Mike Garcia

Service Description

In this five-week class, students will learn the fundamental strategies to complete a portrait using drawing and painting mediums. The components that lead to a finished portrait will be broken down into manageable, targeted exercises. In the first two weeks students will practice, via drawing, core ideas about values, likeness, observation, and proportions. In the last three weeks students will practice these ideas with oil paint, gradually adding color and brush handling after key concepts are introduced and practiced. Supplies for Weeks 1 & 2: Charcoal - Box of vine or willow charcoal, medium Generals Charcoal White (2 pencils or sticks) Eraser - Kneaded eraser Clickable eraser (eg Factis BM-2 Mechanical Eraser) Paper - 2 sheets of toned (gray, blue, or tan) smooth or medium-texture drawing paper, 18x24 in. each (Canson Mi-Teintes or Strathmore Mixed Media recommended) Supplies for Weeks 3, 4, & 5: Canvas - Three canvas/linen panels, 11x14 in. - Recommended brands are Centurion Acrylic Primed Linen Panels, New York Central Art Supply Portrait-Smooth Canvas Panels, and Ampersand Gessobord. Do not bring oil paper (eg no Arches Oil Paper) Brushes - (bristle and soft synthetic, assorted sizes from small to large, filberts and/or rounds) Palette - Gray-glass palette, 12x16 in. Paper palettes are an acceptable substitute so long as it’s a pad of gray, not white, sheets Paint - (Winsor & Newton, Gamblin, Utrecht, Williamsburg, and Rembrandt brands are recommended—avoid water-soluble oils): Permalba White (Titanium White is a fine alternative) (150ml) Yellow Ochre (37ml) Raw Umber (37ml) Cadmium Red or Cadmium Red Light (37ml) Alizarin Crimson Permanent (37ml) Ivory Black (37ml) Misc Supplies Needed: Metal palette knife (trowel- or diamond-shaped, 2-3”) Gamsol or Turpenoid (no turpentine or other solvents, please) Silicoil Brush Cleaning Tank Paper towels Gamblin Solvent-free Gel Medium (small tube)