Journey of an Absolute Rookie: Paintings and Sketches

[vigostar]

You are one artist that will never go hungry sir! Phenominal work... Just amazing...

[MindCandyMan]

Profil - Thanks...yeah I'm serious...need to start it though hehehe.

blacky - Thanks...yeah my imagination needs work that's for sure.

vctr - Thanks man...yeah I should probably renounce sleep forever heheh

spiralspirit - Thanks for the kind words...that's my only hope with putting this huge crappy thread up that's for sure.

endregan - Thanks homie...yup...crap composition...someone put me in the stocks.

Flynt - Thanks...ok now I'm nervous...professionals watching me...sheesh

mitch - Thanks...yeah I think showing the "mystery" steps really helps people a lot.

that fat kid - Don't worry you didn't talk to much...can't wait to see the bargue...keep me updated!

jkior - Thanks man...yeah email away hehe

blackhawk - I use those boards all the time. It's like training wheels...I will need them less and less but right now I really need to use them. Takes the mystery out of mixing the colors. Plus you see how your color perception lacks when you try to think of what it is and then look it up and you are sadly mistaken hehe.

Jeff Jaws - Things are going great for me...glad to hear from you man. How are things on your end?

gmags - Thanks so much...that waterlope was fun...uncharted territory for me...for sure

Magic man - Florence is an awesome place...definitely definitely do it if you can! And attend an atelier for sure if you can...it's the only way to go.

guggenmaneuver - Thanks man! ;)

daqu - yeah those pages are hilarious heheh. The hard part is to keep up that progress that's for sure.

sydni - Thanks for the kind words...yeah the color charts have helped me immensely...definitely do them if you can.

shyamshriram - Thanks man hehe. Respect right back at ya!

pixeldragoon - Sheez...are there really that many...that's insane. Weird.

Robolus - I should get some spandex to wear like all great heroes!

vigostar - Thanks man...although my wife and I had to eat lentils for weeks one time in south dakota hahahah.

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Hey guys so I'm back after the holidays...where I did NOTHING and loved every minute of it. I didn't draw...didn't move...just ate and rested and read...and played video games (which I hadn't done in a long time). So nothing to update from over the holidays cause I did nothing hehe. But there is some good news...I am no longer a starving artist...I am now just a poor artist. I have four students that I am teaching private lessons to now...that just started at the beginning of this year so that is going well. I am also going to talk to a place down here about hosting a painting workshop. I am just going to introduce people to oil painting...painting an apple or something. Maybe I will just do a drawing one...people need to learn drawing I think. But at any rate there is a lot of stuff going on right now and I am drawing and painting all day. Just to give you guys some perspective on how valuable conceptart.org is...I charge 50 bucks an hour to teach these students... you guys get critiques for free. It takes about 15-20 minutes for someone to type a critique for you...would you pay about 15 bucks for that critique? Think about that.


These are drawings using the information from Scott Robertson's matte surface gnomon drawing dvds...they are fantastic. I can't say enough good things about them...they help you categorize how light works and really use it to your advantage. It's amazing what just a little knowledge can do for you. A lot of these have a ton of mistakes in them...they don't read quite right...but that's part of the process of learning it...it's a really cool system he talks about in those dvds.

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Started a new painting yesterday...gonna try to finish this one in two days. I am really trying to push myself with time limits because it won't be financially feasible for me to spend 3 weeks on a painting like this...cause I would probably sell it for about 1800-3000 bucks and once the gallery takes half and taxes cut into that...you aren't making that much...so I should be able to do these quickly and I am trying to learn to do that.

94246

Did a quick sketch in painter before dinner...hadn't been back in painter for a while heheh...was really fun.

94247

[Victor B]

Hey jon, great update! good to hear you took some time off, got to recharge those batteries! Thats great you're teaching art. Those images from the Scott Robertson DVD's makes me want to get them even MOORE for now they'll have to wait!have you seen the Ian Mccaig dvd's ? they'll do wonders for you're concept work. The new still life set up looks great very intersting, and can't wait to see where you take it in two days, lastly the painter sketch looks nice figure has a nice slouch to him. Oh and great point about the critiques we get here! thats why ca.org is soo special!

[MindCandyMan]

vctr - So you would recommend those ian mccaig dvds huh? I was wondering about them. I will have to look into getting those. Glad the new still life looks interesting hehe...the last was a yawner hehe. Thanks man.

_____________________________--


Ok so I lied...I will finish it by the end of tomorrow heheh. Don't want to abandon it like this of course...want to put some kind of finish on it

[jkior]

saweeeet man! really liking the way you set up this still life. . .the items seem to relate to one another perfectly. . .most 'modern' still lifes don't really seem to achieve this - imo of course - so it's a real pleasure to see one like this that's really well stated.

hehe yeah training for deadlines. . .that's high on my list of priorities after feb. . .but behind skill in drawing and painting of course. Good to see someone really working toward finishing solid work within a set period of time - the need for that was certainly obvious after that scholarship disaster!

[Victor B]

Hey, an update! great stuff I love seeing the painting at different stages like this, its really informative. Oh and how did the bridgeman conquering go?I second what jkior said its great to see someone put deadlines into practice too often I forget that after training its about getting the good result in less time! I'm far from that but its definetely on my list this year to start practicing. About the Ian Mccaig dvds, they're fantastic if you're interested in Storytelling, which is their primary focus, he's a really great teacher and I would highly HIGHLY recommend them as he goes over character design as well their's four out right now but theirs supposed to be a fifth although I don't know when that one comes out! Great as always to see you posting Jon. its the inspiration for motivation!

[metalwinds]

dude, its ridiculous how good youre getting. its been a while since ive checked the sketchbook section, so im seeing the progression all at once and ive gotta say.. .its pretty amazing. the paintings are looking really nice. .. .about how many hours do you spend on them? also, i see that youre doing a lot of very academic painting.. ..what do you plan on painting in the future? do you want to continue on your path of photorealism? anyway, just curious.

thanks for the inspiration, jon

danny

[Capprotti]

My GOD Jon! It's been about 2 years since I've been to the first page of this thread. I just shit myself. Your progress is TRULY mindblowing. I don't know how much you sold your soul to the devil for, but it was WORTH it. Ha ha. Really, this is probably the most inspiring documentation of an artists progress ever. Keep it up man, you are blazing a trail toward master artist!!!

[shyamshriram]

Just saw ur SB from first page to last....Man....im totally speechless...WHAT A MINDBLOWING PROGRESS YOU DID....WITHIN SUCH SHORT PERIOD....HARD TO BELIEVE...

THANX FOR THE POSITIVE ENERGY BROTHER ! :)

RESPECT !

Keep inspiring ! :D

:yayca:

[fooxoo]

Cool painting!!!!! Totally cool!!!! Thumbs up :^^:

[MindCandyMan]

jkior - Thanks man...yeah deadlines are definitely a good thing to give yourself for sure. You don't need deadlines cause you are working 24-7 heheh...You dead lines will be..."If I do anymore I will be dead" hehe

vctr - Thanks for the info on the dvds. I have to fly out of state soon so I am going to wait for the bridgman thing until then. I figured sitting on a plane would be a perfect time to copy the whole book...pity the person sitting next to me hehe.

metalwinds- Hey man long time no see! Your words are too kind my man...way too kind. I appreciate it. I think in the future I want to paint both fine art images and also illustration/concept stuff. I am using these still lifes as a way to build up a body of work so that I can sell through a gallery, etc... I also am trying to build up my concepting skills but I have no training in that area so I am pretty far behind. But I'm trying hehe. I'd love to do both one day professionally...that's my goal at least. How are things going for you man...still kicking some serious butt i would assume!

Capprotti - The devil tried to take my soul and I killed him with a sharp piece of charcoal heheh. But seriously thanks so much for the kind words. I'm not even close to a master yet though...Talk to me in 25 years and then MAYBE hehe.

shyamshriram - I am always shocked when people look through this whole ridiculous thread hahaha. Especially at that crap in the beginning heheh. Hey man...much respect back at ya...no one that looks at your hand drawings can say you can't draw...that's what I'm talkin about.

fooxoo - Thanks! ;)

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sorry for the crappy pic...I'm abandoning this now...if I work any more on it I will damage it even more I fear hehe...on to the next. I spent so much time on one image at the atelier that I am trying to find a balance now...so we'll see where I end up.

[Victor B]

Hey jon I love the details on the vase, the blue and the handling of that I'd love to see a step by step ish thing on that I also love the texture you achieve for the wood. Great stuff!

[tensai]

really love the last still life, especially the colour palette.
its a very impressive book overall. thanks for all the process shots/commentaries.

[endregan]

holy awesome still life jon. Now thats what I call observation. you have a sharp eye but you already know that!

Man you love doing this kind of work and im happy, you are really good at it and I think youll do very well full time. I know your going to keep going for it whether or not I comment but I want you to know how much I appreciate your motivating body of work and its large impact and influence on me.

[MindCandyMan]

vctr - Hey bro...thanks! I did that blue stuff in basically one pass so I don't have step by step for it :( .

tensai - You're welcome...thanks for stopping by...I'm just glad someone cares about any of this crap hehe.

endregan - Hey jack...man you are seriously gonna make me cry. All just part of the community...I am inspired by others and hope to inspire others as well...gotta love this site!

_______________________


quick self portrait before bed...had to do something quick in painter again before I called it quits for the day hehe.

[emilpaun]

Hey, MCM, going strong as always. Lovely stuff wirh each new post.

I myself am getting closer to the day when I start drawing again. Not that much till then, I've been concentrating a lot on graphic design lately and still have some things to sort out before that.
But it's not long now :)

Keep it up.
Emil

[Shinryu]

amazing work mindcandyman, amazing paintings, very inspirational thread, cheers

[fooxoo]

Your progress is just WOW I just browsed through the whole thread. Bow before you - keep it up!!!! Frikkin great!!!

[asoir]

I feel like the laziest s.o.b after this thread...congrats... wow

[JaneM]

Oh my, I was leafing through your sketchbook just now, and I have to say: You made some serious progress from the first pages!! :} Keep making art!! I love your works!

[JoeHell]

Hey just looke through this thread an I'm loving it.. really shows had work can get you really far..

Your oilpaintings are amazing, ust starting to experiment with oil myself but have alot of trouble with finding the riht colors and saw your color chart exercise.. Would be great if you wanted to through them a little more detailed.. For example, do you have a system for each hart for what colors you blend into each square? hope you get what I mean.. Really think doing charts like that would help me alot..

Keep up the great work man!

[jkior]

veeeeery nice result. . .I think something is strange with the way the wood is handled, particularly on the left side. . .probably just the lighting. But that's unimportant really in the final painting I think - absolutely stunning!

mmm. . .maybe it's that too much of the wood is illuminated. . .hard to say. . .hehe I have no clue what I'm talking about.

ps. on the self-portrait. . .it's still a little rough but the likeness is nearly perfect - very nice! :P hehe j/k it actually is cool

[Calle_]

shit man you really kick yerself up some levels, its all great!!
started doing the oils myself, i suck but its so fun^^ hopefully il be able to paint like that someday, have a good one
peace

[okthirteen]

MCM,
You're the meaning in my life
you're the inspiration.
You bring feeling to my life
you're the inspiration.
-Chicago
No but for real dude. You progress is just awesome. So awesome. Your hard work and dedication is the reason that I started a sketchbook thread here. When I look at the hard work you've put in it makes me feel like a lazy ass. Truely inspiring!
-Cheers
Yddob

[MindCandyMan]

kr33p - Thanks! Oh yeah...get back to drawing the "real" fun heheheheh...j/k graphic design is awesome I just can't do it worth crap hehe...fine artists could learn a lot from it though!

shinryu - thanks :teeth:

fooxoo - Thanks hehe...don't bow before me...we owe everything to concept art! :yayca:

asoir - Don't dwell on feeling lazy...just draw! Thanks :P

janem - I can't stop now...no turning back...if I can't do this I don't know what I will do hehehe.

joehell - I would recommend getting richard schmid's book "Alla Prima: Everything I know about oil painting" from his website www.richardschmid.com because it's fantastic and explains everything about the charts in explicit detail. I would just be transcribing his words and if you want to be a painter...that book will help immensely. So much good and concise info in that book it is sick...awesome. Buy it...it's "expensive" but can you really put a price on gaining all that knowledge....who knows how many good paintings you will do and sell because of that 50 dollar book ;)

jkior - Hey bro...you know what you're talking about and you have eyes! I don't know what you mean though...try to explain it a bit differently cause I'm not sure what you mean. Be blunt don't worry about it...I love critiques!

calle - I bet you don't suck...let's see some of them! Post them in the life painting thread or even post them in the critique section and get help on em.

okthirteen - Wanna have you near me I wanna have you hear me sayin' No one needs you more than I need you! Gotta love chicago heheh. Thanks for the kind words...don't worry about feeling lazy...I always feel lazy...you just have to decide to do it!

________________________-

Hey guys this doesn't look like much but I was reading and reading all weekend trying to digest a bunch of things and I think it is starting to work...I did this in an hour and a half...faster than I thought I could work and I think I know why now. I am starting to learn some things...more than I can even express...too much going through my head but I couldn't even sleep last night cause all these concepts were buzzing through my brain hehe. At any rate it may not look like much but my brain is changing hehe.

Turnip study

[Rebeccak]

I must say, I've been following this thread on and off for a while, and am just amazed and inspired by the progress here. I would love to attend one of these ateliers one day myself, and you're definitely an inspiration for that!

Keep rockin'!

Cheers, :)

~Rebeccak

[loomer]

Fantastic stuff all around. I love your constant drive to evaluate and analyze things. It's very motivating, and a key to the success of your work.
Man, I wish you were closer...I could learn a few painting tips from you.

cheers bro

[Victor B]

Great 1 1/2 turnip study, any chance of landscape coming soon I seem to remember you did a couple plein air before..Also be sure to let us in on some of the "ideas/concepts" you've learned once your brain has had time to assimilate them. And as always you continue to inspire!

[MindCandyMan]

rebeccak - Thanks! If you wait for a couple more years I may have one myself that you can attend ;)

loomer - Thanks for the kind words...I used to be in philly a couple years back. I hated philly but that would have been closer :(

vctr - I absolutely need to get outside and start doing some plein air you are right...it's a little bit cold here but mostly I just haven't thought to do it...gotta find something interesting though cause the landscape in texas isn't too great hehe.

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"Quick" study again to help develop my brush dexterity and some other things

94252

starting an illustration...just blocking it in at this point...gonna see what I can do...hope it turns out ok hehe

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[Victor B]

sweet update, the quick apple sketch looks good, and I can't wait to see what you do with the illustration.Oh and an atelier in the far future....? sweet tease

[pennington]

you're my hero! beautiful stills. can't wait to see some more plein airs.

