For years Daniel E. Greene has been regarded as one of the greatest teachers offering instruction using the video format. He is clear and organized when articulating ideas. He is a very capable draughtsman and painter. Greene can be relied upon to present the highest quality of information in an easily digestible manner. Although he has not produced anything new, recently the entire Greene catalog of video instruction finally became available converted to the DVD format.
Within the art DVD market as a whole, color mixing and general palette activity have been inadequately covered and vague. Typically the colors and brands of paint are described yet once the painting gets underway you are left to wonder about the process. The assessments and decisions involved in mixtures are not articulated. Most colors can be closely approximated using a variety of palettes so the little information typically presented is not helpful. Greene’s color method, in particular, is the only presentation on DVD of an organized palette using premixed value strings that I know of.
In most art DVDs a camera dedicated to palette activity really only serves to satisfy those who wish to watch the artist stir paint. How much can be gained when evaluations and decisions involved are insufficiently described? Because Greene has covered the topic of color and premixed value strings it is unnecessary to have intermittent close-ups of palette activity while he is painting. Both as a teacher and as an artist Greene focuses more attention on the observation of his subject and its representation on canvas having addressed paint mixtures in advance.
This review covers the DVDs
Bernard,
Erin and
Color The Daniel E. Greene Method. The color method DVD is strictly a lecture presentation. To aid in getting points across Greene refers to art done by worthy painters, uses graphics and mixes color on his palette. While he covers premixing and arranging his palette in the
Bernard DVD, the
Erin DVD focuses on the portrait. With
Erin Greene recommends viewing the color method video and only briefly describes preparation of the palette. In both of the portrait presentations Greene narrates his actions and shares his mental process as he works. Because Greene adheres to this approach with every painting, he touches upon many concepts covered thoroughly in his color method DVD.
It is recommended that people view
(study and apply) Color The Daniel E. Greene Method in addition to any of the demonstration DVDs. If you are hesitant to invest in more than one before seeing for yourself whether it is worth it I suggest you test the water and begin with the
Bernard DVD. In
Bernard Greene covers enough of his palette preparation and ideas on color and form to prove his worthiness as a competent artist and teacher utilizing the DVD format.
Bernard is shorter in duration when compared to
Erin yet nothing is left out. The color method DVD conveys Greene’s approach in a clear, organized and in-depth manner while
Erin takes more time with the execution of the portrait and the model/subject has decidedly more detail to cover. All of these are loaded with precise and practical information.
These art DVDs predate the majority currently on the market yet they sensibly utilize technology and continue to hold their own. Split screens, camera positioning, superimposed graphics and captions are orchestrated to create a thorough presentation of activity taking place. Greene has taught the information in his classes and workshops for years. He is a former instructor of painting at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League of New York. The experience shows in his organization of the material and his thoughtful presentation. The studio is lit for the painting at hand and does not appear to have been altered for the cameras.
Bernard utilizes lighting similar to that of Rembrandt. If you are accustomed to seeing brightly lit demonstrations common in art DVD productions and many workshops Greene's DVDs are representative of a traditional art studio environment. The canvas, palette and model are appropriately lit though Greene may move in and out of shadow while working and speaking directly to the camera.
Oil Portrait: Bernard Running Time: 90 minutes
Oil Portrait: Erin Running Time: 160 minutes
Color The Daniel E. Greene Method Running Time: 75 minutes
Rating:
Art (all)
Summary: Simply stated, if you are looking for solid instruction by a competent teacher and accomplished artist you cannot go wrong investing in Daniel E. Greene’s art DVDs.
Bernard and
Erin are well-organized demonstrations of Greene's approach to the portrait while
Color The Daniel E. Greene Method does not waste a word presenting his observations and concepts of color and depicting form.
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Images © Daniel E. Greene
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