Ezra by Neil Condron. Pastel (predominantly pan pastel) 60x40cm on foam board. If you are interested in coming to my pastel class or workshops in the Schoolhouse for Art the details of upcoming courses are on the website http://www.schoolhouseforart.com
‘Arabella’ oil on canvas 60x60cm © Neil Condron 2015
‘Bentley’ oil on canvas 60x60cm © Neil Condron 2015
Two of my recently commissioned portraits landed in Australia today – sister and brother Arabella and Bentley. A pair of ‘free-range kids’ as their lovely mother lovingly describes them.
I always get attached to the people I am painting and miss them when the painting is finished, especially with children’s portraits – the next time you see them they’re all grown up!
…new subject, fresh canvas…off I go…lovin’ it!
Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara (pastel)
This is a pastel of Dunguaire Castle which sits on the picturesque shores of Galway Bay. I painted it as a gift for my beautiful new daughter-in-law Susie and my eldest son Ross who were married in Kinvara last Friday the 3rd of October 2014.
Following a superb Life Drawing workshop with the extremely talented Sahoko Blake in the Schoolhouse for Art last Saturday (her March workshop is already overbooked – more workshops to be announced) I decided to try her ‘acrylic on paper’ technique at our Thursday Life Drawing session and I was really pleased with the result. Because the acrylic paint dries so quickly you can’t get too hung up on detail (my regular mistake), plus you can add back in the charcoal and slap more paint on that too. And all on a cartridge paper. Great fun and good practice to loosen up tight habits…!
If you would like more information on our classes and workshops in the Schoolhouse for Art in Enniskerry join our mailing list.
N.
I decided to give ‘digital’ a go at last Thursday’s life drawing session in the Schoolhouse for Art . I was shown an app called ‘Paper’ by my youngest son Scott (who uses it to great effect) and had a few initial hesitant ‘attempts’ however I have to admit I’m really enjoying it. It’s very basic but also very clever and simple to use.
If digital’s good enough for David Hockney – it’s good enough for me…..!
Life Drawing in the Schoolhouse for Art – all day – every Thursday…any medium!
Well I’ve been a busy boy since my last blog…..
For about a year I’ve had my eye on the old schoolhouse in Enniskerry village with the idea that it would make an incredible venue for ‘all things art’ and after a bit of nudging, pestering and veiled threats I eventually got my hands on it in August…
The Schoolhouse for Art is in essence an educational facility for the study and exploration of arts
and crafts. Located in ‘the old schoolhouse’ in beautiful Enniskerry village, it is a place for learning,
an exhibition space and a meeting place, where images and ideas mingle. It caters for all ages and
all artistic abilities.
For the whole story and class/workshop details have a click on us www.schoolhouseforart.com.
This is my first attempt of doing time-lapse of my pastel portraits as I’m working. You can see it on ‘YouTube’ – http://youtu.be/pGQFvpN5Yd0 I hope you like it.
This is a recent commissioned portrait of Giacomo (his dad’s Italian) he is only 6 months old believe it or not. I took a load reference photos in my studio – it’s difficult to get a child to sit for a pose and impossible for a baby to stay still. I painted his portrait using soft pastel which I think works really well in achieving the subtle skin tones in such a flawless face.
I took photos of the painting as it progressed from start to finish so when I’ve edited it a bit I’ll stick it on youtube, some of you might be interested in seeing how I paint in pastel.
Now for the sales pitch – If you are interested in a portrait in pastel (€750 – same as Giacomo‘s portrait) or oil (from €1,000) give me a shout before I become ridiculously famous and extraordinarily expensive…!! Email me at condron.ie@gmail.com
N.
The obligatory self-portrait was completed in the early hours this morning to meet the deadline for the ‘Sky Arts portrait artist of the year‘ competition (stage 1).
I actually think I look as exhausted as I felt trying to get it finished….phew glad that’s done!
It’s great that portraiture and portrait artists will get some much-needed media, I hope the ‘Sky Arts portrait artist of the year’ will be a great success.
Neil Condron 