Projects at Angel Academy of Art, Florence

[dorian]

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-ecorche.jpg (http://www.dorian-iten.com)


Heya, in 2006 I started out at Angel Academy of Art (http://www.angelartschool.com/) in Florence. This thread documents what I'm up to and how the programme is going. There's also the occasional "how to" or step-by-step pics and please feel free to ask any kind of question and share your comments and crits!

The projects every student has to do, are the following:

Bargue Drawing - Level 1 (here (http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-01-09.jpg))
Bargue Drawing - Level 2 (here (http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-01-29.jpg))
Bargue Drawing - Level 3 (here (http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-02-23.jpg))
Bargue Drawing - Level 4 (here (http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-04-18a.jpg))

Bargue Line Drawing - Level 1 (here (http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-01-18d.jpg))
Bargue Line Drawing - Level 2 (here (http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-03-29.jpg))
Make Bargue-Style Line Drawing from Master painting (here (http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-10-11.jpg))

Charcoal Cast Drawing - Level 1 (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-hand.jpg))
Charcoal Cast Drawing - Level 2 (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-seneca.jpg))
Charcoal Cast Drawing - Level 3 (optional, white chalk on toned paper) (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-giuliano.jpg))

Oil Cast Painting Level 1 - Grisaille (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-noseandmouth.jpg))
Oil Cast Painting Level 2 - Full Palette (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-dyingslave.jpg))
Oil Cast Painting Level 3 - Full Palette (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-ecorche.jpg))

Oil Still Life Level 1 (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-italia.jpg))
Oil Still Life Level 2 (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-sl2.jpg))
Oil Still Life Level 3 (here (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-sl3.jpg))
Oil Still Life Level 4 (pic soon!)

UPDATE: I GRADUATED IN DECEMBER 2009!!! Filled with gratitude... I am not the same person.
I could probably write a small book about how the last 4 years have changed my life... If there is enough interest I could write a summary? Let me know!


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
start of original thread:

Bargue Drawing - Level 1
I had a hard time figuring out how perfect it has to be, how to get the smooth shading and the halftones, how dark/light I should go, and how to use the sawin thread to measure correctly..
It was a great great experience to see whole new universes emerge, when looking really closely and filling up those little dots with graphite, the grain of the paper becoming little mountains and valleys :]
It was fun! On to the next one! I'll try to be more accurate now from the beginning on, I spent a lot of time fixing mistakes..
Took me about 36 hours all in all.
Hope you enjoy!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue1.jpg

[Dizon]

great job on the first one! Was this done with charcoal, and sight size?

I'm also copying one. It's plate no.5. I'm having the most difficult time correcting my mistakes. I think I need a mirror.

Anyway, looking forward to your other work!

[Ian Mack]

I've noticed that my eye is getting better at seeing my own mistakes.

Great job Dorian! Good luck with the rest of your projects and I hope u continue to work hard on them.

[jkior]

lookin goooooood man! 36 hours is pretty amazingly fast. . .hehe wish my first one was like that. Anyway yeah very much looking forward to seeing more of your work as you progress through the program. One quick question about the curriculum, though - at this atelier (Pantura in the US) we do three graphite bargues, a charcoal, and then a minimum of 6-7 cast drawings before painting is begun. So it looks like you have more of an emphasis on bargues, and a faster progression after them into grisaille?

thanks for sharing

[madplanet]

Great images and I can't wait to see more and see how everything progresses. Florence is such a great city, soak it up!

[fishw]

looking good man. great stuff on the reflected light in the shadowed areas. i can't wait to get to Firenze in October. How are you finding things? Found a good place to live?
i presume you're life drawing too, right? share some of those too, i'm sure i'm not the only one who'd love to see 'em.

[dorian]

wohoo, so many comments, thank you folks!

patdzon: thanks! nope, no charcoal yet, the bargues are all done in pencil. its about A4. *goes to mesure* exactly 24.7cm (hmm don't have an inches calculator, sorry). yeah, correcting mistakes takes a LOT of time.. I was quite a bit ahead of a girl in our class because she did the measuring really precise. she cought me when I was fixing all the stuff that was off and we finished together :) same bargue too, funny thing. but her shading is... unbelievable. I couldn't get it that smooth. will try on the next, its plate 1.60, I'm being very careful about the measuring now, want to get as much as possible correct right from the start
otherside: mine too! I think it's already starting to pay off!
jkior: hm yeah, 4 bargues, then two charcoal casts, then the grisaille. takes most students one or two years though, the instructors are really picky. (and that's good I think. it definitely shows in the final results)
madplanet: yes, florence is grrreat! beautiful place! thanks, I will try hard :)
fishw: found a nice place, yup! my lifedrawings suck.. and we're only doing gestures so far, no articulation, no shading/rendering at all. YET. ;) the gestures take us three sittings at the moment, 1.5 hours.. lol.. we soohook
anyway. you asked for them, wouldn't have shown any :) :
(its half a day life drawing each day, which means 3 hours)


http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-01-15b.jpg

http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-01-18a.jpg


and from the BEAUTIFUL flayed figure cast:
http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-01-25b.jpg

[-The Swift-]

Great work dorian,

I'm coming to study at Angel in September of this year, I can't wait! Looking at your work makes me wish i was already there.

Keep up with the long tedious hours and keep producing beautiful drawings,

-Becky

[E.M.GIST]

Great stuff, in answer to how perfect. As perfect as you can make it.

[dorian]

Becky: heya, thanks! cool, I really like some of your stuff, lookin forward to meeting you! thanks for the kind words :)
E.M.GIST: thanks. yup, that's right ;]

some colored pencil from the open friday night short poses
feels good not having to measure and being super-exact, very relaxing!



http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-02-03a.jpg

[Tully]

Great looking stuff, Dorian! My brother studies at the Angel school in Toronto. In fact I've seen the very same bargue out of him. Awesome program they seem to have. I seriously wish I could've gone. Lucky bastards, you are.

[Dizon]

Hey Dorian,

I like the last one. As for the previous drawings, there are still errors on these . Even though you're not going for dead accuracy, try your best to make it so. Use knowledge of the block-in, and always check the alignments.

looking forward for more!

Pat

[dorian]

Tully: yeah I'm really really enjoying it so far!
patdzon: thanks, yeah I'm just slowly starting to find the right balance between measuring with the knitting needle and eyeballing. also I feel my eye really gets better, and I try to train this by putting down the best guesses I can make before measuring with the needle. (before I used to make a sloppy "could be about there"-guess and then just measured to find the point. now I'm measuring to verify the guess.)


29th of January 2006 - 23rd of February 2006
done with my level 2 bargue!
I looove to spend the time getting the tones really smooth, to other people in my class this seems to merely be a "pain in the ass" :]
it's plate 60. going to level 3 as first one in my group!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue2.jpg


about 100%, it's 25cm in height

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue2-detail.jpg


aand a figure drawing for fishw :D
from a short-poses-friday-night
(I know proportions suck, but I kind of like the flow ;))

http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2006/doodles-2006-02-03b.jpg

[Dizon]

what a splendid job!!!

I've a question. What is the technique of making smooth transitions of tone using graphite?

Looking forward for more updates!

[dorian]

thank you, it's fun! (it really is :) it's as well time-consuming, but I really enjoy it)

shading/rendering:
we divide values in: light - halftones - shadow
light = paper showing
halftones = lighter tones of shadow
shadow = rather dark shadows

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/values_001.jpg


1. Shadow Shapes
First you lay down an even tone in areas of shadow, which means the rather
dark shadows such as in the center of the back and between and below his
bottomcheeks. (easy identifyable by squinting) preferably make the tone the
lightest value that is in the area, since you can easily get darker later -
making it lighter involves going back in with a kneaded eraser and then
probably with pencil again, because it's spotty and/or too light.. :)
We use a 2B for this step.

2. Variations of the darks
get the darker darks in there, as well as lighter tones, which are probably
reflected lights. on the bargue you also want to get the same edge quality,
hard edges / soft edges / lost edges,
maybe using the stomp. if not, your pencil will do, 2B or HB

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/edges_001.jpg


3. Rendering
Now it's time to take care of the subtler changes of value. We start with a
small brush to bring some graphite in the halftone areas. The adjustments are
made with the pencil, maybe a 2H
An understanding of rendering basic elements like sphere/cube/cone/cylinder
will help a lot.

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/rendering_001.jpg


Hm ok, just realized that you just asked how to make it smooth... heh. hope
someone can make use of the above stuff..

SMOOTH TONE:
the most important thing: sharp pencil.
it's just a physical issue, if your point is thicker than the grains of the paper,
it will move over the little valleys and holes, instead of travelling through
them, filling it all and thus creating a smooth tone.

