LWW Plastic Human Skull, Numbered-A21 Review

To assist with my cast and anatomy drawing studies, I’ve decided to buy the LWW Plastic Human Skull, Numbered-A21. After reading all the reviews I got the impression that most artists were disappointed with the cheap skulls on the market, as they were poorly constructed with little detail and more suited for Halloween decoration then anatomy study. So its worth it to spend a little more for accurate anatomy.


I have to say the LWW Plastic Human Skull, Numbered-A21 is well constructed, has a good solid feel and weight with lots of detail. The teeth even look real. This is a medical study skull and definitely not a cheap Halloween prop. I got it at Amazon for $144.95 plus 11.50 shipping. Its made by Anatomical Chart Company and shipped by BBhealthy. It shipped quickly and it was very well packed.

masters studies, to improve observation

I haven’t posted any of my work in a while, so I thought I'd put this up. It started out as a quick masters study, a free hand sketched using burnt sienna oil paint. But after reviewing it the next day it looked awful. So I added white to make some corrections but I still didn’t get it right.


I can see the importance in masters studies, following in the artists footsteps should put you into his mind somewhat and you can focus in on his observation skills first hand.

I’m going to try to do some more masters studies, hopefully with this practice my observation and drawing skills will improve.

LINEA: The Journal of The Art Students League of New York ( PDF FILES )

Publications of The Art Students League - Linea


LINEA is the Art Students League's journal of art and ideas. Published twice a year, each issue contains exhibition reviews, interviews and topical essays of special interest to artists. Also featured is news about the school, its instructors, members and students, as well as information about the ASL Vytlacil Campus in Rockland County. LINEA is distributed to all members and maintains a national circulation to art schools, universities, libraries, museums, art galleries and the press. Click the link below to read the latest edition of LINEA:

Kitten study, oil painting

I worked on this kitten study a little more just to finish it off. I haven’t painted someone else’s work in a while, but I feel its necessary from time to time to not only study the methods of accomplished oil painters, but to practice mimicking there techniques on canvas. I feel it helps me to get inside there thought process of applying the paint to canvas. Perhaps its similar a student guitar player practicing Smoke on the Water. It's not always as hard as it looks you just have to practice practice practice.

Art study of a kitten

I was working on this little guy for 2 days with Gamblin oil paints and no mediums. I got the chance to use my new Robert Simmons Signet Round and Egbert brushes.

Art Models 3: Life Nude Photos for the Visual Arts (Art Models series) [CD-ROM]

Along with signing up for life drawing classes ,I also picked up this CD Art Models 3Life nude Photos for the Visual Arts. Amazon.com gave this CD a 5 star rating so I thought it was worth a shot. I just got it a few days ago and pop it into my DVD player. I did a few sketches off the big screen TV in my livingroom and it was cool. The models are on a round table and there is a picture from every side. The thing I like the most is that the models don’t move. I’m glad I got this CD and I would recommend it as a good practice tool for use in between life drawing classes.

Product Description
While no book can replace a live model, this photographic guide to the human form provides a diverse selection of figures for those who do not have access to live models. Posed in a variety of classical and modern modes, the models are set in a clear, clean environment that is void of distractions and enhances the figure. All of the high-resolution photographs were painstakingly edited and adjusted to yield all the nuances of the figures. The companion disc contains 24 photographs per pose that, in totality, comprises a full 360 degree view. Each angle of every pose can be enlarged, enabling artists to zoom in on specific body parts to discover their intricate detail or project the photos to life-like proportions. The disc also offers the flexibility of numerous viewing options—on a computer screen, printed out, projected for a group, or via a high-definition television when connected through a computer.

Life Drawing Classes In New Jersey

I really love painting but when it comes to drawing it feels like a chore. So I tend to avoid drawing practice and my paintings suffer at times because I struggle with proportions. I really need to brush up on my drawing skills, so I just signed up for some Life Drawing Classes at the Arts Guild of New Jersey.

Build your own art library

A great way to build up your art library is to go to local book sales. Where else can you get a fifty dollar art book for a buck. Just sigh up with Book Sale Finder and you’ll get e-mail notifications of up coming book sales in your area. I've already gotten so many art books that I had to make a gigantic custom bookcase just to hold them all.

Adolphe William Bouguereau Study

Tinting With Oil Color

After tightening up the drawing a little more, I started tinting some areas with the colors one at a time using Burnt umber, Prussian blue and Chromatic black.

Drawing with a paint brush

With a few different size bright brushes I cut into the dark’s to sharpen the drawing, adding detail and light . Basically I’m drawing with a paint brush. Adding and subtracting light where needed to give the form dimension.

Values In Oil Painting

The canvas was toned with a mix of Chromatic black., Burnt umber and Prussian blue.
Using the toned canvas as a middle value I added dark’s where needed and pulled off paint with a rag to get the light values. At this point I just want to build an abstract likeness of my subject, I don’t want to fuss with details at this point, mostly its about getting the values correct.

Adolphe William Bouguereau Study

I woke up Sunday morning at 5:30..... and it was raining. No excuses now . . . I have to paint something. Well.....After procrastinating for a while about what to paint I decided to take a crack at something from one of my favorite artists Adophe William Bouguerea . This is going to be a big challenge for me but I need the practice. To study and mimic the work of the masters is a great way to learn, lately I’ve been working on original projects but I think I’m going to add in some more master studies,. It can’t hurt.

It’s now 10am and I just toned the canvas.....isn’t procrastination is a time killer ?

Oil Painting Glazing Technique Using Liquin

Here I am a couple of days into the project. I started out by applying a dark wash mix of burnt umber , alizarin crimson, french ultramarine blue and indigo over the whole canvas, then I used a rag to draw the painting by removing the wash.

Then using the liquin I started with cadmium yellow light. Gradually layered the colors to bring the painting together. Our instructor was kind enough to take digital pictures for all of us, which allowed us to continue work at home.

I still have a few more sessions to go before I complete this painting , but I thought it would be interesting to post my progress.

Some notes on the different types of liquin:

Liquin is a durable, non-yellowing medium for thinning oil and alkyd colors, and speeding drying time. Winsor & Newton has extended their popular line of Liquin with three superb, new products.


Original Liquin — Excellent for glazing and producing fine detail, as well as speeding drying time.

Liquin Fine Detail — Reproduces traditional Copal medium for detail work, glazing, and smooth blending without brush marks. Dries to a gloss finish.

Liquin Impasto — Retains crisp textures and brush strokes. Extends tube color and dries to a semi-gloss finish.

Liquin Light Gel — Breaks down immediately when brushed, and creates a non-drip, smooth effect,