Last week in class, we explored using color as
a compositional element.
while keeping a strong value pattern.
We had some fun doing quick “made up color” notans,
Then we used unexpected or unnatural colors, comparing their values
using black and white photos as a reference.
Here’s my quick demo:
I continually amazed by what this group comes up with.
Here are just a few:
Tomorrow we’re going to be exploring shape!
I’ve been re-visiting an old favorite subject with a new approach;
focussing on arranging large shapes of value and color
I used a quick Procreate sketch I did on my I Pad
for reference.
This one has been nothing but trouble.
Too many details.
And then there is this first lay in,
playing with arranging shapes without detail.
All ok but then I did this.
Over worked and too fussy.
Will keep playing with this.
I wasn’t aware that a theme or thread was evolving in the studio
until I put them all together today.
However, I’ve been attracted to “structures in sun light”
since I started painting.
Stay tuned!
We talked about using value as a compositional tool
in the Modern Painting class this week.
To me, a well designed value plan is the foundation for a strong paintng.
We began by designing two different value plans of a simple subject.
Here are two versions a student did from a photo.
The idea is to make value decisions based on what is best for the painting,
not just copy what is in front of you!
Below is the image I used for the “demo” I did
while everyone worked.
I chose this value plan to accent the light on the tomatoes,
instead of the back-lit version in the image.
And this is how I translated it into color,
comparing the values to the study
I was so excited about the work everyone did and regrettably,
I can’t share all the images of the work done. .
This group of diverse and multi-talented artists
are inspiring me to revisit these ideas and approaches
so I’m looking forward to what’s to come!
I got inspired to do this after listening to a
a discussion on using “obscuring” in order
to move the eye around a painitng.
I purposefully obscured (or minimized) details of all the parts,
except the pillows
in order to make them the focal point.
“Inside Out” 12 x 12 acrylic on canvas
I wanted the initial reaction of the viewer to be about the
interaction of the shapes and values,
then allow the actual subject to reveal itself.
These are ideas I’d never considered before
and I’m pretty excited about exploring them further!
Thank you Mark Daniel Nelson.
“People know what a tree looks like.
You don’t have to explain it to them. “
Wolf Kahn
We had the first of six
Modern Painting classes this week.
Fourteen artists at all different levels, working in all different mediums.
Given that, this is structured differently than
any class I’ve taught before.
It’s less about “how to paint” and more about
“thinking” about how to paint.
After introductions and lots of discussion,
we set up a busy still life of random items in the center of the room.
We first did thumbnails by zooming in on sections of it,
focussing on simplifying shapes
for good composition.
The idea was to then use the best thumbnail for inspiration
to make a quick painting.
Here’s a watercolorist’s take;.
Here is how an oil painter approached it;
And then there is this acrylic painter!
I’m pretty sure there’s going to be some magic happening in this class!
The opportunities are endless.
Will keep you posted.
For the last session of the fall COLLAGE class at
Linden Ponds this week we did self portraits.
This is such a fun project to do with anyone, any age
and the results are always unexpected.
Here are just a few of the fun creations from our talented group!
It’s such fun to see how others see themselves.
I will miss working with this brave and talented group!
I’m excited to be teaching a new 6 week class
called “Modern Painting”
at North River Arts
Tuesdays Nov 12 - Dec 17.
“Mid Century Modern” 10 x 10 oil. (Sold at an “Out of the Box” show including work done “not in your usual style”)
(“Modern Painting” just means non-traditional or representational)
If you are feeling “stuck” or uninspired,
this could be just what you need! .
“This class is designed for the artist who is interested
in exploring ways to create more modern, bold,
and expressive paintings
by taking a less representational approach.
While retaining a bit of reality, we’ll explore ways to manipulate the abstract elements of line, shape, color and value to express an unexpected idea or statement.
Through a series of quick, fun exercises, we’ll learn how to
“change the rules” and let our intuition guide us.
We’ll be working from still life and/or photos.
All painting mediums are welcome.”
I’ve always used this blog as a diary of my artistic journey
and lately I have nothing to post about my “works in progress”.
So here’s a peek of what I do when I’m not at the easel.
Prepping for the Copley Society Winter Members Show.
Winter themed shows are always a challenge
so I’ve been re-working this favorite from a few years ago.
Needs a title!
We stayed at a friend’s lovely guest cottage in Charleton SC
last week, so I did this small painting as a gift for them.
My favorite Tuesday morning collage class at Linden Ponds.
High point of my week.
Being an artist is so much more
than what you accomplish at the easel.
I’ve been given so many opportunities to share my journey
and for that,
I am very grateful.
I was recently introduced to
Shinrin-yoku a term that means
"taking in the forest atmosphere"
or "forest bathing."
It was developed in Japan during the 1980s
and has become a cornerstone of preventive health care
and healing in Japanese medicine.
It was a lovely afternoon
and we all felt very connected to the woods.
(and fortunate that we get to do it so often!)
“Forest Bathing”
20 x 16
I was inspired to paint this from memory the next day.
This is one of those paintings that I‘m afraid to touch.
It says everything I needed to say at that moment,
so why confuse things?
I’m happily back teaching a collage class
as part of the Life Long Learning program at Linden Ponds.
Yesterday we did simple abstracts using 5 different colored papers
cut into 5 different shape; then arranged.
Here are just a few of the fun results.
It is truly wonderful to spend time with these
entusiastic and charming residents.
Next week we’ll be doing landscapes!