You get it smooth by darkening areas that appear to be lighter than the
surrounding tone, and vice-versa: lightening areas that appear to be darker
than the surrounding tone. The first one using your pencil, the second one
using a kneaded eraser or rather hard brush.
In the end it is really just a matter of going in with a very sharp point and
filling little white dots in the grain with graphite, for it are these dots (as well
as the small lighter/darker areas) that make a tone look uneven.
you need some time, some patience and - to say it again - a sharp point.
Maybe a harder pencil, HB or 2H, depending on what value the tone is you're
working on, (soft = dark / hard = light) is more convenient, because a 2B or
softer gets blunt fairly quick and needs to be sharpened every other minute..

sharpening:
we use long points, first getting rid of quite a piece of the lead (2-3cm) using
an exacto knive and then sharpening on sandpaper, making a point that starts
tapering evenly from where the lead stops, ending in a sharp point.
:skull: beware: upon completion of this process you are in possession of a deadly weapon! :skull:

sidenotes on using the brush:
-brushes tend to make light areas darker and dark areas lighter
-don't brush the same area too long/often, it might damage the paper (especially
brushing-erasing-brushing gives a very unpleasant splotchy-ness that is hard to
get rid of. (still showing on the left side of my back.. I was experimenting.. :))

hope that helps!


.

[Dizon]

Dorian,

I love how you explained step 3. This is one of the most important factors in observing how light hits form. One must have a sense of what shape of form one is observing inorder to understand how light is distributed. I think it also helps to imagine that what they're copying is not flat, but rather a 3dimensional object.

And thanks for explaining how you do all that shading!

Regards,

Pat

[Inkfish]

Whoa, thanks for the tutorial Dorian! It really helped me to understand some things about bargue and rendering in general.

The Bargues look kickass, i bet it's helluva sweet to study in a Atelier like Angel Academy of Art. Keep on rocking, subscribed :)

[pthomas1172@yahoo.co]

Tell us about how it is to study in Florence? good/ok/bad?

what about the workshops?

[GNL]

Dorian - your doing really great man!

I was gonna say those pencils sharpened like that look lethal! haha


I was looking into going to angel - do they teach any compositional stuff while you are there?

Do they teach a constructional approach to figure drawing? or is it all academic like?

Do you get lectures on stuff in museums and things that are in florence?

Your dead lucky to be at Angel, i envy ya!

cheers

g

[John]

Good job on those bargues Dorian, looks like you have a great time in Florence. You got so good so fast, awesome.

[P E N Ricklund]

Hey Dorian, nice drawings, i hope to be able do studys liek this soon, they seem to pay of big time.

Take care, and show us more, and by the way, thanks for the above information.

Hugs!

[fishw]

one of the best bargues i've seen. well done. you'll go far at angel. careful with the thumb on that figure drawing. some variation in line weight would add so much to it too.
keep it up, you're doing great.

[dorian]

holy.. that's alotta' posts?! :teeth:

patdzon: your welcome, sir! glad you agree!
Inkfish: thanks! glad it helped!
pthomas1172@yahoo.co funky nickname :] I like it very much. it depends on what you're after. check the florence thread (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=547440) for more infos on the schools!
the workshops: to be honest: they just are too fucking expensive.. I'm shure you'll get some good information there, but more so if you have already some experience with the topic and search to refine your knowledge/techniques. That's just my opinion, though, and I might be wrong. We have some people who decided to start the regular programme after having attended a workshop, so I guess they're not too bad. But still expensive. If you're short on money I'm shure there are more efficient ways to invest it in training. The teachers are all good, if you are interested in a special workshop I can maybe give you some more info about the teacher. I think pm would be best in this case. Hope that helps!
GNL: thank you! heh I bet they ARE lethal, if handeled correctly :D
compositional stuff: it's part of the graduate programme, but I'm shure we'll hear something about composition in some of the lectures, too. Just too crucial not to talk about. A LOT of theory stuff we get out of books, though. (those who read 'em, at least.. :)) Mainly "the science and practice of drawing" by harold speed. solid.
constructional/academic: no constructional approaches at all, no drawing from imagination at all. you have to do that on your own, it's just not what the school is set out for, you learn to handle the materials and to train your eye to the utmost precision in proportions, values and color. (step by step)
museums: so far: no. but we check out all the museums on our own. you can also get a membership to the "amici degli uffici" (friends of the uffici gallery) for 25€ that will grant you free access to all the state-run museums in florence. which are about 16.. :D
every second friday there is a lecture on a certain topic, given by the maestro (michael john angel aka teh santa clause :) nice guy!). alternating, every second thursday there is a movie. past lecture topics included: medieval art, greek art, classical 19th century painting. past movie topics included: the spartans, early greek art. then occasionally there are lectures on anatomy and perspective.
john o.: jooohn! thanks! hope I'll see you in brussels!
Pencilator: :hatsoff:
fishw: thank you! I'm still a beginner.. have to learn a lot about line weight and all that stuff, but man.. I'm enjoying it so much... I think I found a good place! finally! I'll probably scan my 3 weeks pose tomorrow, I'll also get it framed in about 2 weeks, which is kind of exciting, being a "framing virgin" :)
thank you for the crit and encouragement, very much appreciated!


and now:
I FINISHED TEH LEVEL 3 BARGUE!!


23rd of February - 29th of March 2006
more than 5 weeks instead the 3 each for level 1 & 2.. his crown... oh boy.. :)
sometimes it was hard to concentrate, you get lost so easily when there's a certain amount of detail. but now it's done! on to the next one!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue3.jpg



.

[Dizon]

OMG.......I think I can't handle something like this by myself.

[dorian]

patzdon: I bet you could, but I'm sure it need's a lot more self-discipline when you do it on your own. Plus teacher critiques are really helpful, they point out most of the mistakes in areas where you just fealt that "something's off". Try!

I'll repost from sketchbook thread, sorry:

19th of March 2006
Our first 3 week pose is finished!! and with it the first term. damn?! already?? where did february go?!
I'm SO glad to be here. It's just beautiful to be able to spend a good amount of time on a drawing to do your best to do it really well. You can "dive" into the subtle value changes for a couple days, focus on delicate modelling of the lights, clean and rework outlines... wow. Right now I'm just grateful.

3 weeks (except wednesdays) 3 hours a day, pencil.
My first drawing to get a real frame, whee :teeth:
...oh.. don't worry, he has in fact totally normal ears :)


http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-figure1.jpg


.

[Adam Nowak]

I think... I should try at a Bargue drawing. I'll have to look into it. Yours is amazing, I applaud you with not going insane through those five weeks. So are there more levels, or does it stop at three?

[Pixeldragoon]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow. That figure is astounding.

I can't wait to test drive one of these atelier things! :D

[Dizon]

It is harder to do a Bargue on your own. THat would take much discipline, I suppose. Having someone to guide is you helps a lot.

[sleeperservice]

Exemplary work Dorian and wow, 3rd level Bargue in 5 weeks. I know it's tough but that's good time. You are making great headway. #4 and yer done. Better go sharpen your pencil. I hate it when the lead breaks off, don't you? Looking forward to seeing more!

[vigostar]

great progression

[mir]

Just to say that it is very interesting to follow your progress in the atelier.
And I wondered why bargue line drawings are after bargue drawings.Sorry if the question is stupid.

M.

[Jason Manley]

excellent work....i would have chopped off my left hand to study there when i was first starting out. i blame my ancestors for not leaving me inheritance! :) It looks like you are taking good advantage of the situation. congrats!


JM

[sleeperservice]

Not to let Jason get the last word... it's good that you didn't chop off your left hand. You'd have needed it for sharpening those pencil leads- and wiping the sweat off your brow after Martinho's perspective lessons.

[John]

It'll be good to see you in brussels, this time you can teach me some things. Of course i'm going, i wouldn't want to miss that. Oh. And damn, do those drawings look good.

[dorian]

24th of April - 18th of May 2006
second long pose drawing!
I refused to draw the cast shadow.. ended up with a fellow floating in empty_space™.. fair enough :)

it was 4 weeks, but with holidays and our exibithion (posting pics soon!) it ended up being 3 weeks again. wednesdays excluded (short poses).
had a hard time... turned out all right, learned more about graphite ;)
doing the hair and the ears were my favourite parts
I just realised the hands, certainly the one at the waist, are too small.. way too small.. and that lower arm right there looks odd, too.. oh well ;)

hope you like!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-figure2.jpg

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-figure2-detail.jpg




gamerhomie: yeah, GO FOR IT!! there's 4 levels, but that's just something our school worked out individually. florence academy has different levels and the different bargues are in different levels, in these two systems for example.. I could try to send you our list, though, if you have the bargue book and don't know where to start.

Pixeldragoon: thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaank yoou :D drop me a line before you hit florence!

patdzon: very true. I'm also glad we're a whole group doing this, and everybody more advanced has gone through the "bargue level", too which all really helps to keep me motivated!

sleeperservice (1): oh yes.. I broke "a couple"... :D thanks for the kind words! did you do them, too?

vigostar: thank you, glad to hear! the biggest progression actually doesn't show directly in the drawings, it's the ability to see shapes and copy them correctly. it got a lot better during these months. long way to go, though, still struggling a LOT.. ;)

heartbeat: heya, thanks, you're the first one who mentioned that it's interesting (I think?), that's why I'm posting these, so: mucho appreciated and I'm very glad :) I think because they have just outstanding quality. andrew ameral, florence academy anatomy teacher said last week: "this guy didn't just draw to say "hey, look what I see.." - if you look at those drawings, you can see that he also drew to say "hey, look what I KNOW!". very perfect drawings, delicate depressions, bumps, all anatomically correct. overlaps, line-weight, it just all makes sense -> good thing to study. But I guess every good quality drawing would make. there are a couple non-bargues in fact, mostly by fortuny. oh hm but those are copied in charcoal (tonal, not line drawings).

jason: thank you man... I'm very lucky, indeed......! could've been laguna beach, too, you remember? :D

sleeperservice (2): aha! you were there! :D perspective is fun.. :) and sharpening.. too... :D

John: :!: man! you showed me those hale books! you reinflamed my desire to learn anatomy!
yes, will be good to see each other again! thanks for the kind words..

[Adam Nowak]

It's been two months since I said something. :)

I actually have never tried a bargue drawing but I'd really like to. I am actually going for two months to Poland and my plane leaves tonight. I'll be drawing over there for two months while I am on vacation. When I'd get back it would be great to get my hands on it.

[the_allejo05]

wow that bargue with the crown is insane..nice gentle touch..good figure drawings..not my taste but nice..

[dorian]

gamerhomie: poland! say hello for me ;] drop me a pm when you post your bargue! or also when you need help.
the_allejo05: yes the crown almost killed me :) thanks, nice you like them anyways :]

ooops... I forgot to post our first bargue line drawing copy!!
18th of January - 22nd of March 2006

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-linebargue1.jpg

[dorian]

29th of March - 8th of April 2006
bargue line drawing level 2 finished!
these are SO worth the time. no values and color to distract.

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-linebargue2.jpg

[the_allejo05]

Nice again Dorian..one recomendation..keep drawing free hand in your spare time..drawing naturally is by far the best..although is the hardest..(naturally i mean the way you draw ..without angles ;) , no Charles Bargue..look at the old masters..fluid fluid line..)good that you kept in atelier training , I quit after 6 months..the artist within me resists the mechanical training hehe..i just couldnt but anyhow.. good improvements..

[Dizon]

Dorian! The rendering on that figure is superb! The elf ears are funny though haha. What did your instructors say about that?

[Aether]

Great stuff. The linework says so much with so little

Do post more

[Icey]

man... I'm sticking to this thread :) hopeing to see more of these great drawings and studys! A lot to learn from!

[dorian]

the_allejo05: thanks, sir! I know, it can be limiting. We also don't do any drawing from imagination/memory, must do that a lot more on my own. in one week it'll be 6 months, too! already... it's crazy how fast times goes by here.....
I think I'll stay :D I got a scholarship, too!!
patdzon: some ignore it, some make jokes :) thanks for the kind words!
Aether: thank you..!
Icey: cheers! here you go: :D


22nd of May - 8th of June 2006
3rd pencil long pose (3 week) figure drawing!
ran out of time a little on this one.. foot unfinished and generally some clean-up missing.. oh well

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-figure3.jpg


18th of May - 9th of June 2006
bargue drawing number 4 FINISHED!!!
last one!! I'm moving on to charcoal now!!
it's a bit scary, because I've never done anything in charcoal.. but the new group gave me a very warm and encouraging welcome, offering help etc. I'm excited!

this is what students call the "super bargue".. even though it's not even a drawing by bargue.. :D
it's known to be the most difficult "bargue" drawing we have at the studio, and it's only offered to "special" students, since it's not in the bargue book (obviously... ;))
it was fun, and I learned quite a bit about graphite..

hope you like:

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue4.jpg

[dorian]

the venerable original

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue4-orig.jpg

[Pixeldragoon]

:O




Woot again! I love these. Keep updating sir!

[the_allejo05]

wow i take my hat off..very nice softenss on the tones and smooth transitions..

[HunterKiller_]

It's magnificent work. Just the thought of trying to replicate those pictures perfectly gives me a headache.

[Dizon]

Great job Dorian. Who drew that "super bargue"? hehe

[GriNGo]

Wow man, your thread is very inspiring, specially, since I'm trying to get into one of these ateliers as soon as I finish my graphic design major, which is in about a year. Your thread is really making me wonder & awe on the amount of knowledge & experience you must be assimilating. Keep it up, & i'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Before I leave, I have one question. Do you recommend buying the Charles Bargue Drawing Course, to do stuff on my own until I get the opportunity in a atelier? Or is instructor help really needed to read that book?

thanks!,
GriNGoLoCo

[dorian]

pixeldragon: here we go! :]
the_allejo05: thank you, so nice to hear this from you!
HunterKiller: hehe :) it's all step by step, just an exercise, you could do it!
patdzon: thanks! just found out again: it was Julian Adler Weir - sounds german - charcoal on paper, 24.5x18in., it's in the Brigham Young University Museum of Fine Arts in Provo, Utah.


2nd of September - 5th of September 2006
my first in-class portrait! and the first time I use carbon pencil, too. It's kinda... tricky..?

[Dizon]

nice! was this done in sight-size?

[dorian]

no, we don't use sight size for the model, only casts and still lifes
and the bargues, too somehow I guess, since original and copy are mounted ion the drawing board next to each other and in the perfectly same size.

the head is about 8cm high, so it's kinda small
oh and I was sitting on a bench between the easels and the model.. easels are SO much more convenient.. you can't really step back to look at the drawing from some distance, you're closer to the model and get a slight distortion of the proportions, big shapes and tones are harder to see, etc.
but for just the portrait it was fine, the full figure was a little different.. :^^:

[Adam Nowak]

I just keep coming back to this thread. :)

Anyways, there's a small update I have. I asked my school librarian if they would order the Bargue book... a few days ago they said yes! It said it cost them $100 off of Amazon and they said I better get some use out of it! They don't exactly know what it is, they think it's a How to Draw book so well see how that goes. Hope they don't return it!

[Sirkenneth]

Hello! Im confused-are you attending an art school in Flourence Italy?? Im looking into art schools anywhere. The stuff you are creating is incredible. I Love it. great Job

[barnest]

The Dahesh museum has Bargue for $60 :-P

[fishw]

ah cool you drew that man with the funky moustache! my flatmate was drawing him just this week, he has such a great face. want to meet up some time? i think you pm'd me your phone number, and i've finally got myself a phone now so i might give you a call.

[Adam Nowak]

The Dahesh museum has Bargue for $60 :-P

Hey, I didn't tell them to get it off of Amazon. :P

[Rita Alvarez]

I love your work and the progress I see happening. Can you tell me more about the Angel Art Academy. I would like to attend a workshop this summer. Thinking of the painting from live model or the Caravaggio Painting workshop.

Would you e-mail me at painter-chick@hotmail.com or Instant Message, or go to myspace at painter-girl@hotmail.com I have some work on myspace.

Rita

[Tigermilk]

crazy good studies.
Keep it up, champ
tiger

[rodrigo!]

awesome stuff! i like seeing the full-on academic school work, its very disciplined :) i am studying at a school at the moment which isnt quite this academic in its approach :)
oops forgot to mention the latest portrait is beautiful, great soft edges!
oh yeah whats a carbon pencil btw is that what you call a normal pencil or is it different lol..

[MephistoLV]

rodrigo! - It is my understanding that a carbon pencil is a graphite/charcoal blend.

dorian - beautiful studies; keep up the good work!

[Sleep_Eden_sleep]

I'd like to know how those drawings are so perfect.. no erase marks, no messy lines, just perfect. Even the drafts are perfect. Is this a European technique or what? lol. I also noticed his figures start out cube-like (or rather, statuesque) instead of the actual silhouette the common person/illustrator usually starts out drawing.

Is this type of teaching taught everywhere or is this a unique teaching style?

[drd]

And...forgive me...can you explain to me, what is Bargue?

And how old are you? If you're like 40 then I suppose I do not feel so jealous =D
I'm only 15.

Man...We over in America don't have schools as grand as that.

[rodrigo!]

"Man...We over in America don't have schools as grand as that."
yeah, theres ateliers that are very close there. have a better look around :P

[drd]

Ok, let me rephrase that:

I doubt I'd ever have access to schools as grand as that in my lifetime.

[Justin.]

