Allyn

I finished this portrait about a month ago.

Bronze Casting Workshop

At the beginning of the month I participated in a 3 day bronze casting workshop at Historical Arts & Casting. I created a swirly, stylized acanthus leaf. It was neat to see the process from beginning to end. My results are below, as well as a list of the steps we took, in very simplified, not-so-scientific terms...

1. Create the decoration using oil based clay.
2. Pour a substance over the clay which hardens into a plastic-y material, producing a mold of the decoration. Peel the clay out of the mold.
3. Wax the mold and pour more of the plastic-y substance into the mold, creating a positive form of the decoration, matching the original clay form.
4. Impress the plastic decoration into sand, which includes a hardening agent, then remove the decoration and pour bronze into the sand mold.
5. When it cools, remove the bronze from the sand, cut off the excess bronze, and file the edges.
6. Dip the bronze decoration into a patina to achieve the desired look
7. Voila! Pretty bronze decoration.

my finished bronze decoration

my bronze piece before the patina

This shows each step of the process from clay to bronze

the sand molds ready for bronze

pouring the bronze

the bronze before cutting and filing

We also visited the studio of Ed Fraughton, a very talented sculptor. I was impressed and inspired listening to his process and seeing his amazing work!

sculpted by Ed Fraughton

Ed Fraughton discussing his work

 

sculpted by Ed Fraughton

Mountain Man Comes To Life

I originally posted this drawing in October but recently asked Jeremy to come back so I could refine the drawing of his eyes a little more. It's amazing how the drawing seems to come to life, just by adding more detail! I made some other small edits too, but the eyes are the most noticeable.

after some refinement

original drawing

Progression of a Portrait

Below is the progression of a recent portrait I did of my friend Jeff Muniz (not to be confused with my instructor, Jeff Hein). 

I'm currently available for portrait commissions. 

If you or someone you know is interested in a charcoal portrait drawing, please contact me at courtneyvv@gmail.com. I prefer to work from life (you would come to my studio and sit still while I draw you). The standard amount of time for such a portrait is about nine hours (three 3 hour sessions). It's pretty interesting seeing your face come to life on a piece of paper.

Pictures from our Art Show

Here are some pictures from The Hein Academy art show last month (November 15).

Jeff Hein beginning a three hour painting demonstration

Jeff's final painting. Beautiful!

Academy students! Emily, me, Lis and John

Emily, Jenna, me and Emily 2!

We were honored to enjoy music from Beaux's band, St. Boheme. Love them!

Art Show this Friday!

Come see what the Hein Academy of Art is all about...here's the official invite:

Jeff Hein and the Hein Academy of Art are pleased to announce our fall art event. This is no ordinary art show. It will begin at 3pm, Friday the 15th of November with a free painting demonstration by Jeff Hein (in the East Building). This will run until 6pm, at which time the art show will begin. Student work will be shown in both the east building and west building until 9pm. In the west Building Jeff's private studio will be open where a series of plein air paintings will be for sale as well as a few portraits and other works. Also Jeff will be there to explain his unique process with the works in progress around the studio. Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you all there!

List of Exhibitors
Jeff Hein

Students
Rob Adamson
Lis Andersen
Jenna Carrington
Heidi Darley
John Darley
Skip Douglas
Tony Dupree
Sarah Hessinger
Bob Pack
Heather Rison
Courtney Vander Veur
Emily Wetterauer

Alumni
Joann Musser
Barbara Pence

Hein Academy of Art
East building, 11e 700s
West Building, 16w 700s
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

www.heinacademyofart.com

Huzzah!

This is the first portrait I've been able to finish in one session (4 hours), which I'm pretty excited about. I could definitely take it further, but I'm fairly satisfied with it right now and it looks like Kadee. Done and done.