Art and Art related topics by artist and architectural illustrator, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, with JPEG & PDF scans and prints for Fine Art articles #002Q.
This article is about Father John Chrzan #310Z, and his pencil portrait, written and drawing by artist and United States Navy Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery ~ the rendering is done first as a pencil drawing, which comes with JPEG & PDF scans for making prints, note cards, and stationery. Congratulations Father John!
The pencil drawing was done as a gift for Father John’s “21st” Birthday. The birthday celebration was posted on the doors of the chapel so we had time to plan the event. I drew Father John’s portrait in the same way as that of Father Christian Shiu, which was a live sitting during the birthday party. Father John was an excellent model, because he did not move.
Mass
When I came to the 8:00 AM mass on Friday morning, while I was sitting during mass, I realized that I had left my drawing satchel at home. Father John is an excellent priest, because he know the Bible.
Chapel
When I got back to the church, everyone was in the multi-purpose room below the Chapel, which we use for Knights of Columbus. Everyone was there from mass and we had cake and ice-cream with other treats. After the photos and the blessing I sat down with father and commenced to draw him. Because Father John is a good model, because he looks at you. All humor set aside, Father John was well mannered and we had a polite conversation, where I was telling him about my home parish of St. Philip Neri in South Shore, and Mendel Catholic High School.
Portrait
All in all the portrait took about 10 minutes to draw. Most importantly, we all love Father John and we all wish you Happy Birthday!
Condren Galleries Ltd. For Father John Chrzan #310Z
Father John Chrzan #310Z As Fine Art
Father John Chrzan #310Z As Figure Drawing
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Father John Chrzan #310Z with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren at Condren Galleries.
Father Christian Shiu #309Z, Catholic Priest pencil portrait of him on his birthday, drawn and written by artist and United States Navy Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery ~ the rendering is done first as a pencil drawing, which comes with JPEG & PDF scans for making prints, note cards, and stationery. Congratulations and Happy Birthday Father Christian Shiu!
From all of us at St. Gilbert Parish in Grayslake.
Pencil Rendering For Father Christian Shiu #309Z
Clinker Stylus Sketch
The pencil drawing is of Father Christian Shiu, Associate Pastor of St. Gilbert Parish, in Grayslake, Illinois. Today Father Shiu celebrated mass in the Chapel at 8:00 AM, and it was well attended. After the service all of us at mass went down to the chapel hall to celebrate Father Shiu’s birthday!
It was a most festive event that everyone helped make a success. We all knew about this event from last week when it posted at the church on the door. So each person brought something for the party in the way of cake and treats. Kate brought a beautiful cake from Jewel. I will be sure to call on her when it comes time for my birthday!
Associate Pastor
Last year Father Shiu was assigned to our parish by the Archdiocese of Chicago. He came as a transition for Father Jose, that took on the Pastoring of St. Timothy Parish in Chicago. Below is a picture of us with father Jose as his farewell party.
With the arrival of Father Shiu a whole new era for St. Gilbert has commenced. The first thing that I can tell you is that he knows everyone at church by their name! Father Shiu is very intelligent, and his great learning is complimented by his warmth of character and love of Christ and people. To know Father Shiu is to love him, and all of us here can testify to that.
Theology
I never give up on wrestling with Father Shiu over Theological concepts and points. When I talk with him he always listens (after addressing me by my name) and then hears me out. He is great to challenge and a joy to talk with on subjects, ranging from the Historical Critical Method of the Bible, to emanant Theologians such as Rudolph Bultmann, Paul Tillich, and Albert Schweitzer, and Theological issues such as Dipolar Theism and Process Theology. I always look forward to sharing with him! Father Shiu is Theologically sound, and an outstanding Roman Catholic Priest.
The Mass
Often I attend the 8:00 AM mass, and I am always pleased to see Father Shiu as the Celebrant. Father Shiu possesses a rare gift in his manner in which he renders the mass. There is something very sacred about his deportment and gestures, not to mention his wonderful singing voice! The Archdiocese had better watch out, because I am afraid that they may lose Father Shiu to a major entertainment network with his outstanding musical skills! It is hard to turn down those millions.
Portrait
Shortly after the blessing, I had the honor to draw the portrait of Father Shiu. I had brought with me by art supplies and kindly asked him to pose for me, and he accepted. Father Shiu is an excellent model and did exactly as I had requested of him, that being not to look down at the drawing as I sketched.
I had my 6B lead pencils with sketch board and other art supplies. Then, off to work! As I drew him we had a delightful conversation about art and the rendering of figures. I expressed to him that it is more difficult to draw children and young people because they have no lines on their faces. We also talked about Chinatown in Chicago, where he is from. Our family has been going there for decades, and we most often ate at Won Kow, managed by David Ho. We also talked about foreign languages, as Father Shiu speaks Spanish. I bantered around with him in Spanish and German with great delight as I drew.
Photos
As I drew Father Shiu, others gathered around to watch. I had told father that I was just going to draw a quick barroom sketch rather than a polished studio rendering, and to please relax and enjoy the process. Cathy came over and took many photos of me drawing Father Shiu, and even took the drawing and placed it on the drawing board and did a nice flat screen image shot of it. As I returned home I took the drawing of Father Shiu and made of a scan of it, which you can see here.
Video
All in all it was a wonderful morning, and we all delighted to share in the joy of celebrating Father Christian Shiu’s Birthday.
Happy Birthday Father Christian Shiu!
Scans
JPEG & PDF
Scans of Father Christian Shiu #309Z are available in JPEG or PDF formats for making prints, note cards, or posters.
Condren Galleries Ltd. For Father Christian Shiu #309Z
Father Christian Shiu #309Z As Fine Art
Fine Arts Gallery
Condren Galleries is pleased to have been to participate in the execution of Father Christian Shiu #309Z.
Stephen F. Condren For Father Christian Shiu #309Z
Father Christian Shiu #309Z As Figure Drawing
Artist
As an artist I have made Father Christian Shiu #309Z a staple of my figure drawing art.
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Father Christian Shiu #309Z, Catholic priest Pencil drawing by artist Stephen F. Condren at Condren Galleries.
This article is about American Legion drawing #279Z, of Peter Kristan, and written by artist and United States Navy Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, which comes with JPEG & PDF scans for making prints, note cards, and stationery. Congratulations Peter Kristan!
Peter grew up in Liberyville, Illinois, and was classmates with Hollywood celebrity, Marlon Brando. Peter told me that he know him and that everyone called him “Bud”. This is the first time that I have ever known that Marlon Brando was called this. Also, Peter said that “Bud” was a quiet guy that kept to himself.
Pencil Drawing For American Legion Drawing #301Z
Clinker Stylus Sketch
The day before this I had coffee with Peter at our “Cup of Joe” at the Area Coffee shop, hosted by Lake County Veterans & Family Services. As we were talking I asked him if I could draw his portrait tomorrow morning at the Post’s weekly coffee, and he said yes.
Mundelein Post #867
The next morning when I arrived at the coffee, I saw Peter, and I went up to him and said “let me settle in for a bit and then I will come over to draw your portrait.
The Drawing
Quick Sketch
It must be understood that this drawing is a sketch or vignette and not a “Studio” drawing or rendering. This is meant to be free and fresh, done right on the spot in a few minutes. All in all, the drawing took me about 10 minutes to do.
Peter was an outstanding sitter, and I will say, one of the best I have worked with in a long time. He did just as I asked, and never looked down to see what I was drawing. This is important, because I need to have the sitter looking at me in the eye at all time as I draw him to that I have the correct position of his eye balls. Even the slightest error in line placement at this point can ruin everything. The eyes are the most important element of any portrait.
Because I started the drawing with light lines making circles to place the size and scale of the figure. If you look closely you can see the light lines below the face.
