Our demonstrator for April was Steve Greco. He presented an Acrylic Wildlife Painting Demonstration.
The meeting was held in the Guild Hall, First Congregational Church (middle side door), Sanborn Street, Reading, Wednesday April 11 th, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Steve did a painting of a bear for the demo. He started with a fairly complete sketch in order to save time. He wanted to show us how he paints, and he thought that it would be boring for us to watch him do a detailed drawing.
Steve Greco and the Bear before starting the demo.
Steve is holding a partially complete work to demonstrate how he
works from dark to light. The dark colors cause the painting to go
back, and the light colors cause it to come forward.
To make parts of the bear recede, he put a dark wash over them.
Then, to bring other parts forward, he adds light colors.
Another dark wash makes other parts of the bear go back.
More highlights bring the bright places forward.
Steve discusses his techniques and philosophy of painting.
Here is the painting as he left it at the end of the demo.
It isn't finished, but it is well on its way to being finished.
Steve's wildlife paintings are truly exceptional. You can see some of Steve's work at his web site, http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/steve-greco.html
Steve Greco is an artist and a naturalist and as such he believes the planet deserves man's total attention and compassion. Steve says, "We are at a crossroads concerning our environment, and change must come from within each individual and now. There are no neutral parties, in my opinion. We are all part of the problem; therefore, we must all be part of the solution. It is our responsibility to educate and find solutions to the environmental disasters that besiege us. We must present the ecology of the planet as 'personal.' You and I drink the same water, breathe the same air, and are nourished by the same foods and proteins. If they don't survive, neither do we. Whether helping save a rain forest or picking up litter along a highway, to quote William Drayton, 'Change starts when someone can see the next step...'"
Steve's wildlife painting demonstration will exhibit the deeper meaning of the above statement. He studied at the Butera School of Art, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Commercial Art, Graphics and Advertising. He also attended Velmure Studio of Art in Wakefield; studied Marine Biology and Journalism at Middlesex Community College; and has an Associate's degree in Wildlife Conservation and Forestry from Harcourt School.
Steve is a member of the Professional Association of Divers International; the Newburyport Art Association; Greater Salem Art Association; Vertu Fine Art Gallery in Newburyport; Wildlife Artisans Association; Cousteau Society; African Wildlife Foundation; Greenpeace; the Owl Research Institute of Missoula, MT; Nature Arts Organization; and the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences.