Xiang Zhang: Painting the Costumed Figure

Zhang is well-known to his collectors as a figurative painter of western subjects such as horses and cowboys, but he is equally versed in painting portraits of women, children, damsels and dancers, as well as luscious still lifes. We filmed his demonstration of painting the costumed figure in a workshop we sponsored for Zhang, and the resulting painting is phenomenal. Filmed with three cameras: full length of painting, closeup of brushwork, and full palette shots. See every stroke and paint mixture Painted from a live model in one, all-day session, this painting is a tour de force performance of virtuoso brushwork and dynamic color. Zhang swings his brushes like a maestro conducting a symphony. Trained in the Russian classical tradition in China, Zhang brings to the canvas surface vestiges of the late, great Russian painters Ilya Repin and Nicolai Fechin. Every brushstroke is a considered choice and an exquisite experience to watch. Also included in the video are Zhang's lecture comme