Our demonstrator for February was be Susan Spellman, who did an oil painting demonstration.
The meeting was held in the Guild Hall, First Congregational Church (middle side door), Sanborn Street, Reading, Wednesday February 10th, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
We have some photographs of the event in case you could not make it there in person.
Susan primed her canvas with a very thin oil wash of Alizarin and green to make it a middle value.
This is Susan's palette. She always puts the colors in the same locations.
Susan sketches the subject with a brush, using a viewfinder to frame it.
Here you can see the sketch has progressed.
Once the drawing was complete, she started applying color.
As Susan continues, she adds color to some of the flowers.
Continuing to define the flowers.
Moving back to the pitcher.
The area to the left of the pitcher is painted using different colors,
but similar values. That causes the edge to be lost and softened.
Here Susan is explaining how to add translucence to the blossoms.
The painting was not finished by the end of the demo,
but you can see where is is going.
You can see some of Susan's work at her web site, www.spellmancollection.com/
Susan attended Marymount College in Tarrytown NY and graduated with a BA in art. After college she started work as a staff illustrator for Educational Directions Inc., in Westport, CT, an educational filmstrip company, and illustrated filmstrips of folklore and fairy tales. After a few years, she moved to Newburyport MA where she started a career as a freelance illustrator and painter and where she now has her home and studio. She lives there with her husband, Jay and is the mother of three wonderful daughters.