Kevin Macpherson: The Magic Grid - Portraits

While I found it fascinating how he only took three colors and then mixed them in varying amounts with a corresponding gray value to get all the values possible with 3 colors. I found this video lacked the application of the magic grid and how it works. He spends about 45 minutes explaining it but I find that application is so much more important - esp to the audience. A basic grid is just as good as what is communicated, in my opinion. But usually a grid is useful if you are visually trying to copy something over that is a different size so you can get the right proportions. No reason to make things more complicated. When you get to the painting of the portrait, he doesn't explain anything about the grid. It is already drawn out on the canvas but he pays no attention to it or explains it as he is laying in the composition as to the layout of the grid. He just goes in with paint while he looks at his friend from life and paints. It was a missed opportunity. It is as if he already knew what he wanted to do to begin with but didn't communicate to the audience. So why even do the magic grid in the first place? - Overall, the video is an interesting watch if you are curious to how he paints. In the end, I felt he could have been more vocal about his thoughts while he mixed the paint, etc.

As a former workshop student of Kevin's I always enjoy watching him paint. His painting style is unique. The palette of color he chose to paint this portrait was an excellent lesson on how to substitute other colors for the usual palette of red, yellow & blue. However, I would have liked to hear more of the decision making during the process of the painting. All in all this was a great video with excellent instruction for the more advanced painter by one of the finest painters in the art world today.

Always enjoy Kevin's interpretation of his subject. Kevin's painting style is unique and by using a different palette of color for this painting brought this to another learning experience. However, I would have liked more information as he was painting as to what his decisions were and why he made certain choices. All in all a great video by one of the finest painters in the art world today.

I just purchased the Magic Grid Portraits, it's as good or better than the landscape one that I also purchased.

I've been a student of Kevin's on several occasions over the years and have profited tremendously from his teaching. This video is by far the best lesson of all and unlocks many of the secrets of doing really breakthrough portrait painting. This is not, however, a lesson for beginners. Rather it works to help more experienced artist reach a new level. Kevin is not only a brilliant artist, he is a superb and gifted teacher. This video is evidence of that rare talent.