Cooley Studios

Hello, Cooley Studios is hosting a 4 day mini-workshop on understanding color and learning how to make it work for you. I hope some of you will join us. The workshop is every Friday this September starting on the 9th and running through the 30th. We will be covering the 3 components of color theory which are value, hue and chroma. We will also be doing exercises that will help each student better understand the theory behind color.

Workshop: Understanding Color and how to make it work for you.

Where:
Cooley Studios (www.cooleystudios.com)
870 N High Str., Ste 11
Worthington OH 43085
614-547-7900

Dates and Time: Sept 9, 16, 23 and 30th (6pm to 9pm).

Registration: space is limited to 10 students so register ASAP. Call Cooley studios at 614-547-7900 or email to secure your spot (cooleym21@gmail.com).

Content of the workshop:
* this workshop is meant for oil painting but if you only have acrylic, thats fine.

This workshop will introduce students to the concept and practices for understanding color. They will learn the 3 elements of color (hue, value and chroma), how they work together, how to mix color and use strategy to get the visual impact they desire. Each student will make value and color charts and learn to match colors to objects using new invaluable learned skills. Upon finishing the workshop, the students will be ready to begin making educated successful paintings.

Materials List: contact Cooley Studios for the list of materials at 614-547-7900.

Michael A. Cooley, Ohio States President Michael Drake, Portrait, 2016, Oil.

Today was a great day for me. I delivered and unveiled my oil portrait painting of The Ohio State Universities President, Michael V. Drake. He was very kind, courteous and sharp as a tack. We talked briefly and when it was time to go, I could’nt help feeling very proud of both him and myself. He is a great man.

The portrait of President Drake is oil on canvas and dimensions are 30 x 24 inches. Keep watching, I have more to come.

take care, until next time,
Michael

Michael A. Cooley, Female Figure Seated 3/4 view, 2016, Graphite

Here is another one of my figure drawings I recently completed. I have to admit, I really love drawing. I love painting too, but after I’ve made a painting or two, I begin to miss drawing so much, I have to rush back to my drawing easel. One thing I will say is, my photos never show the  sensitive nuanced tonal quality of my actual drawing(s). I have to find a better method of reproduction. Maybe laser drum.

People often ask my approach to drawing. I pretty much use the block-in approach. It is the most precise method I know. It is what I use and the method I teach. I’ve used plenty of methods but blocking in your drawing along with comparative measuring will help you attain greater accuracy than most methods.

More drawings and paintings to come. Im considering doing a small painting a day for the next 30 days and limiting each one to 1 maybe 2 hours. I will be posting them so keep watching.

take care, until next time,
Michael

I never leave the studio without feeling good about the work my students are doing. I have a smart, talented and dedicated group of students who work very hard putting their heart in each assignment. I am so proud of them.

Hinako Miyazaki, Still life painting, 2013, Oil.

Roberta working hard on a portrait of her son Ian.

Judy working on a portrait of one of her grand children

Toni working on her first after cast Bargue drawing.

Liz working on a Bargue after cast drawing.

Christine working on a after figure Bargue drawing.

Cassidy working hard on her mastercopy Bargue drawing.

Until next time,
Michael

Hinako Miyazaki, Still life painting, 2013, Oil.

We want to wish Hinako Miyazaki a hearty congratulations. She is a former student of Cooley Studios. She was also a former student at Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, OH. Hinako is presently studying at one of Japan’s premier universities of art and design, Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan. We will follow Hinako’s progress and continually offer her our support.

Here is a link to Hinako’s testimonial. Click here.

Until next time,
Michael

Michael A. Cooley, Les Wexner, Portrait, 2015, Oil.

This is one of my latest portraits. It is Mr. Les Wexner, founder of LBrands, The Limited Inc. I am having more fun that I could imagine working on each portrait I am drawing or painting. I have 6 more portraits I’m presently working on. I will post them as I complete them. Hope you enjoy.

Until next time,
Michael

I was honored to accept a commission from Michael Henwood, business developing manager at RevLocal. Michael is a great guy and it was a pleasure making this portrait of his children for him and his wife.

Michael A. Cooley, Henwoods Children, 2015, Graphite

The drawing below is a value study I made of Casey Giest-Clarke prior to painting her portrait. Click here to see the painting.

Michael A. Cooley, Casey Geist-Clarke – Head Study, 2015, Graphite

Until next time,
Michael

Here is one of my most recent medical illustrations. It was for Dr. Adam Kolker of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. It depicts a new technique for postmastectomy reconstruction where Dr. Kolker places a tissue expander beneath the pectoralis major and serratus muscles and use an allograft to cover the rest.

Michael A. Cooley, Breast Reconstruction Figure 1, Digital, 2015

This illustration depicts the surgeon using a electrocautery to undermine the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles. This allows him to maintain continuity with the pectoralis major and serratus muscles and create a pocket for the tissue expander.

Michael A. Cooley, Breast Reconstruction Figure 2, Digital, 2015

This illustration depicts the implant (tissue expander) beneath the serratus and the pectoralis  major, covered by the allograft (Alloderm) layer.

Until next time,
Michael

Here are two figure drawings I recently made. I don’t always find the time to draw with all of my duties, teaching classical drawing and painting, working on my commission and assignments and creating medical art for my medical clients. When I do find the time to draw, I am more than happy.

Michael A. Cooley, Female Figure Front View, Figure Study, 2015, Graphite.

Michael A. Cooley, Female Figure 3/4 Back View, Figure Study, 2015, Graphite.

Until next time,
Michael

Michael A. Cooley, Jim Delucas, Portrait, 2015, Oil.

This is a recent oil portrait I made for my friend and client Jim Delucas. After I completed the painting, I presented it to him at an unveiling at New Hope Reform Church in Powell, Ohio. I gave a brief talk and then unveiled the painting and to my surprise, Jim was moved to tears. I didn’t expect that kind of reaction but I was pleased and he is more than satisfied. The dimensions are 30 x 24 inches,  oil on lenin.

Michael A. Cooley, Casey, Portrait, 2015, Oil.

I just finished this portrait of beautiful Casey Geist-Clarke in her magnificent wedding dress, and veil. I was commissioned by her Parents Terry and Bill Geist. I had so much fun working on this painting. I must say, the dress was really a job. I cant complain. I get to paint everyday and bring people joy. The dimensions of Casey’s portrait is also 30 x 24 inches, oil on linen.

Anyone interested in commissioning me for a portrait, you can reach me by using the form on my contact page. We can discuss your portrait in detail.

Until next time,
Michael