From Salt Lake...down to Provo...


Provo plein air was a fun event again this year.  David Hawkinson, photography/owner Terra Nova Gallery did a great job organizing the event.  Provo Utah has beautiful landscape as well as marvelous historic buildings.  Tough to choose a spot!   One of my paintings was placed on the gallery's Oct. calendar and another one took second place.  

                                
Discovery Academy, second place 9x12 oil on canvas    


Cornwell Blue, calendar piece, 11x14 oil on canvas


From Salt Lake...up to Ogden...

I had the opportunity to  participate in the "Secret Show" event for the Ogden Union Station last year and my wife, Cindy, joined me this year.  Artists are mailed a 5"x7" canvas with which to do as they please.  Artists sign the back only.  On event night, patrons purchase a pencil for $10.00 then sign on a card below the unframed piece(s) wanted.  Ten name limit.  Then a drawing is held, the artists are revealed and the name chosen wins the piece for $99.00.  All proceeds benefit the Station.  Cindy and I were pleased to contribute and we hope those who took home our paintings enjoy them!



This year's pieces:

Artist:  Cindy McKay  Sunflower 5x7 oil on canvas SOLD


Artist:  Robert McKay A Quiet Moment 5x7 oil on canvas SOLD

     
Here is how I start from life.  In this demo, I draw with the paint.  Sometimes, I draw with pencil or vine charcoal.
 
Demonstration from life stressing value through monochromatic painting.  Finish:  24x18 oil on panel
 
I also use a freer vine charcoal approach on some illustrations.  Finish:  16x20 oil on panel.

The loose approach to drawing helps my illustration to become more fluid. 

Vice versa, my tighter drawing helps my accuracy and frees my approach from life. 

 

Steps:

1.  Art director instructions with layout, deadlines & contract.
2.  Thumbnail sketch ideas.  
    -Scales...concept, design, value patterns/lighting, room for type.
3.  Photo shoot of model(s).  Time/cost restraints makes photo reference necessary.
     -Studies from life keep me re-charged and the eye sharp.
4.  Black & white or color sketch(s)/comp(s).
    -Chords & harmonies...schemes...palettes.
5.  Art director approval on sketch(s) by deadline.
    -Possible changes on characters, scene etc... Re-approval if necessary.
6.  Execute the finish(s).
7.  Turn in artwork.  Art director approval on finish(s) by deadline.

Here are some paintings at step #6.  Client:  LDS Church Magazines.

Graphite drawing.
 

I wash the graphite drawing with the color that dictates scene palette temperature. 


Finishes:  20x16 oil on illustration board.

Block-in stage.

My illustration/painting heroes are mentioned in my bio on the website.  There are others I admire as well...too numerous to name.  I'll definitely name more as the blog develops.  Look at my links page, check them out on the net.  Learn from them.  I am learning from them every second.  They've meant a lot to me my whole life.  To me they were, are, as much fine artists as they were illustrators.  Narrative PAINTING.  WOW could they PAINT!!!  Must have been something in the water back then. :)  I'm sure good ol' fashioned work ethic, good schooling and good mentorship had something to do with it, not afraid to share what they learned.  Take Haddon Sundblom's group in Chicago.  From what I understand they were helping and learning on the job from each other and of course, their master,...Mr. Sundblom.

I get student inquiries as to my painting procedures in my illustration work.  My figure/landscape students are interested since I'm a traditional narrative guy and that kind of illustration employs the figure, landscape as well as still life.  It is a marvelous training ground.  (As for me, I'll take all the training I can get!  Mr. Sundblom where are you...?)  My approach varies.  I enjoy the tactile execution of various physical media, so I may use slightly different approaches according to the media used.   It also depends on the job constraints, and what the picture dictates. 

Next time I'll post my steps to creating an illustration and examples of block-ins and finishes.  Stay tuned...

p.s.  See some of Sundblom's work.

James Gurney's blog is a tremendous resource for all visual artists.  You'll love his work.  He is a visual art icon.

Here we go.  I've been slow to join the blogoshpere.  My students at Salt Lake Community College have helped urge this blog.  My summer '08 head painting class in particular.  What a great bunch at the college.  I learn more from them all the time.  The old saying is true that one learns through teaching.

As a husband, father, working illustrator/painter and adjunct instructor, my hesitance concerns too much time spent blogging on and on and on...oops... and not enough time spent with family, painting, as well as practicing my release valves, guitar and piano.  Family, visual art and music have occupied my life.  Hence the blog title that exists in these worlds.  For me, each world helps balance the other.

My aim is to post studies for paintings/illustrations and some class demos whether it be figure, landscape or still life.  I'll enjoy sharing my work with you and if you're interested, I'll have some for sale.