It's a Block Study

I painted a block study today because I needed it. You know, a good old dose of color. I find my feet dancing uncontrollably when I am painting a block study. It is fun. I had to correct my drawing in a few places. I had to resolve the changing background light as it became too similar to the yellow block shadow.
Good study.

Knitting Clock

Here is a great site that will show you an interesting clock. It is the knitting clock that knits a scarf in one year.

The Shell Game

Here is a completed study of a shell, apple and black flat vase. Fun but not easy. I was happy with the study because I learned how to simplify and see specific detail.
Oh - I have continued my portrait starts. They seem to be getting worse than better.
I can't wait for class, again, to continue.

You Got to Start Somewhere

I started my first 100 portraits. This was recommended by the portrait instructor I am just started with. I worked on two starts yesterday. A start it just toning the canvas, drawing the portrait, defining the dark areas, and blocking in the darkest dark, lights and background.
The dark and background areas you use a lot of turpenoid.
I did two portraits yesterday and made sure I made it to open studio with a live model today.
You have to start somewhere.

Zorn Palette and Learning Portraits

I am learning how to paint portraits and figures in two classes as I move to more advanced studies. I decided after 4 weeks the figure painting I needs to take a portrait class, too. I need a refresher course with portraits. It hasn't been quite a year since I started studying still life. Basically, a portrait is a made up of all the parts of the five basic shapes. There are five, right?
I was told I would be using the Zorn palette which consist of the primaries. Black for my blue, cadmium red for my red and yellow ocher for my yellow. I, also, found out how to make yellow ocher with transparent red oxide and cadmium yellow or lemon yellow. It makes a nice ocher.
I am re-learning the ratio of a head. I have studied it in the past but have not continued practice as life's distractions took me in another direction. It happens. Bright shiny thing syndrome (BSTS)
Here is my study from last night. I am learning to block in the face. The background and shadow colors, you use a lot of turpenoid. Big brush strokes for the background. Also, wipe the brush after 3 strokes, dip and brush 1-2-3 and wipe. This will teach you not to "lick" the canvas with your brush. Sounds gross.
The instructor demoed the other stages and it was good. The tip I remember most is always start at your last brush stroke. Don't dab all around.
I like the measuring aspect of this instruction, too, regarding the face. It is a very logical approach.
I was told to paint 100 portraits. Sounds like I have get my planner out and schedule this in.

Plein Air in Brookings

This will be fun for those traveling artists on vacation. See the schedule here.

Fresh From the Freezer

This study is fresh from the freezer. It is where I keep my studies, in between classes, so they don't dry up.
This particular study I had to put more white into the light side of the shell. You can see where I will have to turn the shell and make sure it is curved. The curving will show it is an organic shape.
Initially, when I set up the still life, the top spike of the shell was lined up to the edge of the vase. I didn't realize it until Susan, the instructor, pointed it out. A second opinion is always good. An experienced opinion.
The still life was then rearranged to change this.
It is important, also, not to make the composition with equal distance on each side of the objects. Do not center the focal point.
The difficult part of the initial painting was to ensure the shell shadow was not similar to the background color.
You might see where the tabletop is close to the value of the shell's light side. I need to be careful to see and compare.
When painting the apple, I made sure to find the darkest dark of the apple and compare it.
Then, you must compare the darkest dark of the whole painting. Compare, compare, compare.

Day 2 - Plein Air Gutter Art

This was day 2 of the class I took with David Lobenberg. Still can't believe you can have this much fun outdoors with paper, water and color. Good class.
Here are the rest of my studies.
My cherub isn't a very good piece but it showed my initial complaint about why I was taking the class. Everything I have recently painted in watercolors was going gray and, even though I am keeping the white paper, the study looks... mushy. Yes- mushy. It was a good lesson and showed that I am trying to work too many values into a study that it suppose to be a 3 - 4 value study. I was overworking the piece with the water pen. My notes from Day 1 clearly state not to go back into the tombow ink until it dried. I couldn't wait so I messed up the face with my need to hurry the process.
Oh, and when we went outside to draw the Fair Oaks Coffee House and Deli, I spent over an hour drawing, o sitting on a curb with my feet in the gutter. Who would have guessed that art would put me in a gutter? I will call the piece "Gutter Art".
Oh and no pun intended, check out my cans.

