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Atelier Feedback

Reply To: The meaning of art lecture by Hans Rookmaker

24 March 2023 - Jennifer Weiwei Cheng

Hi Matan, Thank you so much for the share. His remark on how people look at their babies (Rubens vs 15th century art) made me chuckle. Have you read John Berger’s writing or watched his 4-part film series “Ways of Seeing” with BBC (available on YouTube)? If not, you might… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

23 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Derek, THANK YOU! It’s been an honor to work with you. Best wishes my friend! -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

23 March 2023 - Derek Spieker

Hi Everyone, Thank you all for the kind words and well wishes. It’s been a pleasure getting to be an instructor at the atelier and to see everyone’s development. It’s very rewarding to see people start with squares and circles and work their way up to highly finished realistic drawings… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

23 March 2023 - Vitaly Borisenko

Derek, I wasn’t one of your students but I have seen your work. You are very talented and I am wishing you success in your artistic future. I hope your time as an instructor here helped you to clarify your own vision and understanding of the process and I am… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

22 March 2023 - Grace Lane-Smith

Hi Derek, You are such an inspiration and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you. Thank you for your patient way of teaching – your eye and ability to pick up on half-formed questions is remarkable. A major highlight of learning in this program has been… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

22 March 2023 - Tabitha Fritter

Derek, you will be sorely missed!! Your feedback has been invaluable during my time here at the SVAtelier. You are always so thoughtful, knowledgeable, and your eyes are tack sharp. I’m always amazed at how much I don’t see until you point it out. I look forward to one day… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

22 March 2023 - Nikki Patton

Dear Derek, I did not get to meet with you through instruction, since I am just starting out here. However, I have watched your guidance to those who have left their posts for others to see. I so admire your accomplishments in your art that you have shared here and… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

21 March 2023 - Renee Daly

Hi Derek, I really enjoyed your Homer Cast drawings process postings. They are inspiring. Wishing you continued success and happiness in your future endeavors. – Renée [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

21 March 2023 - Claudia Campazzo

Hi Derek, thank you for all the beautiful teachings. I read so many of your critiques and learned so much. I’m wishing you the best for whatever comes next. [Read More...]

Reply To: NEW: Sadie’s Sketchbook Demos

20 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Poppy and Satin Dress demos are now posted, click here to see them [Read More...]

Reply To: NEW COURSE: Classical Sketchbook for Beginners

20 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

UPDATE: I’ve added 5 new block-in drawings to the new Beginners course. Students of all levels are invited to practice their block-in skills by copying the new drawings! See the new block-in demos here This is the first drawing: [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

19 March 2023 - Daniel Wornicov

Wow Derek! Thank you and thank you! Your fountain of classical knowledge is overflowing, go break a leg!! Best of Blessings. [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

19 March 2023 - Janelle Mason

Hi Derek I’m sorry to hear that you are leaving and wish you well in your future pursuits. Thank you for your patient and thoughtful guidance, inspiration and contribution you have made to the atelier! Regards Nel [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

19 March 2023 - Lijuan

Dear Derek, It was sad to see you leave SVAtelier as you are an excellent instructor. Thank you so much for your guides for this whole year since it seems just like yesterday I started SVAtelier course. I have learned a lot from you and you are such a patient… [Read More...]

Reply To: Varnish suggestions? Spray or Brush-on?

19 March 2023 - Aliona Price

I see, thank you. I ll keep in mind moving to Williamsburg in future, right now i have 90% of paint from gamblin ( and i have a lot of paint)and only handful of williamsburg. Since I am still in drawing part of the program and assume it will take… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

19 March 2023 - George Saba

Hi Derek, I just read that you will be leaving the Atelier. I want to thank you for being such an incredible teacher and support for me during my time as your student. You have a remarkable set of skills as a teacher; I have appreciated your feedback which is… [Read More...]

Reply To: Derek’s last week of teaching

19 March 2023 - Jennifer Weiwei Cheng

Hi Derek, Best wishes for your next chapter! Thought I had not been directly instructed by you, I’ve read countless feedback that you had given to others and learned so much from your insight, your wisdom, and your beautiful artwork. Thank you for showing us the way! All the best,… [Read More...]

