Last week was Mosaics
However, attendance was zero
and the project is too cool to miss
so I'll repeat it in a couple weeks.
Summer being so busy, next week's project is called "More Fun with the Color Wheel" and it will be fun.
As always, I love playing with color schemes, so we'll explore complimentary colors in design, portraits and landscapes.
Purple background, yellow letters, for example.
Always remember composition, design and values.
First off, I apologize if anybody showed up to paint at bluegrass, and I wasn't there. I hung around until 2:35. The weather was sort of rotten. quite breezy and threatening rain. bummer. Otherwise, I would have painted whether anybody showed up or not, but I am not a glutton for punishment and just like to enjoy. That was not enjoyable. so, sorry for the interruption in classes for nothing.
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| Giddy Up Kitty |
So, here is what little I accomplished Thursday night at the festival. I took the grandkids. We sat down front, and I gave everybody paper and brushes and paints and water. What was I thinking? I guess with the, "grandma, I spilled my water," "She's touching me," etc., I am not too disappointed with this. But it was nuts. It poured rain and everybody! came into the tent and crowded around down front where we were. So that was that, and that's just how it goes. Going with the old flow.
Out of my box. (Out of my mind!)
Onward and back to basics.
This week we will study animals a bit more in depth.
Simple pencil and paper work.
I look forward to seeing you!
Really just means painting outside.
We artists are going to kick it up a notch and paint the crowds at the bluegrass festival.
The plan is to meet at 2:30, regular class time, on Saturday at the south corner of the festival site outside the fence (the portopotty area) across from parking. Park behind the supermarket rather than the big parking to the north of the festival tent.
You may choose to simply experiment with outdoor landscape painting. Work on value sketches. There will be ample subject matter.
Bring a camp chair or camp stool and art supplies: a board for paper, clips or tape to hold the paper down. Generally small sized paper for these on the spot pieces but knock yourselves out with whatever size you care to work on.
For pencils, pens, pastels or charcoal (dry work) just paper and paper towels to stay clean. If you're feeling trepidatious, this is the way to go.
Heavier paper works well when outside. We'll be working on bolder quicker lines and building confidence.
For water media, bring a jar of water - or a plastic cup and a juice bottle full of water. I like my camp chair with the drink holder for my paint water (brush and paper towel holder). Same goes for oils and turpentine unless you are so wonderful to have a plein air easel with spots for all the stuff.
Bring a trash bag.
I generally work with my paints or pallet on the board to which my paper is attached. Two chairs also work (or 1 chair and 1 stool) on which to set the paints and materials and use as a side table or put the other chair right in front and have a work table.
Keep it simple.
Have fun.
It's an adventure!!!
Other supplies: hat, sunscreen, long sleeves, jacket, water to drink.
See you there.
Questions - call Jacque, 783-3706.
In case of rain, meet at the gallery.
Thursday admission to the Bluegrass Fest is just $10, and I plan on going to listen to the great music and paint. Anyone is free to join me should they care to. The venue is amazing. Combining artwork and the relaxed atmosphere of the music is pleasurable no matter what happens.
Last week's class explored the world of painting people in quick gestures simply to capture the "essence" of the person.
I demonstrated sketching first in ink and filling in with watercolor.
The class then sketched the model (me) and filled in the details in watercolor. What brave souls working in watercolor. They sketched for about 5 or 10 minutes then began painting.
I pointed out the shapes and shadows. Not to worry about the details of the face but simply catching the basic feel of the turn of the head, lean of the body, folds in the clothing.
What remarkable work they did!
Painting real people (not from a photo) is so daunting (especially people you know). Not only did they get a human figure painted on their paper, but I saw an exploration of style begin to take shape. Use of color and composition came into play.
Here's a favorite of mine. This was done on site at the workshop stage at the High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival in Westcliffe, CO.
I probably had about 15 minutes of working time.
The first step is to sketch in the shape of the body. I do that in about 2 minutes and work directly in ink.
Then I can spend some time noticing the shadows and filling in a few details such as the strings on the guitar. I put in the back line of the room just for reference. There were actually windows behind him. He was there for about 45 minutes, and I did 2 paintings. I gave the other one to his family who was there.
Next week we'll try our hand at crowds.