I Struggle With Gray Areas

I learned how to use a tombow pen and a niji waterbrush for my class this weekend that taught you on the go wash. No soap and bathtub needed. This easy art project is done with a few inexpensive tools. A black tombow pen, a waterbrush to hold your water, a pencil, a sharpie ultra thin pen, eraser and 140 pound 9X12 watercolor paper tablet. BTW - it was fun.
David Lobenberg conducted the class with his legendary style. He always keeps the enthusiasm up - or maybe it was just me. I was so happy with this technique I chatted away and that it me caffeine free.
Here is the day 1 lesson examples. I learned that I still struggle with gray areas but I do like the tombow and adding water. We traced several drawing, created square boxes and practiced the tombow with a waterbrush. Then we went outdoors to continue.
The pictures below were drawn with pencil and then outlines with a Sharpie ultra fine pen. If you wanted, you could erase your pencil lines. I like to keep them in.

I was also reminded to not make straight lines straight. Break them up.
Notice all my notes around the drawings. I consider that part of the art.

Play Date with Artists

I had a play date with Audi Stanton last week. She showed me a how to have fun with coffee filters, cosmetic pads,paper clay, yarn and dyes. It was fun.
We, also, took our acrylics and made trees using the Robert Burridge method. Fun, fun, fun.

New Class This Weekend

I am taking a new class this weekend with David Lobenberg. It is On The Go Line and
Wash Sketching. I can't wait. All my supplies are sitting by the door.
Earlier, I took today to do a quick study of a portrait I did after waking up late. Yes - I slept in.
I then typed all my notes from my previous classes.

Completed Statue Study from 03/18/2011

Here is the completed statue study I am finally posting from last month. I was happy with the study.

Figure Painting is Hard - She Whined

Okay - figure painting is hard. It is so difficult that I forget everything I have ever learned. I swear I was drooling with a dumbfounded look on my face today. Not to mention, I had a piece of carrot stuck in my front tooth. I noticed it three hours later - after class and in my car as I was driving away.
Here is my study. Her left breast should not be that big but I forget all about perspective.
Oh and I kept moving her shoulder off the right side of the canvas because I kept making her head bigger and bigger. I started to lose my values I initially established.
The bright side. I am not going to quit.

PSSST - Pass It On. A Plein Air Day at Sutter's Fort

March 30, 2011
Artists wanted for plein air day in a historic setting

California State Parks and the California State Indian Museum today issued a call for artists to participate in the second annual Plein Air Day on May 14.

The open-air painting event will take place on the shared grounds of Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and the Indian Museum.

Artists can register by calling (916) 324-0971 by May 6. The first 25 who sign up will receive a gift from the Indian Museum.

The general public is welcome to watch the artists at work outdoors between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The California State Indian Museum is at 2618 K St., Sacramento. For more information on museum exhibits and events: (916) 324-0971, www.parks.ca.gov/indianmuseum

-- Dixie Reid

Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/ticket/archives/2011/03/california-=

Correcting my Color Study Drawing

I finished this color study yesterday in two sessions. I came home and corrected my drawing. I have a tendency with oil to draw and paint leaning to one side. I started to use a level to correct this but it is still not working well. So, I held the work up to a mirror and used this to correct my study. I found the round bottle was too big on one side and the spout was leaning.
Here is the corrected piece.

Form and Cast Shadows on the Body

Here is my study from last week. We had a nude model and I had never drawn nor painted a bare back before. Here is my study. I mentioned before that I couldn't figure out the form and cast shadows. Well, I have it now. I have it now.

Having a Ball Drawing

I am studying several things regarding art. One is how to learn how to draw a human head. This is from the booklet I received with my planes of head. The booklet is written to show you the steps to learn how to draw. The first step, you take a ball, draw a face and glue on ears and nose. Then you draw the ball at different angles until you can memorize them.
Good study.

