Resident Artist Spotlight: Anthony Baus

After Marco Ricci "Carpriccio with Ruins"
Anthony working at the Palazzo Altemps in Rome

Anthony Baus is currently an Instructor in GCA's Core & Part-time Programs, and a continuing Resident Artist. He spent the past school year in Italy courtesy of the Alma Shapiro prize. Upon his return in June he was back in the studio piecing together narratives from the ancient world soon to make their way to the canvas. He is currently working on a capriccio to be exhibited this coming March in the Art of Architecture exhibit at Eleventh Street Arts. 

Over Columbus Day weekend, Anthony will be teaching an Architectural Ink Wash Workshop at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument located on Manhattan's Upper West Side in Riverside Park. The Beaux Arts structure provides the perfect subject for all skill levels. Anthony has written a preview demo of his process below.

New York is full of great architecture and one of my favorite spots to draw is the Grand Army Plaza at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The plaza features a triumphal arch that is dedicated in memory of union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The arch is complete with figural sculptures, low relief and a coffered vaulted ceiling. To complete the composition elements were added to the foreground to aid in the removal of this structure from a particular time and place. These elements, inspired by the Plaza's existing environment, include figures in admiration, a toppled lamp post and sinking blocks strewn about a muddy terrain. 

The paper is white Artistico 140lb hot press. I toned it using Sennelier brand colored inks, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna and Grey. The tone is slightly warmer in temperature and the value is light but dark enough to use white chalk highlights. I begin with pencil, blocking in the structure general to specific keeping in mind its placement in the composition. As the block-in progresses I implement a diminishing scale in red pencil to aid in the perspective.

After the block-in is complete the shadows are washed in with a medium value over the entire page, giving a sense of the composition and the overall light effect. I’m sure not to make this initial shadow value too dark. Values are built up with subsequent passages, because with wash there isn’t any room for error.  A slightly greener wash is used for the bronze sculpture groups and white chalk is added to the sky to separate the background from the middle ground.

When the initial layer is dry, details and texture are added using slightly darker warm and cool mixtures. I generally use cooler washes in the background and warmer towards the foreground. The building is the main subject and will have the broadest range of values.

Again the paper is left to dry and I’m continuing to build up the values and textures. The arch is pushed back into space by making the foreground dark and compressed in value. Some details can be discerned but not so much that they compete with the detail of the arch. I go back into all areas of the composition, clarifying edges and details where necessary. 

To read more and sign up for Anthony's upcoming workshop, click here. Anthony will also teach an Academic Figure in Perspective workshop in our Winter Drawing Boot Camp, January 23 - 27, 2016. The workshop will be posted and registration will open on October 10th.

Anthony is also the latest guest on The Suggested Donation podcast hosted by Tony Curanaj and Ted Minoff, listen to the episode here!