Alla Prima and Alla Prima II

As a painting instructor, I'm often asked by my students about the artists I follow, those who I truly admire, and which I've trained with in the past. 

Therefore, this blog entry will address some of my favorite contemporary artists, specifically:

Daniel Gerhartz (brushwork and use of color and light)
Rose Frantzen (incredible accuracy and depth of feeling)
Casey Baugh (remarkable draftsmanship and value control)
Susan Lyon (delicacy of portraits and color - and portrait drawings)
Scott Burdick (bold, thick brushwork and rich color)
Daniel Keys (use of direct light and simplified direct painting of complex subjects),

 These artists share a common thread.

Each one of these artists was significantly influenced and/or mentored by Richard Schmid, a phenomenal artist in his own right, and a dedicated teacher to many.  He used to paint at the Palette and Chisel in Chicago, where many students benefited simply by watching him paint.  Richard Schmid is responsible for influencing, to one degree or another, the development of all six of these renowned contemporary artists! (Ironically, I was drawn to each of these artists long before I realized Schmid was their common mentor!)

 

When I studied with Rose Frantzen, Daniel Gerhartz and Susan Lyon - I realized they each consistently quoted what Schmid has taught them, passing on his lessons to us!   Likewise, Scott Burdick, Casey Baugh and Daniel Keys reference (via their DVD lessons) what they learned from Richard Schimd.  

 

Indeed, Schmid's uncanny ability to capture the scene or subject before him will floor you.  He's a master artist with skills to emulate as you develop your own style, whether you focus on portrait, figure, still life or outdoor scenes.  He is a masterful painter and generous teacher!  He and his wife, Nancy Guzik (a very gifted artist in her own right) regularly host the Putney Painters at their home in Vermont.

 

Here is a well deserved description of Richard Schmid:

 

"Throughout his distinguished career as a painter and author, Richard Schimd has been a candid spokesman for what is known as the Grand Manner, a certain mingling of virtuosity and unrestrained joy in Art.  Since 1958 he has had more than fifty one-man shows and received every major art award in the United States."

  West Wind Fine Art, American Art Review, February 1999

 

Schmid's books and DVDS are valuable in content as well as for their illustrations of his works.  His most recent books are mainstay sof most art schools that offer studies in realism or representational art:

 

Alla Prima - Everything I Know About Painting

Alla Prima II - Everything I Know About Painting and More (Expanded Edition) 
 

Here is the link to his website:  http://www.richardschmid.com/Books.idc

Hope you enjoy viewing his work and encourage you to read his book!

 

 

 

(*NOTE: I'll take a look at two great books

by Daniel Gerhartz and Rose Frantzen

in a future blog entry.)