's character pays a price for his lifestyle. It is a story of redemption but it does not end in the typical Hollywood scenario and rings true to my life's experience that even if you make the right decision, often times the outcome is  one you may have not anticipated.

5 stars .... I loved his movie and I would see it again!

Finish ... Dreams May Come

Dreams May Come

16 x 20 oil on linen  available

  More to come on how this was painted..... ps... my nikon camera really pumps the orange/red  range and I always have to go into Photoshop and desaturate the red . Also I don't always adjust the blue range.....  this is more like the painting  ... at least from my monitor end 

 I think I am going to enter this painting in the FAV Competition this month

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I block in the tones. I am not concerned with detail

and I use my underdrawing more as a position

suggestion and not as a hard fact.

  

in progress

 

 I use a black and white photo to always check my values when I am not painting from a live model. I am more observant of the " values " than the color. I started this yesterday ....

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Friday's Pose ... The Zorn Palette and explanation

 I am exhausted. This 16 x 20 was painted today during a 6 hr pose at S12.

 I did something right for a change, and I planned out the composition with a small 8 x 10 color sketch.

 It's late and I will post the little sketch and explain the possibilities of the amazing Zorn palette.

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 Above, is a little 8 x 10 color sketch of yesterday's pose. I eventually moved the placement of the model further to the right. The final placement was not only more dynamic but gave me the opportunity to play with  still life vases  on the left to counter weight  the flower girl.  Notice that I just paint with value tones and avoid any major detail. I paint just enough to capture a solid composition and work out the development of the " Light Movement" across the figure and background. The center of interest is that big goofy hat she was wearing.

  

 I was going to scrap this off but so many students were curious about my placement of the Zorn Colors that I'll show it here for those interested. Again, the colors are Titanium White , Yellow Ochre , Cadmium Red Light and Black. 

 I am using these colors at this time so that I can limit my choices when painting from the live model and that hopefully I don't have to worry so much about too much color and work on my edges and composition. I guess I could work in Black and White..but then again that would be no fun.

 The T's signify tints. I mix intervals of Yellow Ochre and Cad Red Light ( Yo/RL ) ,  Cad Red Light and Black (  R/B )  ( R/B+ signifies more black in the mixture than Red ) , Black and Yellow Ochre 

( B/YO ).

 

 I am adding this example to show that Cad RedLight is a middle Grey ( M/G ). I mix a middle grey with Black and White which also happens to be the value of the palette. When I initially lay in the shadow planes  ...this middle value  I repeatedly find represents the shadows in the figure at S12....some conditions may vary ( announcer voice ) .../...  check it out

TIP...Violets are made by mixing tints of black of varying degrees
with the Cad Red....try it.....

The Wand of Power ... sketch

 

 off to paint a 6 hr model pose at S12 ....  I have some interesting thoughts on this piece and I thought I'd upload something while I wait for my bud Silvio.... he's here... quit honking... you'll wake my neighbors....

Irish Beauty

 

 I've started a portrait workshop this week at my buddy Parks wonderful studio. He is an accomplished artist and  collector of objects d'art. He owns 8 of my paintings and just offered to buy another of my canvases yesterday. Its great to have a felow artist really like your work.

 We can only have a total of 10 painters in the space and that includes Park and I. This class started as an excuse to teach Park some of my portrait methods as he is primarily a landscape artist. We decided to include some students and get a live model. We also wanted to make it as affordable as possible for participants in these trying times so we are charging $15 . As you can imagine the class filled up right away and we have a waiting list. We are looking for longevity and not an excuse to make a buck.

 The model is a young lady who wants to study with me. Her father called me up one day and said that  his daughter is bright  and gifted and he felt she had an extraodinary talent for music and art ( I heard her play the piano Tuesday evening and he is right ) and he wanted me to help her develop her skills. He showed me some of her charcoal drawings and I was very impressed. When I met her I felt she would also make a great model. We plan to work out a deal where she models for me in exchange for some lessons.