As I capture more of Peter’s image, I then darkened the contour lines to give strength to his form. Following the lines, I made use of hatching and cross-hatching to give shade and shadow to the figure. This is important in bringing out the character of the sitter.
You have to be careful not to put down too many lines, just use enough to capture the spirit of the man!
Scans
JPEG & PDF
Scans of American Legion drawing #301Z are available in JPEG or PDF formats for making prints, note cards, or posters.
Condren Galleries Ltd. For American Legion Drawing #301Z
Fine Arts Gallery
Condren Galleries is pleased to have been to participate in the execution of American Legion drawing #301Z.
Stephen F. Condren For American Legion Drawing #301Z
Artist
As an artist I have made American Legion drawing #301Z a staple of my portraiture works.
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American Legion drawing #301Z pen & ink drawing with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren at Condren Galleries.
With honor, this article is about American Legion Drawing #297Z and prints of Veterans at American Legion Post 867, Mundelein, Illinois, and written by artist and United States Navy Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Congratulations American Legion Post 867!
The pencil drawing below is a very quick study of my follow Veterans at American Legion Post 867, in Mundelein. This time was near the close of our weekly coffee and so I quickly jotted down the images that were before me. You can see Arty still sitting and reading at the table, while others are gathering for their last few words before leaving.
There was not enough time to get an account of their faces or facial expressions, but I did have time to capture the mood. When I first thought about this drawing I was not going to do it because I knew that people were already up and leaving. With so short of an amount of time, I thought that it would not be worth proceeding. However, the spirit moved me, and I picked up my pencil and started to draw!
Rendering
I am so glad that I did take the time to do the drawing, for in those last few minutes I captured a moment in history now forever gone. The drawing is full of life and character, with movement all about it.
The best drawings are not necessarily the finished, polished renderings, but often times the quick studies.
Scans
JPEG & PDF
Scans of American Legion drawing #297Z are available in JPEG or PDF formats for making prints, note cards, or posters.
Condren Galleries Ltd. For American Legion Drawing #297Z
Fine Arts Gallery
Condren Galleries is pleased to have been to participate in the execution of American Legion drawing.
Stephen F. Condren For American Legion Drawing #297Z
Artist
As an artist I have made American Legion drawing a staple of my pencil drawing works.
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American Legion drawing #297Z pen & ink drawing with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren at Condren Galleries.
With honor, this article is about American Legion Drawing #296Z and prints of Veterans at American Legion Post 867, Mundelein, Illinois, and written by artist and United States Navy Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Congratulations American Legion Post 867!
The pencil drawing is of my Veteran colleagues at American Legion Post 867. We gather every Wednesday morning from 8:00 unto 10:00 AM for coffee and camaraderie. While we are conversing, I take my pencil and paper and draw.
It is not my desire to draw all the details of the scene or the room. My focus or intention is on the moving figures. In the drawing, which you can see below, I had to draft the first impressions immediately. This can be seen by the very fine, light swirling lines underneath the darker lines. There are there to catch the size, scale, and proportion of the figures.
Movement
Since the figures are moving I have to act quickly to catch their features. The person looking away from us is Marty talking with Fred. Behind Fred, reading a paper, and wearing a ball cap, at the table is Arty. I have made use of contour lines to capture the figures of the gentlemen and then set them against a backdrop of rapid shadow lines.
Pen & Ink Drawing
Stylus Sketch
The pen & ink drawing
Watercolor
Painting
The watercolor rendering.
Scans
JPEG & PDF
Scans of American Legion drawing #296Z are available in JPEG or PDF formats for making prints, note cards, or posters.
Condren Galleries Ltd. for American Legion Drawing #296Z
Fine Arts Gallery
Condren Galleries is pleased to have been to participate in the execution of American Legion drawing.
Stephen F. Condren for American Legion Drawing #296Z
Artist
As an artist I have made American Legion drawing.
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American Legion drawing #296Z pen & ink drawing with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren at Condren Galleries.
