Don't Miss Watching David Kassan in the Face Off!

Don't miss an opportunity to watch David Kassan paint in the "Face-off," Thursday, May 24, 2012 in Philadelphia; or on Friday afternoon, May 25, or hear his thoughts on "What is a Portrait?" when he joins Burton Silverman, Daniel Greene and Rose Frantzen for this insightful discussion.   His afternoon drawing class is already full but we are taking a waiting list.  Recently, David shared his thoughts about teaching, "As a teacher, I believe that the most important lesson that I can impart to my students is an understanding of how to develop a keen sense of how to see the world around them, and get that on paper or canvas. I want them to get a strong understanding of how they can have their work represent their individuality, how they are the sum of their unique experiences -- and to have their work reflect this. The technical aspects of what I teach are only a small set of tools that can be used in a million different ways by each individual student."  Sign up today for The Art of the Portrait, May 24-27, 2012. www.portraitsociety.org

Join Mary Whyte at the 2012 The Art of the Portrait

Mary Whyte, Waiting, 24 1/2 x 19 1/4", Watercolor

In Mary Whyte's Conference Insider she addresses the idea of obtaining a likeness in portraiture,"Getting a likeness is only the beginning of making a great portrait painting.  Too often portrait artists focus on the goal of copying their sitter’s features, and think little of the painting’s overall concept, feeling and composition.  Artists sometimes mistakenly believe that if they get the model’s nose length and eye color exactly right, only then will the painting be a success.  What is important to remember is that when viewing a portrait, we respond to the feeling of the work before we scrutinize the sitter’s features.  The ultimate success of a portrait depends not on how well we recognize the model's features, but on how well we respond to the feeling of the person's character as portrayed in the painting."

If you want to hear more from Mary Whyte we hope you will join us at our 14th annual The Art of the Portrait conference, May 24-27, 2012 in Philadelphia, along with 28 other leading artists.  You will be able to see Mary Whyte in the following programs:

Thursday, May 24,from 5:00-7:30 you can watch Mary Whyte demonstrate her approach to the portrait, along with 14 other artists in the Face-Off . Artists will be painting in groups of 3, models dressed in colonial garb. A real treat for the eye!

On Friday, May 25, from 2 2:00-3:30p Mary will present work from her Working South exhibition along with New Works by Daniel Greene and Alexandra Tyng .

You can join Mary Whyte for the special Lunch and Learn program on Saturday, 1;00-2:00pm where you can gather for an informal lunch and discussion about art.

Make sure you stay for Sunday, May 27 from 9:00-10:00a so you can hear Mary talk about The Various Paths to Success with Michael Shane Neal and Bart Lindstrom.

To register visit: www.portraitsociety.org

2012 Spring Portrait Academy

Featuring Everett Raymond Kinstler, Edward Jonas,

Michael Shane Neal, and Dawn Whitelaw

 March 30 & 31, 2012

Norman Rockwell Museum – Stockbridge, Massachusetts

 The Portrait Society of America is proud to announce a special 2012 Spring Portrait Academy. We cordially invite you to attend this insightful and educational event. 

Our first-ever Spring Portrait Academy will be held in Stockbridge, Massachusetts at the Rockwell Museum, featuring artists Everett Raymond Kinstler, Edward Jonas, Michael Shane Neal, and Dawn Whitelaw.

Join us at this exciting, enriching, and inspiring event! Enrollment has already reached the half-way point and we expect this program to sell out, so please register soon.  Below is the agenda outlining all the events we have planned for the two days.  Registration is flexible - you can attend one day (Friday-March 30) or for both days (March 30 & 31). 

Good News! Registering is now easier than ever: Click here to Register Online

Schedule & Programs

Friday, March 30, 2012

1:00-4:00pm       An Afternoon with Everett Raymond Kinstler                    

                           Everett Raymond Kinstler will give a presentation and  at the 

                           end of his presentation Kinstler will give a personal tour of 

                           the exhibition.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

10:00-10:30am     Welcome (Overview of day's activities)

10:30am -12pm    Morning Breakout Sessions 

                             (Select one event from the 3 options)

1.   Edward Jonas: The Anatomy of Expressions – A sculptor 

    explains how and what we subtly communicate through pose 

    and expressions.

2.   Michael Shane Neal: The Broad Brush – A view of 

     painterly style and simple effect.

                              3. Dawn Whitelaw: The Color Connection – Building 

                                  harmony in your work.

12pm-1:00pm       Lunch break                   

1:00-2:30pm         Repeat of Breakout Sessions 

                             (Select one event from the 3 options)                    

2:30-3:00pm          Break

3:00-4:30pm         Techniques for Critiquing Your Own Work & Critiques 

                             from Original Paintings

                              You are encouraged to bring one small original work of art for 

                                       critiques at the end of this program