Now in his late seventies, Schmid has stopped offering workshops, and only occasionally presents demonstrations of his working methods (the upcoming Weekend with the Masters is one such example). Thankfully, in 1973, Schmid began recording his lessons and philosophies in his seminal art instruction book, Richard Schmid Paints the Figure: Advanced Techniques in Oil. He followed this with Richard Schmid Paints Landscapes: Creative Techniques in Oil (1975), and later, with his crowning achievement, Alla Prima: Everything I know About Painting. Upon the success of Alla Prima, Schmid also began offering videotaped demonstrations of his work, which, like his books, have become fast favorites. Still, for many of us, we wish we were able to study directly with Schmid, no matter how wonderful are his teaching aids.
Fortunately, the next best thing to studying one-on-one with Richard Schmid has just presented itself. Gifted Massachusetts artist, Katie Swatland, has just collaborated with Schmid to offer monthly on-line lessons beginning in June. A member since 2004 of the Putney Painters, an invitation-only group of artists who paint weekly alongside Schmid, Swatland began an intensified, regular course of study with Richard two years ago. The monthly installments will offer "articles containing in-depth technical information on painting, step-by-step demonstration, pictures, video, and unlimited access to high-resolution images of paintings and demonstrations" by the master himself.
"I feel extremely humbled and grateful," says Swatland, "for the opportunity to learn from (Richard) directly. I feel that it is extremely important to document these lessons and experiences so other people can have the opportunity to learn also. I am hoping these monthly newsletters/lessons will help further emphasize Richard's teachings and help people understand fully these fundamentals of painting. Richard is a brilliant man, generous, articulate, and a skillful painter- his knowledge needs to not only be shared but understood."
Planned topics include:
- The Value of Copying Works
- Saturday Lessons with Richard, Nancy Guzik, and the Putney Painters
- The Mancini Exhibit- Field trip to Philadelphia
- The Art of the Block-In
- The Quality of Brushwork- Make Each Stroke Have Purpose
- Learning from your Failed Paintings
- Everything is Relative- A Tribute to Albert Einstein
- Squinting- Learning to Use This Masterful Tool
- Notes on Landscape Painting
- Always A Student
- Sargent, Zorn, and Sorolla- The Brush Painters
- Painters of Light
- Composition and Design
- The Cecilia Beaux Exhibit
- The Vanderpoel Museum
- Painting What You See
- Discussions on Canvas and How to Prepare it Yourself
- Painting Equipment and Tips on Customizing Your Own Painting Box
Swatland, in addition to being a talented artist, holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Syracuse University, so her discussions promise to be structured and acutely analytical- a bonus for all of us seeking clear instruction.
Visit Katie Swatland's website to learn more.
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On a side note, Katie is working with Richard on his upcoming landscape book, a book which I mentioned in an earlier post as an item to which I was looking forward, and about which I was quite excited. Katie has told me that the book will contain over 160 high-quality images of Schmid's art! It cannot be released soon enough for me!
13 comments:
Thanks for the Heads Up!
I am still digesting his book Alla Prima. Many great things in there about edges.
Thanks for your continuing work in alerting us to opportunities to learn as well as your insightful selection of artists to admire.
Thanks, Mick.
Jeff-I agree there is no substitute for experience;
My comment was partly based on the idea that sometimes people tend to buy to many videos by artists (good for the artist bottom line).
The one major problem I think people should be aware of is how much values shift from screen to screen, TV to TV.
If your a beginner or intermediate painter I think it's better to take a class or find a good painter who excepts students.
I guess I'm old fashioned but I there is nothing like one to one when trying to learn.
Depending on where you are in life, and what your circumstances are, I think the videos and books can be a great option. Studying one-on-one with a master or taking lots of workshops would most likely be more beneficial, but not always practical.
Teaching itself is also a skill, and years of teaching experience count for a lot. I've walked away from workshops where it was hard to glean anything from the instructor; even though they were good painters, they weren't so great at expressing ideas and methods. Then I've watched a DVD, and in a single sentence the instructor doled out more information than you can get out of reading any three how-to art books (with some exceptions).