This article is about the Grayslake Arts Alliance art exhibit called May Fest #291Z, written by artist and United States Navy Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. Congratulations Grayslake Arts Alliance!
May Fest was hosted by the Heritage Center of Grayslake, Illinois. Because the Heritage Center is right downtown on Hawley Street next door to the Grayslake Fire Prevention District, it is easily accessed by the entire community.
Grayslake Arts Alliance
May Fest was sponsored by the Grayslake Arts Alliance. Because the site is provided to us by the Village of Grayslake, we extend to the city our gratitude. The time of the exhibit was from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. Most importantly, the weather was beautiful.
May Fest #291Z
The weather could not have been better as we were blessed with sunshine and balmy weather all afternoon. People from all over Grayslake came to see what was new here at the exhibit and also to take in the good music that complimented the fine snacks offered just inside the Heritage Center. Because many of the Alliance members were in attendance along with patrons, the show had personal meaning.
Aruna N. Sarode
Among the members that were present, we had artist Aruna N. Sarode, do a plein-air oil painting of the Heritage Center right before us. Because of Aruna’s attention to detail and amazing speed astonished those of us that had the honor to see her at work. Thank you Aruna!
Analysis
Let us look carefully at this finely executed work of art. Because as an astute artist, Aruna has properly prepared her canvas board for this out side painting. Because Aruna knew that this will be done on the spot and therefore with brevity, she approaches the oil with expertise.
Canvas Board
Immediately in photo #2, you can see that she has use the correct tones to prepare the canvas board. This mix of ochre, red, and yellow are clearly seen. These tones will be the foundation of the painting. The warmth of the ochre will support the blues and greens in the sky that is above the image of the Heritage Center.
In photo #3, you can see that now that she has set down the background, so Aruna is free to build the foundation of the painting from the lower section of the canvas board. The strong yellows nicely enhance the bottom section of the oil, and follow true to the colors of the music canopy that she is in the process of capturing.
Water Tower
With supreme stealth, Aruna has detailed the structure of the water tower behind the Heritage Center. Aruna has captured this image with great success. I say this with good reason, for any object that is so salient in the composition of work of art, has to be very carefully crafted. The water tower is a difficult object to successfully incorporate into the imagery of the cityscape that she is creating.
Shade & Shadows
Because the water tower is very different form the structure of the Heritage Center and it sticks out like a soar thumb. Most importantly, this is not the case here, as Aruna has masterfully incorporated this difficult object into the composition of the painting. Because the shade and shadows of the water tower are delicately painted, they are a delight to behold.
Color
Aruna’s supreme achievement with this oil painting is her thorough understanding of the use of color. Unlike so many artists, Aruna does not utilize local color. That is: the sky is blue, the grass is green, and the flowers are red. A true master of color knows how to properly blend the color so that all of the tones are seen in every part of the painting, and that is exactly what Aruna has accomplished here.
Summary
When all is said and done, you have before you a masterly crafted work of art. This work of art is an artistic success and Aruna is to be commended.
Scans
Images for May Fest #291Z
JPEG & PDF
Scans of May Fest #291Z are available in JPEG or PDF formats for making prints, note cards, or posters.
Condren Galleries Ltd. for May Fest #291Z
May Fest #291Z
Fine Arts Gallery
Condren Galleries is pleased to have been to participate in the execution of watercolor house portrait #291Z, because it promotes the arts. Because the weather was good many people came to the art fair. Most importantly, May Fest help local artist display their works of art.
Stephen F. Condren for May Fest #291Z
Artist
Most importantly, as an artist I pleased to be a part of May Fest #291Z. Because drawings of city scenes has been a long time passion of mine since childhood. Most importantly, I like doing the drawings right on the spot and not from photos.
This article is about May Fest Rendering #292Z, written by artist and United States Navy Veteran, Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. The drawing is done with a 6B lead which comes with JPEG & PDF scans for making prints, note cards, and stationery. Congratulations May Fest!
