Andrew Michael Studios

Newt Gingrich, the "angry little attack muffin"

2012-02-01T10:21:00.002-05:00

Careful, he'll poke your eye out.

The Self

2011-12-02T21:29:00.001-05:00

In a world lit only by fire.

Mother Theresa

2011-12-02T10:53:00.002-05:00

Dear little one, I don't why your nascent heart stopped beating, but I will always cherish the thought of your inchoate existance, be it ever so brief. You were a product of love and the desire to form the best of us two and cherish the growing spark as it reflected back at us.

The Lesser Fire Birdy

2011-11-25T12:34:00.001-05:00

The Cowboy

2011-11-22T14:19:00.001-05:00

I didn't feel like lugging my paints to the sketch group, so I brought the pastels. The lighting was excellent for a change, and I've been enjoying getting reacquainted with pastels. I have a ways to go, however.

2011-11-15T18:59:00.001-05:00

I had to paint something, and there they were. Here kitty, kitty...

The contemplative birdy.

2011-11-12T12:49:00.001-05:00

She was actually the excited, lively birdy until she saw the terrifying camera.

The "oops" man.

2011-11-10T21:53:00.001-05:00

Samuel Beckett

2011-11-02T19:48:00.003-04:00

Trying a caricature for a change. What most don't understand is that it's really Godot who's doing the waiting.

Fire Birdy

2011-10-23T19:25:00.002-04:00

My cantankerous and comical Amazon looking his most majestic.

Twilight

2011-10-21T19:43:00.003-04:00

So long to a one of a kind genius

2011-10-06T20:16:00.002-04:00

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011.

Jose Van Dam - The great Bass-Baritone

2011-09-29T20:40:00.006-04:00

I painted this portrait last night of the great Bass-Baritone Jose Van Dam. After doing so, I realized the expression and pose was a left-handed and similar version of this famous painting:

My apologies to the great Titian. Mine is simply not worthy.

The Beekeeper

2011-09-22T14:00:00.003-04:00

Figure Study

2011-09-13T21:55:00.004-04:00

This is a simple study like many I've done. I wanted to focus only on value, with little detail. Very happy with this, but I have few more things to do.

I really liked the initial sketch on the canvas, so I wanted to post it also.

More parrot haughtiness

2011-09-03T10:51:00.005-04:00

Ready for action. He's thinking that he would loved to chew that little black clicky thing to pieces...

Arjun, khub dushtu parki, part 2

2011-09-01T18:12:00.003-04:00

A few minor adjustments, most importantly the eye is now pinned to further depict parrot naughtiness! The painting took about 2 hours to complete.

Arjun, khub dushtu parki.

2011-08-28T21:52:00.002-04:00

Placido Domingo

2011-08-12T19:09:00.005-04:00

This image is a progress check on values, color, etc. I painted him about a year and a half ago, posting the image here. The progress since that time is quite stark, and I think I can be happy with the strides I've made since that time. This image was painted utilizing an image obtained from Google as a close reference, but I couldn't find the photographer to properly credit him/her. However, if Mr. Domingo ever finds himself in town, I would be glad to paint his portrait!

Blue Dog

2011-08-05T19:04:00.003-04:00

She was bathed is this wonderful blueish exterior light, which I overemphasized. I hated it at first, but then I liked it. After a while I wanted to tear it to pieces, but I decided that I like it too much to do this. Ok, I'm a tad emotional. No I'm not!!!

The artist in mixed lighting

2011-08-01T18:41:00.004-04:00

I'm rather drawn to this type of effect. It's not nearly as evident as when a photo is taken and saturated. The camera's attempt to capture the image results in the mixed color temperature above. Our eyes adjust to this, so it's not nearly so noticeable as when working with a live model. Here, I've mixed fluorescent lighting along with outdoor ambient light, and the result is the rich blues and greens. The thalos are wonderful to use here. I've again pushed the chroma in the skin. I'm not trying to capture life here but stretch what I see. Not everyone will agree with this approach, but I like it. And that's all that counts.

Rushdie 2

2011-07-22T19:48:00.001-04:00

Rushdie

2011-07-17T20:59:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite authors, he has been captured in countless images, so I decided to add one more.

Figure Study

2011-07-08T11:42:00.003-04:00

The creativity is flowing slower than molasses the last few weeks, so I just returned to the ease of a simple study. I just spent a little over an hour on this. It's simple, clinical, unimaginative, but at least I've kept painting! Hopefully, more inspired works will follow. Soon, anytime now...at least I'd be happy for a decent work.

