Studio Notes // 005: Lucien Freud

…Death of An Artist and New Course coming soon!

Every few weeks, I share my top art inspirations I’ve read, experimented with or listened to. Here’s this week’s edition of things I’ve enjoyed, hoping they might inspire your own work too…

New exhibition

EXHIBITION: Lucian Freud: New Perspectives National Gallery, London, until 22 January

There is a new Lucian Freud exhibition at the National Gallery, London. This video gives a great insight into some of the iconic pieces at the show.

And if you can’t make it to a live exhibition, no worries; this research shows how 3-minutes of online art viewing can significantly increase your well-being!

I’ve been listening too…

PODCAST: Death of an Artist

Was the famous minimalist sculptor Carl Andre involved in the death of his up-and-coming artist wife Ana Mendieta? A new podcast series from art historian Helen Molesworth revisits the trial of sculptor Carl Andre.

Andre was charged with murder and the art world split in two. Host Helen Molesworth revisits Mendieta’s death and the trial that followed, and interrogates both the silence and the protest that have accompanied this story ever since

What’s on my Easel…

Market Day Peaches New Acrylic Course..coming soon!

Just putting the finishing touches to a NEW morning painting still life course. This time we introduce fabric and a glass vase alongside some fab peaches in a bowl. I’ll send out a launch-week offer in the next couple of weeks.

You can see the first two in the series here:

Morning Paintings: Modern Still Life
Morning Paintings: Cornish Seascape

Have a creative week!

This Post Has 20 Comments

  1. Jennifer

    So glad you shared the Freud video. I’d only seen a painting of his that was so grotesque, I was turned off by it and would not have looked further. Seeing his brushwork up close and hearing the curator speak of him and his practice was very insightful. I look forward to your upcoming new peach course!

    1. Will Kemp

      Great stuff Jennifer, really pleased you enjoyed the video and are looking forward to the new course!
      Will

  2. Steven Warburton

    Hi Will. I can’t believe my luck that I’ll be in London at the same time as the Freud exhibition. I’ve been a fan of his work for a few decades. I’ve only seen 2 of his works up close before – I live in Australia, so this will be an eye-opening event for me.
    BTW, I love your new studio.

    1. Will Kemp

      Fab timing Steve, so pleased you’ll be able to fit the exhibition in with your trip. And pleased you like the studio update.
      Will

  3. Silvana

    Very interesting !!! I love Freud’s paintings, I find his portraits so impressive as they mirror the personality of the subject, but also show a fantastic ability of the artist

  4. Monique

    Lucian Freud used his brush and oil language to express his “vécu”. His grand-father, words. Your presentation was insightful and rewarding with close-ups of his brush work. You are my now inspiration Will.
    Grateful,
    Monique

    1. Will Kemp

      Glad you enjoyed the video from the National Gallery Monique.

  5. Jennifer Stewart

    Hi Will, it’s nice to hear from you and thanks for stuff on Freud. I love those incredibly touchy-feely peaches – I can’t wait for the course. Also, fabric and glass! Yay!

    1. Will Kemp

      Great stuff Jennifer, pleased you’re looking forward to the new course.
      Will

  6. Janice

    Hello Will,
    It was unusual to find a podcast recommendation on your site (DEATH OF AN ARTIST). Still, it is such a compelling story and I am really entrenched in the revelations of Ana Mendieta’s story.
    Thank you for inviting your students to learn about her unusual and tragic life.

    Looking forward to checking out the Peaches!

    1. Will Kemp

      Glad you’re enjoying it Janice and looking forward to the Peaches.
      Will

  7. Carmen Martin

    Very excited about new class. Fuzz on peaches, fabric and glass…on a table.
    …think I can combine that thought with a favorite painting of girl sitting at kitchen window with afternoon’s sunlight on face…all into a self portrait

    Thank you for being a teacher of Painters Will.

    Student Success Stories is always an inspiration so thank you all!
    .

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Carmen, pleased you’re looking forward to the course.

  8. Pam Strachan

    I’ve just listened to Episode three of Death of an Artist. It’s an extraordinary story and has opened my eyes to two artists I’d never heard of.
    Looking forward to the still life course.

    1. Will Kemp

      So pleased you’ve been enjoying the podcast Pam.

  9. Catherine

    Can’t wait for the upcoming still life class! I’m currently working on Imogen from the oil portrait glazing class, and I have a question. Is it possible to split up the ‘first painting’ work into 2 days? Could I paint in the M Harding burnt sienna and then return the next day to add the skin tones?
    Thank you so much for your time! I really love your classes.
    Catherine Laudon

    1. Will Kemp

      Great stuff Catherine, yes, that would work splitting the days on the first painting.

  10. Carmen

    Hi Will!
    Thanks for the tech help on acquiring my Glazing class!!. I can’t wait to get into it!
    I have a question. I paint in oils. When I see some of your classes for acrylics I wonder if they can be applied to painting in oils??
    Thanks, Carmen M

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Carmen, most of the teaching principles I teach in acrylics stem from classical oil painting, so yes, you will be able to adapt the acrylic lessons to oils. Hope you enjoy the portrait course.
      Cheers,
      Will

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