[JoeHell]

Mindcandyman: Yeah I checked out his website after seeing that you mentioned him up there.. Deffinitly going to buy the book.. If its as good as you say, and I guess you're living proof of that, it will be money well spent.. Great work on the quicker paintings, amazing conscidering the time spent on them..

[vigostar]

everytime i look in this it brings me to tears.... such amazing drive...

[barton]

FUCK. OFF.



This guy is amazing, you draw feet, hands, full body and objects with rendering like a pro.


:yayca:

[fooxoo]

The apple is SOOO YUMMY!!!! Perfect!

As regards the digital one - good pose. For my taste, would like the colours to be a tad bit brighter. Keep up the good work :teeth:

[WiseJ]

WOW! Your sketchbook is a true inspiration for those trying to learn..... its amazing looking at your progression over time.....

I wish I could have such passion

[JoeHell]

Got my copy of Richard Schmids Alla Prima today.. this book really is something els.. Only read like 20 pages and I'm hooked.. the things he writes just seem so right.. thanks for the book tips MindCandyMan

[PeggyChung]

Hey MindCandyMan, just curious, how is the book for beginners? i wish i could see a few pages of it to get an idea. thanks.

[Olof]

Wow. Great stuff here since my last visit (must've been a while!)
Seems like you're really improving :)

I heard the school you've attended to is opening up here in Sweden too, it would be an option if it wasn't so damn expensive :(
Might go for a part-time class and try to work some at the same time.

Anyways, Don't you ever stop posting man. Your stuff is really inspiring. To see what progress you've made in this time is amazing. It really gives us newbies some hope "that one day.." ;)

Keep this thread going!

.hugs

[JoeHell]

LadyLioness: My impression of the book so far is that it is written as much for beginners as for people with alot of experience.. He even says it's as much for beginners in the introduction.. He goes through everything really well and still keeps it simple to understand.. Have'nt read that much yet though.. Meybe 50 pages.. I'm really into it allready..

[blacky]

Am realy curious on what it is that made your head start to change (or however you put it). Could you tell me the secret of what you've been reading lately? Please.
Your latest updates are freakin awesome. I disagree with your statement though that landscape in Texas is boring though, there is no such a thing as a boring landscape. It all depends on what you make of it. In fact, it even is a chalange to turn a "boring" picture into something of interest. So as soon as it gets warmer you could try draw some outside. Perhaps some people too.
I know I will :)
So long...

[Richard_M]

MindCandyMan,

I have one thing to say - "Thank you".

Thank you - for allowing us to watch your journey as it unfolds in your life. Both the good and bad times. That is what we draw from as we go forward in life. It's funny, after reading all the posts, coupled with all of the Self Portraits, I almost feel I know you in real life. Most incredible.

Thank you - for giving each and every one of us a piece of you. Art is emotional and developing the ability to express that emotion is far more precious than anything else.

This thread is a extremely valuable asset to this site and to anyone out there that is starting or continuing down the path of an artist.

Having said that, I myself am starting my own sketchbook as a journal of re-discovery with art. Your journey has reminded me that there are things in this world that are worth working for. If everyone had the dedication and passion for learning, the way that you have shown us here, then this world would be a FAR better place. It is important to note that self-improvement, not competition, is a healthy and just means to an end.

After reading the ENTIRE thread, I felt compelled to say something.

Thank you so much for your time. Keep up the incredible work man!

Richard_M

[pogy366]

... pretty amazing to follow along with you through this thread. Very cool. Very inspiring. Thanks.

[IanE]

Jonathan...

It's been 7 months since I last looked at your sketchbook... I'm amazed. You've come an incredibly long way with your hard work and dedication. Awesome work man, I wish you the world.

Thanks so much for the inspiration to ge tme started and the inspiration to keep me going... looking forward to your next update.

Ian

[MindCandyMan]

vctr - Thanks man...that apple was fun. And about the atelier...read below I have a bit of an announcement...of sorts hehe.

pennington - Of course the one day i setup to go outdoors...it's raining...and the next day I try it is blowing like a tornado here in texas. I will get out there...I need too...being inside is killing me.

joehell - Glad you liked that book man...yeah it is busting out with useful info. It's a fantastic book...everyone should have it. It's rare to meet an artist so willing to share his info as well...all his tricks right out there hehe.

vigostar - thanks heheh ;)

barton - Thanks! :yayca:

fooxoo - Thanks! Yeah I agree about the colors for that one.

wisej - Thanks...as I've said before hehe...you could only go up from where I started hehehe.

ladylioness - Book is made for beginners and professionals. For beginners it will be a ton of "ah ha!'s" and for professionals it is a good refresher and also it compartmentalizes everything they may know into sizeable and digestable chunks. Great book.

MorteM - Thanks for the kind words and if you are in sweden definitely check them out. Here is the website if you didn't know.

http://www.atelierstockholm.se/

Yeah just contact them cause I am sure you could setup lessons of some sort and work at the same time.

blacky - You are absolutely right. If you look for it beauty is there...that's for sure. But if you say things like what you just said than I can't use any excuses ;) . Ok plein aire with my next update hehe. As far as the secrets of what I've been reading or what changed my mind...I'm not quite sure. It's probably an accumulation of everything I have been thinking. David Leffel's books have helped change my thinking a lot about what is "correct"...reading Harold Speed's books on drawing and painting have also really helped. I am exploring more now than I did when I was in school...so that's a good thing I guess hehe.

Richard_M - Thanks so much for your kind words. It was my goal through creating this thread to inspire others as I was inspired. And it sort of evolved into a "you can do it" type of thread which is great. I'm not doing anything special just trying and failing and succeeding every once in a while. I am really thrilled to hear that you are starting your own sketchbook. You learn a lot about yourself by doing these...definitely.

pogy366 - Thanks! Glad the thread is still interesting heheh.

iane - Thanks...glad I could help motivate...we, as artists, all know we need constant motivation...that's for sure heheheh.

____________________________________


Sorry guys this is the only thing I have a picture of and it isn't totally finished yet either...sorry! This picture is HORRIBLE too...there is a visible shadow on the black cloth, etc... that is totally lost...but whatever. Although the painting I am currently working on I scraped off because it wasn't going where I wanted it too...I almost stabbed it straight through the canvas heheh. I am in the process of moving my studio and my belongings to an apartment.

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***********
Ok guys so I have a couple big updates. I have been thinking long and hard about what I want to do. I visited massive black for a bout a week and half a couple weeks ago and I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to do in the future...concerning what specifically I want to be doing...not just "I want to be a good artist" hehe. I want to be able to work as an artist doing what I love and be able to make a living off of it. So long story short I thought and thought and thought and discussed with my wife and others at massive black and I am going to be going full force into fine art. I think we all know that my concepts suck anyways hahahah. I think I would be able to do well at concept art/illustration but to quote a friend, "It would take a substantial investment of time on your part"...time that I am not sure that I have right now. My wife has plans as well and she has been putting off EVERYTHING while I have been doing this and I would hate to make her wait any longer. Also I think I would have more fun (personally...maybe because I am better at it) doing fine art for a job. If I want to do some concepts or illustration on the side I can do it for fun. Basically I just have to go with what I am good at and what I love to do...so that's what I am doing. So wow...things have evolved quite a bit from when I first started this thread hehe...makes it more interesting I suppose.

*************
Ok on to announcement number two - Atelier Private lessons

I am currently in the process of renting a 400 square foot studio space in this apartment complex ( http://www.block24.com ). It's a big open room...very large and spacious with huge north light window doors. It will be more than enough room for me and a model setup etc... The reason I am writing is to say that there is room to teach some people in the "atelier style" there and I am going to do that. I will probably have space for about 2 or 3 people but this is how it will work. I will take you through the same training that I received (bargue drawings, cast drawings, cast paintings, still life paintings, etc...). You will be able to have your own small space blocked off with dividers where you can do your bargues and your cast drawings and I will provide the casts...the bargues...the lights, etc... The studio will be in the same huge building that my apartment will be. If you look at the block24 website and look at the plans...you can see building 21...right above the number "21" is where the space is located...facing north as you can see. There are a billion apartments there so you can easily find a place in there where you can live and walk to this studio space. I plan on being at this space for at least two years...probably more...while I build up my body of work. I haven't decided on the price yet but it will be something similar to what I charge my private lesson students except that you will get my help for the whole month at any time during the day instead of just an hour or two a week. If anyone is interested you can find it on my website HERE (http://www.jonathanhardesty.com) and look on the contact info and you can contact me by phone or mail. If you contact me I can send you the document that lists the curriculum...supplies...everything you need. If you are interested...even to take a six month crash course or something just lemme know.

Here is the information here as well

Jonathan Hardesty
4408 Taylor Lane
Richardson, TX 75082
214-227-6521
jonathan@jonathanhardesty.com

If you are a nasty and mean person...I'm not interested in sharing a studio space with you hehe.

[Dizon]

looking at the paintings you've done on your own, that atelier training sure has paid off. I'm happy for ya man. I wish you the best!

[Victor B]

Wow fantastic an update & news! its great that you're going to go head first into fine arts, can't wait to see what you produce. And a atelier! wow great stuff man If I'm ever in Texas I'll have to stop bye!

[blacky]

Wish building 21 of block 24 was round the corner
Am excited about the big updates you're talking about.
May your plans become succesful.

[GNL]

Hi MCM


Just thought id drop a note on your thread to say thanks for takin the time to answer my question about the maroger medium!

I got it - but havent got round to using it yet - but will soon!

So did you think that those scott robertson dvds were good then?? Did you get all of them?

Very glad to hear that you are gonna start teaching - I have a feeling that you'll create a great teaching atmosphere in your classes!

Your paintings are lookin great aswell man - think what they'll look like this time next year!

anyway thanks again!

regards

gavin

[Pixeldragoon]

Hey MCM; Hopefully this summer I will get my first taste of Atelier Study with Douglas Flynt. =D Thanks for inspiring us all. If it weren't for you, I probably still wouldn't know what an Atelier was.

[jester]

Jon,

just want to drop by to say that I'm really proud of your efforts and the fruits you are earning now. Remember me? ;)

People might talk about magic and talent but I think I know how much diligence and power you invested to get where you are now! I sort of envy you because my life does not allow me to follow your path. However, in the end my own business got running and takes up most of my creativity. Which isn't just a saying, being a marketing consultant for small and medium enterprises, I do everything, from concepts via webdesign and webprogramming up to logo development and writing of white-papers or press releases...

So keep up the good job, good luck for your own studio and when I find some time I'll just drop in on your thread to say "hello" again!

Take care

Birgit

[Interceptor]

This thread is the best example of how hard works pays off that I have ever seen.

[tengudesu]

My god Mr.Candyman, you are fantastic, I've watched your sketchbook from page one to this last. And you have developed soooo much and become very skilled, and this feals good to me since I might do the same if i practise as hard.

Very good :blahblah:

[killing.people]

i hope we get to jam-out some day. you're still improving! slow down! :p

[Neireth]

I figured it was time to drop by and add a comment here. Replied many months ago, already then amazed of how far you've come. It's simply stunning really, and even though this thread has a crap load of replies and posts, I can't think of many other things that make you want to draw more, than browsing through your sketchbook. Simply watching your progress is amazing, not to mention your work. It's gold.

Time for me to pick up my pencils again, and I'll be more than happy if I can muster even 1% of the ambition you have! ;)

~M.

[pennington]

darn rain! oh well. lovely flower anyways. and it's great that you're doing the atelier would love to study from you. can't wait to see more!

[endregan]

Hey jon good choice. You cant do everything at once and youve already found what you like to do. Just promise youll loosen up eventually and try things out from time to time! Im sure thats farther down the road though.

Nice flowers.

[Carl Dobsky]

Hey Jon,

What can be said that hasn't been said already? I'm going to keep my eye on you. Not just because you're so damn sexy but also because I'm sure you're going to do great things. I think this thread should show everyone what is possible if you focus on what it is you want to do and then go for it.

Hit me up sometime.

[MindCandyMan]

patdzon - Thanks man. Yeah the atelier training helped immensely. Set me on the route to where I am. But I also learned when I started on my own how little I knew heheh. It's one of those things I guess. The main thing I learned is how little I knew hehe. I am NO WHERE near where I want to be as an artist. But I really feel that the atelier learning helped me achieve a level of foundation that I can build on now.

vctr - Definitely stop by if you are in texas! Yeah I will only have room for like 2 or 3 people but I really feel like I want to pass on this learning if I can. A lot of people want to do this but they don't know how to go about it. I want to help whoever wants it bad enough.

blacky - Thanks! I wish it was around the corner from you as well. I would love to teach some conceptartorgians...to give back a little of what I've received from all of you.

gnl - Anytime...I hope you ended up liking the maroger. It's a different type of medium than sometimes people are used to so I always feel hesitant about prescribing it but I just like it so much. Those three dvds are really good. One of my students is borrowing them right now. It helps you dissect light and figure out what it is doing and why it is doing that. He is remarkably clear in his presentation of complex ideas as well.

Pixeldragoon - Awesome!!!! Doug is a really talented guy. I saw one of his pieces in john pence gallery and he is really good. You will learn a ton from him. Glad you are going to an atelier...you won't be disappointed. I heard about ateliers from jason manley...so it's cool that we can all help each other out! Keep me updated with your progress man...would love to see how you progress.

jester - Hi Birgit! Of course I remember you ;) . I'll tell you something...I could never never do what you are doing. I would be horrible at anything like that. You deserve tons of respect for doing something like that on your own cause it takes a lot of work. That's really good that you get to utilize some creativity as well. That keeps the job interesting! Thanks again for stopping by and for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated for sure.

interceptor - Thanks hehe. I feel the laziest punk ever...so I always feel guilty when someone says that hehehe.

tengudesu - Thanks for the kind words. You will pass me if you work hard. I feel like I haven't done anything that spectacular yet ...Among professionals I am among the bottom rung so we'll see what I've really got in the next 5 years hehe. Kind of scary hehe. Gotta just keep pushing hehe.

killing.people - Man...I feel like such a different person from when I started this thread. It feels like just a short time ago you were taking much undeserved pity on me and teaching me about cubes and how they are constructed and lit with the utmost patience. I owe a lot to you for helping me in the early stages. It was then I was in the most danger of quitting and you helped me through it. I owe a portion of any success I have now or will have to you and many others who helped me. I always feel indebted to you guys...it's what drives me to keep wanting to give back even if it is in meager ways hehe. What have you been up to lately...looked at your site...your work is amazing and you are well rounded. 3d...textures, etc... you are the renaissance man.

spellshaper - Thanks...yeah motivation is very elusive that's for sure. Your comments help keep me going!

pennington - Did some landscapes. I scraped off most of them but I kept one that I need to remember to take a picture of when I can. It's under a pile of paintings some where. If you are intested in taking lessons from me here just send me an email or give me a call and we can talk about it.

endregan - I promise :yayca: ...hehe. Thanks for the encouragement man. I'm loosening up already ;)

Carl - Hey bro what's up! I can't help but keep my eye on you...your name popping up everywhere these days. And if I'm sexy you must marilyn monroe's daughter. Listen up everybody...if you haven't ever heard carl play guitar and sing jonny cash songs...you haven't lived yet. We need to paint together sometime soon man. I'll definitely keep in contact man>:D . Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by this ridiculously long and butt styles thread hehe.

