Different surfaces require special approaches in order to create a convincing illusion. I was working on a simple group of objects, all with a shiny surface which was the challenge. Especially when painting metal with sharp reflections and fast-changing values you need to observe very carefully to render the object's form and capture its presence in the space. I nearly finished with the small painting but give you here a glimpse to illustrate what I mean.

Monday I spent all day running around with graphite pencils, paper and sharping knive, enjoying my brand new H-foot studio easel to the max!

I am very excited to tell you about the Artinuum Academy that is going to get shape now. A project that I had in the drawer for a while now and that I want to bring to life with summer atelier in Hamburg in August. Last years training in Florence gave me the kick to launch this project and I am quite over the moon that I will be getting support from a very skillful person that I met in Italy who is coming to support the kick-off in summer. 
For all that read German, please have a look on the following crowd funding blog: 
www.kickstarter.com/projects/1843583926/the-artinuum-academy-ein-forum-fur-die-malerei?ref=discovery&term=artinuum
It would be great if you can support this project and could help getting the funds together to buy the professional equipment that will be needed. If all runs to plan, there will be ample information on this website about the Academy, the Ateliers and session dates published by mid March. I hope to hear from you as I will be happy to answer questions and share the excitement!
Happy Friday to You! :-D
​E.

Apart from organizing exciting activities for this year I am enjoying being back at the easel after a break due to moving houses. 
To warm up I am started with setting up a little still life for an oil painting to get back into swing. I chose a porcelain jar, a funky coconut bowl with a small copper can leaning inside and a red onion to complement the ensemble. The sometimes tricky thing of judging the values right makes me using the black mirror a lot, standing back and squint and taking a black-and-white photo at the end of each session. It's funny how much one discovers by reducing the picture onto a small screen in monochrome. It's really helping to refresh the eye and stay motivated throughout the process.

I am currently in New York and this afternoon despite the biting cold I had a lovely walk through the art district in Chelsea visiting my favourite gallery to see works of David Kassan, Sharon Sprung, Eric Wert and many more. The Gallery Henoch is absolutely wonderful and the gallery people warm and welcoming. For me a true treasure moment at the beginning of this year.

Another great project came to an end today and with it came the moment to say arrivederci Florence Academy of Art. It was the last day of training and we were able to finish the long-pose for a full figure drawing in charcoal.

Concluding this assignment meant to focus on the overall appearance of the drawing and reading of the work and accessing the overall light situation on the figure within the space.

Thank you to Nadja who has been a beautiful model that impressed with outstanding discipline and dedication.

One of the most interesting parts of my studies at the Florence Academy of Art was the portrait painting over 6 half days. In parts of two, our group was sharing one model and would methodically paint a realistic portrait in oils on a 50x40cm canvas.

It was such an enjoyable and insightful process being constantly critiqued by very experienced teachers that would point out any insecurity, motivate, advise and push whenever needed. Truly a remarkable process that has enhanced my knowledge by a mile.

Also to mention our great model Fabricio how actually works also as an actor. It was great working with him.

During today's painting session with the model I was firstly checking my drawing again with a fresh pair of eyes before approaching the shadows to unify them and finally introducing a second value to carefully build up form. Throughout the process of working on the underpainting it's best to keep the amount of paint film as thin as possible to be able to make changes easily and also allow for better drying in between the sessions. I hope to be able to keep the pace with it as I also work various other painting projects these days. So, some planning does good.

This was an exciting Monday to start off week five of my studies at the FAA in Florence. I got a great assignment for a portrait painting from life with a model for 6 half days and am absolutely extatic about it. The sitter an Italian guy named Frabricio has very defined facial features that seem to be ideal for complex charactre portraiture. First day of setting up and getting some lines down on the canvas went fairly well and I am looking forward to continue tomorrow.