Each spring the Grayslake Arts Alliance has an exhibit of members works in the early part of May. Hence the name of “May Fest” has been coined for this exhibit. There were approximately 200 people in attendance to the fine event. There was music and food for all that came.
Heritage Center
May Fest is held at the Heritage Center in downtown Grayslake, adjacent the Village Municipal Museum and the Grays Lake Fire Protection District.
Pencil Drawing For May Fest #292Z
Clinker Stylus Sketch
The pencil drawing is done from in front of the Heritage Center. The angle of perspective is looking at the Village Municipal History Museum westward down Hawley Street. Directly in front of the museum is the Municipal Bell mounted on a wheel rack. In front of the bell is a small boy leaning on and playing with the bell. Since the boy was moving I only had a few moments to capture him before he vanished off to the playground.
Time Of Day
Mid-Afternoon Setting Sun For May Fest Rendering #292Z
The time of day was in mid-afternoon and the rays of the sun were casting shadows of the art displays on the ground. If you look carefully at the display panels in the drawing you can see the shade and shadows of the panels on the grounds, angling to the right.
In all the drawing took about 15 to 20 minutes to draw as I had to stop at points, and wait for people to move so that I could see the site.
Scans
JPEG & PDF Scans for May Fest rendering #292Z
Scans of May Fest rendering #292Z are available in JPEG or PDF formats for making prints, note cards, or posters.
Condren Galleries Ltd. for watercolor house portrait #000Z
Fine Arts Gallery
Condren Galleries is pleased to have been to participate in the execution of May Fest rendering #292Z.
Stephen F. Condren for May Fest rendering #292Z
Artist
As an artist I have made May Fest rendering #292Z a staple of my architectural rendering works.
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May Fest rendering #292Z pen & ink drawing with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren at Condren Galleries.
This drawing is based upon the famous 1922 German film of the vampire Count Orlok by Friederich Wilhelm Murnau. The film was based on the famous novel of Dracula by Bram Stoker. However, due to copyright issues the film was banned in Germany and many of the original copies were destroyed.
Intent
My intention for this drawing is to bring out the character of Count Orlok and not to copy a photograph. If there is anything that is more boring or lame for an artist to do, it is to copy photos. The practice of copying photos is excellent when learning how to develop drawing skills, but it is only the excercise, not the art.
Pencil Drawing For Nosferatu Pencil Drawing #277Z
Clinker Stylus Sketch
The pencil drawing of the count was first done very lightly and then as I progressed I used hatching and cross-hatching to bring in more detail. In the drawing below you can see the lighter sketch below the hatching.
Pen & Ink Drawing
Stylus Sketch
The pencil drawing below I have increased the hatching and delineated the contour lines of the face and hand. Because of the intense cross-hatching near the edge of Count Orolk’s face, there is an added mood of suspense to the image. The cross-hatching is nice for making prints because lines show up very clearly on reproductions.
Scans
JPEG & PDF
Scans of Nosferatu pencil drawing #277Z are available in JPEG or PDF formats for making prints, note cards, or posters.
Condren Galleries For Nosferatu Pencil Drawing #277Z
Fine Arts Gallery
Condren Galleries is pleased to have been to participate in the execution of Nosferatu drawing #277Z.
Stephen F. Condren For Nosferatu Pencil Drawing #277Z
Artist
As an artist I have made drawing like that of Nosferatu #277Z a staple of my work.
Alt Image Tag
Nosferatu pencil drawing #277Z and prints by artist Stephen F. Condren at Condren Galleries.
This article is about my childhood home on Bennett Avenue #260Z in the Jackson Park Highlands, Chicago. Written by artist Stephen F. Condren, BFA-SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery. I was raised up as a child at our lovely and gracious home at 6841 S. Bennet Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60649. Our home was and still is, located in the Jackson Park Highlands. The Jackson Park Highlands is an landmark estate neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, and is the step child of mansion district of Kenwood.