______________________


14 x 18 I think???

Hey everybody...this painting is still drying (hence the sunken in areas) but I had a picture of it already...and as I'm lazy and hate photographing my work unless I have to...I thought I could post it.

This was done at William Whitaker's workshop in salt lake city. I scraped it off about 5 times I think during the process because I wanted to keep redoing it to learn bill's technique and how he went about things. So this wasn't really meant to be a finished painting but the last day I brought it up a bit to make it at least more finished. The model had an interesting face so it was fun to paint.

94255

16 x 20

Got a little more work on this one but it's mostly finished.

94256

9 x 12 I think???

This is something I did for fun. Awww...the poor bear.

94257

I just got my new business cards too if you guys are interested...here's what they look like.

I have a new site design too...I can't remember if I told you guys that. I made it more simple and less stupid and dumb than it was before.

94258

[Recursive_End]

Beautiful paintings. Nothing to say, you master your tool in a very good and insiring way.
Keep it up! And your website directly went in my favs :D

[endregan]

hey there you go loosening up already! I like how the portrait is not totally finished as in the shirt is not totally finished to emphasize the facial features.

Nice still life, im a big fan of purple. Whats in your palette ? Ive been meaning to expand my palette, I just use white, yellow ochre, hansa yellow, cad red, napathol red, cerulean blue, cobalt blue and ult blue. Its a not bad starting palette but im lacking the punch a black would give me or another colour that I might find useful?

keep the hardesty train rolling, its got places to go.

[steak-tron]

Dude that portrait is amazing Jon. Good show sir! Indeed!

Great work on the bear painting too, the face looks like it's got lots of nice details that ask to be inspected up close.

I'm going to try and finish that painting I started with you this week. I had to take a hiatus and do some still-life drawings to keep my sanity :D

I can't thank you enough for all your help man. There's not a hint of styles in your work and I don't think you ever have to worry about getting caught up in 'em ;)

Cheers M8, hope allsa well in Dallas.

[Sirio_Brozzi]

Beautiful set..These paintings are just jaw dropping.

[sith]

This is unquestionably for me, the most inspirational thread here. The paintings you show us now are absolutely beautiful; but when you compare that to your first posts... that's what makes it inspirational. Thank you.

[Victor B]

HOLY! great update jon! the portrait came out nice , the 16*20 still life is very nice and i love the new business cards! fantastic stuff !

[Main Loop]

great update and great site, the idea of the teacher lineage, i dunno, may be a little.. immodest? i dunno, whats a better word? either way, glad to see an update..

[mentler]

Very strong <> you have certainly come a long way <> your skill level is very impressive.

I looked at your site very clean and well designed <> I do agree with Main, I think the Linage
thing could be handled in a more modest tone.

[SirGreenSock]

Beautiful stuff man!
The portrait is my favorite, probably cause I like the looser feel. I like the texture of the skin, is that the result of careful brushstrokes or the fact that you scraped it off so many times? The skin has interesting depth to it!

[amer-nazri]

your improvement is no less than inspiring. The oil studies you have done are beautiful. Any tutorials?

kEEP it up!

[Skureal]

I´m still amazed by that what you did on the first page and what i see now. I mean compare cylinder from page 1 with that beautiful stuff...ahh. Carl is right, everyone who is new here should check out your successful "trip". To see everything is possible if you really want. RESPECT

Henrik

[MindCandyMan]

recursive_end - Thanks! :)

endregan - Hey bro...thanks for the kind words. Check back a page or two or something in this thread and I lay out my whole palette and the colors I use, etc... Good to hear from ya.

steak - Can't wait to see that painting finished man you were rockin on it. Carl will be able to give you more help and knowledge than I ever could that's for sure...it's really cool to have him there. I might fly him out here to live with me for a bit hehe. With or without his consent hehe. That portrait was really a fun time...glad you liked it.

Sirio_Brozzi - Thanks so much!

sith - comments like yours have contributed just as much as anything to help me along. I should be thanking you guys.

vctr - Thanks! Yeah I got help on designing the business cards. I am not skilled when dealing with text and things like that...so I tried to keep my website and business cards really simple and easy to read/understand.

main loop - You know it's funny you mention that because I have actually asked a lot of people whether it looked "snobbish" or something and I have had the majority of people say that they didn't take it that way...but then I have had one or two people say it looked it a little bit like that. I put it up on there because it has interested a lot of people but maybe I should redo that page and make it something a little different. If you have any ideas definitely shoot them at me. Maybe if I put a bit of an explanation up there or something.

mentler - Thanks! (Check out main loop's response as well)Yeah I was worried it might look a bit snobbish. I think I want to include it on there because a lot of people have said it was interesting to them but if you have any ideas that would portray it less snobbish hehe lemme know. I definitely don't want to give that feeling. Hey I am in dallas now and if I'm not mistaken I think you are as well! Someone told me you were down here in dallas is that right? I need to find you and see what you are doing. You are a bit of a celebrity I think on conceptart. I must find you and drink from the talent fountain of mentler!

sirgreensock - I basically scraped it down totally when I wanted to start again. There were definitely some strokes that remained underneath but I think it probably has more to do with the careful nature with which you put it down. All the final strokes that you see on there...even the ones in the shirt were done really carefully. I was painting probably 1/3 of the time everyone else was...I was looking more than I was painting just trying to understand what I was saying and getting the color right on my palette first. Having layers underneath there does help though...at least having a toned canvas because our skin lets light in and then shoots it back out. So if you have multiple layers of paint it can mimic skin. That's why, in my opinion, if there is virtually no impasto on a painting of skin...it won't look real. To me at least. I think impasto is needed to make skin look like skin. A bunch of washes will make it look plastic. But what do I know hehe.

amer-nazri - Thanks! Oh man...tutorials...I don't think I am qualified hehehe. I'm still trying to figure out how to do things myself. Maybe I will do a small still life and scrape some stuff together.

Skureal - Thanks Henrik...man those early pages. I seriously don't ever look at them. They make me cry hehe...but you have to start somewhere...even if it is in the trash heheh. I'm just glad I had conceptart to keep pushing me along. Respect right back at ya.
---------------------------------

****If anyone else has an idea of what to do to make the lineage look a bit less snobbish definitely let me know. (read my response to main loop's post)...cause I have thought of that off and on and definitely don't want to portray snobbiness. So if anyone has any ideas lemme know. I don't know anything about design but maybe I can do something.****

[MindCandyMan]

I added some text to the lineage page that describes my motive behind that more explicitly. Does it look less snobbish now?...lemme know what you think.

[ArcoNL]

If there ever was a sketchbook teaching lessons about dedication and perseverance it is this one. All too often I wonder why I keep trying and if I will ever achieve the goals I set for myself. One of the things to do whenever I'm in doubt is check your thread. Thanks and cheers!

Arco

[Form]

i think the lineage is fantastic. I think it shows your humility and respect towards the artists who have come before you.

To me at least, it didnt come across as 'look at me and my awesome teachers'. More like. 'Im pretty lucky hey, thanks old doods!'

[fishw]

to be honest, i'd lose the lineage thing and replace it with a biog/statement. I think let your work speak for itself. certainly you can mention something about the passing on of knowledge etc, and say how it leads back to greats like David, within a biography/aritst's statement. if you must keep it, i think it needs intregrating into the page better, rather than on a wierd background.

the other thing, is reduce the compression on the title and menu images. they reduce the professionalism greatly. besides that, the site looks good.

just my views, take it or leave it.

[Main Loop]

recursive_end - Thanks! :)

main loop - You know it's funny you mention that because I have actually asked a lot of people whether it looked "snobbish" or something and I have had the majority of people say that they didn't take it that way...but then I have had one or two people say it looked it a little bit like that. I put it up on there because it has interested a lot of people but maybe I should redo that page and make it something a little different. If you have any ideas definitely shoot them at me. Maybe if I put a bit of an explanation up there or something.


****If anyone else has an idea of what to do to make the lineage look a bit less snobbish definitely let me know. (read my response to main loop's post)...cause I have thought of that off and on and definitely don't want to portray snobbiness. So if anyone has any ideas lemme know. I don't know anything about design but maybe I can do something.****

well the problem to me is that you go from from someone like Jacques Louis David to Gerome to yourself in about 4 steps.. it just seems hard to imagine myself as a direct descendent of these guys, even if its somewhat true.. i thik its a nice idea, i just dont have the heart to do it.. i guess its just a personal preference.. by the way, if you ever get that good, feel free to leave it on your website, who's gonna question ya?

[MindCandyMan]

ArcoNL - Thanks! Yeah if I can do it...anybody can do it that's for sure. I always feel like I have to struggle for everything...to some it comes so easy...but I can't help but keep struggling hehe.

form - Thanks...yeah I keep getting mixed reviews about it heheh. I might work it into a bio like fish said that might be good.

fishw - Thanks for your comments they are really good. I think I am going to replace that lineage with a bio like you said eventually. I think that's a really good idea and that background is from another site design idea I had and was lazy and just used it without thinking. You are absolutely right that it doesn't fit well with the rest of the stuff on the site...good call. As far as the compression thing...did you see artifacts on the images or something like that. I think in photoshop I clicked save for web and put them to "80" in the settings. Should I just set them at 100? I'm really dumb when it comes to site design.

main loop - by the way, if you ever get that good, feel free to leave it on your website, who's gonna question ya? That's hilarious. If I ever think in my head that I am that good...I know I am in trouble hahah. If I get that pompous my wife will punch me in the mouth I'm sure hehe. Thanks for the truthful comments about the lineage I think I am gonna replace it with a bio when I have the time..makes more sense I think...and I could work in that information about the lineage perhaps but thanks for the honest comments. That's exactly what I was lookin for.

[guggemmaneuver]

just responding so that i can subscribe to this amazing journey of a sketchbook

many humble thanks, so much great info here jon

j

[Aether]

One heck of a journey

inspiring and stunning

Good work and keep it up

[mdwsr]

This is a classic thread, keep up the good work. I've been following for well over a year and still trying to stay focused. I have improved, but not nearly to this level.

[MindCandyMan]

guggenmaneuver - Thanks guggen...I really appreciate it!

aether - Thanks!

mdwsr - It's always hard to stay focused that's for sure. That's the struggle we all face. If we can conquer that...there's no limit.

___________________________


Well I finished this yesterday...not the hugest fan of it but ahh...win some/lose some right. The background is actually a muted green...but alas...my camera obliterates everything hehe...looks awfully dark against white too...enough excuses hehe.

[mitch]

god damn man, your oils cease to amaze me. its amazing how far you have come since your first post. totally inspirational. keep it coming.

[fishw]

As far as the compression thing...did you see artifacts on the images or something like that. I think in photoshop I clicked save for web and put them to "80" in the settings. Should I just set them at 100? I'm really dumb when it comes to site design.


you can afford to put it at 100. the menu images are less than 1kb in size, that's teeny. the title is about 5, again pretty tiny. so put them at 100, and that should solve you're problem.

[AprilV]

I know you've heard it hundreds of times, but I have to say how much you have inspired me. I spent hours going through all the pages here, and I am so impressed with your acheivements. :) You are an inspiration to me. :)

[Anuran]

Wow, I am seriously glad that you have kept this thread going for the past 3 and 1/2 yrs. I am happy that you have progressed well and even more happy that you shared it with everyone. This is great stuff.

[e-beef]

hi mindcandyman, i just want to let you know how absolutely inspiring your sketchbook has been for me. i basically gave up on drawing and most everything related to it, but recently started up again after a looong loooonnngg artistic drought. if it werent for the progress that youve shown on all these pages, i wouldnt be as nearly motivated as i am now. so thank you and keep up the awesome work. :teeth:

[Mr.Blonde]

Holy freakin crap I haven't seen this thread in a long time... my god... the oils! they juicify the sketchbooks here. Thanks for posting your work, I love it!

[jetpack42]

jonnyboy

there is nothing left to say! Your work is looking great. You have really developed the ability to take a piece to the finish. Just keep going man. I can't help but think that down there in texas there are some more art scenes and galleries you could start working your way into. You've got the skills man, and if that is your direction, start playin the game dude! I have no doubt you could start shopping yourself around, but be ready, Jeff is in a gallery and he has to do 1 painting a week! It's alot of work, but I have no doubt you can handle it. You the man!

All I am saying is, don't be afraid to get out there.

Hope everything is cool bro.

[the_allejo05]

wow man..nice stuff again..you are improving everytime. hmm Im back in ATL ,after six months at the MIms School. i learned so much. I want to go for architecture now..while keeping my painting skills. Take a look at my site for the stuff i did. later.

[MindCandyMan]

mitch - Thanks man...I have got a long long way to go in my mind. But at least I've made steps towards it hehe. I'll definitely keep it coming that's for sure.

fishw - Sweet...that's awesome advice thanks. I am web design ignorant for sure.

Aprilv - Thanks! I should thank you for looking through all these pages...this thread is huge and ridiculous hehehe. You guys are the ones that inspire and keep me going though!

Anuran - Man.... 3 1/2 years...weird to hear it stated like that. No going back now hehehe.

e-beef - Awesome! It's very very discouraging sometimes. Yesterday I almost trashed the room I am painting in because I was so frustrated. It's a difficult thing to keep going...but as artists we have no choice...we have to keep going!

