D. Cheifetz Newsletter | 5.31.15 | Black Hole
Sent: 5/31/2015 6:31:59 AM

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Dear Subscribers,

Greetings.

Lots to talk about today, but I'll just start with the newest painting first. This was a case of pushing my initial concept further and further until it finally worked.

The setup:

My concept is to make the dark mouth of the pitcher the focus of the painting. I want to push it until the darkness is very dominant, dramatic, and maybe a little creepy. That's my mental image at this point in the process.

First stage. Umber shapes of shadow, then straight in with the knife:

At this point things are progressing but the desired effect just isn't there yet. I'm trying to figure out how to make the dark hole even more dominant. I have limited the darks in the rest of the painting, but it isn't extreme enough. I start experimenting, trying to solve this problem.

An aha moment. I squash the value ranges in the rest of the painting even more. At this point I am using brushes over the dry knifed-on paint (using alkyds, they dry quickly). And I introduce a new element of color that doesn't interfere with my initial concept but adds drama while giving a vertical motion to the painting which helps to balance the composition.

And the finished painting, "Black Hole" (9x12):

like, tweet, pin, and view large image here

Whidbey Island Workshop

I got some coffee here. It was good.

Last weekend I had a 2-day workshop in beautiful Langley, Washington. Here is me preparing to start the demonstration painting. At this point I was explaining my thoughts and goals for the composition. And I appear to be either stroking my chin wisely or eating a paper towel. (photo courtesy Cary Jurriaans, proprietor of W.I.F.A.S. and generous host)

An early stage. Umber shape of shadow, then painting in the lights of the focus first. (photo courtesty Cary Jurriaans)

Middle stage:

And the finished demonstration, "The Linchpin" (9x12):

like, tweet, pin, and view larger image here

The venue is awesome. Spacious, well equipped, projector for demo, must I go on? Even with a full house, there is ample room to move around and breath. There's a whole separate break room with copious snacks, coffee, tea, etc. And the grounds are populated with lots of cute little bunnies. Seriously. Cute baby bunnies for my daughter to chase.

All my workshops are limited to a maximum of 10 students. Why? Because that's the way I prefer to teach. From personal experience, I know it is disappointing when you only get personal help from the workshop instructor once or twice each day. I like to work in depth with each student on composition and painting technique, tailored to each level of skill, visiting each as many times as possible. And by all accounts, people seem to dig this. I like it too. Selfishly, it is a thrill to see each student grasp and implement my suggestions successfully throughout the workshop.

I'm returning to the Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio for a longer 4 day workshop! There are still spots available. Come for the learning. Come for the hospitality. Come for the bunnies.

October 22-25 (4 day)

The 'not so' Still Life

(composition and painting workshop)

Tuition: $600

Skill level: I work with everyone. Raw beginners to very advanced. A drawing background is strongly recommended.

REGISTER

Description and Supply List

Lindale Texas Workshop

Me and Maureen in the cool historic building.

Me and Maureen in the cool historic building.

Again?! Yes. A new Lindale workshop at the Maureen Killaby School just added a couple days ago. It filled up immediately after posting it on Facebook. Texas, you've always been so good to me. There might be one last spot left, not sure. If not, you can at least get on the waitlist in case there is a cancellation.

November 4-7 (4 day)

Still Life Composition and Painting Workshop

Tuition: $525

Skill level: I work with everyone. Raw beginners to very advanced. A drawing background is strongly recommended.

WAITLIST

Description and Supply List

Thank you for supporting

UNrealism went really well. Thank you all so much for showing up in support of this event and for taking a look at the new body of work. I had fun during the "opening reception"! There WILL definitely be more of these in the future.

I've folded the works into my main site but the UNrealism site will still be up and running for a while so there is plenty of time to see all the closeups and framed photos if you missed it. I will gradually show the process for some of these works in upcoming newsletters!

Hey Denver people, "Dream Of The Demon" and "Uncanny Incubus" will both be in the Contemporary Figuration show at Abend Gallery, opening June 12th!

Dream Of The Demon

Uncanny Incubus

I'm curious to see how these sister paintings will look together in a gallery setting, and what the response will be. I won't make it out to the show in person, so if you attend let me know what you think!

ARC Salon

Winners for the 2014-2015 Art Renewal Center Salon were recently announced. My work got two Honorable Mentions in the Still Life category. Fancy!

The Venerable ARC Salon

Backed into a Damn Corner

The Fat Of The Land

I will always have a soft spot for ARC as an organization because I'm not sure I would have found The Schuler School of Fine Art without their database of excellent ateliers. Thanks ARC!

JUST SOLD:

Eldritch Brood Of The Silent Mind

Halfbreed

Alpha Orb

Omega Orb

The Linchpin (demonstration)

See you in two weeks.

-David

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