#47 Grace - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                                  "Grace"
(What are some of the things that are important to you) "The things I believe in are what are important to me, they are the only things that I have that are truly mine.  The people I surround myself with are also very important to me; an emotional connection with someone is one of the most important things in the world."


Grace wrote an article about my project for the Sept-Oct issue of the Auduban High School paper, The Parrot. After she posed, she came in and interviewed us (the Monday night group). I think she did a wonderful job, and I am including her article below.

South Jersey Artist Portrays 100 South Jersey Teenagers 

by Grace Fair

Parrot Staff Writer

 

 The smell of oil paint, the quiet sound of music playing in the background, and five easels standing tall around the room—these are the smells, sounds and sights of five painters hard at work.  Skilled painter Natalie Italiano has dubbed her project 100 Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers.  The term “alla prima” refers to a method of painting in which the artwork is completed in one session. In alla prima style, pieces usually have thick layers of paint and play on light and expression, much like impressionistic paintings. With eight other painters at her side, as well as support from local art teacher Jim Repenning, Italiano elected to take on such an extensive venture for several reasons.  “I saw an exhibit that someone else had done of a   similar project where she came in and she just decided to paint every-one in her town. She lives in Iowa and rented a storefront and anyone who was willing to pose she

painted them and did it for a year. “I  saw the exhibit of it and I was just blown away. I thought they were so cool and interesting for portraits to be, rather than something really formal of wealthy people, everybody that was represented.”  Having chosen teenagers for her subjects as well as using the spirited alla prima type painting, Italiano also hoped that her project would help her to process the fact that her youngest child had gone away to college. “One of the things I also wanted to do was just learn how to paint alla prima; I felt like most of what I did had been very academic. It’s kind of like being a classical musician and wanting to play jazz. Playing jazz is more than just going into your garage and playing it. I guess I wanted to get a little freer and more expressive. I also wanted to set a goal, and create this sort of historical document,” said Italiano. While trying to hone her own skills, Italiano is also sketching the cultural identity of today’s youth. “I wanted to be able to say something about our time. So when you’re looking back you not only get an idea of how everyone dressed, but you also saw it

through the expressive eye. Really you see through nine eyes because everybody who’s painting sees things their own way.” More information can be found online at Italiano’s blog,

natalieitaliano.blogspot.com.  Also, for information on Repenning Fine Arts, visit repenningfinearts.com,

or email Mr. Repenning at: Info@Repenningfinearts.com  

A portrait of AHS student Ginny Froonjian by Italiano.

#46 Joshua - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                            "Joshua"
(Teens are really concerned about) "Making good friends they can count on." (Advice for other teens) "Don't give into what other people think of you." 

#45 Becky - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                            "Becky"
(Advice for other teens) "Although life may be tough, it always goes on.  There will be bad days, but more often there will be great, sometimes amazing days.  Things aren't ever as bad as they seem."

Becky was a fabulous model, so full of life!  She insisted on smiling for her portrait, which is not easy for 4 hours. She reminded me of Cameron Diaz, but unfortunately my portrait doesn't do her justice!
This was painted on Raphael oil primed portrait linen, with no tone on it.  It was hard for me to paint on white canvas, I am so used to starting from a mid value grey ground.  The surface was very smooth and slippery, and hard to get the paint to stick on until there was a second layer. I can see why oil primed linen might not be the best choice for alla prima painting, unless it has the right tone applied first. Switching from bristles to softer sables helped, because the bristles kept scratching the surface. I struggled with the surface for the entire painting, and didn't really get where I wanted with this one.

#44 Stephanie - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                             "Stephanie"
(Advice for other teens) "Don't let other people stop you from being who you are because in the end they are just another voice blowing with the wind." (If you could be anything you wanted) I would be a guardian angel to protect my friends and the innocent and always be there for them when they need me..."


Stephanie, who is Puerto Rican American, was wearing funny goggles with cat ears on her head, and I didn't quite get them resolved. She was a little tough on the outside, wearing leather and chains, but compassionate and caring on the inside. She wants to help children who are coping with the difficulty of divorced parents. 

#43 Emily - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                            "Emily"
"I think (teenagers) are only concerned about looks and popularity, not about what's really important." (The most difficult issue teens are faced with today is) "Insecurities. I think that teens are facing thoughts that say they're not good enough."

This was a fun evening.  Emily was very energetic! I loved the canvas.  Same from New Traditions.

#42 Shaniqua - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

      "Shaniqua"

(Advice for other teens) "Don't let anybody keep you down or degrade you...I think what teens are

most concerned about today is fitting in and having fun."

