Demonstrations
Although the demonstrations I give are centred on the glazing and impasto techniques of the Old Masters, I like to bring in a number of topics that I feel have a direct impact upon why and how we paint the way we do.
- The destructiveness of critical appraisal at the expense of what we do well
- Managing self confidence
- Remaining faithful to our own personal language
- Finding ways to take risks in your painting without worrying about failure
- Understanding our own natural processes
I also talk about lots of practical stuff such as:
- Choosing the best pose
- Identifying key features
- Addressing personality in a picture
- Using photographs
- Mixing flesh colours.
Typically a demonstration will cover the preparation, drawing and fixing stage of my process, followed by a couple of techniques for addressing the tonal challenges in a portrait through glazing and impasto. I conclude with a practical session on home-made mediums, along with mixing and applying flesh colours from mid-tones to highlights.
To ensure the session is as enjoyable as it is informative, there are numerous anecdotes along the way of the events, ranging from the ridiculous to the stupendous, that have coloured my creative life. These can include the story of how I swapped a portrait for a racehorse or ended up with an arts review program on BBC radio, following an on-air altercation with a presenter over a portrait of the Queen.
Write up in the Christchurch Arts Guild News and website
‘On the 26th October the Guild was treated to a remarkable demonstration of portrait painting by a highly motivating artist. We began the evening with a laugh and words of wisdom, and finished it with more humour and nuggets of knowledge.
Mike provided us with a mass of information about the techniques he employs for painting very realistic portraits, using acrylics and oils. Interspersed with these gems were amusing anecdotes of his life and philosophy of the art world.
He began by explaining how he, like the ‘Old Masters’, builds up the pictures he is painting in various stages from pencil sketches, through overlay glazes and shadowing, to finally the paint. After painstaking preparation, the results are stunning portraits that capture the very essence of the subject. He is also an accomplished equestrian artist.
At the end of a brilliant, inspiring evening, Mike gave us a recipe for his glaze solution.
“Anyone can paint a portrait” said Mike and do you know, after this evening, we could certainly attempt it’.
Demonstrating a portrait for South Wales Art Society
“I can’t think of a demonstration that was better received and we hope we will be privileged to experience another from you in the future. We learned so much from what you had to say and were inspired by your infectious enthusiasm”
“Mike is motivational, creative and inspiring. He intuitively knows how to unleash the best from his audience. If only I could bottle his enthusiasm, wit and knowledge and make it freely available, the world would be a much more enlightened place.
Demonstrating an equestrian portrait for Frimley and Camberley Art Society
“Frankly, not being a horsey man, I had come to this demo expecting to be less interested than I had been when he demonstrated portrait painting. How wrong I was.” Sam Dauncey
Read Sam’s write up of this demonstration, including notes about the process, at www.fcsaonline.org.uk/History/Skidmore/Skidmore.htm
Cost: From £180, depending on location
For more information on demonstrations or to make a booking, please call Cathy on 01367 252206 or email: cathy@mike-skidmore.com