Derek’s last week of teaching

19 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

I’m sad to announce that Derek’s last day as an SVAtelier instructor will be this Thursday March 23rd. Derek started as my in-studio atelier student back in 2015 and quickly excelled. Within a short time he was helping me teach my in-person students at my San Francisco studio, and became… [Read More...]

Reply To: NEW: Sadie’s Sketchbook Demos

18 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Tulip drawing is now posted in my personal sketchbook demo series! [Read More...]

Reply To: Varnish suggestions? Spray or Brush-on?

18 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hansas are great! I discovered hansa yellow pigments for watercolor when I was looking for a transparent yellow, because cadmium yellow in watercolor is chalky and opaque and awful! I have not yet tried it for oil, that’s a great suggestion. Yes, I know “alizarin permanent” is offered as a… [Read More...]

Reply To: Claudia Almeida – Classical Sketchbook for Beginners

23 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Claudia, Your rose looks good! You just need more practice with shading. Go ahead and do the earlier exercises in the course, we can help you with shading and line quality if you post the square/circle/shading/sphere exercises. Don’t give up, you have a good start! -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

23 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Anita, I addition to what Ian said above, just wanted to make sure you saw that I added more block-in exercises to the end of Classical Sketchbook for Beginners just a couple days ago, so you’ll want to do those lessons before moving on to the Intro course. -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

23 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Anita, The main reason that your shading is still rough and inconsistent is that your pencils are just too dull. You want to really sand off quite a bit of material from the entire barrel of graphite before pulling the tapered tip. You’re looking for something akin to a… [Read More...]

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

22 March 2023 - anita formmichella

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

22 March 2023 - anita formmichella

Hello Sadie and Ian I appreciate your help. I am moving on to the next course. I am struggling to get smooth shading. I spent hours, but I’m not sure it is as smooth as expected. I made little xs, did not hatch, and made tiny circles, all to no… [Read More...]

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

22 March 2023 - anita formmichella

Reply To: Jennifer Krigsman – Intro to Classical Drawing

20 March 2023 - Jennifer Krigsman

Thank you, Ian! I’ll move on to the next one. [Read More...]

Reply To: Jennifer Krigsman – Intro to Classical Drawing

19 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Jennifer, Very good! These are looking great. Go ahead to the next exercise 🙂 – Ian [Read More...]

Reply To: ioana istoc- Intro to classic drawing

19 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Ioana, Great work! These look so much better! Continue on to the shaded sphere exercise. – Ian [Read More...]

Reply To: Jennifer Krigsman – Intro to Classical Drawing

19 March 2023 - Jennifer Krigsman

I also did the 2 spheres. With the horizontal spheres I started by tracing it for the first go around. The second time I drew it free hand but quickly realized that I needed to sharpen my pencil, so I stopped and re-started a third one, also free hand, with… [Read More...]

Reply To: Jennifer Krigsman – Intro to Classical Drawing

19 March 2023 - Jennifer Krigsman

Hi Ian, I followed your instructions and I hope that the sphere is now reading better than before. It’s amazing to me that just a very light amount lead from the pencil can quickly darken an area. [Read More...]

Reply To: ioana istoc- Intro to classic drawing

19 March 2023 - Ioana Istoc

Good morning Ian. I loved getting back to circles and ellipses and working with tips from other class. Your detailed to contouring is amazing and i am good at following your advise.attached you have another practice session. I will do more today later in the evening. Thanks again! [Read More...]

Reply To: Claudia Almeida – Classical Sketchbook for Beginners

16 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Anita, [This review is actually for Claudia – SJV] Actually, a smooth paper can produce an ultra refined texture, so it’s not the paper, it’s your technique. Try shading with the tip of your pencil and slowly build up the darks by spending more time rather than trying to… [Read More...]

Reply To: ioana istoc- Intro to classic drawing

16 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Ioana, Ok Great! There’s more concepts you could explore in the sketchbook course, so I would like you to revisit these exercises with feedback. First, with your circles and ellipses, try to create a single contour. Yours are looking sketchy here – which is an ok place to start… [Read More...]

Reply To: Claudia Almeida – Classical Sketchbook for Beginners

16 March 2023 - Claudia Almeida

My rose drawing. I had a lot of trouble making the darks darker, and making my mark more refined, I think my paper was too smooth? I used an HB pencil. Any tips on how to improve? [Read More...]