Mr. Blonde - Thanks! Man I went through your sketchbook...awesome awesome stuff man...some really really cool stuff in there!

jetpack - Hey bro what's up man! Yeah I had my work in a show a couple weeks ago and there are two more shows coming up my work will be in and someone wants to have my work in a one man show next year sometime or something so it's going fairly well considering I haven't tried to find galleries at all yet hehe. I am in the process right now of just building up my body of work and in a year or two I will really try to hit the gallery scene with all my force. I have my eye on a lot of nice galleries that I would like to be involved with so we'll see what happens. I want to have a full body of work to show though that can give an example of what I can complete in the space of a year or two. One painting a week I can do. I finished four in about a week and a half a week back. Depends how big they are though heheheh. But a painting a week is a good thing to shoot for. 52 paintings in a year isn't too bad. With all the small ones I am shooting for about 75...we'll see if I hit it hehe. Yeah I definitely have a plan laid out and will be implementing it over the next couple of years. How is everything going with you man?

allejo - Awesome that's cool that you were able to spend that time at mims! You are going to be a renaissance man! Going to study architecture as well! I will have to keep an eye on your stuff to see where you end up! Thanks for stopping by. I'll check out your site.

_____________________________

one I finished last week. This picture stinks and the painting is sunken in in a ton of spots...but you get the idea.

94261

Btw - I move in to my new studio july 1st! No more painting in a ridiculously crappy spare bedroom!!!!! I will actually be able to paint in north light and have some space to paint some figures woohoo!

[Christian223]

I cant belive the progress you have made!!!!!! in 3 years?!? Im 23 and im also begining to draw (to try to draw well i mean), i havent got much time though, but i made a lot of progress since i started, i hope i can be like you :D :$ :x !!!!!

[Victor B]

you are mastering the still life! can't wait to see what you do in your new studio space where you'll hopefully do some figure painting!

[SirGreenSock]

Great news on the studio! If this is what you can do in a cramped uncomfortable area, its gonna be real good to see what you do in a comfortable environment! Looking forward to more figure work, too!

Love the way you treat the different surfaces in the oils. Would like to see more experimention in terms of viewpoint and composition in a less traditional sense?

[Groover McNab]

Hey Jon, I haven't visited your thread in a while. Wow man. I was (am) genuinely amazed at the new paintings. All the oils are killer. :hatsoff:

[MindCandyMan]

Christian223 - You could be better than me if you just work hard. Sometimes I feel like it's twice as hard for me to do anything half as good as everyone else hehe.

vctr - Thanks! Here's to no more still lifes for a little while hopefully hehe :vodka1: :vodkamachine:

Sirgreensock - Thanks...yeah the studio is cramped right now but no excuses right hehe. Was setting up the composition for this painting when I read your post. How appropriate hehe. I was feeling that rub myself as well hehe. Looking at my work thinkin...man boring hehe

Groover - I looked through the mcnew sketchbook...awesome stuff to say the least dude...you are improving at a massive rate. I have been noticing lately that having a really good design sense has a lot to do with being a successful concept/illustration artist and you have a wonderful design sense. You rock dude. Thanks for the kind words too man

___________________



Don't mind the picture...sunken in and crappy cam...you know the drill...it's bad but it's all I got

Funny story...on the wreath of the front door of my house...a dove made a nest. I kept coming to the door and this dove would fly at my head every single time. So I started thinking that there must be something over here attracting it hehe...so I look in the wreath...there's the nest. Hilarious...the nerve of some birds...building a nest on my door hehehe. So when she abandoned the nest, probably from annoyance of the door being opened, I took it and painted it. This one gave me quite a headache this week. I tried to paint it once and didn't like it so I scraped it off...frustrating.

[Matt Smith]

You ever think about changing the title of this thread, you arent a rookie anymore. Great stuff, cant wait to see more.

[SirGreenSock]

Wow, crazy for a dove to choose such a high-traffic area for a nest. Lucky it was at your door so you could make use of it! :D

Like this piece a lot, has a very unusual quality with the juxtaposition of the nest inside the box looking it was just dropped on a table or bed. The story only enhances it!

[Victor B]

wow Jon I absolutely love this one! the brushstrokes in the backround and the way you handled the twigs! Fantastic!

[_^SlayeR^_]

i can't breathe.

[rblitz7]

WOW! I really thought that was a photo. Great Job!

[pennington]

oh yeah lovin the stills!! such quality.

[fishw]

damn, it takes balls to paint a nest with all those twigs and you've pulled it off brilliantly. you're really getting at something here, it's going somewhere really interesting.

[vigostar]

your not human

[K. Forthun]

holy s**t, watching from page 1 - 27...never seen such a progress in my whole life. :bow: :bow: truly immense :bow: :bow:

[lowfro]

I'm incredibly impressed and motivated at the same time... the ammount improvement over the course of this thread is remarkable.

Keep up the amazing work.

[bwkeough]

great updates, man, and great stuff happening for you in your last newsletter email! Be sure to allow yourself a few moments to enjoy your progress. :D

[Mitchell]

Wow I am so shocked. Such progression. this literally proves the "practice makes perfect" saying. Amazing, can't wait to see where you are in just 2 years from now.

[krispee]

really love the oil paintings here, beautifully done.....well done dude....

kris

[blog]

thought the latest one was a photo before somebody else pointed it out, you're a pretty sick bitch!

[JoshK]

amazing stuff, i love the still life paintings. Is it possible to post the paintings bigger?

[reneandersson]

Hello,

I first came across this thread a long time ago and, like many others, I'm impressed by your development. It's so well documented and I think that on it's own is amazing. How you find the time and motivation for this thread is beyond my understanding.

When I first found this thread, maybe over a year ago (I don't remeber how long ago it was), it was a perfect way for me to learn more about how the Atelier program is set up. I didn't know then that you studied at the Pantura Studio, but after having got accepted to study with Sanna and Hans at Atelier Stockholm last month, I now see the connection. It's great to see your progress and it motivates me even more for October semester start.

Thanks and keep it up!

René

[annisahmad]

Hey Johnathan,
I just saw the 27 pages of your journey, and I must say, it's astounding!! It's difficult to keep a record like this because links die, or you lose your older stuff. But, man, 4 years of vast improvement, to now a master :D. Keep it up.

I've got a question for you:
My touble is that i draw on VEllum paper. I've tried different papers, and I guess I haven't had good luck. I can't seem to erase my mistake completely, even if it's a smudge. Perhaps it's the charcoal pencils I use.
Anyhow, what kind of charcoal/paper do you use?

THanks in advance, and great work again!

[MindCandyMan]

Matt Smith - Haha...thanks...yeah I've thought about it...but then I look at other professionals' work and I don't change it hehehe.

sirgreensock - Thanks hehe. Yeah I can't believe the dove put up with so much. The kicker is that there is another nest on the wreath this very minute...can you believe it hehehe. A different bird type too hehe. No kidding.

vctr - thanks! This one was annoying hehe.

slayer - haha...me neither...but that's cause I'm out of shape hehe

rblitz7 - thanks!

pennington - Thanks for the kind words!

fishw - Thanks...I'm trying to find my niche...things aren't turning out as I want in my head...I'm still struggling to get there. I'm glad someone thinks it's going somewhere hehe.

vigostar - Don't tell anyone. I'm secretly a gnome!

wolfbane - Thanks! You can only go up from where I started hehehe.

lowfro - Thanks! I feel so far from my goal still. I guess if I didn't I wouldn't keep going hehe.

bwkeough - Thanks hehe. Glad you got the newsletter!

Skeiff - Thanks...I don't know if practice makes perfect but I'm trying hehe. Man two years from now...hopefully I will actually be making some money heheheh.

krispee - Thanks!

blog - haha...thanks!

Joshk - I wish I could :( ...fooxoo actually wrote me a private message about that very thing. My camera is really really old. I am getting another one probably in the next couple months but for now I have stand back pretty far because the lens is so small it distorts everything. I just crop the image and then post it so that's the biggest size I can do :( . Sorry. I am dying for that new camera.

reneandersson - Thanks for the kind words...that's awesome that you are gonna be going to the stockholm school! The atelier method is the only way to learn to do this type of art...I'm convinced of that...but of course I am partial hehe. Congratulations on your acceptance...work hard and keep me updated on your progress.

annisahmad - Thanks! I use basically two different types of paper...stonehenge paper and strathmore drawing paper. Vellum is not very forgiving. You can't erase that much like you said. I would use this paper if you are doing a longer drawing. I like the 80lb kind because it's a bit heavier.

http://www.misterart.com/store/view/001/group_id/169/STRATHMORE-400-Series-Drawing-Paper-Pad.htm

This is the stonehenge I was talking about...stonehenge doesn't have the nice finish of the strathmore but it can take a lot of damage:

http://www.misterart.com/store/view/001/group_id/7601/RISING-Stonehenge-Paper.htm

________________


This pic is cropped a bit too close but you get the idea

[one2hit]

John! freakin awesome! Love the still lifes. Do you ever paint figures in your studio? Keep up the good work. These paintings are gallery ready!

[cartoonfox]

Unbelievable, beautiful and inspiring.


peace man

[Victor B]

ditto to what cartoonfox said! and kudos on handling the reflections on the vase!

[blanquish]

man i gotta say, you were the one who got me into art in a serious way. Youve inspired many and im sure youre proud of your self. Keep it up, i hope you keep updating this and in a few more years reach page 50 :)

[pennington]

yeah i second what blanquish said. thanks a lot man.

[shyamshriram]

Well...what can i say more than...SUPERB !!

Thanx for sharing all ur beautiful works Sir ! :)

Keep inspiring us :yayca:

[Reckless]

I just looked at the first page of your thread. I thought, "Damn, this guy is enthusiastic and he's definitely going to get somewhere."

I then jumped to the last page. I thought, "Holy shit, this is some amazing stuff."

That's about all I can say.

[m@.]

This is definitely one of the most inspiring threads on CA... every beginner with doubts should see this thread to understand that hard work is the key.

Respect.

[MasterOfChaos]

I must say that after the last 27 pages you can color me impressed with a captial I. To think that someone could have that much of a drive to improve. I thought that I was motivated, but next to you it's nothing. You truly deserve this praise. I hope that I can learn a thing or two from you, man. I'll check back to see how you're doing, but in the meantime, keep up the great work. Peace. :yayca:

[Jelly_Donut]

Okay I just browsed at least 50% of this sketchbook (I've never looked at it before...) and am more than inspired. I am better than where you started in this sketchbook... but in what seems a very short time you have surpased me 10 times. I see what people are capable of with hard work. Thank you for the inspiration, and good luck to you on all of your studies.

[Slash]

Your still lifes give me a 10 foot hardon.

[asoir]

Cmon man! We need to see just how far you've pushed it!

[MrBobMarley]

Your sb is like the fat subway guy who just kept eating those subs. Although he's not as cool as this, in fact he's not cool at all hehe.

Lot of dedication, and trial and error. I clicked on page one after seeing the still lifes and thought I went to somebody elses page. Keep up the good work man!

[Nallen]

Hey, are you the guy who posted a sight-size drawing tutorial a long while ago?
If so, Thanks.

I read that thing, tried a few, and got all inspired to get serious about my drawings again.
I ended up buying the Bargue book and I am slowly copying my way through it. I'm just starting on plate 12 (hands holding stuff), its looking like a long road ahead. And I don't think I'm spending enough time on them.
I've got a question though, in your (atelier?) experience did you do copies of all of the plates, or some selection: a couple of hands, a couple of feet, a couple of heads, torsos, etc. before you went to plaster casts?

I'm working on drawings and oil painting, mostly portraits lately.
Your stuff is really, really, (a few more reallys) impressive.
Looks like you work pretty fast too,
my portraits are taking me months to do, not working at it every day though.

Great to see some serious still-life action in oil.
Excellent work,

-Na

[Dile_]

wow, beatuiful work mcm! :bow:

[bounchfx]

I just found out about this site and signed up here, found this thread, and I have to say wow.

totally inspiriational dude. you should write a freaking book about this or something hahah, but seriously.

right now I'm not very happy with my 2d and it needs a serious overhaul (I plan on getting into the games industry, currently going to the Art Institute of Schaumburg for game art and design, although I don't feel quite as happy as I was before after hearing most of the AI's are sub par, but I believe as long as I give my best effort I can get the most out of it, but I hear nothing but wonderful things about these Atelier schools so I might have to check them out, I still have a year left of AI though, and honestly I have learned a lot, but some of the classes seem sort of pointless and it would have helped tons if there were more 2d classes..

but anyway, back to the point.

great job, keep it up, and.. damn!

[J.Peckham]

This is amazing!! I remember when you started this thread. I just started coming back here and get into drawing again. You have improved so much, it's really impressive.

[Crash]

http://i75.imagethrust.com/i/526988/sc00c231c4.jpg


And who the fuck are you?

^_^

[MasterArtisan]

Hey everyone!

I would just like to let MindCandyMan know that he has been a big inspiration to me! Thanks!

In light of that revelation, I have started my own blog to do the same thing MindCandyMan has done here.

I am an animation student at BYU and I want to log my progress over the next three years.

So, please visit my blog http://camltaylor.blogspot.com, and by all means, please leave your comments and suggestions!

[draw]

WTF is going on with people spamming this awesome thread?


MCM Please post

[Krysiak]

Hey, I just have to say that I'm really glad I found this thread... I've ALWAYS wanted to learn to draw and have been told by numerous people, "Drawing is a skill you have, not a skill you learn. Some people can draw, others can't. That's all there is to it." But now I see that it's possible with hard work and dedication. I didn't read the whole thread, because I just don't have the time to right now, but I read the first 5 pages and the last few pages to see where you started and where you ended. I just have a few questions for any one who knows... I dont really have access to drawing classes at a school or anything like that, are there any good lessons on line I could use? any good exercises or something along those lines? I really want to learn this and will put however much time is needed into it. I dont want to deter this thread from it's original purpose so if any one has anything that might help me, you can just send a private message (if this forum has them...) or email me, thank you again. and I'm really impressed with this site.

[feeesh]

dude, so I took a look at the first few pages of this SB and then the last few, hooooooly mackerel you've gotten so good! These still lifes are frikkin excellent man, such great texture on everything, there was one wuite a ways back with some grapes and while a small part of the pic, I kep eyeing those grapes. Such a great texture and specular on those, I guess its my 3D side coming into play there, heheh. No critiques from me and youve hear all the praise. Just keep crankin' as I look forward to more beautiful work from you!

[MindCandyMan]

one2hit - Thanks man! I do paint figures...but sadly all the models have been cancelling lately. But I have a new crop of models coming in soon so that's good!

cartoonfox - Thanks! It's definitely unbelievable for me...it's so weird to have all this catalogued. I'm not only a different painter...I'm a different person than I was back then.

vctr - Thanks! Those reflections were annoying...It didn't look right until the very last stroke...then I stepped back and thought...hmm I think that works. But up until that point I was plodding forward blindly hehe.

blanquish - Thanks! I'm glad I could at least give back a little of what I've received from the art community and specifically the conceptart community. Page 50...man...maybe I will keep posting hehe.

pennington - Anytime...but it's I who should thank you guys. I wouldn't be an artist without all the encouragement.

shyamshriram - Thanks! I'll try to keep inspiring. Can't promise anything though ehehe...but I'll do my best.

