Award-Winning Painter Demonstrates For Pascack Art Association

Portrait artist Paul McCormack visited the Pascack Art Association's meeting Tuesday and gave a demonstration of his oil painting techniques.

McCormack has won numerous awards, including first place in portraiture from Artists Magazine and The Hudson Valley Art Association's gold medal of honor. He is also the president of the America China Oil Painting Artists League, which will be exhibiting in Beijing in September.

During his demonstration, McCormack shared his techniques for setting the proportions of a face on a canvas and mixing colors to get the proper tones. The example portrait had to be done during one meeting, but McCorkmack said he normally spends about 60 hours painting a head and shoulders for a portrait.

"I prefer to work from life because it's more fun," McCormack said. "But as a working portrait artist, it doesn't happen."

The Pascack Art Association regularly has artists give demonstrations at its meetings, according to Vice President Lou Spina. The association meets on alternating Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Association meetings and events are open to the public. Membership costs $35 per year or $40 for a couple.