Intense training

[William Whitaker]

I don't always have the same group on board. Some of these folks are full time university students getting release time to work with me.

Brittany and Stacy are doing copy drawing in my cast drawing room. They both have rigged very good studios in their own homes and will be painting in their own painting rooms tomorrow. Brittany will be drafting her husband to sit for her.

Brittany has even painted her own studio the same color as mine - Mohegan Sage by Benjamin Moore. She has a great little working space there - as effective as mine.

[William Whitaker]

They are both lefties so they have the north windows to their right. Brittany's drawings are very accurate, but her technique is bad. She is concentrating on technique by working rapidly on sheets of tracing paper which of course feels great under the pencil.

Stacy is working on a Bargue copy and is to the stage where she is concentrating on value (shading). She has taped a piece of paper towel over her drawing so she doesn't smudge her work with the heel of her hand. She is working at her own speed, perfection being her goal. I expect she will work on this drawing for a few more weeks before she is satisfied.

Notice the terrifically clean windows! My people keep the my studio immaculate.

I'll post more stuff soon.

[Linda Brandon]

This is a wonderful series of posts, Bill. How lucky these artists are to be up there working with you, getting impeccable realist training!

[Chris Saper]

Dear Bill,

They are all so happy, and they should be. Their granchildren will be able to say the aristic equivalent of " My grandmother sudied with Beethoven!"

PS Do you also make them dust the loft?

[Mari DeRuntz]

Very grateful for these glimpses into your studio, and at the real training as it unfolds....

I look forward to returning for updates.

[William Whitaker]

Chris,
Horrors! I noticed a tiny scrap of lint in the loft when I was up there taking those recent photos. I

[William Whitaker]

Here is another quick pencil sketch I did of the same student artist. Believe me, anybody who looks that interesting has to be talented. I get to paint Paul while my students must paint apples and dinner rolls. I have to keep them back lest they run over me!