The Art of the Portrait

 2017 Fall Portrait Academies 

Philadelphia Portrait Academy

by Krystle Stricklin

 

Quang Ho shared insights and techniques as he

demonstrated his approach to the portrait.

The Portrait Academies have always been a favorite event for our members and a great way to experience the educational instruction of the annual conferences in a more intimate format. This past October, the first of our fall academy series was held in Philadelphia, PA at Studio Incamminati School for Contemporary Realist Art, where attendees meet with and learned from faculty artists, Adrienne Stein, Alexandra Tyng, Lea Wight, and Quang Ho. The two-day event kicked off on Friday night with a face-off demonstration, where Stein, Tyng, and Wight worked simultaneously from three different model and talked through their creative process.

Adrienne Stein and Alexandra Tyng
during Friday Face Off.

Saturday offered a full day of programs, beginning in the morning with breakfast and a 3-hour demonstration by Quang Ho. With his usual wit and conversational ease, Ho spoke about his development as an artist and how he approaches a new canvas. After lunch, Ho sat down with everyone to discuss his thoughts on realism and self-identity, asking audience members to question what is real to each them. Citing his personal inspirations from Rembrandt to Helen Keller, Ho reminded viewers that sometimes you must step away from what you already know to learn something new. Next was a lively Q-and-A panel, where our faculty artists fielded questions about everything from soliciting new commissions and working with child models to prepping canvases and achieving those illusive flesh tones. The day ended with a critique session of attendee’s original artwork, where everyone received valuable feedback and advice for refining their work.

Panel discussion pertaining to the audiences questions to

their greatest challenge or difficulty in painting the figure.

The weekend’s success would not have been possible without Studio Incamminati’s incredible team of instructors, staff and volunteers, who seemed to possess the ability to be two places at once and could transform their studio space in the blink of an eye. As well, the event was achieved through the support of our faculty artists, who committed their time and knowledge, and our dedicated members who often travel hundreds of miles to attend our programs. A great thank you to all!

 

Chattanooga Portrait Academy

by Chantel Barber

Michelle Dunaway shared stories about her passion for

creating and outlining her steps as she begun a head study.

Artists traveled from throughout Tennessee and neighboring states to attend the Portrait Society of America’s Fall Portrait Academy, hosted by Townsend Atelier in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The event opened Friday evening with faculty artists Marc Chatov, Seth Haverkamp, and Dawn Whitelaw all demonstrating in their own distinctive way.

Attendees were impressed that each artist took time to visit with them during model breaks, offering deeper explanations about their supplies and techniques and being very transparent with what worked for them and what didn’t. 

Dawn Whitelaw during the Face Off.

On Saturday morning Michelle Dunaway conducted an informative demonstration for the group. She imparted valuable insight on creating a unique portrait study from a model. The afternoon program began with Dawn Whitelaw sharing color mixing knowledge learned through her years of teaching and painting. Marc, Dawn, and Michelle then offered insightful answers to questions submitted earlier by the attendees.

The event wrapped up with a critiquing session from original work. Marc, Dawn, and Michelle’s critiques were encouraging and practical, quick to point out the positive in the works and reminding artists that they themselves must decide if and how they want to implement the changes recommended into their own styles.

The weekend was a resounding success because of the willingness of Townsend Atelier to host, outstanding faculty donating their time, and the receptive and supportive attending artists who were dedicated to disciplined growth.

Seth Haverkamp demonstrated his unique method for

interpreting his subject.

Marc Chatov, Seth Haverkamp and Dawn Whitelaw

demonstrating from the same model to a sold out audience

at Townsend Atelier.