Selective index of seminal posts 2

Here are some posts that I think are particularly useful from the early part of the blog.

Dissecting a Metcalf, brushstroke

Pre stretched canvas

Beginning a painting on location

The artist and charity auctions

Dissecting a Hibbard 3

Dissecting a Hibbard 2

Some observations on Hibbards key

About restraint

Good advice, no charge

Drawing lines on a Bouguereau

There are so many posts (nearly 600) I can't imagine anyone could go back and read them all. Perhaps you will want to, but these are some of those I like the best. I have not selected any from personal history or from my exposition of the history of American landscape painting. I will do this for another couple of nights and then back to some critiques of submitted work. I have em all duct taped to the plumbing in the basement with bags over their heads.

Here is an e-mailed question I received today;

I am writing to you because I believe that you understand what good art is about.Your work is truly masterful.I am a beginning artist and I never really had any formal training.I was just wondering what you would suggest as the best subject to start out drawing.I see many websites advocating cast drawing (sight size) as the best way to start out.Yet I find many others advocate copying the Bargue plates as the best starting point. (Being that your copying from a 2 dimensional paper.) And one other question I had I recently read about an online atelier in which you draw at home and they send you back critiques. Can this in any way compare to a real atelier?(Being that right now I can't really afford a real one).

I think both cast drawing and copying the Barque plates are both excellent ideas. Copy Ingres too. I wrote a post on copying drawings here. I think that Ingres is a great artist to copy, also Raphael. I am not at all sure how you could draw casts without some experienced artist making corrections on your work.
I have never heard of an online atelier, perhaps it is OK, but I have my doubts. The whole idea of an atelier is working with a master and getting individual instruction. However the old Famous Artists School (draw Binky) is reportedly a very good program. Here is their web site.
If I were going to do online instruction I would consider them. Many ateliers are not terribly expensive, but I know they vary in quality. When I was with Ives Gammell his was one of only two nor three in the nation, now they are common across the country. I can't imagine that any online atelier can compare with the real thing.

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Notice in my sidebar that I am doing a demo at the Rockport Art Association in Rockport Massachusetts on July 29th at 7:30 P.M. If you want to see me make either a seascape or a fool of myself you are welcome to come. This is a benefit for the art association, all proceeds go to them, not to me. It would be fun to meet more of you, I always enjoy finding out who is out there reading this.