Reckless - haha thanks...man I don't look at those first pages anymore...horrible hehehe

m@. - Thanks man...respect right back at ya

MasterOfChaos - Thanks man. I definitely don't feel I deserve the praise though. My wife deserves more than me for putting with all this stuff hehehe. I'm just trying to get better. Still doing the same thing hehe...that's the fun part for sure.

Jelly_Donut - Thanks man. It's definitely been a long road...but a fun one too.

Slash - hahah...not quite sure what to say to that

Asoir - Hope you're not disappointed heheheh

MrBobMarley - Thanks man hehe...that was definitely someone else's thread hehehe. I am definitely like the fat guy with the subs! That's awesome heheh.

Nallen - Yeah I think that was me...I think so hehehe. Could be someone else though. But I did post one up at some point. I did three bargue drawings at the atelier that I went to. Some of the students skipped one bargue drawing but I had to do three (I needed it hehe). Bargues are definitely a great way to learn the beginning aspects of drawing. The goal is to make PERFECT duplicates of those bargues though. Almost like creating a forgery...except you are giving the original artist credit hehe. Keep going with those bargues they will serve you well. I am working faster and faster lately. I'm definitely leaning more toward the alla prima style of working. Thanks again for the kind words man and keep up that drawing!

Dile - Thanks man :madchef:

bounchfx - Thanks! I'm actually working on a book idea and I might self publish it through lulu.com or something. I'm not quite sure at this point. But I'm kicking around the idea. I think you are right as well about school being whatever you make it. Some ateliers are really good and some are really bad it just depends. But if you want to learn to draw from life really well (which is the foundation of all good drawing in my opinion) than an atelier would be the way to go. If you are ever in Texas lemme know...I have room for another student in my studio right now ;). Even if you can't go to an atelier though study their methods and you can duplicate with self study. It's a lot harder but it's better than not going at all. And above all...don't ever stop drawing/painting ;) Thanks again for the kind words!

J.Peckham - Thanks! It's always so hard for me to judge my progress...I know I'm better than when I first started...but I'm nowhere near where I need to be. That's the fun part of it though I guess...if it was easy it wouldn't be too fun hehe.

crash - hahah hilarious dude heheh

MasterArtisan - Hey man good to hear that this thread inspired you. You should start a thread here on conceptart.org so people can follow you on here. Start one in the sketchbook thread.

draw - hahah :spam: ...sweet I got to use that one heheh. Your wish is granted...poof

Krysiak - Thanks for posting...drawing is definitely not a skill you have. Are some people naturally better at it...well yeah...anyone that has seen the massive black guys work can say that...they are all exceptionally talented people. But to say someone is born with the skill is just crap. Are people born with the ability to ride bikes?...every bmx rider had to learn to ride a bike at some point...and if they didn't practice they would stink. Don't listen to any of that crap...don't worry about whether you have talent or not. There is no way to know if you ever have talent...other people decide that later about you...just draw/paint with everything you have in you and it will work itself out. Don't let people tell you that you can't earn a living in art...that's just as much crap. Whenever someone says anything like that just say to them, "Oh lemme see your drawings"...or "So you know some artists who tried to make money and couldn't?"....then you will see that they have no stinkin clue what they are talking about. Glad this thread could help man.

feeesh - Thanks man. Yeah that wine and grapes painting was fun to do. Those grapes were dying on me so I had to paint them fast hehe. Was definitely fun. Thanks for the kind words man. I will definitely keep crankin.

---------------------------------------------


Ok guys so I have no excuses for why it has been so long since I last posted, except to say that I have been really busy (Whatever that means right hehe). But I wanted to give you guys an update. I've moved since I last posted and I've setup a new studio with north light. Here are some pictures of the studio:

94266

94267

It's a north light studio and it actually took me a while to get the lighting setup right because normally a north light studio has nice high sources of light...but you take what you can get right. Carl Dobsky did an amazing painting in front of me by the light of a normal lamp so I can't make any excuses heheh. I have actually been struggling a lot lately. I am going through this phase right now where I am transitioning into building MY body of work as opposed to completing projects at an atelier. It's weird and hard to explain but I am experimenting a lot. I have scraped off 4 or 5 paintings in the last month or two out of frustration because it isn't what I want to do. I'm re-evaluating everything I am used to doing...breaking myself down in order to build it back up again. I definitely definitely leaning more towards alla prima work now...thicker paint, etc... I love tonalist work very much but for my own work I am leaning in a different direction. Maybe none of this is evident to you guys...maybe it looks just as boring as it used to heheh...but I am trying to transition into a different working style that suits my desires better and it's really frustrating hehe. I've had a lot of failures in the past couple months. But that's the nature of the journey...some rough periods I guess.

I also have some good updates though hehe. Recently I was accepted into a juried contest in port arthur, TX called the "Gulf Coast National Juried Art Competition" and also into an online-based contest called the "American Juried Art Salon". I am also now working with two galleries...Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA and The Norwood Flynn Gallery here in Texas. I have six students that I teach now. I have one traditional atelier student Mike Jastram (jkior on conceptart.org) and 5 other students taking private lessons. I put a page up on my site for Mike that you can view here:

http://www.jonathanhardesty.com/students.php

He finished that eye cast painting while he was here with me and he has finished a bunch of other really good ones too.

Also there is an article published about me at Amateur illustrator.com ...Here is the link for anyone who is interested. It's about this thread!

http://www.amateurillustrator.com/articles/?p=92

At any rate I will post up some paintings that I think you guys haven't seen...so take a look. I am gonna post whatever I have available and, I promise, I will take pictures of more stuff and post it hehe.

94268

94269

These next pics are of a painting that I am working on now...I have changed the composition around a bit and I am actually almost done so I will update when I have finished...but wanted to give you an idea of what I was doing.

94270

94271

I will update with more later guys sorry!

jon

[Lukias]

Jesus mate, thats nuts.. let me be another echo in this hall of praises.. yee be a mighty force yee be, to weild a brush with such lushy goodness.
I'll line dance to that last one.. a larger version perhaps?. Seriously its masterfull. Teethy reflections in varnished mahogany of joy.

[Bojee]

Your rippin it up over here Jon, beautiful work. I'm kinda partial to skulls so I really like the last one. What do you think about when you set up a still life?? Sorry if you've already said this.

[MindCandyMan]

Lukias - Hahah...thanks man. I will definitely post a larger version when it's all done with closeups and such. What have you been up to these days?

Bojee - Hey man! What have you been up to? I'm definitely partial to skulls as well...so much fun to paint. Hmmm...what do I think about with the still lifes. Well it usually starts with something that I find appealing...whether that be the colors, texture, etc... and so I build a still life around that. Then I just start throwing stuff in and messing with the composition. I have this little viewfinder thingee that I can check different compositions with and so that's helpful for getting different ideas. But some important things I think about is where you want the viewers eye to go. What will they look at first, second, etc... If you can it's best to make a painting that will keep their interest...in other words won't lead them off of the canvas...unless that's your intention. But after my composition is in place then I think about where I wanted the viewer to look and I start painting there first. It takes a lot of patience and skill to work from a point of focus outward with a only a compositional line drawing to guide you. Every stroke has to be right but I basically work from that attention spot outward. The rest of the painting will be less and less detailed the further away it goes. There's so many things to think about but I hope that at least gives some answer.
_______________

I almost forgot to post this drawing up guys...I just wanted to prove to everyone that I actually do draw from my head once in a while heheh. I did this while I was at my brother's work with him visiting. We were talking about our old office jobs and how we hated them with so much of a passion...so I started doodling hehe. My brother called this "9 to 5" heheh...it's definitely how I felt after a day's work in an office.

[Johann de Venecia]

The skull painting looks great! Always inspiring to browse through your book. All the best!

[ArtZealot]

I'm lovin that painting of the goatskull dude. looking great. It looks more 3d than the picture. keep up the good work.

[rblitz7]

DUDE! the last paintings are fuckin good man! keep it up!

[Victor B]

Damn! thanks for the update jon, great to hear you're up and running Mike's stuff is looking nice.But man that last still life is looking sweet. Good to hear you still pushing yourself in new directions, even thou its frustrating. Hope to see you post more like some finished shots of that skull!

[S.C. Watson]

Hey MCM,

Absolutley *love* the still lifes! Beautiful!

~Shane

[blanquish]

absolutely brilliant mate, words cannot comprehend how much you your journey means to me.
YOU inspired me in the first place, and to that I am truly thankful, to you and CA!
I would love for you to keep posting, each new picture, painting or doodle spurs me on.
Those paintings are brilliant!
Best of luck

[Lukias]

painting man.. a fair bit of it in fact. I'm working towards my first solo exhibtion in December. Should post a swath of oil piece probably before it opens... so towards the end of November. Obviously being a big fan of oils as you are, I hope you like whats in store.
Happy painting!.

[lloorrdd]

great!

[Seedling]

MindcandyMan - Holy wow! Your sketchbook is a monument to dedication! My hat is off to you.

[Cam Sykes]

I have recently rekindled my passion for art, painting and illustration, after reviewing all the pages of your sketchbook for the last 4 hours it has really put my head in the right place.
I do grahic design but I felt my creativity was becoming stagnant, but from your process I've realised I jsut need to get back to the fundamentals and my creativity should flow from that.
a refined book of this would be inspiration for a broader audience, definately.

[Fishspawn]

Your journey has been very inspiring to me as I struggle on my own journey. This book itself is quite a work of art, showing such dedication and progress. I look forward to your journey from here!

[Lee W]

whenever I need inspiration and motivation, I just have to look in this sketchbook :) it reminds me the virtues of studying hard and strong dedication.

[TomteOfDoom]

The level you've attained in real-life drawing/painting is truly amazing. And while It's encouraging and inspiring to see how far you've gotten as an artist overall, I'm still waiting to be equally amazed by your concept based work.

But man the distance you've travelled in such a timeframe and such a way, I have no doubt you're gonna blow my mind one day.

Truly inspiring thread.

[Bojee]

Jon- hey bro, thanks again for the notes on your process, point of interest outward, very helpful.
Love to see more of what your up to when you get a chance. :)

[draw]

MCM - love the new works and the site, I was wondering if you could recommend any books on painting that might help someone unable to gain insights through an atelier training. For example how do you choose a palette for each still life. Lighting set ups etc. I have been drawing for a while now but have little idea with painting as I am relatively untrained. Any insight would be appreciated. thanks

-mark

[neonnik]

wow, great progression! Paintings and drawings are excellent!

[Dizon]

Hey, Jon

I haven't seen this thread for a very looong time now, but the recent stuff posted here are damn good.

I'm just curious, are you still sight-sizing nowadays?

[Bard]

Hello Jonathan,

I would like say say that this is very inspiring stuff! And you are one of the reasons of me dropping everything and want to learn again from scratch. Probably the same time you first entered school at your atelier is the same time I dropped out of college, because, well... I wasn't drawing Wolverine.:( The first few pagesof your journey sums up what I was learning then and figured I don't want to draw silly cubes. Again mistake.
Sorry, don't want to sound like a love letter..
But this thread is so great!!

I enrolled in our museum here for some basic painting lessons and bought books. I have Helen Van Wyk's books that seems to help. Hope you crit my stuff when I post my paintings, tha'd be a delight!


Cheers!:)

Read the stuff... Thanks for the info on Schmids book..Leffel and the Maroger!!

[nightfall]

This entire thread...well lets just say it was a fantastic idea, and proof that as long as you stay dedicated and work hard it pays off. Absolutely fantastic.

[Trashy]

Wow...this is just truly inspiring. I'm speechless on how much your sketchbook means to me. Wow...

[Thaelys]

This is one of the most moving things on CA.org. I think that your personal journey ranks right up there with Andrew Jones's 1000 self portraits. Not to compare you two as artists, simply just to say that you two have in your individual ways made an incredible testament of art.

Cheers man.

[BohemianChaos]

you give us hope. Thank you :)

[Sara Lynn]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I'm sure you're not sick of hearing it: You're so inspiring! I gave up on art about 3 years ago and am just now trying to get back into it again. I get frustrated with my own imperfections too easily, but this makes me want to try harder than ever. I suppose it's never too late to try!

Thanks so much for sharing everything.

[guggemmaneuver]

imagination, pffft. (http://www.mindcandyman.com/jons_uploads/MrMonster01_smallsmall.jpg) somehow you've captured exactly how i look and feel right now after work :)

cheers bro update us, eh?

j

[MagnumCort]

Hey - I was routed here from some fella's at CGTalk.com. This has to be just about the best, most inspiring thread I've seen. Really inspiring stuff, man. Nice job.

Peace,

[That fat kid]

Hey MindCandyMan,

Half the glory of you thread is the amount of people who register purely to post once here to sing your praises. I hope life is well and that you're still painting even if you aren't updating.

~A

[Sepulverture]

The improvement across this sketchbook is simply inspirational MCM. I can't stress it enough: simply impressive.

[3dsketch]

man your progression has been amazing I hope mine will be too!!!

[MindCandyMan]

lukavi - Thanks! Glad I'm still inspiring some on here hehe.

ArtZealot - Thanks. I'm done that skull one...check it out below.

rblitz7 - haha :^^: thanks

vctr - Hey man...yeah Mike is gone now :(. He will be a fantastic artist. He has really interesting ideas and he brings the best out of people around him. Check out the skull.

Oregano - Thanks man...I'm doing more portrait stuff now as well...it's a lot harder hehe.

blanquish - Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm really glad this thread is still helping others. I've been helped so much it's ridiculous...so if I can give back even a little it makes me happy.

Lukias - Hey bro how did your show go? Actually I'm gonna go check your website and see if I can find out myself. Would love to hear how everything went.

lloorrdd - Thanks! :teeth:

Seedling - Thanks...still trying to keep up that dedication hehe :yayca:

CamSyko - Thanks...man 4 hours to go through this...sheesh sorry about that hehe. Glad you are interested in a book. I'm working on ideas for it as we speak.

Fishspawn - Thanks! Give me ten more years and then I will be doing work I like. Hopefully I can keep this thread alive till then.

OldNoobie - Thanks man...glad this thread can help.