Remember our Troops are Deployed and Need Supplies

I love our veterans so I hope people are aware of Any Soldier web site www.anysoldier.com. Our soldiers actually list items they need and it is heartbreaking to know they cannot get simple supplies.
United States Postal Service has flat rate boxes that you can fill with wanted items.
The anysoldier.com home page will give you details.
Remember, we are the answer to their prayers.

Form and Cast Shadows

I am embarrassed to admit I had to have form shadows on a human body explained to me. It just wasn't registering. I was in class today painting a nude model. I was told to count my brush stokes. I had 170 before blocking in everything.
I have to learn longer strokes.
Then, I was told to distinguish between form and cast shadows. Now, I know a cast shadow is sharp but as for putting it down with oil on a curvy body. I was clueless.
After an excellent demo, I understand.

Advance Techniques is Hard - Because It Is Advanced..

I just finished four days of Advanced Techniques at the School of Light and Color. It was hard. It was hard because you are now taking all the information you know about color and taking it to an advanced level. I learned how to bend color. I learned brush stroke techniques, different methods for toning the canvas, advanced techniques for blocking in the values for a painting or study, how to use two different photos to create and paint a composition. I learned more about flowers, atmosphere, and backgrounds. I learned that the more you learn, the more you need to learn.
That to be a good colorist you must be a good tonalist but a good tonalist does not need to be a good colorist.
I am exhausted...
Here are two completed studies from the class. The other students did incredible work. Oh and Susan Sarback was, again, an outstanding and knowledgeable instructor. If you want to learn color and painting, her school is a must for all serious artist.

Go Figure

Figure studies are hard. Art is hard. Whine, whine, whine. Okay - so here is my very overworked study BUT... I am pleased with the foreshortened arms.
The legs are too long for the body but I recognized it and corrected it twice - not successfully.
I learned that I need to study fabric and how it fits on a body. I also need to study legs and arms. Before that, though, I think I will do portraits rather than the whole body.
Once I understand portraits better, I can then move onto the whole body.

Planes on a Head Study

I worked with soft and hard charcoal today in my drawing class to study the planes of head. My notes and scribbles are around the initial drawing. I had to remind myself not to draw dark lines but instead fill in the drawing with the appropriate values.
Always establish the darkest value first and then compare. I was reminded to keep the whites purse white.
I need to determine the highest point of the head and how it is related to the other parts of the face.
I need to be sure to make the back of the skull large enough.
I liked this exercise because it forced me to look at the shapes.
Good study.

Statue Study - 03/17/11

I am almost done with my color study of a statue. In this study, I learned to keep comparing my darks to the darkest area in order to ensure I didn't paint darker than my darkest dark.
That is a breakthrough. Don't you think?

New Study - Can You Guess What I Am Painting?

This is my new study. Can you guess what it is? You will see more later this week. I am just starting phase 3.

Portrait Study 3/11/2011

Here is my portrait study. The model was beautiful and posed for 3 hours. This is my study for the morning.

Almost Finished Color Study 03/10/2011

I am almost done with this color study. I just need to finish the blue bottle and check the entire study. I was in awe at what I can see now when I paint. The shape of the shadows on the bottle, the shape of the inside of the ellipse, and the colors.
I use to asked painters how do you know color and shape that it when looking at their work. The response was keep painting. I thought they were avoiding my question. I would try rephrasing and would get the response. Keep painting. Now, I understand. You must practice painting - daily - and then you will see more.

Figure Study - 3 hours later

I have started figure painting and it is amazing that I can forget all previous knowledge. My values were fine at the beginning and I just had to mess with it.
I am learning to see the shapes and simplify. Not easy regardless of your experience.

Flower Practice

Here is my morning flower practice. I will learn how to paint flowers!

Color Study - Stage 2 - 03/07/2011

Here is my color study for 03/07/2011. I am ready for stage 3 next time. The pink glass bottle was started with magenta in the shadow. These light was painted with rose. The blue bottle was painted with pure ultra marine blue.

Painting Portraits

I spent the morning painting a live model. I did a closeup of the models face. Every thing I knew about painting left me. My head went blank - like canvas... I still had a great time and can't wait for next week.