Any updates, captain? :[

[maxetormer]

WOW http://www.stylestation.ch/discussion/uploads/post-1-1151266622.jpg
just WOW

[emily g]

Wow, I didn't know about this thread. It's really nice to see your progress, Dorian!
I am starting something similar and am working on my first Bargue drawing now. :)
It's a lot of hard work, that's for sure.
Best of luck and I can't wait to see what else you post!

[fattkid]

Hey Dorian....nice work. I appreciate you sharing what you're doing at that school and what the curriculum involves. I'm just now realizing the importance of academic drawing study, and I've been doing master copies, cast drawings etc. on my own time. I was wondering and hoping if you could go into more detail about rendering with pencils.....? What hardnesses you use, when, why, process etc. It would be much appreciated if you could. And another drawing update would be nice , too. :)

[PenDiablo]

Its good to see a thread up here on the Angel Academy.. I'm amazed at the level of quality that comes out of that place... too expensive for me though... sucks:(

[dorian]

Gamerhomie: haha well it is a how to draw book - the title is "cours de dessin" which means precisely that :) The plates in there have been designed to study and copy. Cool librarian! Have fun!!
Sirkenneth: yes I am! > http://www.angelartschool.com!
barnest: thanks! great museum..
fishw: ernesto! he's the man, awesome face! :D I pm'd you!
thank you! check your mailbox!
thanks tiger :)
thanks! no normal pencils are graphite pencils, carbon pencils are different. Hard to erase, more oily/greasy. But no shine, which is very nice! And sticks to the paper better than charcoal. And goes darker than pencil though not as dark as charcoal. Guess you could classify it as something in between those two.
MephistoLV: ah, there we go! thanks!
Eden: it's the drunken dragon style, a mixture between ancient drunken master and vermillion dragon styles practised by cheesebaking monks of the alps! It's origins go much further back though and many mysteries have sprung from this metaphysical leadapplying creators. :ninja++: :D Nah I'm not sure what you mean? It's just working carefully, they do that all over the world and you can, too :)
drd: charles bargue is a french 19th century painter who put together the book "cours de dessin" which includes drawings that certains schools use to teach their students the basics of drawing. We copy 4 of those drawings, in 4 levels of difficulty. I'm 22 - jealousy leads to selfdestruction, envy to greatness! ;)
rodrigo: very true! there's a couple interesting ones! some are listed on ARC (http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/atelier_list.asp)
justin: jup! :)
maxetormer: gracias :D
emily: thanks for your ongoing support! good luck with the bargue - post it when you're done!
fattkid: hey there, glad you find it interesting! Hmm I think I described the process somewhere, I have to search! Not much to explain, though. generally I use 2B for lines/shapes and shadows, then later on HB/H for modeling the lights and light halftones and 4B for darkest darks.
PenDiablo: true.. I'm so glad I got that scholarship...

Ok, BIG update!

Bargue Style Drawing from Master Painting
the painting is by Giacomo Grosso, fantastic painter...
Fun project!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-linebargue3.jpg


Charcoal Cast I
the hand :) Learned a ton!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-hand.jpg


Charcoal Cast II
seneca! 4 months :) especially the wood was great fun! Learned a lot again.
Now I could go on to painting!! But I'll do an optional cast on toned paper with white chalk and charcoal. I'll get to do a figure in the same technique also. I always loved those drawings (prud'hon...) and it'll kind of add another technique to my repertoire. I'll probably start painting in oktober or november!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-seneca.jpg


Then here the charcoal figures I made so far in chronological order:

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-arneau.jpg

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-tobias.jpg

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-charlotte.jpg

[panchosimpson]

really amazing work dorian, just staggering....haha...you make want to go draw! I know these are school assignments and require an academic finish because they are for learning purposes, but i was wondering if you personally favor a looser or tighter approach in artwork. anyway, hope to see more soon!

[E.M.GIST]

Outstanding, simply outstanding!!

[dorian]

panchosimpson: thank you! The best I can ever hope to do with my stuff is to inspire other artists!! (or "normal people" also :)) I think I tend towards tighter but not extremely tight which looks too artificial to me and looses all the mystery and opportunity for the viewer to "fill in" the not so defined areas that I like. If stuff goes too loose it's very often just laziness or lack of ability and starts to look sloppy instead of loose. That's my personal view/taste, doesnt make either one right or wrong, everybody should go for what they are drawn to. As far as artists/styles, I love bouguereau (slight looselyness in flowers and other mg/bg work), boldini (very loose at times), sargent (.. :) master of "controlled looseness" that almost never looks lazy or sloppy), rembrandt (he knows what paint viewed frmo a distance does - very loose close up, super detailed from a distance), etc.etc...

erik: wow, nice to hear that from you!! :bow:

[Rblackmore]

Wow, amazing work Dorian. I really admire you, I've seen your work around here and on SOFA(as well as your personal site) and you're where I want to be after a good many years of practice. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful drawings.

[timpaatkins]

That hand is bloody amazing, I almost drooled when i saw it. We crave more.

[JellevdVegt]

hello dorian, i envy your bargue drawings. i actually never heard this term before, but it looks very fotorealistic. are there any drawings form yourself (life drawing) or are these all copies from other works?

[the_allejo05]

wow nice work..and lots of effort..Im not very fond of the academic style..but it is certainly strong..keep it up man..

[Maxine Schacker]

I think it would be helpful for everyone if you shared some of the technical process you are using. Any chance?

[Darkside]

bleh, so good man, you´re so damn good...
got any new sketches or imaginative stuff? would be interesting to see how your academical training effects those :D

more updates man

[P E N Ricklund]

Very nice work Dorian, keep on spreading the inspiration and showing everyone what hard work can do.
I agree with you on the looseness. I will follow your development with big intrest. Cheers!

[goldfishy]

Hi Dorian

I've looked at all your drawings and am sooooo impressed, they are fantastic.

What I'd really like to know is what kind of paper you're using, and what make of charcoal?

The grain of the paper makes such a difference!

I'd be so interested to know...

thanks so much, and good luck with the rest of the course,

:sungod:

[nemomarlin]

I am so jealous of you that you're going to school there!! They look hardcore which i Love.

[dorian]

Rblackmore: inspiration is the greatest gift I can hope to give. Go for it!!
timpaatkins: haha :D Don't get saliva on your keyboard, no good, trust me!!
Teh Gosu: thank you! All the figures that are not labelled bargue drawing or copy are "mine" and done from life. Photorealism in any case is something else however, and not what I'm after ;]
the_allejo05: thanks man! I think these studies just give me a good solid foundation. Adds instuments to my orchestra, tools to my workshop, etc. If I decide to do a very tight portrait in order to express what I want I can do so without being limited by a lack of understanding or an untrained eye. I hope. ... :)
Maxine: there is a quick step by step for "Tobias" over there (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=95605&page=2), that might answer some questions. Is there anything in particular you'd like to know?
Darkside: cheers man ;] The more I know the more I understand how little I know.. Looking at the masters I'm just dipping my small finger into the ocean - not very deep.. I do a bit of imaginative work, such as this one (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-hook.jpg). I'm definitely making progress intellectually, composition, edges, gesture. I spend a lot less time on the stuff outside of school so it all looks a lot weaker. There's a sketchbook with pretty much all my stuff, dated and numbered over at doodledoes (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59870&page=4)
Pencilator: thank you, same goes for you!
goldfishy: thank you for those kind words :)
For the paper, this is a copy/paste I hope that's ok: The papers I use are either "roma" or "umbria". I doubt that you can get them outside italy but I could be wrong. And to make it even easier: they stopped producing both these types of paper!! All the art supply stores in florence are out, occasionally they are able to find a few sheets here and there which go immidiately. It's handmade paper and I guess it stopped being profitable enough and they just dropped it. Not sure what we're going to to here honestly..
The charcoal we use is Nitram, a french brand. It used to be REALLY good, now they are all lower quality for some reason but this is one of the best. It's pretty consistent and very dry (little binder). It comes in H, HB and B. I think you can order some from http://www.fusainsnitram.com/ if your local art supplier doesn't carry it. Hope that helps!
nemomarlin: It's pretty hardcore, yes, which I like as well :] I you really want to come here, you are going to find a way. If I can help you in the meantime, let me know.

Update!
End of my second year! Already.... this is insane..
Gooood news: I STARTED PAINTING!!! Don't have a clue about what I'm doing but boy I'm totally in love with it.. so much fun....
And so much to learn... It's like travelling to a new universe..

Blabla, anyway, here's some work, hope you like!


charcoal figure
http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-malefigure.jpg

charcoal portrait
http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-maria.jpg

carbon pencil figure
http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-sylvia.jpg

charcoal & white chalk on toned paper, cast study
http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/38.jpg

[dorian]

by the way:

:D

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-senecawip02.jpg

:yayca:

[Dizon]

lovely shirt

[dorian]

wearing it proudly! :)

[Crush]

Beautiful Dorian, every one.. You must have some patience!!! :D

[Twitch.]

wow..
this is incredibly, if you havnt heard that already =P
I will be checking this thread for your paint work coming up, at least I thought I saw that in your original post.
but damn dude.. you're amazing.
this is a great recourse

[iatriki]

Excellent shading skills!