 Tuesday evening was her modeling debut and she was wonderful. Her natural orange mane of hair is immediately striking. The class was started with not only a great model but a very enthusiastic class.

 Above is my attempt to capture her likeness and spirit and frankly I feel I fell short. We will all have more opportunities to paint this lovely young lady in the coming months.

 I had the class start out with the Zorn palette. The painting above is painted with Titanium White , Yellow Ochre , Cadmium Red Light and Ivory Black.

 I finished the painting at home  with the color tones already established at the live session . All I did was sharpen up the drawing and added some details in the eyes and nose and lips . 

Air Force Art Program

 

 my submission in 2009

 

 Well... I can come up for air for now. 

 I am a participating artist of the Air Force Art Program. The Program sends artists to Air Force Bases around the globe to document significant events conducted by our Air Force. Below is a description from the NY Society of Illustrators to give you an accurate picture.

In 1947 , a newly formed military service received over 800 works of art from the U.S. Army. That art documented it’s evolution from Signal Corps, Army Air Service and Army Air Corps into the United States Air Force. Realizing the historical and morale enhancement value of such works, and to provide artists and guidance for future additions to the collection, the Air Force, in 1953, turned to the Society of Illustrators.

Today, there are nearly 9,000 works in the Air Force Art Program and the Society of Illustrators has been joined by other organizations* and independent artists to continue documenting Air Force personel, equipment, locations and activities. 

Before departure, the artists are informed of the mission, their contacts, transportation, climate, clothing, billeting etc…To facilitate introductions ,they are also reminded to bring reproductions of their work and biographies. Upon arrival an overall briefing ensues, and the artist provided an escort, who handles clearances, makes introductions, and provides relevant information. The artists are also informed of any photography or area restrictions and assisted in any efforts to sketch or paint on location.

The Art Program supports the artists freedom to create any work based on assignments or historical reference .However, the art is reviewed and juried by the organizations before framing and submission.  

  Last week I received a call from the Pentagon that I would be sent to Kirkland Air Force Base in New Mexico to document the Special Reconnaisance Forces , a division of the Air Force. It was explained to me that they are the Green Beret of the Air Force and they are commissioned to rescue downed pilots and decommission downed aircraft. It all sounds so very exciting so I hope to blog about this rare opportunity for you all to get a glimpse of behind the scenes action that few civilians are privy to see. I am going to have to brush up on my drawing skills...can I bring along Rob?.... and take plenty of photo equipment. I am told I will be there for 4 days... compliments of the US Government and all you tax paying citizens . ThankYou ! I'll depart at the end of the month... unless for some reason it is canceled, which is never out of the realm of possibility.

 Many of you probably never heard of the Air Force Art Program or have no idea of the type of art or artists that painted for the program. So, I have uploaded for you some of the more famous artists and illustrators that have been commissioned or volunteered their talents for the morale of our men in blue.

 

This is a painting done by Nicolai Fechin back in 1952.

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These paintings were done by James Bama, now known for

his meticulously rendered cowboys and indians.

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These were painted in the 60's by Joseph Henninger . a

teacher of mine at Art Center College of Design.

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 These were painted in the late 70's by one of my favorite 

painters John Asaro.

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This nifty aircraft was painted by the famous landscape

painter Wilson Hurley.

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This was painted in 1982 by Norman Rockwell.

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Everett R Kinstler paintings

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Again, one of my farorite teachers at Art Center.. James Dietz,

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 This awesome painting was done by my good buddy, the Big Norse,

Chris Hopkins. Chris will be joining me at the Box R Ranch and teaching

some classes on how to paint like him. I'm there!

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This piece was produced by Connie McClennan of " Fresh Paint" Blog!

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Paintings by one of my all time favorite illustrators

John Thompson.

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Mick McGinty's Limping Home. Mick is that lazy blogger at

" Twice a Week" ... more like twice every 2  months.... ;v)