Claudia Almeida – Classical Sketchbook for Beginners

16 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Claudia, I made you a new topic thread, please post all your work for this course here. -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

16 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Anita, you did great for your first block-in! You can go ahead and shade the bird. Use you kneaded gum eraser to gently tap the highlight and the area around the highlight to lighten the light side of the sphere. You can erase the cast shadow as well, we… [Read More...]

Reply To: Jennifer Krigsman – Intro to Classical Drawing

15 March 2023 - Jennifer Krigsman

Everything you say is so true! I actually love watching the videos because I still hear things I missed. Life is just a lot to juggle but I’ll do the best I can! [Read More...]

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

15 March 2023 - anita formmichella

Hello Sadie and Ian, Please find my attached redone sphere# 3 using all the values on the shading strip. Regarding the bird, I had never learned that method of drawing, so it was quite a challenge. I am here to learn how to draw better, so I am open to… [Read More...]

Reply To: Classical Sketchbook for beginners Anita F

15 March 2023 - anita formmichella

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Psyche De Naples

15 March 2023 - Claudia Almeida

This is beautiful! [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

16 February 2023 - Sadie Valeri

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

15 February 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hello Sadie, I understand the 2D problem, i tried to think more in 3D in my value study I have also started working on rounding the form of the final piece, again trying to keep in mind the 3D nature of the foot. Either way i will try to do… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

12 February 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Matan, You are drawing at a very high level, and your Bargue plates are excellent, but you are thinking in 2D. Look at the underside of the big toe. Is that area light, or shadow? Look at your cross-sections, where each cross section touches the outer contour of the… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

12 February 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hello Sadie and Ian, Thank you for the feedback, i did another pass on the contour trying to make it look more defined, it is a bit challenging to keep the line thin and yet dark, let me know what you think I also added a sphere, to determine the… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

6 February 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Matan, Congratulations on Angel Academy! I hope you have the greatest time there 🤗 Nice transfer and solid shading. The contour could be a bit cleaner and more consistent. In addition to Sadie’s recommendation about the sphere, you’ll also want a 6 step value scale and a value study.… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

6 February 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Matan, It can’t hurt to do the Intro exercises while you are also doing the Bargue plate. Specifically, do the Ellipses lesson, and then take a look at how understanding the shape of the ellipses could improve your cross-section exercise. Also, for every Bargue plate we always draw a… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

6 February 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hi Ian, Yeah i see the mistakes clearly I fixed it and completed the 80% value shapes shading Also, i talked to Sadie regarding starting the course exercises from the beginning as it seems i have some gaps in my understanding, I will first complete the current Bargue plate than… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

30 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Matan, Excellent work! I am noticing early in your drawing you have some slight shape errors. These arrive in steps 1 and 2 from not designing preliminary scaffolding shapes accurately enough. Spend some more time in steps 1 and 2, simplifying the subject into a 4 or 5 sided… [Read More...]

Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing Plate 1,10

29 January 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hi Ian, I started plate 1,10, i attached pics of some of the steps I started the value study Would love any feedback you may have Thank you Matan Assaf [Read More...]

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Bargue Plates

29 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Marilyn Affolter [Read More...]

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Bargue Plates

29 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Terri Susan Zurbrigg [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Belvedere Torso – large

27 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Matan, Awesome to hear! Looking forward to seeing your next work and all your forthcoming growth ☺️ – Ian [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Belvedere Torso – large

24 January 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hi Ian, Thank your for the feedback. Yes i see now the issue with the crumbly contours, i didn’t paid enough attention to the outlines… I see what you mean about the shadow shapes, the Belvedere Torso especially was very challenging in that regard, I’ll pay extra attention to that… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Belvedere Torso – large

23 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Matan, Fantastic work on all your Bargue plates here! Wow! The crumbly texture Sadie is talking about is a result of your contour lines not being sharp or consistent enough. It indicates a dull pencil that is only gliding over the surface of the paper and not penetrating to… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Belvedere Torso – large

22 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Matan, great to see your steps, beautiful work! Glad to hear you are shading with the pencil point only. Ian will be giving you more detailed feedback tomorrow on things to keep in mind for the staps of your next plate. I think you’ll find it helpful to get… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Belvedere Torso – large

21 January 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hello Sadie, Thank you very much for your feedback! I initially purchased the graphite courses without the feedback program and got pretty much hooked on the work. I found myself working on the drawings all day every day, i only recently thought about subscribing to the light feedback program so… [Read More...]