[dorian]

Crush: glad you like! Patience is handy in this type of studies, yes :)
Twitch: thanks for the kind words :) I'm not really amazing though, check out the masters, Velasquez, Bouguereau, Rubens and all the rest :]
iatriki: thanks! Still much to learn :]


New stuff!

Portrait of Harry

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-harry.jpg


Francesco, figure drawing, 6 weeks

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-francesco.jpg


Aaaand: MY FIRST OIL PAINTING PROJECT :)
(don't know what the hell I'm doing... :nohope: So much to learn! )

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-noseandmouth.jpg


By the way, there's a fantastic interview with Donato Giancola, Dan dos Santos and Irene Gallo over at the Society of Illustrators website: http://www.upgradeyourbusiness.com/societyillustrators.org/stream3.html


.

[Dizon]

ahhh the portrait is great! Love the soft shadows! The figure drawing has so many subtleties! Bravissimo!

[Cepro]

That painting is really nice. Looking forward to seeing something colored.
I'd like to ask you to please talk a little about your painting process.

[Kai H]

Whoa!!!

The charcoal drawings and the cast looks really cool and super accurate. Especially the edges are just something really super. Thumbs up :)

Thx for the Giancola interview

[thinairart]

Awesome work as usual! I'm interested in the process you followed for the cast painting-- built up in layers, painted directly? Oil medium used? How was the move from charcoal to oil? I'm full of questions :) Great work, keep posting!

[ushio18]

some crazy drawings you got going here Dorian.
I did some cast studies a few years back with a private drawing teacher and they were really hard to sit through. It took me about a week to do the BG which was a real put down.. and we weren't allowed to use Charcoal to smudge in the bg either..all line work via crosshatch and pencil.

seeing your cast charcoal studies are a real inspiration keep em coming.

btw, how big are the cast studies?

[panchosimpson]

Fantastic work in here, loving the new stuff!

Only crit is that I think the last figure drawing is a little "soft", the pose gives the impression that he's pulling his scapulae (sp?) together at least slightly, so I imagine the trapezius would be compressed as a result and some of the forms might be more defined...or not, just a thought. The leg in shadow also reads a little flat, although there might not have been a lot of reflected light in that situation.

At any rate, I'm studying with people that teach the constructive approach, so my crits come from that perspective:)

Keep it up, you're making great progress!

[panchosimpson]

Fantastic work in here, loving the new stuff!

Only crit is that I think the last figure drawing is a little "soft", the pose gives the impression that he's pulling his scapulae (sp?) together at least slightly, so I imagine the trapezius would be compressed as a result and some of the forms might be more defined...or not, just a thought. The leg in shadow also reads a little flat, although there might not have been a lot of reflected light in that situation.

At any rate, I'm studying with people that teach the constructive approach, so my crits come from that perspective:)

Keep it up, you're making great progress!

[Serpian]

Congratulations on getting to the painting stage! The cast painting is very good, and I'm sure you'll only get better!

I'm just about to send my application to a school similar to the one you're in, so you're always inspiring to me!

[dorian]

Cepro: thanks! Starting the colour cast painting now! Exciting! :D Technique/methods info below!
baretul: cheers :]
reidaj: thanks! See below for process info!
ushio18: inspirattion/motivation is one of the greatest things I can hope to give so it's great to hear you get something out of looking at them! Both figures and bigger casts are about 60cm tall.
panchosimpson: awesome, thanks for the tipps!! I definitely need to dive deeper into construction/conceptualisation, for the sake of understanding what I'm doing but also to not be dependant of a model. (or make changes easily / dealing with the model moving occasionally)
Serpian: cool, where are you going? There's so many new schools recently!

Ok! I'm so much of a beginner that I just go over the basic process which is - more or less - structured as follows:

process for the grisaille cast painting:

Pigments used: (all W/N, we use some michael harding and some old holland)
Ivory Black (a cool black & slow dryer)
Titanium White (a strong opaque white)
Raw Umber (to balance the cool black, it's also a fast dryer)

1. CARTOON
1A) Cartoon
We do a cartoon in pencil first, so all the shapes (contours + shadow shapes) are worked out
1B) Transferring cartoon to canvas
The finished cartoon is transferred onto the canvas using a piece of transparent paper and charcoal. So I end up with the cartoon-lines in charcoal on my canvas.

2. DEAD COLORING
Medium: 2 Parts Dammar Varnish : 1 Part Linseed Oil

2A) Filling in background with almost-correct value
Next I fill in the background in oils with the almost correct value - meaning I try to get pretty close but don't worry to be dead on. (Which is probably almost impossible to do in the first try anyway :)) - This way I can add a second coat later and create some interesting variation playing with the tone I'm putting down now.
Also this first layer is flat, all just one value. I try to get a neutral temperature leaning slightly towards warm. (Quite tricky since it was my first time trying :D)
2B) Filling in cast shadow with black
Cast shadow is filled in with pure black
Not sure about the medium here, sorry. But here's something good to know: "black hates mineral spirits" - it "deglosses" I think because the evaporating mineral spirits create microscopic bubbles in the paint surface that catch light. No problem in the lights but you probably want to avoid this in the darks :)
2C) Filling in remaining shadow shapes with background value
Title says it all :]

3. FIRST PAINTING
Medium: 2 Parts Dammar Varnish : 1 Part Linseed Oil plus a few drops of linseed oil to make it fatter than the dead colouring stuff

3A) Big Form Modelling
The volumes are reduced conceptually to the underlaying core forms (sphere, column, block) or combinations thereof and this form is rendered, ignoring the details. (In a figure you'd render the head as an egg volume btw., ignoring the nose, eyes, etc.
3B) Repainting background
The background is repainted with it's graduation, the value is corrected
3C) Medium Form Modelling
Same concept as above but on a smaller scale. The smaller forms are modelled, keeping in mind their underlying form.
I think it's quite important to fully understand the form you're painting.
In both these first painting stages the paint application is much like direct painting, not worrying too much about edges, very little blending (ideally.. I probably did too much, not having a control over the brush yet.. :))
During the whole process I try to keep the temperature consistent across the whole thing and get the shapes down "just right".

4. SECOND PAINTING
Medium: 1 Part Dammar Varnish : 1 Part Linseed Oil

4A) Refining & Rendering
Once all the stuff is there we can go back in and refine, worry about edges, last drawing things, fixing a few temperature issues and getting all the subtleties we want & need.

And that's pretty much it. How "Maestro" John Angel loves to say: "How hard can that be?" :D

[Cepro]

wow, thanks, that was helpfull! ;)

[Serpian]

Nice of you to give this detailed insight to the techniques!

If all goes to plan, and I can muster the money, I'm going to go to www.ateljestockholm.se. The teachers there, Hans-Peter Szameit and Sanna Tomac, got their education in The Florenc Academy of Realist Art, and they were the teachers of mincandyman (Jonathan Hardesty) in the states.

[FlameDragon]

Really superb works!

[Pritchetty]

Cool! Good info!!! Keep posting
Your work is marvellous

[Serpian]

Not that I want to hijack your thread or something, but to continue the discussion of the school I was applying to:

I got accepted! YAY!

Now update, stop being so lazy 'doing school work' or what ever the hell you call it! ;)

[BurntUmber]

I would give my left nut to find an academic art course in the UK. Unfortunately all the courses in the UK are tailored towards tallentless frauds who think a signed urinal is art and couldnt draw a stick figure to save their lives.

Excellent work man.

[Unknown-soul]

wow...impressive !

I've So much to learn here...

[bjoern3000]

@BurntUmber

take a look at this map:
http://www.artrenewal.org/ateliermap.asp

These are ARC approved studios - there are two in london.
#1: http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/atelier.asp?atelierID=101
#2: http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/atelier.asp?atelierID=98

Hope this is of your interest


@dorian: it´s great to see your progress!

[juliatkarzon]

Hi Everybody, I am an artist. I'm trying to figure out how to transfer a photo I took to an art canvas. Does anyone know how to do this, and if it is possible to does it by using transfer paper? Can it be enlarged onto transfer paper? Does anyone know how to transfer a photo to Art Canvas? Any response will be appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

[bjoern3000]

Hi Everybody, I am an artist. I'm trying to figure out how to transfer a photo I took to an art canvas. Does anyone know how to do this, and if it is possible to does it by using transfer paper? Can it be enlarged onto transfer paper? Does anyone know how to transfer a photo to Art Canvas? Any response will be appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

Do it by eye - thats my suggestion since you posted that question in this thread :-)

In another thread my answer could be grid lines, light projector, transfer paper, camera obscura (lol)

[biscuitninja]

Wow, such beautiful work.
-bix

[BooBerri]

totally beautiful student work! I look forward to seeing your art when you have deeper content involved. Your feeling of light is awesome. Hope that you make some very meaningful work in the future. i can't wait to see it all.

keep up the awesome work.

snarf snarf liono!