TomteOfDoom - Thanks for the kind words. I have to admit that I have been seduced by the fine art side. I am doing that exclusively now. My heart lies more with fine art right now than anything else so I am going to be pursuing that. However, I always frequent conceptart.org because honestly I think illustrators/concept artists are leading the way in terms of color usage, composition, etc... So I will come back here to get some inspiration that way and then put that into my fine art. My journey has been redirected from conceptart for now but I still owe conceptart.org for everything I've learned.

Bojee - Hey bro...sorry it's been so long since an update...hopefully this update will help heheh.

draw - Hmm...that's a tough one. As far as setting up a still life david leffel has some really good tips in his books. He talks about having a "concept" before you do a painting and everything. As far as straight up atelier instruction I've never seen a book layout all the steps of everything. Richard Schmid's book "Alla Prima: Everything I know about painting" is the best painting instructional book ever written as far as I'm concerned.

http://www.richardschmid.com

As far as colors for my palette. I use pretty much these same colors on every painting (I might leave some out if I don't need them). Ivory Black, Ultra blue, Viridian, Raw Umber, Transparent Oxide Brown, Transparent Oxide Red, Terra Rosa, Alizarin Crimson Permanent, Vermillion, Permanent Red Medium, Yellow Ochre light, Cadmium Yellow light...hope that helps. Maybe start with schmid's palette and then branch out to your own...that's what I did.

neonnik - Thanks! :^^:

patdzon - Hey man...thanks for the kind words. Nah I haven't used sight size since I left the atelier...I have no need for it anymore. It helped me learn faster in the beginning but now it don't use it. Really it would be annoying to have everything setup in sight size.

Bard - Glad I could help. Definitely keep going if you have the desire. Don't worry about talent...at this point just keep working hard. Reread schmid's book over and over as you gain more knowledge. You will glean more from it when you know more. Knowing what I know now...I would have paid 3,000 dollars for that book. I'm not kidding...it's that valuable. I really like Maroger too...but I actually use something different now heheh. I use maroger when I am definitely doing something in one sitting 3-6 hours. For longer paintings I use ralph mayer's medium forumula....I use 5 parts gamsol, 1 part gamvar varnish, 1 part gamblin stand oil. That medium works fantastically for my style. Great stuff.

nightfall - Thanks man...I'm surprised people still follow this thread. At the beginning there were stretches of weeks where no one replied but the thread gave me a goal and some accountability (I used to say "I gotta post something"). It's true what you say...if you put your mind to something you can go far...it's amazing. I certainly haven't arrived but I can definitely see some progression in my work which is a really strange feeling.

Trashy - Thanks! Your encouragement means the same to me...keeps me going!

Thaelys - Thanks man! Actually Andrew is the one that inspired me so it's cool you would draw that parallel. The day I started drawing I actually said to myself, "If this Andrew guy can do this so can I...I can do something every day"...so then it started heheh.

BohemianChaos - It means a lot to hear that. I met a couple artists recently who said, "You shouldn't be teaching people...there are way too many artists...we need more patrons". Needless to say I disagreed 100%. The reason I post on here is to inspire other artists who can end up contributing to the big art pool. We all feed off of each other.

Sara Lynn - Women, as artists, tend to be a lot harder on themselves. In my limited experience I have noticed that. Women want their drawings to be perfect or they aren't happy. The trick is knowing it will never be perfect...and even if you did get it perfect...you couldn't do it again ;). Don't let your imperfections be a hindrance. The imperfections or "mistakes" in a painting can sometimes be just as interesting as the perfectly rendered areas. Above all just keep pushing...if I can do it anyone can do it. It's absolutely...completely...totally...never late to try.

guggenmaneuver - hahah...my insides still twinge when I think about my old office job...perhaps that's what keeps me motivated hehe. I don't want to go back to that.

MagnumCort - Hey someone routed from cgtalk huh? That's really cool. I didn't know they were watching me hehe. I'm glad that the thread could offer some inspiration. Thanks for stoppin by.

That fat kid - Ahhh fat kid. I'm still amused by your name...I chuckle every time I see it heheh. People really sign up to do that? That's awesome. I'm really glad I can give back even a part of what was given to me.

Sepulverture - Thanks so much I really appreciate it!

3dsketch - Yours will be too...whatever you do don't stop...that's the big thing. When you feel like stopping double your efforts.

***If I forgot anyone I'm really sorry...just lemme know and I will respond***

_______________________________________________


Hey guys...yeah so it's been a long long time. Things I've done since last time I updated....hmm.

-I went to Africa at the beginning of this year and worked with some aids orphans through a program called adopt a legacy. It was amazing. I want to go back and stay with some of the maasai tribe in Kenya and paint some portraits of them. I maybe will record the experience for a book or dvd or something. They are a beautiful people and have a regal nature that would suit portraits so well...their clothes are amazing as well. Kenya is so full of color everywhere you look.

-Ok also I was in the top 100 for this years Artrenewal.org salon contest. They said 1,600 people entered and I was a finalist for that contest so that was cool.

-I also won a full scholarship to the scottsdale artist school for william whitaker's professional artist workshop that's coming in April.

-I've been selling a bunch of paintings and teaching atelier style out of my studio...and also teaching private lessons to a bunch of people around dallas.

-I am in the process of publishing a 25 page book that showcases some paintings/drawings from the atelier days and also from 2006. A lot of people (who can't afford to buy originals) have been asking me to do something like that so that should be done by the end of this week. I'll let you guys know for anyone who is interested...it will probably be 20 bucks and I'll be signing each one and everything. I am going to release one each year showcasing some paintings and drawings from the previous year.

-I am also formulating a plan for the "Journey of an Artist" book. I am going to self publish it like I am doing with the book I mentioned above. I need to come up with a format for it so if you guys have any ideas I would be open to them.

-I am also taking a lot of steps to self promote in Dallas. I am working with some individuals and galleries that are showing my work. One woman I am working with has a sort of "mobile gallery". She provides paintings and art for fancy occasions like the opening of a country club and stuff like that. Places where people can buy my art. I have to dress up and everything...it's weird considering I wear hooded sweatshirts every day practically hehehh. People have been receptive so far in Dallas.


Here are some of the new paintings...I'll post more when I can...I don't know what you've seen and what you haven't...this is some of the stuff since I've been gone hehe


This is the finished version of the one above.

94275

This painting was inspired by Mr. Hussar...I did it on Halloween. My wife had this spare black makeup so I put it around my eyes for a joke and had to do a self portrait real quick. Was thinkin about Hussar when I did it.

94277

Quick study of a model...I am trying to do a bunch of these types of things

94278

For better or worse I do these drawings in one sitting and sometimes two. So between 2 - 4 hours. I try to limit myself to that time period to get the likeness...it's really hard but it teaches you patience and marksmanship hehe. It's really difficult...Sargent made it look easy.

94279

This was done for a live 3 hour portrait demo. I used my wife as a model. The paper came by and got interested. It was the weekend before halloween.

Front Page (http://www.jonathanhardesty.com/newspaperpage1.htm) | 2nd page (http://www.jonathanhardesty.com/newspaperpage2.htm)

94280

Another painting...

94281

3 hour self portrait study I did a while ago

94282

Garlic...and those are shallots...Shallots are kind of a cross between garlic and onions. Used primarily in Asian cooking however Americans have started incorporating into their recipes......I'm pretty tired sorry hehehe

94283

Portrait of someone who WOULD NOT STOP MOVING. I got down to the arms and she was moving so much I just stopped. She is awesome though...we all love her at the studio...her back was just killing her hehe

94285

[j a k e]

Wonderful update sir!
The book your releasing sounds a treat.

[Lee W]

I agree, wonderful update :) makes me want to do more oils

[mentler]

The improvement has been incredible <> like the Hussar piece <> like the looser works the most <> also like that you limit your time frame on some of the portrait studies.

Are you still doing the Norwood Flynn show....?

[fooxoo]

http://www.mindcandyman.com/jons_uploads/marieportraitdemobig.jpg - this is beautiful, very expressive!

And the hussar inspired one is super, ehehe!

Awesome to watch your work!

Cheers!

[Longxiang]

Oh my god.

I read the whole thread. I didn't know it was possible for one person to improve so much.

[Dile_]

Hey again MCM :)

Great stuff , I really like your paintings, but what i really like to see is something pulled of from imagination , I mean a painting, that you spend a lot of time on, That would be awesome :) I know its a lot to ask, but its just a suggestion :)


~Dile

[Call0ps]

the improvement its incredible ;) i like your oils so much ^^ this SB represents to so much to me .. thx man! just thx

[vigostar]

wow, great wok as usual.. Much lcuk on the future exhibits and gallery showings..

[kinnas]

all your stuff are just studies and portraits, have you ever tried composing something together for a bigger conceptual painting?

[MindCandyMan]

j a k e - Thanks! We'll see how the book turns out hehe...never done anything like that before.

OldNoobie - Thanks! Definitely do more oils and post them for us to see!

mentler - Hi! Hey I was actually going to try to get ahold of you. I saw your stuff at Norwood flynn and I really liked it. It was so interesting to explore the forms because I could recognize them as figure studies but at the same time they looked abstract. I was mesmerized looking at them (in a good way of course). Thanks for the encouragement about the looser ones...I am definitely definitely moving that direction. That's why I prefer doing portrait/figure studies because they force you to work in that quick and precise manner. I like doing still life paintings but I like the other work better. But now I am starting to treat my still lifes in a similar way and they have become more fun so that's good. Thanks again for the encouragement.

fooxoo - Thanks so much. That painting of my wife was really fun to do. I am going to definitely be heading in that direction from now on...more loose and gestural. Boldini is a huge inspiration for me...as well as sargent...and this painting by boldini is so amazing.

http://jssgallery.org/Other_Artists/Boldini_Giovanni/Marchesa_Luisa_Casati_with_a_Greyhound.htm

That particular painting has changed my thinking so much.

Longxiang - haha...thanks! I definitely feel like I have along way to go though.

Dile_ - Thanks...actually I'm composing ideas for an Alice in Wonderland series. But it won't be cartoony and all...I want it to be actual people in the actual settings and stuff. For instance the mad hatter will have an interesting outfit and all but he will be an actual person...not someone with a huge head, etc... I'm already thinking about some of the ideas. I will have to borrow or make a lot of the things in the paintings...as well as paint on location in some strange places but we'll see how it works out.

Call0ps - Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad this sketchbook has helped out.

vigostar - Thanks! We'll see how things turn out for me this year hehe.

kinnas - I'm definitely headed full force towards fine art but I am planning on doing an alice in wonderland series...lemme copy and paste the text from above where someone else had the same question:

"actually I'm composing ideas for an Alice in Wonderland series. But it won't be cartoony and all...I want it to be actual people in the actual settings and stuff. For instance the mad hatter will have an interesting outfit and all but he will be an actual person...not someone with a huge head, etc... I'm already thinking about some of the ideas. I will have to borrow or make a lot of the things in the paintings...as well as paint on location in some strange places but we'll see how it works out."

__________________________


Here is the draft of what the cover will look like on the book I am getting printed now. I'm not totally decided on it...and any input would be great good or bad. The spine will be in the center as you can imagine so it will wrap around the back. It's mainly going to be for self promotion but I will also probably sell the book through my website:

[Call0ps]

congrats for the book ^^the cover looks great, i really like her face. the blue background and the clothing it combines really well.

[archipelago]

hey man, just popping in to say that you where a huge inspiration to me when I started drawing just last year, and you still are, I read your thread pretty much everyday from page to page and it definently gave me the motivation to keep on pushing myself to draw more and keep going... I can easily say that if it wasnt for you and this thread I probobly wouldnt be drawing today, so cheers for that!

[digi]

journeys of an absolute rookie? Looks good to me my friend. Looks real pro

[Bojee]

Jon, looking good bro, I like the layout on the book, if you sell them how much do you think you'd ask??

[Envisor]

wow man. Lots of improvement here. Your figure studies are grand. Would love to see more of your pencils. Keep posting.

[MindCandyMan]

Call0ps - Awesome I'm glad it reads well. I am ordering a proof to see what it looks like...that will be the determining factor hehe.

archipelago - I'm really glad to hear that you started a year ago and you are still going! That's awesome. Keep it up no matter what. You will get mad...frustrated...sad...doubtful...everything. Just keep drawing and painting. It's amazing for me to think that I am helping in the same way others on here helped me at the beginning...it's a little strange for me but really cool.

digi - Hah...thanks man. Well you would know what a pro looked like...your work is awesome man. I went to your website and I think I am going to get one of your books. They are so cool!

Bojee - Hey man I'm glad you like the look of the book. I'm undecided on the final format. Right now it's a pretty small format but I might redo the format for a larger book. I'm not sure yet. But probably from 14.95-20 bucks...somewhere in there. If I do a large printing I will definitely give some away for free on conceptart though. I will probably do a small contest for all who care. Maybe I'll have a still life... or poetry contest or something hehe. ;)

Envisor - It's funny you mention that...I was just saying to a friend that we needed to sketch more together. At the very least I should be doing more charcoals. I'll try to get some pencil and charcoal action going and post it up. Thanks for stoppin by.

___________________

Finished this one just before the sun went down today. I'm working on about 4 different paintings right now so this one is done and it's a relief hehe. I forget the exact measurements though but it's pretty big...like 24 x 36 or something like that I don't know.

I'm probably gonna take another pic cause this one jacks it up a bit and makes a lot of things look really weird...but you get the idea.

[Ashrumm]

Man the latest painting is ridiculous, wow you have a great handle of the medium! looks amazing good work wow i've never seen this thread before keep up the good work!!

[Justin.]

Haven't stopped by here in so long.. glad I did.. Keep it goin, Jon!

[draw]

Thanks for the advice MCM, loving all your latest works. You set a mean pace, been a fan since the middle class. Keep going!

[blanquish]

the transperancy on the cloth on the last one is amazing, and the texture, and the lighting is breathtaking.

hmm, love it all.

still remember the day i discovered this sketchbook, then CA.
From that day onwards, i knew i wanted to be an artist, so im pretty ecstatic to see you posting again.
You truly are an amazing soul:)

[Cup of Joe]

I'm sure you've gotten replies like this before, but I just wanted to say thank you. Like archipeligo, this sketchbook was one of the major forces that made me start drawing a year ago. I always liked drawing, but still had the idea drilled into my brain that you were born at a certain skill level and that was it. This thread really showed me that you can do whatever you want if you just work at it and love it.
So thanks again, and keep us informed about the book! I'd love to have a copy on my shelf.

[ArtZealot]

yeah, i'm in the same boat as Cup of Joe. It was your sketchbook that inspired me to start mine and that gave me some hope. keep it up man.

[xXMizu_NinjaXx]

Wow these are Great, Its amazing how far you've came on your journey.