Reply To: Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Belvedere Torso – large

21 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Matan, So sorry your posts were missed, there was a technical issue and our instructors were not notified there were new posts in this forum. It has been fixed. Your Bargue plates are beautiful! Very refined and very accurate. Are you using anything to smudge the graphite, or are… [Read More...]

Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Belvedere Torso – large

12 January 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hello again Sadie Valeri Atelier team, This is my last Bargue plate (My 4th) – The Belvedere Torso I did this one at a larger scale, I like the result but I am not sure it is necessarily better for my skill development to work on enlarged pictures or on… [Read More...]

Matan Assaf Bargue Plate Drawing (Graphite) Psyche De Naples

12 January 2023 - Matan Assaf

Hello again, My third Bargue plate – Psyche De Naples This one I estimate took me upward of 50 hours (probably closer to 100 hours due to the large amount of shading) Again, I would appreciate any feedback you may have Note: for this one I didn’t do a value… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

2 February 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Vitaly, Excellent photos and so glad to see you’re moving on to charcoal! Congratulations! The reflected light in the drapery exercise seems like it may be bright but it actually isn’t, so take everything you learned about maintaining a dark, nocturnal, detail-less shadow from this project into the next.… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

2 February 2023 - Vitaly Borisenko

Ian, Agreed. I am quite happy with it. I took some pictures with a better camera: I am returning back to the regular Atelier Feedback plan from here, on Sadie’s advice. I will try to find my thread and will post there my first steps for the next course, Drapery… [Read More...]

Reply To: Homer Cast Drawing

1 February 2023 - Jennifer Weiwei Cheng

Hi Derek, I don’t know how I just came upon this thread almost a year after the original posting. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful drawing, process and answers to other members’ questions. I don’t have anything worthy to add except to express my admiration!!! [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

30 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Omar, Beautiful! This looks great! For that highlight, you’re going to want to just apply a very fine mist of graphite that melts into it’s edge. That flesh under the eyebrow needs to go a lot darker too. Looking beautiful! – Ian [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

30 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Vitaly, Very nice! Note: darkening is not losing information. It definitely makes it more obscure as you mentioned, but the Ida is to intentionally leave details out in the shadow to support the details in the hight shape. I think this looks great and this is a great place… [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

29 January 2023 - Omar Gomez

Hi Ian, Thanks again for your feedback. I worked the dark light. Please let me know if it looks better. I always appreciate your insight! -Omar [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

27 January 2023 - Vitaly Borisenko

Ian, I hope I understood right. I darkened the [deep top-left] corner of the eye, making details in that area less apparent. Let me know what you think. Thank you, Vitaly [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

26 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Omar, I was referring to the entire brow including that corner. If you look at your reference image there’s a significant plane change with the highlight on the right and the brow turns into darkness rather rapidly. Right now the creases look accurate but they could be deeper and… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

26 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Vitaly, Great job! To most mimic how the human eye sees an entire object at once, I recommend pushing the darks in the corner of the eye and making those details more vague. The paper shouldn’t be wearing unless you improperly applied pressure to shade the 80%. Awesome work!… [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

25 January 2023 - Omar Gomez

Hi Ian, Thanks again for the encouragement! Also, thank you for telling me about waiting to do the shadow last. Here is another progress shot. Thanks you!!! -Omar Is this the area that I should darken? [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

25 January 2023 - Vitaly Borisenko

Ian, I have further lightened the values in the lower eyelid and darkened the reflected light within the cast shadow I start noticing the paper to wear in some areas and I’m getting afraid to overwork the drawing… Please let me know if you think something else needs done to… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

23 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Vitaly, Gorgeous! That lowest crease of the eyelid is dark light and maybe 60% at it’s darkest point. Also notice how that cleft gradually lightens as the fold between the skin gets shallower and shallower up towards the corner of the eye. Instead of treating this like a line,… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

23 January 2023 - Vitaly Borisenko

Ian, Thank you for you input. I lightened the lower eyelid to some degree and finished covering the entire surface of the cast. Please let me know if you have any comments/suggestions. Thank you, Vitaly [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