[Oruhito]

My first post here!

I'd just like to congratulate you Dorian on your fantastic work! You have a beautiful sense of light and form. Please keep us updated with new work! And good luck with your studies!

[Nigel_Robertson]

Any new updates? Im eager to see what they are teaching you Dorian! Your stuff is very nice, and the tutorials helped me alot. Thanks!

[berlasso]

Ditto what Nigel said. Any new cast painting?

[OmenSpirits]

Good LORD! :D

[P E N Ricklund]

Trimester's over, so where's the update ;)

[Hennaha]

Registered! Looking forwards to meeting you in Angels this Fall.

How's your trip to NYC been? Did you get a chance to speak with Jacob Collins? :)

[FlameDragon]

I am so inspired by your art!! Already producing gorgeous works at age 22/23, and you're only going to get better! Can't wait to see more :)

[Shard]

bellissimi studi complimenti..I'm glad i dont have to spend 6 months on a piece but it definitely pays off in the end.

[Serpian]

Dorian, I have now finished my first level Bargue at my Atelier, but seeing which one you chose as level one makes me humble.. I only had Idealized Profile, and it was hard enough! But of course, it only took four days to finish... I have immense respect for your level 3 bargue, now that I know what a bargue feels like! Those teachers are SO picky! Check out my thread (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=136114)!

Here's hoping for an update by you...

[Sepulverture]

Dorian these are tremendous studies, very disciplined and the process images you show are insightful as well, hope to see more and more (especially of the step-by-step process images ;) )

[Chromosome]

very awesome. Thanks for posting.

[Hyskoa]

Nice work here dorian, btw pm box is full :)

[Maidith]

Update, update, update! \°O°/

[OmenSpirits]

Serpian's not the only one brought to one knee in awe!

:D

[Serpian]

Raphael, I think as long as the paper is smooth and tough enough it's fine. It shouldn't be too smooth, but not very grainy. And if you can draw, erase, draw, erase and so on without leaving any 'ghosts' where your line was, it's tough enough. Of course, even the toughest paper will ghost if you press hard enough, so remember to have a light touch!

Also: DORIAN ARE YOU ALIVE

[Craig D]

Raphaelart
This thread you're posting in is one that Dorian started up for
his work. Perhaps you should start up your own thread for your work.
If you do so you can even delete these posts and redo them there.

PS. Very nice work you have.

[dorian]

dangoozle! haven't updated for a WHILE!

thanks for all the comments and asking for updates everybody :)

here's some of what happened in the meantime! A few of these are in "finally finished" already but I post them here as the thread is supposed to document what I'm doing at Angel:

first color cast painting!
started February 08, finished about 3 months later (3h a day, 5 days a week)
believe it or not, I still have no idea what I'm doing, different mediums, layers, drying times of different pigments, broken color, texture, ARGH! =D

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-dyingslave.jpg
"finally finished" thread (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=142663)

first figure drawing in charcoal and white chalk - not really getting the hang of it :\

http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2008/doodles-2008-01-11.jpg

and the next one, a few weeks later:

http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2008/doodles-2008-02-19.jpg

rather quick portrait of a friend, white chalk and carbon pencil (argh that stuff doesn't erase well at all :))

http://www.dorian-visuals.com/doodledoes/2008/doodles-2008-03-10.jpg

and, for now, the last figure drawing! Again charcoal and white chalk

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-silence.jpg
"finally finished" thread (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=126812)

[Dangerousllama]

Crazy stuff, dorian!

That painting is ridiculous! I think I would go insane working something that long...

How long do those drawings usually take? (and do you get to do any quick sketch?) hehe

[dorian]

2nd full color cast painting
I know it's not all that colorful :] the wood was crazy.... but overall I'm getting the hang of it a tiny bit more and this one actually went a bit faster, about 5 weeks I think!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-ecorche.jpg
"finally finished" thread (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=152854)

and one of the first figure paintings - not showing the very first ones as they're in the trash :)
(background texture added in photoshop)

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-malika-jered-unfinished.jpg

and a brand new one, still sucks :) figure painting is hard!!!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-johnny-sitting.jpg

[Dangerousllama]

I commented too soon lol

these are equally as ridiculous!

[Farin]

very impressiv!
i love the figure paintings. In my opinion you 've made a excellent job at matching the flesh tones... especially the green ones, which r totally mysterious to me though.
cant wait to see more of your output

grüße aus dem hohen norden
daniel

[dorian]

llama: :) the drawings are 5 weeks on average, the last was only 4 because I left for illustration master class 08 (AMAZING experience, couldn't mae it this year (last week) but seeing the pics and all I will HAVE to go in 2010!!) - but some strange things happened and it came out allright
no quicksketch :\ and almost no drawing in general these days! Crazy! We do have the opportunity to do short poses and draw on Wednesday and Friday nights but at the moment I do some freelance stuff and teaching drawing on weekends (outside of school) so I need some time at home to catch up with email, read, etc. - but good point, I will do quick sketching at least once a week when we start again in September! Might be my last trimester!!! WTF?! :$

Farin: dankeschön : )


some happy crappy pics from this year's student show :)

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/AAA-2009-05-A.jpg

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/AAA-2009-05-B.jpg

[Shard]

damn impressive..really dig your patience!!
the second charcoal lady is just too awesome..i can stare at that all day..

nice shirt too :P
keep updating!!

[erik-jan v/d schuur]

nice updates wow those look great!

about the school how manny people do they let in?
i think there verry strict.. what do you need to have in your portfolio?

i really like all of this and i want to go to a school like this when iam finished
with the artacademy iam in now (still got 3 years to go..)

they have so much information that i need to know..and iam interested
in the works from the renaisance..

also i saw on the site that they help you how to sell a painting or
how to get attention and everything the business side of art, how did this go?
did your learn anything from that?

[Hyskoa]

FUCK that's nice!

[Victor B]

Great update Dorian, thanks for taking the time.

[FlameDragon]

Wow Dorian!! Your art was great before, but with this latest post your art has progressed alot and looks even more breathtaking! You really inspire me :)

[JS Neo]

Super stuff... I totally love that first color cast painting and u are right, the wood looks incredible.!!!

I notice u are much looser when painting life people. Is it because of less time that u can spend with the model in front of you?

The right leg of the woman in the figure painting is kinda weird looking but the rest is ace.. The old dude is also marvellous.. No crit from me on that.

[Bushido]

Nice pictures dorian!

And this painting looks great (http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-johnny-sitting.jpg)

Cheers!

[Zazerzs]

you sir are Rockin my Socks!

[GriNGo]

Awesome work! Kick ass...

[burialchamber]

Dorian, thank you so much for sharing your work at the Angel Academy with us. Because of this thread I have found my way over to the Academy of Realist Art in Canada, and have recently begun classes there. I just started my first Bargue! Again, thank you. I don't know if I would have ever discovered that these kinds of academies exist if it wasn't for the inspiring threads you've started on this forum.

[Caledonian]

Most impressive nad inspiring work as usual! Thanks for updating this thread.

[dorian]

:) thanks guys!

ej: don't know what your situation is but don't waste your time at a school you're not happy with. You could die tomorrow. :) Seriously.
It's very easy to get into Angel Academy. Not so easy to "not give up", it seems. They do teach some business related things but in my opinion not quite enough.

burialchamber: hook up with and say hi to Daniel Gluck! He appreciates passionate students!

[Art_Addict]

Hello Dorian,

Some nice work in here! Congratulations on your acceptance in the HRF program. I bet you had a blast there. Last month I spent some time in France painting and met JP Rautio who I think you studied with at Angel? He was having a blast in the Studio Escalier program.

Anyway.. I look forward to your next batch of paintings!

Cheers,
Tom

[kevinwueste]

the figure paintings are so very accomplished! his hand and the leg tonalities retreating into shadow - super man! the b&w stuff is great but it's great to see your paintings as well!

[Pritchetty]

Keep us posted!

[Timothy Duong]

great foundation...maybe a little too great. keep up the beautiful work. looking forward to seeing more.

[Spandrell]

Hello dear Dorian..I hope you're doing great (as I see from the samples here) in the Angel academy of art..I've applied to join for the Fall 2010..I've got so many questions..but first about application..I do think it's worth..and it's been my dream to be to Florence but you know the expenses and the parents' doubts makes me ask you who has been there..how worthwhile it has been?..How is the general atmosphere at the Angel academy..Unfortunately I read something here which didn't make me feel good (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=155778) you agree with that?
and was it difficult to find a place to live? and what are the expenses?..I'd love to go but there are some questions ( by the way I have received my admission)..I'd be most grateful..thanks a lot..All the best

[bjoern3000]

Hi Dorian,

alle viertel Jahre habe ich eine schlaflose Nacht und sehe mir die Seiten der Angel Academy, Florence Academy, Cecil Studio ect. an, weil ich unbedingt da hin will.

