New Charcoal Piece

Hi everyone!

It has been a few days since my last update, and I just want to post something up to show you guys what I've been up to!  If you have been following me on Twitter, or Facebook, then, obviously, you have been watching these progress, but for those of you who have only been checking my blog, these are two of my current projects!  Firstly, here is a drawing of Alexandra, my niece, at two months!

Alexandra at Two Months

This piece is not quite done... (Hand, background, left portion of face, and hair for example)  I still have a few things to work on with this drawing of Alexandra, but, since it is a gift, and has no deadline, I decided to get to work on my next project.

Until next time!

"Ruby Red"

Grapefruit still life is finally finished and its on to the next one!

 

"Ruby Red" - 6"x 6"

Oil on Arches Illustration Brd. (Hot Press)
Michelangelo Depaolo - 2011

Painting Progress - Ruby Red

I'm currently working on this still life painting of a grapefruit. It is taking a little longer than expected, but I'm hoping that I will become faster as I complete more and more paintings.

Miniature Painting - Plum

I finished the first of many small format oil paintings today.

I'm hoping that, by selling these, I will be able to suppliment my income enough that I can concentrate solely on my art career, and not be bothered with the hassle of searching for new employment..

Wish me luck!

"Plum No.1" - 4"x 4"
Oil on Arches Illustration Brd. (Hot Press)
Michelangelo Depaolo - 2011

Another Book Gets Added to the List!

I just finished reading "Classical Drawing Atelier" by Juliette Aristides. I will be using this book, basically, as a beginning introduction to drawing, and basic outline to follow as I research other publications with more detailed subject matter.

For example, I have just begun to read "The Natural Way to Draw" by Kimon Nicolaides and it looks as if I will be spending a great deal of time going through the guided lessons within this book as well.

"The Natural Way to Draw"
by Kimon Nicolaides

"The Natural Way to Draw" is a complete lesson plan in which I aim to conquer, page by page, over the coming months!

This book outlines some basic goals, setting a curriculum which includes timed lessons in various methods of drawing, and a lesson plan spanning several weeks, making it an ideal book for beginning a superb "Self-Education!"

Charcoal Study - Lion Cub

I have been working on the lessons in my books, but thought I'd just have a little fun to break up the monotony. I plan on creating some wildlife paintings soon, and so I thought this would be a fun study.

"Study - Lion Cub"

Charcoal on Newsprint
Michelangelo Depaolo - 2011

Drawing Materials

The following is a list of supplies that I use for drawing in charcoal.

1.) Canson "Biggie" newsprint paper pad (18x24)
2.) Blending applicator tips
3.) Blending tortillons (Cretacolor - Bright White)
4.) Loew Cornell No. 12 painting knife
5.) Razor blades or other sharpening utensil
6.) Grumbacher vine charcoal
- Extra soft
- Soft
- Medium
- Hard
7.) Faber-Castell "Perfection 7056" erasing pencils
8.) General's Charcoal Pencils (White)
9.) General's Charcoal Powder
10.) Kneaded Erasor
11.) White Chalk
12.) 320 grit fine sandpaper
13.) Artist's charmois

1.) Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper Pad (White)
2.) Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper Pad (Assorted)

A Proper Forum for Learning..

I have never attended art school... For whatever reason, it just never seemed to be in the cards for me. This blog is my journey and my path of self education.

Until now, I have been creating portraits in graphite pencil, working diligently by taking photographs and then painstakingly rendering pencil versions of what I had observed in them.

"Cristian" - SOLD
Graphite on Illustration Board
Michelangelo Depaolo - 2008

Now, though I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish through this method, it has come to my attention that I have much more to learn (even with drawing), if I am to become truly proficient and, appropriately, carry on the oil painting tradition set by the old masters I so idolize.

My solution? Start from scratch!

Until further notice, I will be using this blog as a way to document and share my progress with all of you. I still have no plan of taking any classes for the time being, but I actually think I'm on to something much bigger than that! As with most young people of high aspirations, and equally low probability of affording scholastic greatness, I seem to have acquired a rather large art book collection throughout the past few years.

And, beginning today, I boldly take a plan of action by creating my own home curriculum based on these numerous publications. I will begin studying book by book, page by page in a methodical, albeit (occasionally) chaotic way, and document as I go along.

"Classical Drawing Atelier"
by Juliette Aristides

I recently purchased a book entitled "Classical Drawing Atelier" by Juliette Aristedes and will be using this as the model for these beginning stages in my self education.

My Inspiration

I am constantly inspired by 16th and mid 19th century artists! Classical Realism, as a style, has always spoken to me. I remember, as a child, seeing a poster of a painting of two cherubs holding eachother, and being completely enamored by the look of it.

"Cupid and Psyche as Children"
Oil on Canvas
William-Adolphe Bouguereau - 1890

Little did I know, at the time, that the painting I admired so much as a child, was by none other than William-Adolphe Bouguereau, who would come to be my biggest artistic inspiration as an adult.

A New Beginning...

After two wonderful years with the one I love, I stand here, now, alone. Sometimes I don't feel like I'll ever be a complete human being again.

I guess there are times when life decides to throw you a curve or two, but what do you do when life stops you dead in your tracks?

You stop talking to friends, stop talking to family.... You try to put a stop to everything in your life. I even quit my job (he worked there).

At the moment, I don't feel like I have all that much left to believe in. But I still have my dream. Actually, it might be all I have left in the world; this crazy idea of becoming a painter.

For me, the act of creating art is so profound. It is such a beautiful combination of hard work, and self expression, unfolding a part of us in which we never knew was there.

We learn about ourselves through art, and we find a way to heal... I will find a way to heal.