D. Cheifetz Newsletter | 3.16.18 | Provenance & Prey
Sent: 3/16/2018 12:52:49 PM

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Dear Subscribers,

Greetings!

I have two brand new paintings to show you. Thank you for tolerating the irregular release-as-able newsletter schedule. First up, a new still life.

The setup:

It always comes back to oranges, doesn't it? My objective for this composition is to make the center orange the primary focus, with the cup as a close supporting second.

Here is the initial block-in in umber with a brush:

Straight into knife work. I started on the focal orange first:

Next stage:

For a painting like this, I keep the studio very dark to minimize unnecessary reflections in my objects. And I wear black (which may seem silly, but it makes a difference):

Next stage:

Next stage:

Refining:

And the finished painting "Provenance" (14x11):

For access to the high-res image, click through above.

Closeup:

Painting a still life such as this is feels like coming home. Back to basics. I've said it before, but I will never tire of painting still life. Within simple objects there is always new territory to explore and new heights to achieve.

And now for something else entirely. Once again I have been inspired by Fox and Tim, two excellent models.

Here is the first stage. I've divided the panel into quadrants to help me lay out the proportions more efficiently (drawn with a paintbrush in raw umber):

I start painting the focal center. At this point, I wasn't sure what alterations I'd be making to her face:

Adding the second portrait:

Starting the bodies:

Refining bodies. I spent significant time on those clasped hands. That is prime audiobook/podcast listening territory :) (check out the podcast History On Fire by Daniele Bolelli....amazing!):

Clouding the eyes and starting the hawk:

Refining the hawk and trying color alterations on the edges of the focal portrait:

Refining everything and eventually getting to that lace shawl:

And the finished painting "Prey, Grace" (12x24):

Some paintings are seem nearly impossible to photograph. Not because of reflection-that's easy-but because of values and saturation. It took a mashup of 4 heavily corrected photos just to get it to look like it does in person. Worth it.

A closer look:

...and closer:

and closer still:

A bird of prey:

For access to the full high-res image, go here.

TEACHING/VIDEOS

Some of you have been wondering about my teaching schedule and my online mentoring program. I've been off the workshop teaching circuit for a bit. I don't anticipate reviving my travel schedule until the wee ones are a little bit older, but I still have good resources available. My 3 self-produced instructional painting videos are available for streaming and/or download. In the interest of reaching as many artists as possible, all 3 CONTINUE to be NYOP (Name Your Own Price, with very modest minimums). Descriptions and trailers:

The Basics of Oil Painting (1hr 34min)

Painting The Unreal Still Life (2hr 30 min)

Painting The Unreal Cityscape (2hr 56min)

For those of you who prefer a physical copy with very professional production quality, check out my DVD "Paintings That Glow" from Bella Muse Productions

Thank you for reading! See you in a month-ish. -David

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