Bernie Fuchs technique, anyone...?

[Valentino]

I'd like to hear somebody's description of Bernie Fuchs' and Daniel Schwartz' unique manner of painting, particularly painting figures. Careful study of their works can reveal many things, but not all. If there's somebody who has been taught by Mr.Fuchs or have seen him painting, I'd appreciate the input.

Btw, while I am at it, it would be great if someone could post a large image or two of Dan Schwartz. I have seen only tiny repros in various annuals and similar publications. Fuchs' images are fortunately easier to obtain.

[dose]

I'm not familiar with Schwartz, and I'm not an expert on Fuchs, but I do know that he mainly uses watercolor and oil, and quite extensively uses a "pull-out" technique which goes something like this:

- A fairly detailed drawing that is mostly outlines/indications of the major shapes (and not positive, but I believe Fuchs is one the many illustrators who made a major career out of tracing slides).

- A base medium/dark wash is laid over the whole drawing. It's usually a single, solid color- but occasionally he will break this up into a few patches of color (i.e. for foreground & background, or foreground/middleground/background).

- the lights are pulled back out of the wash with water (or turp), using brushes, paper towels, etc.

- The lights are then "tinted" with the local color for each object, and the original dark wash is adjusted here and there (for particularly strong colors/values). This stage is usually done with transparent or semi-transparent pigments, with only occasional use of opaque pigments.

It's a good quick technique to achieve a really limited palette painting with soft- but not too soft- edges.

Hope this helps

Tim

[Valentino]

The lights are then "tinted" with the local color for each object,

It is interesting how often those tints (applied with broad brush, sponge, rag or something like that) do not go beyond the edge of the form, i.e. they do not mix with adjacent shadow area at all, though the shadow area is washed the same way - say in broad vertical strokes from upper to bottom edge. It is as though he used masking liquid to prevent that.

Another thing which fascinates me is his way of painting opaque lights around transparent darks, which looks particularly effective in complicated shapes, like flower leaves, railing, ship's rigging etc.

[dose]

If I understand the effect you're talking about correctly, it's an effect of the pulling out technique. You can rarely pull an initial wash color all the way back out. It's possible if you use an oil based ground with oil paints (instead of acrylic gesso, which stains), and you can get stuff mostly out if you use certain hot-press papers/boards with watercolor (and I think there are some relatively new synthetic papers that can achieve this as well), but you will always see some of the color & texture of the original wash even after it's pulled back out- as long as you maintain some level of transparency in the colors that go over it. I think he is just very careful in applying the tints, and stays very aware of the nice edges from the pullout.

Haven't seen the opaque lights effect that you're talking about, but sounds interesting. I'll have to see if I can dig up better images to look at than the dinky ones I found on a quick search...

[Valentino]

Haven't seen the opaque lights effect that you're talking about, but sounds interesting. I'll have to see if I can dig up better images to look at than the dinky ones I found on a quick search...

Here is a couple of interesting (albeit medium size) jpgs...

[tensai]

i have this issue 15 of the illustration magazine which is a whole special about bernie fuchs. it talks about his life influences, how he broke in, the different stages/periods in his career - and a bit about his technique. ie. what he was using; casein, watercolour, acrylic, how he changed to oils, etc., but not so specific as you might be looking for. still a very interesting read.

the oils he apparantly got into when trying to paint the atmosphere in the pub but being dissatisfied he tried oils on ordinary corrugated board, didn't work, started wiping it off with a rag and liked the glow he got.

one of my favourite illustrators, for sure.

edit - that special is still on sale:
http://www.illustration-magazine.com/latest15.html

[Valentino]

edit - that special is still on sale:
http://www.illustration-magazine.com/latest15.html

I purchased that one the day it was out. The Illustration special on Bob Peak is also great. It's a shame there ain't no decent monograph on these fine illustrators.
Flesk Publications have announced publication of Peak book several times since last spring, but the publication date is keeping postponed. It should have already been out. The latest rumours has it that it will be published next spring.

[bizerk]

i love his work

[jrr]

that's good to know, HIGH FIVE!