I took your comment, Jeff, to mean that people will learn more by painting a lot, and relying on books and DVDs less. If that is partly what you meant, I can't argue with that.
I do think that these other sources of instruction can offer inspiration and the occasional "aha" moment. A student can hear the same thing over and again and not understand it until it is said the right way by the right person, or perhaps at the right time when the student has painted enough to really see the lesson applied (which means re-reading or re-watching can still provide new knowledge). At the very least, it might give the students new questions to ask when they do find someone to study with in person.
I think if I had had these DVDs and (good) art books when I was younger, I'd be a better artist now, and would have made more progress in my art at the point in my life when I had more time to devote to painting.
Yes I meant that people should paint and draw as much as they can.
I never used DVD's. I have used and still do use books. I also was lucky to live in New York and went to ASL.
However I think that finding someone to study with is crucial. I have seen some Schmid's videos here and there and I found them to be very nice and produced well, however I did not learn a thing about painting from them. He was vague and did not explain how and why he would mix what he was mixing.
As far as making up for lost time, well personally I think that one can make huge strides, look at Paul Fuxton and what he has done with a lot of hard work and careful study of very specific ideas. He also did not use any DVD's. I'm not against them per say, I just think that a lot of them are produced to make the artist rich.
For the price of a few DVD's one could buy a few plaster casts and in one year through a lot of diligent drawing improve their level of drawing.
To me it's about improving ones technique through perceptional drawing and painting.
I do not know of any artist making DVDs to get rich or getting rich from them. Unless you are thinking of the Bob Ross franchise, no one sells that many and you would see a lot more being made if they did. For the price one could buy and work with other things. It isn't either/or...draw from casts and watch DVDs.......make the most of what is available.
Too many? I have a large collection of the best of them. My reasons are not what you may think. I like the artist and want to observe them painting. They have interesting and informative things to say......some more than others. In 1-8 hours of narration, casual commentary and silence while an artist paints I don't expect to receive the experience of attending an atelier's 2-year program.
Katie Swatland's course may turn out to be vastly superior, effective and successful. Given her background I anticipate the information being presented in a very organized structure conducive to learning. Art instruction is a lot of show & tell. Nothing beats a live one on one with all of the tools at hand yet all that you can do is make the most of what is available.
Thanks....interesting thoughts on where everyone gets their "kick in the pants" of motivation to just do it.
All of the sources are good, and good when we are ready for the information contained within.
I truly think the most obvious teacher is our willingness to fail. To make many many unsuccessful paintings...but to be determined enough to say to ourselves, " Whatever the outcome today, I will take this experience and try again tomorrow. I will not deter in my enthusiasm and love of just painting and exploring and attempting to see some more. I will look at other artists and ask myself questions, What appears before me...how do I suppose this was done, how can i achieve this?
With our desire to answer the questions that are there now...provides our search to find the answers...and when our skill level and understanding are merged...we can achieve another"Aha moment. Time and doing...and doing....and taking classes, having a friendly word of encouragement from someone who has achieved it...that elusive but obtainable it. Participating in a gallery show...and looking to see how our work looks out there on its own. Brave yes but so very much a teacher in experience....And lastly....letting go. When offered to buy, let it go and sell it. Reap the rewards that someone loves your work enough to buy...WOW...now that is motivation.
And commit whole heartedly ..completely...totally to achieving the understanding and ability to create your art. Share your knowledge...never be a hoarder...share your enthusiasm and it will return ten fold. Be alive in all the way that your art gives you the amazing feeling of saying after finishing a painting..."Wow....I created that...Wow....what a feeling"
No go get the painting supplies out and turn off the computer.
James
:-)
I like that jetsonjoe, right on!
Hello Mr.schmid I have one of your private collection paints named CARNATIONS will like to know about history,Art value,and price thank you,Juan Cruz
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