[Orifice]

Haha woooow man! This stuff is so damn great! I have no idea how I have managed to miss this, very glad I finally found it. Heh a minute after I came here i became a fan. I'm getting more n more into paintings and more and more eager to paint, so this inspiration is really really good for me, thanks for that! Well, I'll be back!

EDIT: ................what? I visited the first page. ! The inprovement is something I have never seen, HEARD of before! Oh man! 4 years to become a master ey? This gives me some hope!:) Gota say it again; you the man!

[NiyanaMae]

Hey! I just wanted to say that, like many other people have told you IM sure, your work is extremely inspiring. I have been drawing off and on for several years now, but only seriously since the fall when I started school online for Illustration. Even though I am going to an expensive art school right now, part time, I think once my husband and I move to Chicago in a few months I will highly consider going to an atelier there. Either way... I just wanted to say hi and tell you to keep up the great work!

NiyanaMae :}

[pennington]

dude! you need to start a blog or something for your imagination doodles. that's hilarious.

[Nerahla]

I just found this thread -- from your very first steps years ago to this and I want to tell you, that it is so hearteningly inspirational and encouraging that I got a little emotional looking at it. I will try and remember this thread when I get down, and try to remember that I /can/ do this with a little perseverance and grit.

Thank you so much for letting us take some inspiration from your journey, and sharing all of this with us out here in internet land :)

[Blind]

Hi MCM... I haven't been here in a long time... I think the last time I checked in on this thread was some time in early 2004. What you've done with your talent in the past 5 years is truly inspiring. I remember your very first posts when you first showed up at CA. The contrast between then & now is startling. Well done!

[Mr.Greene]

I really like your work, especially the last one you posted, the color and value is really amazing...if your first posts on this thread was how you really started...WOW...you have improved by a ridiculous amount. It really is a journey.

[Mitchell]

Beautiful paintings! I'm still shocked by your prgression.

[That fat kid]

Hey MCM,

Thanks a ton for that long crit in my thread, I've really been applying it lately.

I'm shocked to see an avatar, I thought for a split second that someone else posted that latest painting.

All right, I guess I'll wing a crit seeing as how we're all too enamored with your progress and technical ability to try and do that normally. Seeing as you have the technical skills of an Old Master you might as well load your paintings with Meaning! This latest still life is a good example of implied meaning, its easy to read a narrative within the situation and the positioning of the objects. The portraits do this well too, the application lends itself to a depth of expression and personality within the subject. However, some of your still lifes look like beautifully rendered vegetables and vases and flowers, but what about them? Why were they interesting enough to paint? What about those things is worthy of our time?

Some of the best advice I've ever heard about portraits I heard from the Head of Admissions at Northen Illinois; "A portrait should say more about a person than what they look like." I found this very applicable in my meager work, I imagine you'll be able to pull things out of your subjects that I couldn't even dream about.

Anyhow, I hope I didn't come off as pretentious and didn't overstep my bounds as a technical inferior to you, but I thought you'd appreciate something other than another asspat. However, I absolutely love your work. I'll have to go ahead and buy that book sometime, and hopefully the journey one too. I'm really excited to see that you limit your portrait time, those portraits really have something amazing going on within the painting, not just how well the likeness happens to be. I can't wait to see more.



So there.

~A

[dan liimatta]

damn - crazy thread - love to watch the evolution through the years, and it should probably read former rookie nowadays ;)

5/5 and perhaps the most inspiring thread work ethic wise I've ever seen, on CA or anywhere else - makes me damn myself for reading this, and not slave at the wacom! So got to run!

[paperX]

subscribing to legendary thread :P...this sketchbook has been my inspiration for sometime now, just paying my respects :) may this incredible journey provide inspiration and hope for many artist for years to come :yayca:

[k4pka]

I just read a post you left in the fine art section, about copying only the warm and cool relationship of colours in flesh, and not the *actual* seen colours. After having recently just had this click myself (I am self taught) I can only say it is a relief to hear it from someone else.

My colouring is suddenly much more authentic, and easier now that I dont try to match the exact colours, only the temp relationships.

So yeah, a huge thanks for that really.

[Kronos]

WOW, man this is quite a journey indeed, its really awe inspiring to see so much progress in a relatively short time.... heh, you have gotten so much better its almost funny :P heheh, sorry man this is just crazy!

You are an amazing inspiration, i can't thank you enough for sharing.

i will have to take a good look through the whole sb soon.

and could you please post a larger photo of the last painting, it looks freaking gorgeous, but damn, its so small!

sorry for babbling on but i really mean it you have lit a wee fire in my belly, thank you so much for sharing.

[coriat]

whoah dude, you're awesome!

[saa]

that is amazing. you heard that several times before but i'll just say it again - awesome work, i admire your discipline and passion for art. i just looked through each of your works and am speechless. thank you and i have no doubt you will continue growing. cheers

[escape2mars]

Hey Jon, congrats on your entries to Salon International! You're now a superstar :)

-alex

[MindCandyMan]

ashrumm - Thanks! Oils are so difficult that's for sure. It will certainly take a lifetime to conquer them...if I even do it by the time I die hehe.

Justin Oaksford - Thanks for stoppin by man. Don't worry...I have a four year gap in my resume...I have no choice but to keep going at this point heheh.

draw - Thanks! Oh man the middle class we need to bring that back!!

blanquish - Thanks for the kind words man. I'm really glad you picked up on all those things. Those things are intentional so it's good to know someone's getting them hehe.

Cup of Joe - That's awesome! If I can help encourage another person to chase their dream of becoming an artist then I feel I have done my job. I have an update on the book as well, but unfortunately it's good and bad... :(

ArtZealot - Thanks man I am so glad to hear it. It's great that I can even give back a little bit.

xXMizu_NinjaXx - Thanks! Yeah it sure has been a while that's for sure. Sometimes it feels short and other times it feels like forever hehe...depending on whether my painting is going well or not.

Orifice - Thanks man. Yeah it was pretty crappy in the beginning. I don't look back at those pages anymore heheh...unless I need to prove to my students that they can learn to draw and paint.

NiyanaMae - Thanks for stopping by. Yeah you should definitely attend an atelier if you go to chicago. I actually don't know where one is in chicago, but I'm sure there are plenty. It gives you such a solid foundation. Keep in touch and let me know if you sign up for a program like that.

pennington - Thanks heheh...maybe I should. It would be a fun outlet to draw all that stuff. Just crazy imagination stuff. I think I might do that.

Runecaster - The amazing thing is that I feel I have gotten so much from all of you. Seriously there were days when I wanted to quit...and I would log on here and someone would have said something encouraging...so it helped me move forward. At the beginning is the trickiest time too...and so I owe all of you for helping me through that. It's great to have a community like this...artists would have killed for it 30 years ago.

Blind - Thanks! I've said this before but I think it's true hehe. When you start off like I did...you can only go up from there hehehe.

Mr.Greene - Thanks! I had a lot of fun doing that last one. It gave me some problems too, but for the most part it was really fun. It has definitely been a journey. It's weird...you make a decision and four years later your whole life has changed. It's strange. I'm just glad my wife has been supportive throughout the whole thing.

Skeiff - Thanks man. I definitely am too...I didn't know if I would be any good when I started. I thought I could be...but sometimes I still wonder about that heheh.

That fat kid - I love that critique dude. Not pretentious at all just the truth. I have been thinking about similar things as well. I am getting more comfortable with oils and drawing abilities, etc... so I am able to start thinking about the deeper things now. If a painting is ONLY an exercise in technique (apart from studies and schooling, etc...) it really doesn't have much value. I have also noticed that the paintings that I have not put feeling in...show it. They are lame and everyone know it...even if they don't know why. It's a great point that you make and a very insightful one. I am trying to tell a story with the most recent things I've done so I'm glad you picked up on that too. It definitely is hard to jump back and forth from the mindset of "that arm is wrong" to "How can I convey this person's personality". Really what I'm realizing though is that my drawings and paintings should look good only so that people are not distracted from my message. Kind of like in a song...all the notes need to be played right so that people won't be distracted from what you are trying to communicate. Right on man thanks!

dan liimatta - hahah...yes get on that wacom!!

paperX - Thanks so much...my biggest hope is that it will provide that inspiration.

k4pka - Absolutely man...anytime. I am learning all those things myself as well. I left my atelier basically right as I started painting so I've had to figure out certain things on my own as well. That one concept dawned on me one day and all of color opened up to me. It was like a light bulb turning on. My color isn't perfect now but I understand and can practice it more. At any rate I'm just glad it helped you and confirmed your ideas.

Kronos - Sorry for the small painting hehe...i use the same ones as my website so some patrons logging on are still at 1024 x 768. So I don't want to blow up their screens hehhe. I'm glad I lit that fire in your belly too man. It's amazing what looking at other artists' work will do for your inspiration level. Every time I go to the museum I come back fired up and ready to paint some more heheh.

coriat - Thanks!

saa - Thanks so much. I definitely feel like I have a long way to go that's for sure. Gotta keep growing.

escape2mars - Hey thanks! I was excited about that too. We'll see what comes of it. If my wife caught me calling myself a superstar. She would laugh and make fun of me for a long time heheh.

____________________________________


As far as the book update is concerned...it's bad news. Unfortunately I got a copy of it from lulu (the self publishing company I was using to print it)...and I really wasn't happy with their printing quality. So what I am going to do is add high rez copies of all my paintings to the book. Add a tutorial painting perhaps and add a bunch more information and make it available for download. I will probably charge about 2.95 for the pdf or something like that. I put a lot of work into it but I just can't sell it to people when the printing is sub par. The binding just doesn't feel solid enough and the color reproduction is really lacking. So that's where the book idea is so far. I need to finish up that other stuff so I can begin releasing the book off my website. I am also thinking that I will do my "journey" book that way too. It will take me a LOT more time to finish that book...but I think it will be a great way to get the information to people. Sell a 150-200 page pdf so the price doesn't have to be jacked up. Plus I can sell it directly without going through a middle man. I don't know...lemme know what you guys think about that.


Here are a couple new paintings. These were the ones ready to varnish at the time. I did a portrait of my mother in law which was fun. We actually get along can you believe it hehe. I did some other still lifes too. Also I took a picture of some of the other stuff to show you what I can varnish fairly soon. The one all the way on the left is a self portrait. I have to wait to varnish it. It came out ok...I tried a really hard pose. There is a bunch of other stuff around the studio but I'll post that later on.

111855

111856

111857

111858

[MikeHayes]

I have been following this thread for years and every time I see an update it is like a hundred cups of coffee's worth of inspiration. I must also say it is part of the reason I decided to attend an atelier myself.

Although I am headed towards a different professional arena, the type of training and study I do is similar to you. I hate to ask, but should you ever find yourself with a free moment or two I would very much appreciate it if you could take a look at my sketchbook thread. It is mostly charcoal studies from life, with a few oils in there as well.

I tried really hard to reciprocate in advance and find something... anything, to critique you on, but alas, I am at a loss.

[Call0ps]

always inspiring see this SB, no matter when and how many times i come always inspiring, hard work and dedication .. love your last paintings. keep sharing keep inspiring plz

[Fishspawn]

Awesome update, can't wait to see what your book is like!

[deep_set]

I am totally serious and confident in the truth of the following statement:

"I have never been so impressed and inspired by anything in my entire life"

So, so inspirational mate, brilliant journey. Keep going!

[Art_Addict]

I like the still lifes more then the figures.

Personally I would save up time and money and put together a realy nice book
to publish instead of thinking about a pdf. Your offset market would be bigger.
And I always love the feel and look of a real hard copy. Just my 2c

[dakoscwash]

you're my hero

[Orbital]

This has got to be one of the best examples of artistic determination. From 2002 to now, the improvement is just... wow. Absolutely wonderful!

[paperX]

wow great update!!! i've recently started learning to paint traditionally and let me just say after attempting to mix colours in real life and looking at your works again has made me realise what truly amazing level of kick-ass-ness you are achieving :}

about the books...I agree with what Art_Addict said, mostly because even tho i'm still a student I would personally be prepared to pay a higher price just so that i can treasure the amount of inspiration you give me in my hands and also share it with others. thats my added 2c :P

[Bojee]

Always good to see the new work Jon, Although I agree that the PDF would be a good temporay solution I think I'd much rather have the real deal. Like many people on here, I'm pretty proud of my book collection and I'd love to add your's to it. ;)

On another note, could you post some pics of your set up/studio?? :)

[emily g]

The portrait of your mother-in-law is amazing.
You're doing such beautiful work--I'm proud to know you. :)

[drd]

This is the first time I've posted in here. I wish I'd seen it when you first began, I'd probably have gone down the same line as you, it would have been great inspiration...

I look at your first couple of pencil drawings in here, and then at these. No words needed.

I know you've done Acrylics and Oils. In your opinion, do you find working with oils much more manageable and/or easier than acrylics? Right now, all I can really afford to use is acrylics, because my painting area is in the house, unlike you which I'm sure have some sort of studio, I've just got my little corner =(.

I want to ask whether most artists consider acrylics the beginner paints, and when they're accomplished, they move up to oils and make even better pieces?

[Looped_Warrior]

Where have you been my whole life?! This is amazing!

[Blackhawk]

Well, atleast I know the portrait of your mother-in-law is semi-accurate as she does bear a striking resemblance to your wife Marie :). Nice job man.

[pennington]

It would be a fun outlet to draw all that stuff. Just crazy imagination stuff. I think I might do that.


hot dog, i can't wait :B

[Burning Eyes]

you have come a looooooonnnnggg way even since i joined ca 3 years ago, and since i met u in for the 1st san fran workshop... truely inspiring to paint in oils... ill get to it soon... i swear, obviously nothing can stop u now so... just keep us jacked up on eyeCANDY!

[monsi]

I thought I'd commented on this a few weeks ago..

I just have to say, looking through this thread, from page one to here, has to be one of the most incredible things I've seen. Really really inspiring.

And even without the contrast of the years of progression, I really REALLY love your work. It has an incredibly attractive quality.

I'm totally a fan :D

[Momus]

This thread proves that "talent" is 99% perspiration. Utterly inspiring, even if inspiration only counts for 1%!