20 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Omar, Beautiful! Look how formful that brow is looking! To avoid making this forms feel too fluffy and pillow-like, make sure to darken up those side planes at the top triangular shaped corner of the brow crease. See how much dark light is there? Also, don’t start shading in… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

20 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Vitaly, Excellent work! That’s looking really good! I love how the brow is looking now. Great job adding depth to that space. Generally you want to wait until all the form is turned before you do anything in the shadows to avoid blowing out the highlight. I think the… [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

18 January 2023 - Omar Gomez

Hi Ian, I took a picture of the drawing in better lighting. To my naive eyes the dark crevices looked fine to me until you pointed out how much more sculpted they could be. Thank you so much for helping me notice that! Please let me know if you see… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

18 January 2023 - Vitaly Borisenko

Ian, Good point. I darkened the area under the eyebrow. Current progress so far: Please let me know if you have comments/suggestions, Vitaly [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

16 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Omar, Could you maybe photograph just the drawing in another room or in daylight? So far it’s look excellent, but it would be worth it to sculpt those ridges some more. The dark crevices are reading a bit more like striations right now. To give these forms more dimension,… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko – Cast Drawing

16 January 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Vitaly, Looking really nice so far! Excellent shading! To add more depth to the piece I recommend that you darken the local highlight of the flesh under the eyebrow by just a few percentages. This will separate it from your main highlight plane on the brow. Take the time… [Read More...]

Reply To: Omar Gomez Cast Drawing

15 January 2023 - Omar Gomez

Hi Ian, I turned up the brightness on the drawing. Thank you for noticing that! I will adjust the settings on the camera to help lighten up the photo. Many thanks for your attention to detail! -Omar [Read More...]

Reply To: charcoal drapery study and reference photo

6 February 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Margaret, Very nice! And a complex drape too! Are you going to use white chalk for this as well? There’s some really bright highlights in this subject that white chalk would really do wonders for. As of right now without the white chalk, your reflected light is a bit… [Read More...]

charcoal drapery study and reference photo

4 February 2023 - Margaret Gores

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Charcoal

29 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Charcoal drawing by Claudia Campazzo [Read More...]

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Charcoal

29 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Charcoal still life drawing by Jennifer Weiwei Chen [Read More...]

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Charcoal

29 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Charcoal still life by M. Joy Lemon [Read More...]

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Charcoal

29 January 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Drapery study by Nel Mason [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret Gores

29 November 2022 - Margaret Gores

Stacey, I’ve been drawing for about 18 months. Mostly since starting this atelier 15 months ago. Shortly before that I started working through the Bargue book exercises on my own. This atelier has really helped me…it’s given me a way to get my arms around concepts. I hope to paint… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret Gores

29 November 2022 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Margaret, Definitely a technical success! Nice work! You could really take this to the next level by expanding your value range. Really scrub in the white chalk on the highlights and darken your shadow so it occupies 80-100% on the value spectrum. Just darkening the shadow will really up… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret Gores

29 November 2022 - Stacey Ashton

It’s incredible!! How long have you been drawing Margaret? [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret Gores

29 November 2022 - Margaret Gores

Ian, thank you so much for your feedback. It really helped me know how to look at my drawing with different eyes, and it helped me understand why my gut was telling me there was something a bit off. I have tried to make the adjustments you suggested. This is… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret Gores

15 November 2022 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Margaret, Very nice work on this copy! I so appreciate how you rendered all of these folds so intricately! One thing that would make this sing so much more brilliantly is if you prioritize your highlights. Look for one to three areas where there is absolute highlight – 0%,… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret Gores

14 November 2022 - Stacey Ashton

Stunning!!! [Read More...]

Margaret Gores

10 November 2022 - Margaret Gores

Reply To: Livestream recording and final drawing

12 June 2022 - Sadie Valeri

Thank you to everyone who could attend my livestream session yesterday! Here is the link to the recording: https://sadievaleriatelier.net/courses/livestream-june-11th-2022-virtual-open-studio-session-with-sadie/ This is my final drawing: The drawing is available for sale, email me at info@sadievaleri.com if you are interested! The actual drawing is about 7 inches across (the paper is larger)… [Read More...]

