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Sunday, March 3, 2019

New Video: Making a Miniature Paper Room for Painting Reference


In this video, I'm making a paper maquette (scale model) of a room to refer to as I continue to develop my painting “Withdrawing Room I." I also chat about the architecture that inspired the painting, including the Thorne Miniature Rooms & 18th-century architect Robert Adam.
The much longer, more in-depth versions of these progress videos are available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annawakitsch

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Save Leftover Oil Paint with Clove Oil!

How I save leftover oil paint, mixtures, and even the whole palette with a few drops of clove oil to keep it fresh and workable for weeks! 



Sunday, February 17, 2019

Latest mini-video: Color inspiration, research, and mixing for my current painting-in-progress!



Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Color Mixing with a Chromatic Triad: New Patreon Video


Color Mixing with a Chromatic Triad: the 2nd episode in my series of painting videos is now up on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/annawakitsch
In this episode, I'm planning the addition of color to my currently monochrome painting "Withdrawing Room I". I'll be using a coffee cup as my color inspiration for the walls in the painting, and attempting to match the cup with oil paint.

Sunday, February 10, 2019

New Video (Painting in a Hemisphere) and Teaching Platform!

I've just started posting a new series of videos!  Mini studio vlogs will be available on my Youtube channel, and longer videos on Patreon, which I'll be using as a teaching platform and to share my process in depth: https://www.patreon.com/annawakitsch

Here is the first mini studio vlog!  https://youtu.be/Uq09gM6tfVQ


In this video, I'm working on an oil painting inside a hemisphere and adding an 18th-century dress (from a digital life study I did at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on my iPad).  This stage is a "grisaille" underpainting with neutral gray mixtures of oil paint.  

See more of my work on my website: https://www.annawakitsch.com
More in-depth, behind-the-scenes videos and tutorials on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/annawakitsch
Instagram:  @annawakitsch   http://www.instagram.com/annawakitsch

Monday, April 4, 2016

New Work

Visit my website to see a selection of work from my first year of grad school at the New York Academy of Art.  These will be on view tonight, April 4, at our Tribeca Ball!

www.annawakitsch.com

Friday, December 12, 2014

Bad Sketches from NYC


Recently I made a visit to New York City, determined to do more sketching than snapping photos on my phone.  I don't usually sketch that often, partly out of fear of doing an embarrassingly bad sketch.

However, a few weeks before I left, I was really inspired by an episode of the Suggested Donation podcast featuring artist Steven Assael.  He encouraged artists to always carry a sketchbook, because even a bad drawing is a valuable experience that gets into your brain.

What he said reminded me of when I was with The Ryder Studio in Holland and Tony encouraged us to sketch at the museums, to go through the process of downloading all that aesthetic information.

First, I searched for a toned paper sketchbook, and found one I liked (Strathmore Art Journal, 400 Series Toned Gray 80 lb. sketch paper, 112 pages, 5.5" x 8"), but it didn't have an elastic closure like I'm used to.  So I added one of my own by stapling an adjustable elastic headband to the back cover.  I added a ribbon bookmark too, threading the other end through the spine and tying it to the elastic.  I already loved the soft feel of the cover and the warm gray paper with subtle fibers creating visual texture, and my own customization made me even more eager to use it on my trip!


The first night, I looked out the window of where I was staying, and saw the beautiful, sparkling skyline.  I took a bunch of grainy camera phone photos, and then as I was getting ready for bed, I realized, "Oh no!!  I should have sketched it instead!"  So the next morning I got up at dawn and drew the skyline-- the first image in this post.

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there was an amazing costume exhibit, Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire.  I went through the exhibit, then picked a dress to sketch from.


One of my reasons for making the trip was that I'm looking at graduate schools and MFA programs, and one of the schools I wanted to visit was the New York Academy of Art.  It was great to see the school and meet up with a good friend there, Abigail Schmidt.  While I was there, I was actually able to sit in on a drawing class with the very same Steven Assael who had inspired my determination to sketch more!  He encouraged the class to work from memory and imagination, as well as observation.  I did a tiny drawing from the model in my sketchbook.


I went to the Frick Collection to visit their three Vermeers.  I picked my favorite of the three to sketch.


The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology had an exhibit of Dance & Fashion.  Again, I went through the exhibit, took some notes, and then picked a costume to draw.


Back at the Met, I met up with Kristy Gordon to sketch together!  We did some thumbnail sketches and then also spent a little longer on a few things.



Also at the Met, I drew from a sculpture of Leda and the Swan, and did really quick scribbly sketches of some furniture.



It was an amazing trip, and it really enriched my experience to set aside my self-consciousness and take the time to sketch!