Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres 1788-1867

Ingres is part of my foundation and "Artists on Art" is studio companion of 30+ years.

"If I were asked to put up a sign over my door I should inscribe it:  School for Drawing, and I am sure that I should bring forth painters."

My art school was "Debbie Clarke's School for Drawing" following Ingres advice.  The interesting thing is that some painters were drawn forth.  BUT most of my students ended up being sculptors, designers, video/performance artists, ephemerists, collagists, etc.  hmmm.  I should have just named it Debbie Clarke's school for art.  because that is what I drew forth:  artists.  and when my students would tell me that they were there to become artists, I always told them that it was beyond my ability to create artists or teach them how to make 'art'.  all i could do was to teach them how to see as an artist, how to think as an artist, how to use materials.  the foundation was always drawing.

now, I am not a sculptor; but, i learned to see space through the eyes of a sculptor.  Andy MacMillan.  He gave me "B's".  His classes always challenged me to 'look', 'look', 'look'.  and for every 'look' there was always another way of 'looking' at the space, the figure, the picture plane completely contrary to the first look.  I would get confused.  Finally I confessed in frustration "What am I looking for?"  and Andy simply said "Anything."  and he held my gaze for 30 seconds and moved on.  he was one of my best teachers.  when I teach figure drawing, I lean into Andy's guiding words.

heh...and I thought I didn't get it or him.  He was right and i am so blessed to have had him for a teacher.  his teaching was as hard and durable as the granite this island is built upon.

By-the-way Andy studied with George Demetrios, right here in Folly Cove.  I had to go to Boston to The Art Institute of Boston to meet Demetrios' approach to seeing through Andy's classes.

sleep well Andy.  there are many deft eyes and hands as a result of your constancy.

best,

deb.

This morning's class

Color Spot Painting, introductory demo

the colors are a bit florescent in the pic

the demo, started from the cad orange spot on the right. the reds are not as closely related as this pic would have you believe. i have to learn how to edit the colors in photoshop.  another time, and cobalt blue is a deeper value, and the yellows, well...another lesson for this artist.  and is the painting even in focus?  ugh.

and this beauty is a 20 minute color spot painting demo  that i did for a painting class back in '97.  wow, i gotta get back in shape, i used 'fatter' paint then.  the painting is as fresh as it was then.  again some photo issues, but this one is truer than the first two.

best,
deb.

Studio Library: Hawthorne on Painting

This is a collection of critiques given by Charles Hawthorne to his students in Provincetown.  The criticques were gathered by Mrs. Charles Hawthorne.  Small, simple concise.  One spot of color against another spot of color.  One shape against another.  Don't worry about the drawing.  One correct size, shape and color against another and another creates a painting. 

Whether you want to learn to paint or just understand how painters "see"; this is a must.  a constant painter's companion and recommendation to all of my painting students.

Once again you can click through here to Amazon to purchase, and I will get a few pennies for your efforts.  or, Order from your local booksellar.  My local bookstore is The Bookstore on Main Street in Gloucester.  There is a clickable link in my sidebar.  Tell them Debbie sent you.