Dance

2011-07-04T08:30:00.002-04:00

Yorkie

2011-06-25T16:04:00.000-04:00

Sadhu

2011-06-16T12:40:00.002-04:00

Relativity Spotter, Part 2

2011-06-10T19:19:00.004-04:00

Mr. Relativity

2011-06-09T20:09:00.001-04:00

The Dramatist

2011-06-06T22:09:00.000-04:00

Pushing the palette

2011-05-16T21:55:00.002-04:00

Figure Study

2011-05-09T16:21:00.004-04:00

Sibelius

2011-04-22T21:14:00.002-04:00

A sensitive, brooding and melancholic composer, Sibelius was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He didn't offer the flashy neoclassical brilliance of Stravinsky nor the slashing, mercurial iconoclastic contributions of Schonberg. Rather, he offered subtle compositions furiously bubbling under the surface with raw emotion and painful musical longing. I've used a well known photo reference here, but I do hope I've done him justice.

Rossini

2011-04-13T19:03:00.003-04:00

Giuseppe Verdi

2011-04-11T21:28:00.003-04:00

Green Bottle

2011-04-07T18:56:00.001-04:00

Jackie

2011-03-27T21:16:00.002-04:00

The effects of lead poisoning....

2011-03-18T19:20:00.002-04:00

Something Fishy

2011-03-12T23:02:00.002-05:00

Rhonda - SOLD

2011-03-06T13:36:00.004-05:00

I had painted Rhonda's family a year ago, but I had some difficulty capturing Rhonda's likeness. I returned to her portrait here as a check on the progress of my painting, and I'm happy with the progress. I'm a different painter than I was over a year ago.

The primaries

2011-03-03T08:30:00.002-05:00

Oranges and Magnolia

2011-03-02T21:07:00.003-05:00

Grape Shot

2011-03-01T15:06:00.002-05:00

When in doubt, bring out the fruit and coffee cups

2011-02-08T18:57:00.003-05:00

A not so veiled ode to one of my favorite painters, who seems to be utterly gifted in the values dept. I'm not, but I'm getting there.

Sadie

2011-02-04T09:08:00.003-05:00

Interesting workshop last night. Sadie is a gymnast, and posed by hanging from a large ring or cloth. Difficult poses, and this was the only work I was reasonably satisfied with. The last pose of the night, hence, she was probably tired at this point.

Suchitra Mitra, 1924-2011

2011-01-30T19:34:00.001-05:00

The great, golden voiced Bengali singer, Suchitra Mitra.

Igor

2011-01-09T15:13:00.002-05:00

My ode to Igor Stravinsky.

His debut of the Rite of Spring was so poorly received that it sparked one of the worst musical riots in history. It's a musical thrashing so rich and wonderful that theorists still debate whether it's tonal or atonal, yet it's so wonderfully approachable that many non-musicians possess a recording. Refreshingly, he never chose to augment his performances with fetching Gaga headgear. He was different by way of his brilliance, and his unique output both intellectually and musically will never again be matched.

Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani

2010-12-29T17:20:00.003-05:00

Christmas encapsulates two thoughts. While Mary was told she was blessed among women, she was also told that a sword would pierce her very heart.

Energy of the singer

2010-12-27T20:04:00.001-05:00

Boxed In

2010-12-23T13:16:00.002-05:00

Aman

2010-12-18T20:41:00.003-05:00

Hands

2010-12-07T21:35:00.002-05:00

Hand study

2010-12-03T18:41:00.003-05:00

Running out things to paint, so I'm moving on to body parts. One hand tried to paint the other hand, but it wouldn't sit still...

Recent Figure Studies

2010-12-03T12:43:00.005-05:00

I've been attending a meetup with a group of illustrators. We work through a series of 1-2 minute poses and then a few 10 minute poses. Below are a few selects, not perfect by any means, but I like them nonetheless:

Lauren -

Drewallen -

Artist

2010-11-29T11:17:00.002-05:00

Waiting

2010-11-10T23:14:00.002-05:00

Portrait of the artist as....a portrait

2010-11-09T21:13:00.002-05:00

Kee

2010-10-29T13:28:00.001-04:00

Diane R.

2010-10-24T18:21:00.003-04:00

Painted this work at a meetup earlier today. It was about a 3 hour pose.

My Shali, Sutapa

2010-10-19T10:59:00.002-04:00

My Bonji

2010-10-17T00:28:00.004-04:00

My niece has been visiting from Kolikata.

Friday night at the museum

2010-10-16T18:53:00.004-04:00

I had nice evening at the High Museum in Atlanta. The night started with a figure drawing group and ended with viewing an exhibit of Salvador Dali's later works. We had a great model, here's a few of the what were 10 minute sketches:

One from the road

2010-10-13T21:41:00.002-04:00

Ma

2010-10-10T22:55:00.003-04:00

An oil sketch of my mother in law, putting on her best Bollywood.

Essence of Rajisthan

2010-10-01T21:22:00.004-04:00

Like most farangi's, I simply love Rajisthan, a country that explodes with brilliance and where even the most humble of citizens dazzle you with their extreme character.

Kelly

2010-09-29T20:08:00.004-04:00

Not much time today, but I completed this oil sketch in about an hour.

Chaz, Deb and Rosie - Final

2010-09-26T17:48:00.003-04:00

I've added Deb's portrait here. This posed quite a challenge, as I had to piece this together from four or five photos. I must say, I'm very happy with the result.