Und ich weiß, dass ich das Geld nicht aufbringen kann, dort hin zu kommen.

Also muss ich autodidaktisch arbeiten und schauen, wie weit ich komme.

Viel Erfolg wünsche ich dir! Danke, dass du uns an deiner Entwicklung teilhaben lässt und speziell mir regelmäßig den nötigen Kick an Motivation verpasst.

[Jussi Tarvainen]

Dorian, thanks for organizing your thread so nicely and keeping us posted from your progress. I am amazed by your hard work and great results. You truly deserve all the good things that are to come from this.
I am studying at an atelier myself so it's great to see students alike with their process.

Oh hey got a question. That Vermeer study, are you able to/allowed to sell it because it's a "copy" read accurate study?

I will be watching hope to see new stuff soon again.

Take care.
Jussi Tarvainen

[bjoern3000]

@Jussi:

Yes, he can sell it. Vermeer is more than 70 dead. At least its the case in German law, but I think its the same in the US.

After 70 years of death of an painter, writer, musician... it is cultural common property.

But he has to tell the buyer that it is a copy.

[Dizon]

Based on your photos, your art seems much better to look at in person!

Keep up the progress!

[Sidharth Chaturvedi]

Dorian, your work just blows me away. I missed this thread before- it's nice to see all those drawings and it's been a huge help to get your descriptions of your process. Those figure paintings are just exquisite. Can't wait to see more :).

-Sid

[LostFayth]

Congrats on getting your gallery on the top of the page!

Your art is amazing and it makes me want to go to Florence too. Keep it up, I look forward to each and every update! :D

[JJacks]

Wow, your technical skills are top notch. Your figure drawings are so lively and the lighting flows on their bodies just right. I'm really blown away. :D

[Jason Manley]

Dorian Dorian. It is time for you to begin your personal works...your allegory...in your own time. I caution against too deep of still study without beginning your exploration of imagination work, and composition from your mind. The soul is something that must be explored as deeply as one explores the eye and hand. I understand the traditional path that you are one, which you are aware...but I have learned much in my studies with this team here and your sketchbook must be explored so that you begin to develop your personal point of view, which in the course of academic study is far too ignored.


Jason

[dorian]

Jason, I'm honored and moved you took the time to write these lines. You have my sincere gratitude and appreciation.

In a few weeks (December 09) I will be graduating from AAA and my journey is just beginning. I am just now starting to get the hang of some of the basic principles of picture making.

I am working from imagination and doing my own things as well as the occasional freelance gig but the last few years were devoted to the study of the basics. Developing a fundamental level of perception & control. Drawing & painting has become a way of deep self-discovery.

My respect for, love and fascination with the art is growing every day. I'm very much looking forward to punging deeper into the study of the world and myself as well as to getting "out there"!! Exciting times for sure!!!

I have pretty big plans (for me anyway :)) for next year - I'll announce them here within the next few weeks!


For now:

Still Life 1
there are two challenges in this exercise (composition is not one of them yet :))

1. Glazing: the red drapery is impossible to paint by mixing white and red (which would make rosa) so we work in layers over a white preparation.

2. Dealing with a limited value range: the highlight on the white pot forces us to use pure white paint and in order to get enough contrast with the ceramic we have to paint it grey and still make it look white.

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-italia.jpg

not terribly happy with it BUT the Italian flag in the reflection is kinda cool - it was all planned out of course :D
The 3rd one is finished now! I need to get a good picture. The second one is in Switzerland and I don't have a good picture of it either. Will post it asap!


And here two portraits
they're just pure white spread thinner or thicker over a dry dark ground and some charcoal lines, 6 hours each.
The one on the left is from from last year (DAMN it's WONKY! haha =), the one on the right from this year (hmm a bit better - phew...)

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-ernesto-portrait.jpg http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-siegfriedo.jpg

Jussi: sorry for the late reply! Yes I think I can sell the Vermeer - he's not gonna care too much ;)

Thanks for the kind words everybody :) :yayca:

[LuckyDevil]

Wow this is so inspiring! thank you for sharing your adventures.

[Bushido]

Dorian Dorian. It is time for you to begin your personal works...your allegory...in your own time. I caution against too deep of still study without beginning your exploration of imagination work, and composition from your mind. The soul is something that must be explored as deeply as one explores the eye and hand. I understand the traditional path that you are one, which you are aware...but I have learned much in my studies with this team here and your sketchbook must be explored so that you begin to develop your personal point of view, which in the course of academic study is far too ignored.


Jason

I totally agree with you jason.


Great work dorian.

That still life is very very beautifull!

[zweiDee]

Doriiiiaaaan! Where are you, let us hang around in a coffee and sketch some peeps.
still life looks very nice. love the hard edge of the stone with the smooth shape of the vase and the rag. also the colors are rly nice.

ciao

[mentler]

Dorian,

Jason is giving you good advice.

I just did a couple of dozen studies like your last post.

White glazing over dark ground only used Red Earth line work.

[alffla]

hi dorian, i am really intrigued by this crazy fine and detailed pencil drawing method.

i read your short tutorial / process about how you do the bargue cast drawings, but i have a question about actually how you use the pencil.

for example... in this drawing > http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue1.jpg

what direction would you move your pencil in to shade, for example, his eyebrows? or the underside of his head/chin? do you guy sideways the whole way? or perhaps diagonally? or is it some sort of cross hatching technique.. or what? or is it actually ok to go in any direction, just as long as you can get the shading that smooth?

i really hope you can answer this question.. thanks!

[bjoern3000]

or is it actually ok to go in any direction, just as long as you can get the shading that smooth?


Hey guy with that funny name - it´s exactly like what you wrote. No special hatching technique.

[alffla]

woah, for real? but shouldn't i go in one consistent direction or something, otherwise it might look chaotic with pencil strokes going everywhere?

thanks for the reply though! :)

[Oruhito]

Beautiful work as always Dorian! I've been following this thread every now and then since its conception. You've made tremendous progress! This isn't a current question about your current work, but if I may, what paper did you use for that cast drawing of the hand? Is it umbria? Do you know of any available ordering forms?

[LifeWontWait]

woah, for real? but shouldn't i go in one consistent direction or something, otherwise it might look chaotic with pencil strokes going everywhere?

thanks for the reply though! :)

You can shade in any direction because ultimately you don't want to see any pencil strokes at all. You are basically filling in the grain of the paper with the tip of your super sharp pencil. Don't try to go fast... it takes a lot of patience to get it to look so smooth.

[Farin]

very impressive work as always

Are you going to stay in florence after your graduation? it would be a pity if not! I ve just finished my studies here in germany and applied sucessfully for the academy so I was looking forward to meet you there again..
on the other hand: congratulations for finishing your studies at the AAA!

looking forward to hear more about your further plan for the next year



Grüße aus dem hohen Norden
Daniel

[Ninjerk]

woah, for real? but shouldn't i go in one consistent direction or something, otherwise it might look chaotic with pencil strokes going everywhere?

thanks for the reply though! :)

If you only render in one direction (assuming you don't have a firm grasp of it), your image will begin to look like a "haystack." When you crosshatch, you're not unintentionally leading the viewer's eyes.

[dorian]

will respond in more detail in a few days, TOMORROW IS MY LAST DAY AT AAA!!!!!!!! Can't believe... it's gone SO FAST!!

been in the studio up to 12 hours almost every day for over a month, loving every minute....

thanks guys for the ongoing support!
need to go to bed now, finishing my last still life tomorrow!! :)

[citrusfrukt]

So you've graduated now? :O

You have to show us that last still life!

[hummel1dane]

Uhh this is exciting, soon we will see Dorians new still life :D

[Raphaelart]

Reading through the medium used for cast painting. Is there turps missing from the recipes outlined below?

DEAD COLOR
Medium: 2 Parts Dammar Varnish : 1 Part Linseed Oil
All exept for black. Cast shadow is filled in with pure black. Not sure about the medium here?

FIRST PAINTING
Medium: 2 Parts Dammar Varnish : 1 Part Linseed Oil plus a few drops of linseed oil to make it fatter than the dead colouring stuff

SECOND PAINTING
Medium: 1 Part Dammar Varnish : 1 Part Linseed Oil

Please help,
Thanks,
Raffaele

[bjoern3000]

Dammar Varnish already contains Turps. The Dammar has to be resolved/dilluted before it gets liquid.

