Renowned artist David Leffel spent two days teaching San Quentin inmates the fine points of painting with oils.
“Most beginners try to transfer what they see on to canvas with exactness, and that’s not a reality,” Leffel told the students.
“Don’t get stuck in the middle, where you can’t see where you’re going, worrying too much about details,” he added. “You should keep it simple and work with big strokes, then finish by moving values and paint around to make your painting come alive.”
Leffel came to San Quentin as part of the Prison Art Project workshop, sponsored by the Williams James Association.
He gave the inmates painting tips, from basics like how to hold a paint brush to more complex points like being aware of light and shadows.
During the first day, Leffel painted a portrait of an inmate named Fred Tinsley, while explaining to inmates what they should keep in mind when they are painting.
“Just sitting there watching David paint my image was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Tinsley. “The intensity in his eyes had a master’s look. What a privilege.”
On the second day, two inmates modeled as students practiced what they had learned the first day. Leffel went around helping and encouraging each student individually.
“He’s a very profound man with a passion for art. For two days it was like being at a university,” said inmate Gary Harrell.
“It was inspiring to see an artist who’s made it,” said Josh Locke. “It gave me an idea of where I am and where I want to be. He brought it all together. That was his gift to me, to view a painting in a different light.”
Leffel came with Carlos Grasso, his friend, publisher, assistant, agent and student who is also an artist. At age 4, Leffel contracted a bone disease which kept him bed-ridden until age 15, getting around with crutches and a wheelchair. The disease left him with a bad leg, yet for two days he only sat down for a quick lunch with the inmates.
“To see a painting in a photograph or magazine is one thing, but to actually see the paint applied to canvas the way David did was sublime,” said Scott McKinstry.
“David Leffel’s workshop was a thrill to watch. To see the model’s face emerge from the dark background was magic. His use of paint was brilliant,” said art instructor Pat Maloney.
“I had always wanted to work with oils, and David made it all look easy,” said Kalifah Christiansen