History
The house was built in 1913 next door to one of the developers of the Highlands, Mr. Roberts. The house is just under 5,000 square feet and has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. The exterior dimensions are 45 feet wide and 75 feet long.
Interior
All of the rooms are enormous which included a morning room, which was in the front of the house. Access to the morning room was through the living room then through the dining room. Morning rooms are always adjacent the dining room for kitchen services. Of course, next to the dining room was the butler’s pantry for all the china and table settings. Past the butler’s pantry was a large kitchen with very ample pantry. Going straight through the kitchen you entered the game room. This was a very large room designed to hold a pool table and card tables. This room has a direct access to the back inner porch that lead to the garage and back yard.
The living and dining room were separated by a large set of sliding glass doors. The entrance to the house from the street was on the south side of the house and was a small suite off of the central block of the structure. Upon entering the suite you were in the marble vestibule, and looking to the left were three large encased glass panels, the first being the door to the entrance hall.
The entrance hall was vast and straight ahead was a grand wooden staircase. As you entered the hall to the right with the library and to the left was the living room. All of the room throughout the house was done in the finest mahogany wood. Two large massive beams wrought across the ceilings of the entrance hall, the living room, and the dining room. These beams were joined to very thick wooden moldings that encased the ceiling and mounted it to the walls. The fireplace in the living room was a massive wood structure.
Lots
When then house was built back in 1913, when the Jackson Park Highlands was developed, all the homes were designed with garden lots. That meaning that each home had a separate lost next to it for privacy. In some cases homes had two or more such lots. Mrs. Roberts house has seven city lots and is the largest in all the Highlands! Mrs. Roberts home is dead center in the Highlands as this was the home of the builder. Having a place at the center was the most prestigious because you were far from the perimeter of the neighborhood and thus most quiet. Our home was right next door and dead center as well.
Just after the First World War, our garden lot was sold off and a home had been built on it, this was the home of the Lemonthal’s. The Howett’s, Michael Howlett, Secretary of State, who live four doors down from us had a garden lot on each side of their home. I was a classmate of Robert Howlett at St. Philip Neri, As the Howlett’s and my parents were old family friends. My grand parents, Dr. & Mrs. Francis Leo Condren stood up at their wedding.
South Side
Prairie Avenue
Kenwood
Hyde Park
Jackson Park Highlands
Beverly
The south side of Chicago is the best planned and designed part of Chicago. Grandeur was always the tone of any development of the south side of Chicago. Only in the south side are there grand boulevards and parkways. It is only in the south side that you have center park trolley lines.
The growth and development of a city the size and scale of Chicago is very complicated in imbued with ambiguities. It is my task here to highlight upper strata communities of the south side of Chicago, and more particularly, to focus on the dwellings in these communities. Side commentaries on expected social behavior given at appropriate times.
Prairie Avenue
The community of south Prairie Avenue is where the history of high society in Chicago starts. However, it should be noted that this was not the first area of “upper crust”. Downtown Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue were the very first areas of fine home construction. However, these areas were not developed as a community as we think of at later times. These homes were mixed in between all sorts of sites, from taverns and shops, to book shops and barbers. The development of segregated communities for “better living” start on the south side with Prairie Avenue, and later with Potter Palmer on the near north side, on Belleview and Lake Shore Drive.
This article is about Chicago Skyline #742B is a cityscape, which is for sale at discount with prints by artist Stephen F. Condren, SAIC, of Condren Galleries, a Fine Arts Gallery, offering JPEG & PDF scans. The view is taken from Lincoln Park across the pond from the Lincoln Park Zoo. The line work here is clean and clear. I have made it my goal to grasp the images of the skyline in terms of pure for and not attempting to replicate the buildings. Prints & Scans Of This Drawing #246Z ~ Order Here.
Architecture
The buildings form a bar code of the city and that is how I want to express this imagery. Together with the landscape and pond the image is strong and tells you everything that you want to know about the scene without demanding to see every detail. Chicago is famous for it’s innovative architecture and the John Hancock Center is one of those great innovations.