Reply To: Livestream recording and final drawing

11 June 2022 - Sadie Valeri

See you at 1:00 pm Pacific Time! Here is the link to watch: https://youtu.be/1cb7bns_Smo [Read More...]

Reply To: Livestream recording and final drawing

10 June 2022 - Sadie Valeri

My livestream drawing session is tomorrow!! June 11, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm PST FREE TO MEMBERS Watch your email for a link, and we’ll also post the link here. Looking forward to seeing you! -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Livestream recording and final drawing

27 May 2022 - Sadie Valeri

New update on this: You no longer need to register for the livestream. All members will get an email reminder and an email link to the livestream just before it starts. The link will also be posted here in the Forums. -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Livestream recording and final drawing

27 May 2022 - Sadie Valeri

Thanks Claudia, We have been traveling this week, sorry didn’t see your note earlier. We are fixing this right now, it should work in a few minutes, so you should try again to purchase the course, and add the sadielive coupon code. Sorry for the error, thanks for letting us… [Read More...]

Reply To: Livestream recording and final drawing

20 May 2022 - Claudia Campazzo

Hi Sadie, I can’t find a place to sign up. When I click on the link above (Livestream: June 11th 2022 Virtual Open Studio Session with Sadie), it takes me to a page that doesn’t have a sign up form. [Read More...]

Reply To: Livestream recording and final drawing

17 May 2022 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Jennifer, that’s a great question! The reference photo will be posted on the screen as well, you can work from that or from your own still life setup. I just updated the course description to make that clear, thanks for the question! -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Painting

9 March 2023 - Lijuan

fabulous works! [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

29 November 2022 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Margaret, Thanks so much for sharing and many congratulations to your daughter! That’s definitely amazing work and glad to see her reppin queerness in theater! 🙂 – Ian [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

26 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

Will do. Thanks for all the help… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

26 November 2022 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Maggie, this looks great! Pay attention to your edges, right now they are all the same, but you want most to be soft/blurry,. and then at the end choose which ones you want to sharpen. I teach about how to paint edges in the exercises in my indirect painting… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

26 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

Huge improvement [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

26 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

evǝ, Italian queer play at The Tank I am so glad Sadie assigned you as my teacher. Rose Freeman (queer activist/ opera director/ actress) is my daughter. You may find her work interesting. The link above is a tour Rosie just completed in Italy (Causing me angst over the… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

26 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

I agree. I will try some cool glazes over the surfaces of the darks…see if it helps. [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

25 November 2022 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Margaret, Wow look at all that drama! Great work! This feels a lot more exciting. Without seeing the subject I can’t totally say, but the shadow feels appropriately dark, but too saturated and maybe even too warm right now. I feel like a cooler grey would probably be more… [Read More...]

Reply To: Margaret K

22 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

Reply To: Margaret K

21 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

Reply To: Margaret K

21 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

Reply To: Margaret K

21 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

Reply To: Margaret K

21 November 2022 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Margaret, I renamed the your topic to follow our format. Please continue to submit your work to these thread. Your painting looks great! Love the concept and definitely seeing the inspiration from Sadie’s work here. Shells are super difficult subjects to capture, so to help better illustrate the depth… [Read More...]

Margaret K

19 November 2022 - MARGARET KRUGER

Am mid painting (not finished obviously) 9418948155 [Read More...]

Reply To: Tera Freedman

10 November 2022 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Tera, Great color on these pears! They feel very vibrant and warm and I love how the bright red on the left is looking so striking against the green. The cool bluish grey background is feeling a little out of place so I recommend for your still lifes in… [Read More...]

Tera Freedman

4 November 2022 - Tera Freedman

Sale on Centurion Painting Panels

19 October 2022 - Maria Lemon

Hello fellow artists, If any of you are currently in the painting curriculum or headed that way soon, I just noticed a really good sale on Jerry’s Artarama for the Centurion OP Professional Oil Primed Archival Linen Panels that Sadie recommends on the direct, alla prima, and plein air painting… [Read More...]

Reply To: Open Grisaille vs Wipeout method

18 June 2022 - Sadie Valeri

Hi! Wipeout is great for faster paintings like alla prima paintings, but it is less precise and therefore difficult to get an accurate enough underpainting for paintings that will have more detail and complexity. -Sadie [Read More...]

Reply To: Featured Student Artwork: Painting

16 June 2022 - Alicia Jaramillo

Stunning work! [Read More...]

