Date: Friday July 26th & Saturday July 27th, 2024
Times: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Levels: All Levels
Cost: $395
Workshop Description
Discover the wonder of egg tempera in this painting workshop with John Darley. Join us for engaging demonstrations, insightful critiques, and helpful lectures.
Throughout the workshop, we will delve into essential skills for artistic mastery, including:
Optical mixing techniques
Exploring a diverse array of painting materials and tools
Applying light logic to create luminous effects
Paint characteristics
Mixing pigment
Capturing nuanced details with broken lines
Employing techniques for crawling over and establishing form
And more!
About the Artist
Utah-based figure painter John Darley has a deep passion for portraying the people and landscapes of the American West. His artistic journey has been characterized by hard work, dedication, and a profound love for family. Over the years, Darley has garnered recognition for his exceptional talent, earning awards from prestigious institutions such as the Portrait Society of America, the Art Renewal Center, Southwest Art magazine, and the NTD International Figure Painting Competition, where his oil painting "Vivian" recently secured a bronze award.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Darley is committed to nurturing the next generation of artists. He teaches weekly portrait classes at his studio and conducts portrait and figure drawing classes at Utah Valley University, aiming to inspire aspiring artists with his knowledge and experience.
Darley's connection to the American West runs deep, rooted in his family's history. His ancestors emigrated from Denmark and England in the 1800s, settling in Utah after a transformative journey across America. Despite being born in Boston, Darley has spent most of his life in Utah, currently residing in American Fork with his family.
Creativity has always been a part of Darley's life, influenced by his mother's painting and his grandfather's musical talents. During challenging times in his youth, art provided solace and a sense of control. Drawing inspiration from illustrators like Michael Whelan, Darley explored imaginative worlds, bringing dragons and spaceships to life on paper.
As Darley's artistic journey progressed, he found inspiration in the works of masters like Michelangelo and William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Michelangelo's monumental achievements and Bouguereau's technical proficiency left an indelible mark on Darley, influencing his approach to art and work ethic.
Despite some detours, including considering a military career and briefly studying accounting, Darley's passion for art remained unwavering. Encouraged by the advice of successful artists, Darley pursued his artistic ambitions, eventually undergoing an apprenticeship and further refining his skills in New York City.
Darley's commitment to his craft is exemplified by his rigorous schedule during his studies in New York. Immersed in classical, Darley dedicated himself to mastering foundational techniques, preparing him for the challenges of a professional career as a painter.
Upon returning to Utah with his wife Cassandra, Darley faced the daunting prospect of supporting a growing family through his art. Fortuitously, significant commissions arrived just as his wife announced her pregnancy, providing the financial stability needed to sustain his career.
Darley's approach to portraiture goes beyond capturing physical likeness; he strives to convey the essence of his subjects. Before commencing a portrait, Darley engages with the individual and their loved ones to gain a deeper understanding of their personality and life experiences.
Looking ahead, Darley aims to focus on multifigure paintings, envisioning his works as generational relics to be cherished and passed down through families. Inspired by the enduring impact of historical paintings like Alphonse Mucha's "The Slav Epic," Darley aspires to create artworks that resonate across generations.
In essence, John Darley's artistic journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the transformative power of art. From his deep roots in the American West to his commitment to nurturing future talents, Darley's story underscores the profound impact of creativity and dedication in shaping a meaningful artistic career.