I loved this canvas, it was a portrait linen from New Traditions. I really tried to push myself to paint thicker than I usually do. I made the base color of the skin thicker, and it was nice to work into. I want to push a transition in the background colors in my next paintings.

#41 Ashlee - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                               "Ashlee"
(Advice for other teens) Slow down, stop trying to grow up so fast, you're still a kid so stop being an adult." (Things that are important to you) I find my family to be very important...and what I can do in my cousin's lives...I want a good job so I can pay for my bills and give my cousin's a good life."

I saw Ashlee and her grandmother in my local grocery store, and I was so intrigued by her distinctive look, that I couldn't resist going up to them and asking if she would like to pose for this project. She had purple streaks in her hair, and with the blue in the highlights, she was very colorful and wonderful to paint!   This painting was done on cotton canvas.

#40 Mia - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                                   "Mia"
(Advice to other teens) Keep Focused on your dreams no matter what comes your way...I would love to travel and discover different cultures, languages and ways of living."

#39 Vanessa - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                               "Vanessa"
(Advice for other teens)"Be yourself, enjoy the simple things in life and don't rush through your youth...I would love to help the earth as well as sick people and animals."

I like this painting very much, it has emotion and energy.  Her hair was a challenge but it turned out alright.  I think I need to push the difference between the values in the lights. When I am painting, the shifts seems strong enough, but later on, they don't.  I had a blue filter over the light for this painting, and I think it helped. The artificial light can be so warm.

I though it might be interesting for anyone following this blog to see some of the artists painting along with me and the studio, Repenning Fine Arts, where this series is being painted. This is most of the Monday night group (missing is Nancy Mullins).

              Mary Zaccone        

                                 

                                                                       Adelaide D'Antonio

                                                                      Katherine Sendecki

                                                 View of the studio from the model's stand,
                                          with paintings by Jim Repenning gracing the walls.

                                                         Our lovely model Vanessa, during a break

#38 Joe - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

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                                                                                 "Joe"
(Teens today are concerned about) "Fitting in with the stereotypes that consume our generation as a whole." (Advice for other teens) "Stay off the straight and narrow and really go out and make your own path."

#37 Allison - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

 

                                                                              "Allison"
"Teenagers are most concerned about doing well in school, because grades are important to get into a good college... Advice I would give to other teens would be to keep doing well in school, and to follow your dreams and to never loose hope."

This canvas was lovely to work on, its Frederic's Acrylic Primed Portrait linen, with a thin tone of Rublev Lead White (Natural Pigments), diluted with turps and a little stand oil. I tinted white mixture with Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue (visible in the upper right hand corner).  What I realized is that the tone is as important as the canvas!  I originally didn't like this canvas, it felt too "mechanical", but by adding the lead white tone to the surface, it accepted the paint much better, especially for an Alla Prima painting done in one session.  Linen is often slippery to begin with, and the first coat really doesn't cover well.  This can be problematic when doing a painting in one session.  The lead white modifies the surface and creates a semi-absorbent ground to work on, which is easier to cover right from the beginning.  **Caution** - Lead white is hazardous, follow the safety precautions carefully!

#36 Yupari - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                             "Yupari"
(Things that are important to you) "Personal growth, and knowing that I am always progressing in my craft.  Hope for a bright future."

I really wanted this painting to turn out well because Yupari was a full time student at Studio Incamminati at the time, in one of my classes, and a really good artist! I started on a white canvas, which I don't usually do, and rubbed an imprimatura layer of burnt sienna on the canvas and started by wiping out the light masses. I had to start over because I didn't like my first attempt, but its easy to wipe the imprimatura back down.  Fortunately, it turned out well in the end.  I loved painting his glasses. We all miss you Yupari!

#35 Tina - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

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                                                                           "Tina"
(Advice to other teens)  "Don't sell out. Do what you want, not what is considered 'practical'. A lot of people think careers like accountant are the practical course.  But everyday, technology is making practical jobs obsolete.  The only thing a machine cannot do is be creative.  So nurture and express your creativity!"

I love this quote from Tina.  Wise and idealistic at the same time.

#34 Nicole - One Hundred Alla Prima Portraits of American Teenagers

                                                                           "Nicole"
(Teens are concerned about) "School and their friends or family.  I also think some are concerned about more worldly or political issues...Enjoy the little things."

Nicole arrived in a "Hello Kitty" hat,  and we loved it!  For the most part I don't know who the teens are in advance, and I don't suggest what they should wear.  I want them to present themselves the way they want to be seen, and its been really interesting to see who comes and what they wear or what their hair is like.  I wished I had more time to work on this painting, but I really am sticking to the 4 hour deadline I set,  and only working on these paintings from life.