Chaz, Deb and Rosie Part 2

2010-09-24T13:02:00.003-04:00

I've added the centerpiece here, the beloved Rosie.

Paul Part 3

2010-09-24T12:47:00.003-04:00

This effort took about 1 1/2 hours, same pose as previously, but different perspective. It could stand some additional development, but I was pressed for time to day. I think it's a good start though.

Chaz and Deb, part 1

2010-09-22T17:04:00.002-04:00

The beginnings of a portrait for a former colleague, her husband and dog.

Kahn part 3 - Sold

2010-09-15T16:35:00.004-04:00

Here's another try at this subject. I tried to make this more of a caricature, and I focused on keeping the brush strokes lively and clean. I think I was pretty successful with this one.

Paul 2

2010-09-10T14:13:00.003-04:00

Kahn Part 2

2010-09-08T20:00:00.005-04:00

Louis Kahn

2010-09-07T11:41:00.003-04:00

This is a commisioned portrait of the great 20th century architect. It was somewhat tough, as I could not find many good images of him, let alone color images, so I did my best to piece him together from the existing images. I'm very happy with this. If you notice the dimensions, they approximate the golden mean.

John C

2010-09-03T13:50:00.002-04:00

Stephanie D. Take 2

2010-09-01T14:45:00.002-04:00

Stephanie D.

2010-08-30T13:23:00.004-04:00

I focused on pushing the shadows here, as I really wanted clean pure color all over. I spent approximately 1.5 hours on this sketch.

Nikki G Take 2

2010-08-27T13:43:00.003-04:00

Nikki is sans tattoo in this one, as I was working primarily on her features. This is a 2 1/2 hour, again pushing the color palette. I like the direction things are going.

Bolly-Bhai

2010-08-24T19:50:00.003-04:00

This is an image of my brother-in-law, and I couldn't resist the title. My wife said I made him look like a Bollywood star, and hence the title. I pushed outside my comfort zone on this one. Pushed the color and slathered on the paint, and I'm quite happy with it.

Deep

2010-08-22T22:20:00.002-04:00

Nikki G.

2010-08-20T13:50:00.004-04:00

I did not have much time on this one, about 2 1/2 hours. However, I'm happy with the progress I was able to make. I would love to work more on the arm tattoo, which isn't two successful here.

Linda

2010-08-17T19:59:00.002-04:00

Diane 2

2010-08-16T13:50:00.003-04:00

Figure Study

2010-08-11T18:43:00.001-04:00

Nothing to post today, so I'm posting a figure study I did a couple weeks ago. I wasn't happy with it at the time, but now that I've had a few weeks to absorb, I don't think it was so bad after all.

Diane

2010-08-09T13:50:00.002-04:00

Another 2 hour figure study today. Not terribly happy with one, I think I went to the details to quickly, but at least the color is warm and bright.

Portrait study - Jana

2010-08-06T13:51:00.004-04:00

I was able to complete an approximately 2 hour study here of a very good model.

Rishi - SOLD

2010-08-05T19:13:00.004-04:00

Figure Study

2010-08-02T13:57:00.002-04:00

I'm happy with this one, which was a 2 hour study. My goals were to keep the colors clean, make the flesh less monochromatic and keep the brushstrokes clear and simple. I believe I managed to accomplish these goals.

Figure Study

2010-07-26T18:32:00.001-04:00

Brooke

2010-07-24T00:21:00.002-04:00

Waiting

2010-07-16T14:16:00.003-04:00

Portrait Study - SOLD

2010-07-16T09:14:00.001-04:00

Figure Study

2010-07-12T18:36:00.001-04:00

The ever coy Macaw

2010-07-09T16:00:00.004-04:00

I couldn't resist the light in this one. Such remarkably intelligent animals. I'm so familiar with this stare: calculating, bold yet apprensive. Shyness and dominance wrapped up one gesture.

Irene

2010-07-09T14:19:00.003-04:00

One more

2010-07-01T14:41:00.002-04:00

I painted this figure study a couple weeks ago, but have not been able to post it.

Recent figure studies

2010-07-01T12:27:00.005-04:00

It has been a crazy last couple weeks, so I have been unable to post. Things have calmed now, so I have been able to return to what I enjoy, art! Below are some of my recent figure studies. All are 30-45 minute works, and the models have been excellent.

Please view my website for more works: www.andrewmichael.org

Steve Jobs

2010-04-15T21:22:00.004-04:00

Ironman

2010-04-02T21:49:00.001-04:00

Painting is not drawing, or is it....

2010-03-29T19:29:00.004-04:00

I've read and heard that painting starts with good draftmanship. Yet for me, it's easy to obtain a good likeness with a pencil. Yes, I know, it's not just about likeness....but it's not very satisfying to have a nice arrangement of paint and who is ... that? Oh OK, now I see it... Curses. Form, value and draftmanship need to come together all at once. It's almost the difference between working in two dimensions and then in three. I've a long way to go, but drawing well is a long way from painting well.