Richard Rudnicki

Readings

I talk about my work as a painter and children’s book illustrator. I talk about what it takes to be a successful artist. I show samples of my work. I describe the process of illustrating a children’s picture book and show examples of each stage. I read the book and answer questions

Special Equipment:

n/a

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Workshops

Figure drawing – if you can draw people you can draw anything. Gesture drawing to feel the subject, contour drawing to feel the shape and bulking up to feel the weight. Working on large sheets of paper in charcoal or conté.

Portraiture – something special happens between the subject and artist. Features and proportions of the face. Capturing the character. The ABCs of drawing a face through to the step-by-step painting of fully resolved acrylic on canvas.

Sketchbooking – sketching from memory, sketching from life. Basic drawing techniques and styles. Cartooning and doodling. Spot colour and collage. Sketching the 10,000 things around us. Everybody should have a sketchbook.

Plein air painting – paint outdoors or on location in acrylic. Working fast in changing light. Building the painting in quick stages. Handling the paint, a basic palette. Materials. Reference material: life, photograph, memory.

Mural painting – big and bold for the world to see. Themed, bright and lively.

Illustration – tell your story in pictures. Write a short story and illustrate it. Character development. Drawing techniques. From thumbnail drawings, to mock-up to final illustration.

Drawing – the fundamental element of art. Observe and study nature. Perspective, tone, materials.

Special Equipment:

n/a

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Biography

Raised in the Ottawa Valley, I was a child inventor with a vivid imagination. I studied nature and began drawing at a very young age. I made up my mind about what was right and, often against the wishes of others, went my own way.

I chose to study fine art and graphic design, and as an idealistic young man became resident artist with CUSO. A short time later I started a graphic design firm, which grew into a successful marketing and advertising company. With a growing family, I designed and built a log house.

In time, I grew tired of the stresses and restrictions of the commercial world. I sold the company to build a new career as a visual artist. I reached deep inside myself to rediscover my creativity. To be close to nature, to be in touch with my feelings, to be happy, healthy and productive, I returned to my first love: drawing and painting.

Interested in helping others find creative expression, I teach figure drawing and portraiture, give workshops on various techniques and make presentations about art and the process of becoming an artist. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia.