"Standing Room Only"

SRO • 27 "x 31" framed • acrylic on Bristol • ©'07 C. Berk

NYC's recently renovated MoMA now charges a $20.00 entrance fee...except for FREE Friday evenings. That's when the real show (not on the walls) begins. Everyone trying to save on their culture fix show up. Artists, eccentrics, intellectuals, low income parents introducing their children (I was one) to the "finer things in life" congregate. SRO is my humble attempt to capture that wonderful feeling.

This painting was on exhibit with the NSPCA (National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylics, inc.) 54th Annual Exhibition at The Salmagundi Club, NYC, USA. Here are the WIP (work in progress) painting stages... SEE: WIP1 and WIP2

Art Award Presentation/Reception...

NSPCA Pres. Douglas Wiltraut presenting award to Chuck Berk
A good time was had by all...click below (sound on) to view the video.



Painting demo, gallery reception and art award presentation.
~ Painting: “NY Spice” 26”x 30.5” framed acrylic on Bristol, ©2006
~ Art Organization: National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic
~ Award & Prize: 2006 Judy & Elias Newman Memorial Award -$1000.
~ Art Gallery: Binney & Smith Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

J & E Newman Memorial Award

"NY Spice" • 26" x 30" framed • acrylic on Bristol • © 2006 C.Berk

I am the honored recipient of the 2006 Judy & Elias Newman Memorial Award presented by the National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylics.
This "NY Spice" painting was on exhibit with the NSPCA show at:
Binney & Smith Gallery, Bethlehem, PA, July 22nd - Sept. 17th
NOTE: If you click on the painting's image you will see
its WIP (work in progress) developmental steps.

NYC Retro...a painting video clip

Okay here's my first attempt to create a short video. If it works, this could be a valuable tool to demonstrate painting technique. Please keep in mind that it may take some time to load. If you can view it, I would appreciate hearing what you think. Oh yes, be sure and turn-up your sound.

Color-Massing Technique

COLOR-MASSING TECHNIQUE © (a brief explanation)...

Color-mass painting is the exact opposite of drawing. Just because artists use brushes, doesn't mean that they're painting. However, when scrubbing with a brush, from the center moving out, an edge can be created by juxtaposing one color spot next to another.

(detail © 2000 C.Berk)

Placing a light against a dark, a cool against a warm, vague next to defined, a contour will emerge.

(detail © 2001 C.Berk)

Without filling in between lines, colors truly interact and the paint develops a visual life of its own...breathing undulating until each color functions to the individual artist's temperament.

Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Drawings

I try to do some quick sketches before a day of painting. Many of them turn out better than the painting itself. Click on this sketch to view other drawings. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Studio Paintings

Sometimes, when I don't like a pose, I'll paint fellow artists painting the model. Here the studio is not a class. There is no instruction...just fellow artists sharing the cost of a model. Click on this painting to view other studio work. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Pencil Sketchbook

Here are some pencil sketches that I thought would be of interest. Although a few, due to delicate line, were difficult to digitize, I still felt them important to post. By clicking on the above portrait, you'll find examples of contour, gesture, value, volume, etc. ...traditional exercises practiced by many artists. Feel free to add your comments or questions.

Portrait paintings

When a model has an interesting expression, I may paint a portrait. Over the past 25 years, I’ve done many contemporary portraits, often of the same model. Click on this portrait and you’ll find some models who have aged in paint. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Pen, Ink & Wash

There are times when I will work with ink...these paintings are fast, intuitive and utilize a wet in wet technique. Click on this painting to view other Pen, Ink & Wash. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Figurative Paintings

If the model takes a pose with attitude I’ll concentrate on body language. It’s not easy finding an interesting pose that’s natural without being self conscious. These paintings are done live...never from photographs. Click on this painting to view other figurative work. Please leave your comments, questions, etc. below. (More artwork, by theme, will be posted soon.)

Summer Strings

"Summer Strings" • 9" x 12" unframed • acrylic on Bristol
© 2005 C.Berk
Today's painting...an alla prima acrylic on Bristol.
I cropped this grouping from an entire orchestra because of the intensity of these guys warming-up. Some bold colors with loose brushwork are used, in hope of enhancing kinetic energy that anticipates the evening's performance.

Painting Demonstration

Retro Bar NYC • acrylic on bristol • 14" x 17" unframed • ©2006 C.Berk
Okay, here's an online attempt to demonstrate how I paint by using the Direct Massing in Technique. By clicking on this painting, you will be taken to a (simplistic) six step process. Please leave any comment or questions below.

On Exhibit at Salmagundi Club, NYC

"HARVEY 04" • 25" x 22" framed • © 2004 C.Berk

This painting will be on exhibit with the (NSPCA) National Society Of Painters In Casein And Acrylic at their 52nd Annual Show...
>>> Place: SALMAGUNDI CLUB, 47 5th Avenue, New York City, USA
>>> Dates: JULY 8th - 22nd, 2005
Five years ago I submitted, to the same show, an earlier portrait of Harvey that received a nice award from Philip Pearlstein. You can view that painting too by clicking on the following link. >>> Harvey 00