From Maaavin's Atlanta Class-Mariah

[Marvin Mattelson]

Thanks Val for your generous account of the week's goings on. Congrats on the commission. Go you! You said to me on the last day, you felt this was your best portrait ever. Not for long, babycakes! I also want to clarify to people that this painting was painted in just three days. Imagine if you actually got to finish it.

Patty, you did so well. I was so excited to see your progress each time I came over to your easel. I'm just sorry you had to leave one day early, but I understand you had a lot going on with your moving into a new space. I'm glad you chose to come in spite of all of that. Life is way too short to put one's passion on hold and I'm thrilled you chose to take the leap. Your lay-in was really great as well and I hope you post it. People would be amazed to see what you did in one day with color. No one in the workshop could believe that this was just your first portrait painted from life. I'm extremely proud of you.

We also had another forum participant there as well. Laurel the Lurker. She did a truly awesome job and I hope she registers to participate here on the forum, as she promised she would. Eh?

It always amazes me how I manage to attract the most wonderful people to take my classes and workshops. I guess it's a case of opposites attracting? We had an incredible group of people for this workshop and I had so much fun leading them through the morass. We were also blessed to have two terriffic models to inspire us, Moria and Leah. BTW, Leah signed up to take my next workshop in Atlanta. The week flew by and I'm already counting the days 'til Durham.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Pat from the looks of that underpainting, Valerie was just as lucky to be by you! WOW, it is wonderful!

I manage to attract the most wonderful people to take my classes and workshops

Yeah, we are holding you to this!

He is a great teacher isn't he!

[Valerie Warner]

Patty, good going! I love it too. I was so busy getting mine going I didn't get to really appreciate your painting in the class. Way to go! And Elizabeth is sooo right, I was just as honored to be next to you. Beautiful job, it matches your beautiful personality and smile.

Thanks Marvin, you're tops.

Where are you LTL? (Laurel the lurker)

Back to the easel!

Val

[Patricia Joyce]

Thanks, Marvin and Val! And thanks, Elizabeth! Wow.

[Janel Maples]

Val and Pat,

Your excitement and enthusiasm radiates through my monitor. It makes me want to paint.

Congratulations to both of you for what I think are fantastic portraits from life. They look great!!

Your positive workshop experience with Marvin does not come as a surprise to me, it only confirms what I have been trying to share since I experienced the "WOW" of it all for myself.

Oh Marvin, July ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT COME FAST ENOUGH FOR ME!!!!

[Cheryl Ellicott]

This is another gorgeous portrait - - - and I'm thoroughly interested in learning Marvin's technique.

Marvin -- do you make housecalls?
<g> Maybe someday if I can find someone who can handle babysitting six kids I'll make it to the class....

I'm attempting a portrait TODAY with this technique as discussed here on the forums (I know that's a poor substitute), but I don't know the palette. I am guessing.
Is it shared anywhere other than Marvin's class?


cheryl

[Marvin Mattelson]

Cheryl, I'm glad to hear you're interested in a workshop. It's not really a technique that I teach, but a way to approach painting. It is appropriate for any stylistic leaning, painterly to controlled.

Yes I make house calls but it gets pricey.

In the course of my week long workshop I can barely cover the intricacies of how and why I use color. I wish I had the time to do a video or write a book and make my approach more available, but for now, I can't afford the time. However nothing beats the experience of watching what I do first hand and having the opportunity to question anything that seems unclear. This is the very best way to learn. No close seconds.

It's my experience that when people are ready to move forward, they will make the necessary arrangements.

In the meantime here are the colors I recommend to my students. All colors are Winsor and Newton except for the white, which is made by Michael Harding and available only from the Italian Art Store.

Colors for flesh and wherever else appropriate:
MH Flake White #2
W&N Terra Rosa
W&N Yellow Ochre
W&N Yellow Ochre Pale
W&N Indian Red
W&N Ivory Black
W&N Raw Umber

Colors to round out palette:
W&N Burnt Sienna
W&N Alizarin Permanent
W&N Viridian
W&N French Ultramarine Blue

Colors I use only where very intense color is needed. Not placed on the palette unless necessary:
W&N Cadmium Scarlet
W&N Cadmium Yellow Pale

[Kimberly Dow]

Pat & Val - Good for you two! Great job - and sounds like you had fun as well.

Marvin - just curious, do you have your students mix up the colors like you do beforehand? I have heard it said that it takes days to premix your palette and I am wondering how it fits in with just a week.