Renowned wildlife artist, Ralph McDonald, first began drawing at age three. He was especially encouraged by his high school art teacher at Isaac Litton, where he graduated with the art medal. After dropping out of college, he spent four years studying at Harris School of Art in Franklin, TN, taught there for a while, and then become an illustrator with The Yellow Pages. All of this on his way to the painting of wildlife, which has become his living. He is especially known for his Ducks Unlimited paintings, having raised $25M for their charity.
Mr. McDonald was especially influenced by painters N.C. Wyeth, Vermeer, the impressionists, and John Singer Sargent. He has great appreciation for Sergent's detailed faces juxtaposed against looser backgrounds. He feels that a painting should look like it is "painted," rather than an exact "rendering." It should show some of the skill and interpretation of the artist.
He advises that the artist must OBSERVE and VISUALIZE… don't be unsure, know your subject. The details of the leaf, bark, growth habit, etc., on the type of tree you are painting. The anatomy and habits of the particular duck. His duck paintings are so accurate because he has spent many hours in a duck blind, observing ducks of all types.
We asked about the charming Santa painting he brought to show us. He said he paints a Santa each year. They have been very popular with his collectors. He uses one of his friends as his Santa model, working mostly with photos.
McDonald is also a sculptor. He learned human anatomy in art school, literally building a body from the skeleton out. "You never forget it," he said. He also makes his own prints at his studio in Gallatin, as well as framing. Both services are open to the public… 135 College Street.
Ralph McDonald program
Sunday, Aug 21
Wildlife artist, Ralph McDonald, was MAS speaker.