Open Grisaille vs Wipeout method

10 June 2022 - Tony Wetherall

Hi Sadie. I’m familiar with both methods of underpainting but wondered if you have a view as to when to use one as against the other? Is it simply a matter of the wipeout being quicker or are there other considerations? In my hands the open grisaille is more precise… [Read More...]

Reply To: Felix L

24 March 2023 - Felix La Mer

I did find the item that’s being held quite hard to visualise because I’m not even sure what it is – cloth? A stone? I think it’s some sort of drapery, and went with that on this attempt. [Read More...]

Reply To: Tammy Arca

24 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Tammy, Don’t worry, I didn’t take your explanation to be an “excuse”. I definitely appreciated reading what the process feels like to you. I’m sorry your first post got lost! I know how frustrating that is, it’s happened to me on these forum posts, too. If I’m writing something… [Read More...]

Reply To: Pritha Bhadra

24 March 2023 - Pritha Bhadra

Hi Sadie, Thanks for your message and for confirming that either you or Ian will respond to the next post. Sure, I will find a drawing from the sketchbook course and start with it for my next post. The drawings are really beautiful 🙂 I agree with you that the… [Read More...]

Reply To: Pritha Bhadra

24 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

Hi Prita, The new Sketchbook course would be perfect to do while you are travelling, and it’s also a good introduction to drawing master copies of paintings. It’s designed to be accessible for beginners, but you can do it at your more advanced level and you will still find it… [Read More...]

Reply To: Pritha Bhadra

24 March 2023 - Pritha Bhadra

Hi Derek, Thank you for the feedback. Okay, I will work on a master copy then. Noted on working in museums. Thank you very much for your guidance and feedback all these past months. Wish you all the best for your future endeavours 🙂 May I check who I should… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko

24 March 2023 - Vitaly Borisenko

Sadie and Ian, Sure. I took some closer photos with my Canon camera: The last one shows best of how the white PITT Pastel looks up-close in person. Thank you, Vitaly [Read More...]

Reply To: Liming X

23 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]

Reply To: Aliona Price

23 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]

Reply To: Tammy Arca

23 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]

Reply To: Liming X

23 March 2023 - Li!imh Xu

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]

Reply To: Monique O

23 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]

Reply To: Felix L

23 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Felix, Your planar value study is still far too complicated, so I would like you to set this aside and work on the cross contour study first. Focus on wrapping your cross-sections across the form following it’s modeling as closely as possible. Feel free to get as detailed as… [Read More...]

Reply To: Renée Daly

23 March 2023 - Ian Hurtado Zafra

Hi Renée, Before you get too much further, I would like you to pivot. First, look at your sphere and make sure it’s taped on your easel nearby for easy access. Remember how many times you had to go back and forth softening the transition from a harsh terminator? You’re… [Read More...]

Reply To: Vitaly Borisenko

23 March 2023 - Sadie Valeri

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Reply To: Marco

23 March 2023 - Marco Pong

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Reply To: M. Joy Lemon

23 March 2023 - Derek Spieker

Hi Joy, Thank you for the note! It’s been a pleasure being your instructor and seeing all your progress. I look forward to seeing the work you’ll make in the future. Beautiful work with your cast painting! The form is reading very well, which is especially difficult with the foreshortened… [Read More...]

Reply To: Grace L

23 March 2023 - Derek Spieker

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]

Reply To: Tabitha Fritter

23 March 2023 - Derek Spieker

Hi Tabitha, Nice job with your shoe block-in! I’m glad that you’re finished with your work training too. It’s always nice to have some time for yourself to focus on your artwork without distraction. Thanks for also including a drawing using your previous method of working, it’s very useful to… [Read More...]

Reply To: Daniel Wornicov

23 March 2023 - Derek Spieker

Hi Daniel, Your circle constructions are looking good! It’s much easier to compare the different stages when they’re all aligned. Keeping each stage aligned and consistent in size is also good practice for making deliberate drawing decisions. I think you can continue with the graphite shading now. Since it’s my… [Read More...]

Reply To: Marco

23 March 2023 - Derek Spieker

This post has been set as private, which is an exclusive feature for Atelier Feedback members. If you would like to upgrade your membership please visit your Account page. [Read More...]