[nimzicki]

Bit of a thread revival but I found my way here after seeing the scholarship thread, firstly, congratulations Dorian, from what I can see it is well deserved. Secondly, this thread has been hugely inspirational.

Quick question, when doing the Bargue/life drawings with charcoal, do you use a normal stick "as is" or is it sharpened to a fine point in the same way as the pencils? Just wondering as you seem to have so much control over it and get such fine detail.

Again, congratulations and thank you for this extremely informative thread :)

[bjoern3000]

nimziki: here you find the answer to you question and a lot more - thread is also by dorian.
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=95605

Hallo Dorian, auch von mir herzlichen Glückwunsch!

[prufrock27]

Really nice work! Thanks for posting the step by step! I did the same copy last semester and I sure wish I had had your guide :)

[Isadore]

I hope I can do it also

[soros]

Great artwork!

[eKye]

thx ,useful

[Kjesta]

Are we allowed to swear here? Then I'd like to point out (like everyone before me) that all of your art is fucking breathtaking. AMAZING. I think this is the kick in the bum I needed to get back to drawing.

...

I think I haven't had a crush this bad in ages. Do you really have to look good as well? :asskisser: (Oder darf ich das in Deutsch schreiben? Haha. Glückwunsch zum Abschluss!)

[dorian]

hi dorian, i am really intrigued by this crazy fine and detailed pencil drawing method.

i read your short tutorial / process about how you do the bargue cast drawings, but i have a question about actually how you use the pencil.

for example... in this drawing > http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-bargue1.jpg

what direction would you move your pencil in to shade, for example, his eyebrows? or the underside of his head/chin? do you guy sideways the whole way? or perhaps diagonally? or is it some sort of cross hatching technique.. or what? or is it actually ok to go in any direction, just as long as you can get the shading that smooth?

i really hope you can answer this question.. thanks!

I agree with björn - it is "ok to go in any direction, just as long as you can get the shading that smooth" :) we use brushes and stomps also but you always have to go back in and "pick dots", filling valleys in the grain of the paper and picking dark spots out with a kneaded erasor
LifeWontWait has a good point, too: don't rush it, that's when you're likely to make a mess :)

Oruhito: thank you! that was fabriano "roma", they don't make it anymore :\

Raphael: no turps, we use odorless mineral spirits

nimzicki: the bargues are done in pencil, to get control with charcoal basically you sharpen the sticks to a very fine point! thanks for the kind words, happy it inspires! :)

Kjesta: lol awesome :D GO FOR IT!! (and thank you : )


aaaaallright!
new stufff:

Started 25th of May 2009
leg study! deviated from strictly painting what I see a bit more this time and made up the surroundings
fun!

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-legstudy.jpg


Started 20th of January 2009
Second still life!!
Woah. Learned a TON.
Jered Woznicki is brilliant.

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-sl2.jpg


Started 2nd of September 2009
3rd still life! This was meant to be quick, took me about 3 weeks I think, still longer than it should have.

http://www.dorian-iten.com/images/dorian-sl3.jpg


hope you like!

fourth and last one coming soon!!

[bjoern3000]

Very impressive Dorian! I can´t wait to see the fourth one.

What are your plans for the future? The last News entry on your website is from January.

[lucauchi]

DORIANNN!!! Man your work is mindblowing!! (sei un grande te l'ho dico!!!)

Tanti cari saluti dal tuo allievo online! :D

Luca
thanks man.

[Camilla]

I would give my left nut to find an academic art course in the UK. Unfortunately all the courses in the UK are tailored towards tallentless frauds who think a signed urinal is art and couldnt draw a stick figure to save their lives.
Ha, sounds just like the Danish "Art" Academies ...
Excellent work man.
Absolutely!

[Camilla]

Dorian Dorian. It is time for you to begin your personal works...your allegory...in your own time. I caution against too deep of still study without beginning your exploration of imagination work, and composition from your mind. The soul is something that must be explored as deeply as one explores the eye and hand. I understand the traditional path that you are one, which you are aware...but I have learned much in my studies with this team here and your sketchbook must be explored so that you begin to develop your personal point of view, which in the course of academic study is far too ignored.
Jason

I agree. Dorian is technically outstanding and I am all in awe. I am stunned every time I see one of his works. But I am really curious to see what Dorian is all about. What is in his heart? What is his vision?
So who are you Dorian? We'd love to see that too :-)

[ElenaC]

Hello Spandrell and hello to everybody!!!Did you say that you are going to attend the Angel's Academy in Fall 2010?? I am going to send my application form to apply too for the same period!! My name in Elena and I live in Rome :) I am happy to find someone that I will maybe meet in my class if I will be admitted!! What are your dream for your future and your hopeness about the Angel's Academy of Art??
Hello to everyone!!! If you have any advice I will be very happy to hear them!! :D

[ElenaC]

Is there anyone else that is going to apply for Fall 2010?? :)

[Laurentiusde_vasseur]

Hello everyone here!

about the book of barque. I am intending to buy it at abebooks. but that is a new one from 2003, wich is mixed modern comments from new authors.
- Is this book authentical enough; does it contain all the 'old stuff' ?
- worth buying it? (wich I think it is) I want to go to florence to study the old masters in about 2 years so just want to start of (what I am already doing by practicing)
so: can the book offer enough 'guidance'?

Think I am going to order it anyway, but maybe you guys can give some positive or negative critics ;)


dank jullie wel!

[Laurentiusde_vasseur]

btw: really enjoying watching the proces Dorian, very interesting!

[CRYPT]

everything you make is awesome
mr dorian you are one of the best artists i had ever seen
keep showing us your amazing awesome work

[kunfyoozdish]

how do u copy. do u use a ruler? a grid? or just plain eyeballing??? please reply i would really appreciate it

[hummel1dane]

kunfyoozdish - Dorian made some tutorials on this, go look at the threads he started. Otherwise I included some of them in this list -
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160487
look under free online tutorials

[rattus]

very inspirational work

[kunfyoozdish]

Hello Dorian,

Your work is very good and it looks like you'll be known all around the world soon. I too am an aspiring artist and use your work and talent as motivation. I really want to attend the angel academy, however my family is low income and we don't have the money to pay out of pocket. Did you take a loan out to attend? if so, where and who was the lender? I would be forever grateful if you could help me out. Thanks a lot, ill be waiting impatiently for some good news! :)

[clanlord]

I am impressed by your tallent!


P.S. - If you have time to see this! ---> http://www.qftarchitects.com/essays/thethreeclassicists.php

[jetpack42]

You've come a long way, Dorian. It's great to see. If you're ever in Seattle, hit me up. Drinks are on me, and I'd love the conversation. Also, you're welcome to crash at my place.

[Marian Rowling]

Hey Dorain just wanted to say how beautiful all of your art is and what a wonderful resource of information you are for others. I know at the beginning of this thread you said you could write a summary of your 4 years of studying if you had enough requests. So yes please I would be very interested. I wish you continue success as I have become a fan. :)

[wasndas]

Hey Dorain just wanted to say how beautiful all of your art is and what a wonderful resource of information you are for others. I know at the beginning of this thread you said you could write a summary of your 4 years of studying if you had enough requests. So yes please I would be very interested. I wish you continue success as I have become a fan. :)

I second that

[Turbosnail]

I'll third that!!

[jasonvoorhees001]

in the angel academy of art what colors do they make the students use for a nude figure painting?

[Vay]

What are we supposed to learn when we make an exact copy?

[dorian]

Camilla: in time :) thank you though!
kunfyoozdish: mostly eyeballing but getting proportions right is one of those things that take years to get good at and probably a lifetime of steady practice. it's something I need to work on more, it takes too much conscious effort and slows me down. using rulers, grids, etc. will make you dependent. you probably need to measure things in the beginning just because you can't see proportions yet, but the goal is to become independent and free, build it as an instinct like a musician hitting the right notes.
sent you a pm about florence
clanlord: haha! fun, thanks!
Michael: cheers! will definiely do that! same for you, if you're ever in Florence!
Marian, wasndas, Turbosnail: Ok, I started working on it - it won't be too long but deserves some thought :)
Jason: it depends on the project but the most common palette is:


Titanium White
Ivory Black
Yellow Ochre Pale
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Red Umber
Indian/Persian Red
Cadmium Orange
Cadmium Red
Viridian Green
Ultramarine Blue

Some of them are used only in the background or on drapery (blue, green, persian red)
Vay: increase perception & control. same as playing a song somebody else composed. it's used all the time in music education because it's such a great way to learn!

- - -

I'm travelling too much, can't take pics of those last few works from Angel.. :)
Journey continues, I studied a few months with "The Russians" at Artac (http://artac.org/faculty/chubirko/) and I'm taking TAD classes while teaching my Light & Form class and doing some freelance illustration and drawing/painting commissions.
Need to post more! It's fun to look at this old thread... good times :)
Thanks for all your support everybody!