ALLA PRIMA PORTRAIT STUDY WORKSHOP

Surfaces

When painting portrait studies, I mostly work on 16" x 20" panels for their convenience. I make my own linen panels by gluing preprimed linen to plywood with a ph neutral PVA glue. I also use the Fredrix Archival Linen Canvas Board, which can be purchased oil primed or acrylic primed. I prefer their acrylic prime over the oil prime on that one. One source for these panels is www.jerrysartarama.com
In addition to those canvas panels, I often use Gesso Boards. These are masonite panels primed with a layer of acrylic gesso. Easily found, they are an excellent surface to work on and serve the purpose well.

For portrait work I don't recommend the less expensive and more readily found ordinary canvas boards. They don't offer the surface properties I need for fluid work. They absorb too much and slow down the stroke, making it less expressive. In addition, they are mounted on cardboard - Not archival and highly susceptible to water damage.

Toning (optional)

The board can be toned with a transparent light brown or grey veil - the imprimatura. This is a very friendly start for a portrait. It is harder to judge values when comparing the face you are trying to paint with a partially realized painting surrounded by white canvas. Cutting that whiteness helps you gauge your values throughout the process. Keep it at around 20% in the grey scale. One suggested formula for this tone is a mix of burnt sienna or Transparent Oxide Red and Viridian. Thin this mix to a consistency of honey using only mineral spirits or turpentine - no oil - and rub it on the canvas with a rag. Don't worry if you leave marks on the canvas as most of it will be covered by the painting. The important thing is that the veil is bone dry by the time you go back to paint on it.

Pigments

The color palette should be simple and familiar to you.
As basic palette, I suggest the following:
Titanium White, by any reputable manufacturer
Cadmium Yellow Pale
Cadmium Orange
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Red
Alizarin Crimson (preferably Alizarin Permanent, by Gamblin)
Burnt Sienna (even better is Transparent Oxide Red, by Rembrandt)
Viridian
Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Ivory black

I don't recommend student grade oils for portrait work. If you can afford them, buy artist grade paints.

Brushes

You should have a basic selection of Flats and Filberts. Have the best quality hog bristle brushes you can afford. They keep their shape longer and are more predictable, behaving more consistently through the length of the stroke.
My basic suggestion on brushes would be:
#2 filbert (2)
#2 flat (2)
#4 filbert (2)
#4 flat (2)
#8 flat (1)
#10 flat (1)
#12 flat (1)
All hog bristle of the best quality you can buy. It is important to have lots of brushes so you will always be able to reach for a clean one. The Paint Chip, in Davis, sells basic brushes which will do in a pinch - same for the UC Davis bookstore. Utrecht, at the corner of Howe and Arden in Sacramento, offers a line of affordable bristles. The best way to buy good quality brushes at affordable prices is online. A recommended line is the Robert Simmons Signet.
One reliable vendor is Jerry's Artarama: http://www.jerrysartarama.com
In addition to bristles, I personally use mongoose brushes by Langnickel. I use only their Royal Sable Flats - item #5590 size 2 through size 44 - the critical sizes being 4 through 10. The best way to buy these is directly from the manufacturer. Their web site is: http://www.royalbrush.com



Palette knives

I suggest at least one palette knife for mixing colors without having to soil brushes. In addition, I always have a smaller knife which can be used to apply paint.

Mediums

A convenient medium is a mix of 50% Odorless mineral spirits and 50% linseed oil.
Bring a small jar filled with mineral spirits for brush cleaning.

Palette

I use either an acrylic or a wooden mixing palette that is at least 12" x 16".

Final check list

Easel.
Panels.
Paints.
Brushes.
Upright container for brushes (can or jar).
Medium.
Palette cup.
Brush cleaning jar.
Mixing palette.
Palette knife.
Paper towel (Vivas are the best).
Grocery paper bag for your trash (they are ideal as they stay up without a trash can).

We will be working directly with paint, so no additional drawing material will be required.