Author: John Markese

  • Portrait of a Young Lady

    Portrait of a Young Lady

      Portrait of a Young Lady, pastel portrait painted in Lakewood, Illinois Portrait of a Young Lady, 12×16, Soft Pastel on Board, 1/25/2012 A lovely young girl modeled for us at a workshop in Lakewood, IL. It was her first time modeling, and she did a fantastic job. I’ve been leaning towards more natural flesh tone in my…

  • Rainbow Colored Scarf

    Rainbow Colored Scarf

    Rainbow Colored Scarf, a pastel portrait drawn in Lake Zurich, Illinois Rainbow Colored Scarf, 18¾×24¾, Soft Pastel on Paper, 11/9/2011 Here’s a very adorable portrait of a young woman done at Main Street Art Center in Lake Zurich. The vibrant colors in the scarf force me to use more natural skin tones in the face, but I still…

  • Molly, Quick Sketch

    Molly, Quick Sketch

    Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake, Illinois 2/22/2012 Molly modeled for us at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake, Illinois this week. I had to rush out and get some new supplies at Hobby Lobby since the supplies in my portfolio were running short. I have a set of 60 CarbOthello colored pastel pencils that I…

  • Portrait of Manuel

    Portrait of Manuel

    Portrait of Manuel done in Lakewood, Illinois Portrait of Manuel, 12×16, Soft Pastel on Board, 1/4/2012 Manuel is an artist that posed for our group in Lakewood, Illinois. Most notable about this portrait is the lighting and the way it interacted with Manny’s head and his robe. The setting was backlit and I had to wear a visor…

  • Portrait of Erica

    Portrait of Erica

    Lake Zurich, Illinois I have been attending the bi-weekly open studios at Main Street Art Centre in Lake Zurich, Illinois, and this week, I made this portrait of an artist named Erica. She had a unique style and was wearing a lot of jewelry which I managed to squeeze in after the last break. I…

  • 1st Friday & 2nd Annual Fashion Mash

    1st Friday & 2nd Annual Fashion Mash

    Chicago, Illinois – Wicker Park, Bucktown The Coyote exhibit at the Flat Iron Arts building was a success. Below is a picture of my display. This Friday Oct 7th 2011, I will have my work displayed for the October 1st Friday and will keep it up for through Saturday Oct 8th for the 2nd Annual…

  • Portrait of a bored young man

    Portrait of a bored young man

    Chicago, Illinois So this was obviously this young man’s first time modeling. Some of the telltale signs were fidgeting, differences in pose after breaks, and wearing headphones! But nonetheless, he did a decent job, and I certainly give anybody willing to sit in one spot in the same position for several hours their due respect.…

  • Portraits of Jazz

    Portraits of Jazz

    For my Father – Schaumburg, Illinois These two paintings were done for my old man who, along with my mother, I can thank for artistic inclinations. I remember my young days when my dad would sketch 18 wheeler trucks and WWII airplanes. Those were pretty much the first things I drew when I was a…

  • Figure Study – Olympia

    Chicago, Illinois – Palette & Chisel This is a piece I did in soft pastels. It was made on August 27th at the Palette & Chisel during their Saturday morning open figure-study session. The session was 4  1/2 hours, but I think I was there for about 4. I skipped out on the last half…

  • Coyote Arts Festival 2011

    Chicago, Illinois – Wicker Park, Bucktown The Coyote Arts Fest is a three-day show and sale that will feature the art of over 150 painters, sculptors, photographers, performers, poets and musicians. Highlights of this event also include Show & Sale, Refreshments, Performances, Refreshments, Silent Auction and more…in a fun and magical atmosphere buzzing with art…

  • GIAF 2011 show in Seoul, South Korea

    GIAF 2011 show in Seoul, South Korea

    GIAF Art Exhibit in Seoul, South Korea I had a show in Seoul, South Korea. It looks like it was quite the ordeal. It was my first International show, so I’m pleased to have participated. There’s a video on YouTube that shows the layout of the exhibit. My paintings are at the 1 minute mark.

  • “Now You See It, Now You Don’t” Mural Exhibit in Chicago, Illinois

    “Now You See It, Now You Don’t” Mural Exhibit in Chicago, Illinois

    Portrait Painting in Chicago, Illinois Friday, February 4, 2011 · 6:00pm – 10:00pm Flat Iron Arts Building · 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave · Chicago, IL Join John Markese and the Flat Iron Artists’ Association for its second annual “Now You See It, Now You Don’t” Art Exhibit. For one special evening, the interior walls of…