C.W. Mundy has just released a second art DVD focused on the still life titled,
Mastering the Dramatic Still Life with C.W. Mundy this time through Artist Daily. Art DVDs can be grouped into sub-categories. On one level there are formal presentations by teachers and there are others that are the less formal presentations by artists who speak of their personal preferences, experiences and offer advice as they work on a project. This DVD falls into the later category. The content is effectively broken into chapters and Mundy speaks of different aspects of the painting process yet, in this case for me at least, the most important activity is the completion of a new painting. Topics covered include:
The Science of Painting
The 7 Foundational Truths
1. Drawing
2. Squinting
3. Value
4. Color
5. Paint Manipulation
6. Design
7. Edges
Unity and Variety in the Foundational Truths
Finding Your Artistic Voice
Some painters are more enjoyable to observe than others. Mundy gets a lot done in relatively short time and the results are typically beautiful. At $29.99 when most art DVDs sell for $50 and more commonly $70+ it would be worth owning if he repeated this format in a series and just worked on new paintings. Much of the dialogue is a reiteration of Mundy's ideas. Even if he had dubbed and synchronized the audio from
his previous still life DVD and used it as the narration for a new painting project there would be value in seeing the concepts applied to a different project. You might easily grasp a concept yet seeing it applied in a different environment you gain additional insight or clarity. So in his characteristically relaxed style Mundy speaks of similar ideas sometimes using a variation of words and sometimes using the same words while working on a new painting.
The painting is done using chiaroscuro and is mostly low key. The room is dark with very intense light on the still life set up. This forces the camera to compensate and in effect saturates the color (to gauge, Mundy's skin appears lobster pink) and produces posterization whereby gradations are not as smooth with greater jumps between values. With the position of certain cameras light values are blown out and the camera does not pick up as much color in the greatest proportion of the composition, the darks. All in their own way can be both a hindrance and helpful. There is also glare on the canvas. As can be seen in the screen captures below this is not a major problem when viewed from the direct canvas camera. One can appreciate the activity and the audio description but it helps to refer to the final still image, also on the DVD case cover, to fully understand what has taken place. Additionally, the beauty of owning a DVD is that you have the ability to play it multiple times and at varying stages.
This is a DVD recommended for a personal collection to be viewed along with other Mundy DVDs and those from other artists. It is another opportunity to observe an interesting painter from a slightly different angle. If you have not had a chance to view a C.W. Mundy DVD this is an excellent introduction and a bargain. Rest assured, Mundy offers more useful information at this $29.99 than many selling their DVDs for twice the price.
Mastering the Dramatic Still Life with C.W. Mundy
Running Time: 60 minutes
Rating:
Art
Summary: A demo supplemented with knowledgeable advice from a seasoned illustrator turned fine artist.
For more information visit:
Images © C.W. Mundy and Artist Daily
.
