Figure Study in Graphite

Figure Study

2017

Graphite on Paper

8" x 10"

Hi Everyone! Wow how time flies since my last post, I promise I do not mean to leave for such a long period of time, I've been super busy since May. My wife and I have had a baby and have been adjusting to the new daily routines in our lives, wouldn't change it for the world. Graduate school has been going really well it's been really busy with a lot of writing, research and producing paintings. I have been learning a tremendous amount during my time in school, it has been an amazing experience so far and can not believe I have one semester left to complete my Masters! I am getting to the thick of it with writing my Thesis paper and continuing my research phase. 

This drawing I completed not to long ago as a sketch and exercise, they serve to sharpen my rendering abilities and observe nuances within the figure. As you can see from the bottom picture the various stages the drawing goes through all the way to completion. 

I wanted to let everyone know as well that I'm way more active in my Instagram account than on Blogger, I wish there was a away I can automatically post onto Blogger from Instagram. You can follow me at @jonallerpaintings.  

Thank you for you stopping by and viewing!

Master Copy

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Master Copy From Anthony Van Dyck

11 x 14 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I've been experimenting with the Flemish technique, again. I am fascinated by the way Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck painted. There are many more other painters I look up to from the past but these two are on the top of my list. My past posts I was dabbling here and there with this technique (click here to view the one I am referring to) , I thought I made some advances but fell short once I started applying it to other paintings. These shortcomings I find very educational as they are not failures, I see them as learning of what not to do for the next painting. The two paintings I am referring to is "The Gypsy Life" and "Eve"  These two paintings were not up to my expectations. I don't dislike the paintings but to the level I want them to be, as of yet they're not there. I learned a lot from them and that is very important to point out. Since completing them I have ventured to different paintings and especially a different direction with my body of work. The new direction of work I am doing now I am wanting to mix with the Flemish technique. That being said I had to go back to the drawing board and figure this technique out. I am not saying I solved it and now I am a master at it, but I do think I am one step closer in understanding it.

Thanks for stopping by and always for your continuous support!

Another Portrait Painting on Ebay

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After Ribera

2017

Oil on Canvas Board

10 x 8 inches

Painting on Ebay

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Portrait of Marten Pepijn after Anthony Van Dyke

2017 

Oil on Masonite

12 x 9 in

I just posted this painting on Ebay which I forgot to do last time I posted.

Also...I have a workshop coming up from April 7 - 9 go to www.jonathanaller.com for more information and to sign up.

Thanks!

Portrait Painting Workshop

Hi everyone, I'm very excited to announce my first ever workshop! This workshop is solely dedicated to teaching the techniques of the masters in portrait painting. 

This will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota from April 7, 8, and 9, 2017.

 If you are interested in attending and want more information please click here: 

http://jonathanaller.com/jonallerpaintings/Workshop.html

Cheers!

Portrait of Marten Pepijn after Anthony Van Dyke

"Portrait of Marten Pepijn after Anthony Van Dyke"

2017

Oil on Masonite 

12 x 9 inches

As you guys might know I am huge fan of Anthony Van Dyke, this painting is after one of his masterpieces. The difference with this painting from the past ones is the surface and preparation. I was able to get two large sheets of Masonite board ($4.00 each sheet) cut to size at Home Depot for free. I have about 40 panels ranging from 8 x 10 to 9 x 12 inches, this is considerably a cheaper route especially knowing I only spent $9.50 after taxes for all those panels. I gessoed and sanded each panel to the level of smoothness I want. It does take a little time to get it set up right but well worth it.  After the gesso has dried I rub raw umber with mineral spirits all around the panel until there is a even medium tone. Once the raw umber as dried I start painting with thin paints progressively getting thicker with each stage. Painting on such a smooth surface compared to the cotton canvases I am used to was an adjustment. I got a lot out of this painting, and excited to continue painting on these panels moving forward.

Process Pics:

 

Thank you for stopping by!

After Ribera

"After Ribera"

2017

Oil on Canvas Board

10 x 8 inches

This painting was copied after Jusepe de Ribera, a prominent Spanish painter from the 1600's. I've only copied a portrait of his in ball point pen but never in oils. This painting was not completed in one session, it was completed in a span of two sessions with ten hours in total. I also documented the whole process through live streaming on Instagram.

Process pics:

Thank you for stopping by and Happy New Years!