We had a wonderful day playing with paint, cut paper, and glue
on Saturday at the North River Arts Society.
Nine brave artists pretending they were in
pre-school.
Here are some of the collage results.
The idea was to organize the shapes and colors
in a pleasing arrangement.
To me, there is nothing more fun than making art
in a room with other artists.
The sharing of different experiences, ideas, and approaches
is so fullfilling and truly inspiring.
In preparation for the one day workshop this Saturday,
I’m still playing around with using collage
as a means to simplify paintings.
Here is my process:
First I set up a simple still life.
Then I did a quick gouache sketch of it.
Using the painitng as a reference, I then did this collage.
Below is the quick painting I did using
the gouache and the collage as a reference.
I allowed this last one to get too literal and tight.
I’m still fnding the initial sketch and/or the collage more exciting than the final piece.
I think I’m over thinking this whole thing.
I’ve been missing in action while I transition from summer to fall.
A change in the seasons always interupts my focus and work flow.
Yesterday I finally got around to doing the painting
from the collage I did last month.
(see previous post)
Jayne’s Koi Pond
10 x 10 oil on board
Admittedly, I did not use the collage as a reference
as it was too confusing!
I ended up referring to the original image.
I do think that doing the collage informed my paint application and
simplification of shapes.
I tried to keep the details to mere suggestions.
I’m re-thinking the plan for the one day workshop
I’m teaching at NRAS on Oct 5.
NEWS:
I’m pleased to say that the painting below
won an honorable mention last week
at the NRAS Members Show!
”Hot Sunday”
20 x 20 oil
It’s fall and I’m thrilled to be
”back to school”.
I’m working on a new one day worskhop I’m offering at
North River Arts Society
Saturday October 5
Designing Paintings With Collage
9:30 – 3:30 Saturday Oct. 5 2019
A one day workshop geared for painters who are working toward a more modern, less representational approach to their paintings. We will discover how to design simple, strong paintings by experimenting with collage and mixed media. By nature, using cut or torn paper as a medium, releases you from the control you may have when painting. We’ll create simple collages, using images or paintings (either ours or one we admire) as a reference. Then we will paint a new painting using the collages as a reference. All mediums welcome. All levels. Limit 12. Collage materials provided.
I did this quick experiment yesterday,
using the image below as a reference.
(A Procreate sketch over a photo)
I’ll now use the collage as a reference to do a
mostly non-representational painting of the subject.
My goal is to find ways to use reality for the initial inspiration,
then allow the process to take over;
getting lost in the moment and materials.
Magic can happen when when that happens.
I was recently introduced to Cynthia Wick,
an artist who uses paper in her paintings.
Inspired by her work and a trip to a local flower farm,
I worked on this today without using a reference,
and just let it evolve.
“Buckets of Rununculus”
16 x 16 acrylic / cut paper
I started by lightly applying acrylic paint
to canson canva paper.
Then kept building with papers and more paint.
(Close up)
This is a terrifc way to allow yourself to play
and let the voice come out.
Hoping to do more of these!
This painting is the last of a long line of studies
that have been in the works since last winter.
The subject intrigued me after my husband and I got a tour of a
recently opened spa nearby.
I was taken by the contrast of the neutral wall and the red bathing suits,
and wanted to capture the feeling of steam and excitement in the air.
(I made up the red wine)
Spa Day 10 x 10 oil on board
Here’s one of the many initial sketches
including only two of the girls:
This larger 18 x 24 version
went through many changes throughout the winter
and eventually it just felt overworked,
so I put it away.
Another cropped version.
I thought the table and life saving ring were distracting.
18 x 18
A close up to show the mark making.
I wanted the feeling of steamy bubbles !?
I rarely explore a subject for so long,
so this was a challenging exercise.
I think I’ll leave it for now and see wait for a new subject to come along.
Happy Painting!
I’ve begun to get inquiries about private lessons
and I’m excited to be offering them again in late September.
The classes are held in my studio in Norwell, MA
and start at $175 for 3 hours.
If interested, please e-mail me a brief description of
where you are in your painting journey
and what you would like to gain from the class(es) .
We can then work out the details.
I’m fairly flexible but prefer mid-week days.
Meanwhile, here are a few pieces I’m playing with
at the beach.
Hope everyone is having a great summer.
Lazin’ 10 x 10 oil
Striped Suit 9 x 12 oil
Day Off 10 x 10 oil
During this heat wave,
I’ve had some time to experiment
with my favorite subject;
people on the beach.
Heat Wave 20 x 20 oil
I’m working toward stepping away from the reference
and expressing an idea or moment
(hot day on a crowded beach)
using just line, shape and color.
I’ll still work on this,
however the general feeling of it
is what I was after.
I’ve been exploring the use of line in painting recently.
I’m working on new exercises to introduce in a class I’ll be teaching this fall at North River Arts (TBA soon)
“Good Read” 12 x 12 gouache brush pen
I used a Japanese brush pen over the gouache to
delineate the shapes.
Then I used the sketch as a reference for this 20 x 20 oil.
“Good Read” 20 x 20 oil
Still a work in progress…I’m tempted to go in with thin black lines.
We’ll see.
NOTE:
Below is a view of my summer “satelite” studio.
Bare bones and bit make-shift but functional.
Having fun doing these quick gouache
studies at the beach.
“Serious Beach Chat”
10 x 10 gouache
brush pen
Day Off
10 x 10 gouache
brush pen
Trying to focus on taking a bit of reality
and making it about the shapes.