[MindCandyMan]

MikeHayes - Hey man thanks for the kind words. I took a look at your sketchbook. You have some really great work in there!!! I like a lot of your illustrations and your drawings. The one prelim drawing of that centaur is just awesome man...great sketch. It's hard to find critiques so I will try to give the best I can. I can tell with a lot of your charcoal portraits and figure drawings from life that you are focusing in on certain areas. What I mean is that you are working on the eyes and forgetting about other areas. I noticed on a lot of your figure drawings and portraits the heads and eyes were too small for the bodies/faces. That's a really common thing that happens to all of us for sure. The way to avoid that is to simplify the head and eye sockets first before going into them with too much detail. Also step back from your easel as much as possible. I step back for each stroke that I put down on the canvas. The place that I view the subject from is far away from the canvas...so I have to remember what it looked like and walk to the canvas and place my mark. Perhaps you are already doing this but if you aren't I would definitely do that. When you step back it gives you the general overall view of what you are drawing. Also pay particular attention to the angles when you are drawing/painting something. Be anal about getting your angles right...draw imaginary angles down from the corner of the eye...drop a pretend plumb line from every point you can imagine to what it intersects...etc... It always feels counterintuitive but the more time you spend on the preliminary drawing the faster you can complete the finished product....or the easier it is to finish it. I had to write this critique real quick...if you want me to expound shoot me a private message.

Callops - Thanks man! Glad I could inspire for sure.

Fishspawn - enjoy...it's free now hehe!

deep_set - haha thanks man! Glad I could help inspire you. I feel the same way when I look at Sargent's paintings in person. It's great to have this community where we can help each other for sure.

Art_Addict - I agree about the book. I decided I am going to put the time into producing the "journey" book instead of trying to do these volumes. I am going to work hard on that and get that published really nicely and just offer these others for free. Thanks for the input!

dakoscwash - :patriot:

Orbital - Thanks man...still trying to keep going hehe.

paperx - Thanks man I appreciate it. Yeah I agree with you guys. I think I am going to pour my work into the "journey" book so that it can be a really nice product. It might take a while to get it finished and published but I really want to make it nice. If you have any feedback about what you might like to see in the book I would love to hear it.

Bojee - Thanks man...yeah I am going to put more work into the "journey" book and just offer these other books for free. My problem with this book is that I didn't feel right charging when the quality wasn't good enough. I was looking into self publishing options because I just don't have the money to pay for a bunch of copies up front right now. It would take probably about 2,500-5k right now which I don't think I could afford. I am going to do a walkthrough of my next still life as kind of a tutorial thing so I will include my setup pictures and stuff with that one. Is that the type of thing you are looking for?

emily g - Thanks! That portrait was really fun for sure. I'm proud to know you too. You guys have been so encouraging you are just as much a part of my journey as I am. That sounds cheezy I know but it's true.

drd - Thanks! The difference between acrylics and oils really just boils down to what you want to do. I think oils have a potential for a deeper more vibrant color. Oils can also communicate a lot more transparency than acrylics. Then again I see some illustrators working in acrylics that do amazing work...but to me acrylics seem to lack the punch that oils have. A lot of people use acrylics because water is your solvent and it also dries very quickly. This makes acrylics great for people on a specific time table...some oils have to dry for 90-180 days before you can final varnish them...that is too much for some people. Also the solvents used with oils can be really annoying, messy, and caustic. I can't help but use oils though. I think they can achieve virtually any effect and the colors are fantastic. They are expensive too though. I would definitely work in oils if you can...just be ready for the expense and mess hehe.

Looped_Warrior - Haha thanks man!

Blackhawk - Thanks bro. This portrait was really fun to do that's for sure. This portrait has its own set of issues that's for sure but one thing I am proud of is that it looks exactly like her. Can't believe you still follow this thread heheh.

pennington - Workin on it now...maybe I'll make a blogspot account or something like that hehe.

Burning Eyes - Thanks. It's been a long road that's for sure. I'll definitely try to keep you guys jack up on eye candy hehe!

nethus - Thanks man. That was actually one of my goals when I started this thread. I said to myself...I need to get to the point to where people say..."your work is good" standing on it's own. It means a lot for me to hear you say that. I really appreciate it.

Momus - Haha thanks! Sometimes I feel like my work is 140% perspiration. I feel like I have to work twice as hard as those around me sometimes. My dad always said my family wasn't full of geniuses...just plodders or workers. He was right I think...we're just too stubborn to give up hehe.

______________________________


Hey guys thanks for all the encouraging comments. I explored a bunch of options with this book and I am deciding to offer these yearly volumes for free on my website. I am going to be offering other products for sale on there like prints and some other stuff perhaps. I ordered a bunch of drafts of the book and I just don't think it's up to par using lulu.com or the other self publishing options. I am going to pour all of my "book work" into creating a journey book that shows all of my progress and different sections of my life. I even want to get some old drawings from my parents...you guys would crack up if you saw them. It might take a couple years but I am definitely going to look into it.

You guys can download the new book for free at this address:

http://www.jonathanhardesty.com/store.php

[[void]]

Wow free, thats very generous of you.

I think that a 'journey' book is a great idea, its been really inspiring seeing your progress over 5 years.
Btw thanks for keeping such a well documented record of you progress, every now and then I come back to this thread to remind myself what you can do with patience and determination. Its really inspiring.

And the book is really nice too :]

[Mitchell]

Wow great stuff john! I love the skull on the dresser painting. and also the painting of Amy. Very intriguing, and it does feel like you captured her personailty, because when I looked at it, I already made a conncetion to what kind of a person she would be like. I'm barely getting into oil's myself, (in the process of doing a self portrait, updated in my sketchbook if you wanna go check out the disaster) and although I feel I can "draw" the person well and get a good likeness, I can't seem to get that "life" in a painting, or at least that's how it feels to me. But looking at your paintings, I am definately learning some ways to acheive the "life".

thanks for the book! very good stuff.
-mitch

[zeroe]

Wow Mindcandy...you're stuff gets more beautiful everytime i get the guts to check this thread...it always crushes my spirits hah! Great work on the book cover...love the suggestive and energetic brushstrokes in the background.

[Ashrumm]

Great stuff here, the latest updates are really good!!

[Monika Gruszka]

:bow: :bow: :bow:
OH-MY-GOD! I mean, YOU are the GOD! Impressive art! It is almost impossible:) You are my hero.. and.. now I must draw something:) KISSES!

[Konstruktion]

Wow I love all the blacks in your portraits. Or, all the dark values. Really inspiring thread! ANd I think you should go on with the pdf-book idea, if its only easy to pay for you have one buyer here.

[giloosh]

WOAH! Its amazing to watch the progress from an absolute rookie to an absolute master! Truly inspirational!

[cakeypigdog]

this thread is such an inspiration. whenever anyone tells me they cant draw but they would like to i always direct them here: your hard work and dedication are awe inspiring.
i just tried to dload your pdf but it seems to be broken?
fix it please :) would love a look at your book!

[Earendil]

Holy cow.

Wow.

You sir, are...how you say?....THE MAN.

What the hell am I still doing in this reply box?!

...




:painting:

[stone.]

this is some awesome progress... very motivating!

thanks to you, i convinced alot of friends that if they wanna draw, they can do it... just need to get started... so thanks :)

i started to do some oil on canvas, but its hard for me to figgure out how to start.

the paint is drying soo slow, and i cant set highlights because the white paint always blend in with the wet backcolors (hope you understand what i mean)

would be awesome with some kind of step by step or something... you could try check out my sketchbook next week, then i will upload some oil paintings.

regards stone. keep it up !

[Jason Rainville]

Just another comment on this being increcibly inspiring (edit: so much so I can no longer spell correctly :O). Like I mentioned in another thread, I finally have something tangible to show those who think they can't make it, how they'll never improve yadda yadda...

Seeing where I'm at I think I have a good chance of 'getting there' and this thread and your growth has put a ton of coal in the furnace.

Thanks, congrats, and carry on, my good sir :)

[Bojee]

Jon, sorry it took a while to get back to you, I just meant that I'd always value something that takes a solid book form over digital, if it was something i was adding to my collection. As far as the form/content it takes, that's up to you, I'm personally into process, both technical and thought process, maybe your motivation for doing what you do, and lots of inspiring paintings. Hope that helps bro. :)

[Kfeeras]

just got here from an art discussion about the subject wether art can be learned or not.... i always knew that i can be learned... now i have evidence. great stuff, curious to know how my stuff will look around page 30... ;-) RIGHT ON!!!!

[Beavotron]

dude you are the single most inspirational artist i have ever encountered on the internet or otherwise

cripes.
best thread ever!

[theartguy]

It's nice to come back and see your still kicking butt! Keep it up buddy

[Capprotti]

Damn John. Beautiful. Every time I come back it's like... it should be 3 years between visits to this thread judging by your progress, but in reality it's only been a month. I continue to be blown away. Time to dust off my brushes!

[griffinfly]

You're my inspiration and a cheer up man

[Ellingsworth]

Since I have stopped in here before, I must say thank you for taking your journey, without this I would have never picked up the pencil and started to draw.

[VanDog]

respect!

[eskanto]

i would only be repeating what everyone else has said over and over and again in this SB but it would be a big shame to look through this whole SB and not post. your progress is amazing and reminds me of something that i have only slowly come to realize: that one is ALWAYS learning and practicing and reaching and it never stops. great work

[dkounios]

one of the best sb threads out there, hands down.
I just went through your pdf book too. amazing work.
so many pages of goodness in here. love it.
please keep it up

[MindCandyMan]

[void] - Glad you liked the book man. I have not been updating this thread as regularly as I should be. I am way overdue for an update hehe.

Skeiff - Hey man I went to your sketchbook...it's definitely not a disaster! You have really good work in your sketchbook man. I can tell you are working hard. That self portrait in oils with the four arms is awesome. As far as getting the life in portraits I definitely think what makes the difference is doing it from life vs. doing it from a photo. When someone comes into my studio to be painted I actually just let them talk for about 15-20 minutes so I can get a feel for their personality. Sometimes I will change my initial setup ideas to suit their personality more. When you spend 4+ hours painting someone it gives you a great chance to really observe who they are and to capture more of their vibe.

zeroe - Thanks! I'm glad my work is looking better to others. I can definitely say each step I've taken has been harder to move forward. The more and more I learn the harder it is to take those big leaps. Right now I feel like I have to work really hard just to get a little bit better. I guess that's the way it is...or I just have a harder time learning heheh.

ashrumm - Thanks! Glad you liked the updates. Thanks for stopping by!

monna-giovanna - Haha...thanks for your compliments. I'm glad I could inspire you to draw more! But trust me when I say...there are other painters who are much better and I definitely have a long way to go. I'm certainly not hero-worthy heheh but thanks.

Sarcophagus - Thanks. Yeah I have been leaning more towards the darker values in my paintings as of late. I am loving the caravaggio feel of something coming out of the darkness. It's more emotional and I think that's what draws me to it. Thanks for the vote of confidence about the book idea too. My main problem now is that it will just take so much time. Maybe I can do it on the weekends.

giloosh - Thanks! Definitely not at master yet...but I'm trying!

cakeypigdog - Thanks for the kind words! The link is fixed (you may have seen that already) so you can download it if you like. I was deleting some files in my ftp and I accidentally deleted that pdf...whoops heheh

Earendil - Haha thanks!

stone. - That's great you are painting in oils. Oils are definitely more slow drying than the other mediums. That is their advantage though. You can work wet-into-wet for a long time with oils...where you can't with other mediums. The problem you are having placing your highlights is probably due to two things: You are not using enough paint on your brush and are trying to "scrub" the whites onto the canvas. And you are also not having a light touch. If you use enough paint for your highlights (always mix some sort of color into your highlights---check each highlight to see which direction (warm or cool) that it leans)....If you mix enough paint for your highlights and lightly drag the end of the brush over the surface of the paint...the new paint will grab onto the other paint. Your paint should be roughly like mayonnaise as far as consistency goes. So if your paint is too hard to do this type of thing you need to add some medium to it while it's on your palette. Hope that helps...maybe I will get a tutorial together sometime.

Rhineville - Thanks man. Glad this help motivate you...spelling aside hehe ;). The truth is that if I can do it...anyone can hehe...trust me on that.

Bojee - I agree 100% and I feel the same way. I just need to get to work on making it. Thanks so much for all your constant input and encouragement man. Hope things are going well for you.

Kfeeras - It most definitely can be learned! Art is a skill like anything else. If violin can be learned than art can be learned...not every violinist will be an Itzhak Perlman...and not every artist will be a john singer sargent...but it still can be learned for sure.

Beavotron - Haha...thanks man I appreciate it. Glad I could help inspire.

theartguy - Thanks for the encouragement. Still trying to kick butt...it's definitely been a long road that's for sure.

Capprotti - Thanks! Yes Yes yes...dust off those brushes!

griffinfly - Thanks! :}

Ellingsworth - That's awesome man. That's precisely why I have this thread...to let people know they don't have to settle with what other people are telling them they are good at. Glad this could help you pick up a pencil...now never put it down ;)

VanDog - Right back at ya!

eskanto - Thanks for the kind words. You are right that an essential component to doing anything well is just persevering...that's for sure. Sometimes, when my work is crappy, I have to force myself to keep going just by sheer will. It definitely gets tough but it's worth it in the end.

dkounios - Thanks! I'm glad you liked the book as well. I will definitely keep it up...I have no recourse now heheh.

______________________________


I have some news and a couple new paintings that I can show. I am now working with a great gallery in Fredericksburg, TX named Whistle Pik Galleries. They are a fantastic gallery and have some great painters hanging on their walls. William Whitaker has permanent work there...David Leffel...Mike Malm...and other great artists as well. Two weeks after they hung two of my paintings "Studio Dresser" (the painting with the skull on the dresser top) sold. The staff are excited about my work which carries over to the customer. I'm really happy to be working with them.

Here are two more paintings I am going to be sending to them:

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Apricots - 9 x 12

178476

Carnations & Cherries - 8 x 16


I actually have moved into a new studio as well. I need a studio that had true natural light and had enough room for my to teach as well. This studio is 2000 sq. feet and has wonderful north light. With the help of a friend and also Nate Snitzer (known around here as "blackhawk") I was able to build a cool model stand as well. It's like a deck on wheels hehe. Here are the pictures of the studio:

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174878
174879
174880
174881

I also finished cutting and sanding a new palette that I am making. Nate helped me choose the wood and figure out how to cut the shape out. I wanted to have a wacky design and it turned out really cool. I'll take a picture of it soon and post that up as well. Thanks again for all the encouragement everyone....I have bought a house...moved my studio...and done lots more in the past months. It has been crazy busy...but I'll try to update more frequently now.

[Olof]

I love it that you're still going. One of the oldest inspirations around here.

.hugs

[Chermilla]

That studio is HUUUUUGE, damn....you rich or something?! :)

Cx

[Bojee]

Wow Jon, That studio is amazing!!! I'm so happy that great things are happening for you! Love the new paintings...keep up the great work. :)