Documenting Lessons In Painting From Richard Schmid

         “Learning From Richard Schmid” is a unique online subscription series documenting the ongoing instruction in painting I receive from him as a member of a small painting group in Vermont. In 2004 I began meeting with Richard and his fellow painters regularly. Since then, with his permission, have documented every visit through pictures, video clips, and detailed technical notes on our discussions and his demonstrations. Receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering helped me develop a disciplined work ethic and a need for thorough notes. The inspiration for documenting Richard’s lessons came from a hunger to fully grasp and understand his teachings and working methods.

         Once I realized the library of educational wealth I compiled, I felt an immediate sense of urgency and a duty to share this knowledge with the goal of helping others learn and grow with their art as well. Richard has always said that the best way to thank him is to give back by sharing what I have learned. It was in this spirit, and with his and Nancy’s support, that I began developing the series, “Learning From Richard Schmid.”

Richard Schmid    “Fallen Pine”     12x16

[The above image is from the June installment, “Copying Works of Art.” This issue discusses the valuable experience of copying works for the sake of study. It features Schmid’s painting, “Fallen Pine.”]

 

“Learning From Richard Schmid” contains in-depth technical information on painting

         On the 30th of every month, you can share the experience of learning from the Master. Through my online subscription service, a new lesson is released and distributed to email subscribers. Each installment contains in-depth technical information on painting and often included are step-by-step demonstrations from Richard, which come in the form of discussions, pictures, audio, and video clips, or some combination of these.

         As an example, September’s lesson, “The Peony Demonstration,” contains over 85 images showing each stage in the development of “North Garden Peonies.” This sequence of images gives insight into the developmental process of building a painting and shows how Richard began and developed the completed painting below.

Richard Schmid     “North Garden Peonies”     18x18     2006

         Other lessons explore the fundamentals behind the “essence” of Art and illustrate concepts through discussions on paintings, drawings, and recommended readings. For example, August’s issue, “The Mancini Exhibit,” explores the concept of “Painting what you see, not necessarily what you know.” Included are audio recordings of Richard speaking inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Schmid inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art discussing Mancini

(Shown in this photo is Richard with fellow Putney Painters, Rosemary Ladd, Kathy Anderson, and Carol Arnold.)

         October’s lesson, “The Power of Selection,” takes the idea of painting what you “see” a step further by exploring the endless strength in choice as a means of communicating through your art and asks: “Now of all the things before you, what will you choose to paint?”

 

Downloadable High-Resolution Images Sets this Series Apart From Books and DVD’s

         Each article contains a printable PDF version and downloadable high-resolution images of paintings and demonstrations for use in your personal study. Viewing paintings in a high-resolution format is the next best thing to viewing the paintings in person! This invaluable addition to the articles sets this series apart from books and DVD’s.

         Using any photo-viewing software, (Adobe programs are an excellent choice), you may zoom in and study the paintings' surface quality and the intricacies of Richard's brushwork. Since these images are high resolution, you can magnify them greatly to see details without pixilation issues that exist in low-resolution images you may find on the Internet, books and videos.

         The articles you purchase are yours to keep, and you are allowed to keep one copy of the article and images on your computer for use in your personal study. These articles are propriety, therefore they are not to be shared or forwarded to others.

 

Richard Reviews and Approves Each Lesson, Often Adding Additional Images and Comments

         In order to ensure accuracy and clarity of concepts presented, Richard and I collaborate closely; he reviews and approves every lesson before it is released, often adding additional images and comments to further explain pertinent theories.  

 

Join In The Journey 

A Saturday of Painting at the Barn

(Shown in this photo is Richard Schmid, Nancy Guzik, Katie Swatland and modeling is Captain John Adams at the Village Arts of Putney, where bi-weekly meetings with the Putney Painters take place.)

 

I invite you to join in this experience. You may sign up by clicking on the link below:

SIGN UP

Cost:

         Each monthly subscription includes the featured article for the month, sent to you through email. The articles you purchase are yours to keep, and you are allowed to keep one copy of the article and images on your computer for use in your personal study. These articles are propriety, therefore they are not to be shared or forwarded to others.

 

           Previous issues of the series, “Learning From Richard Schmid” are now available for purchase. To view information regarding back issues visit: http://swatlandstudios.com/learning/backissues.html