September 1-- Cliffs in Detail

Red Cliff, gouache

In this new class we’ll examine the drama, light and color of rocky cliffs like the one I painted above. This one is in gouache, but you could use any medium to accomplish it. The challenge often is how to use enough color, detail and line, without overburdening the painting too much, but this will be a detailed demo. I want to discuss how color works in the upright plane (not solely red rocks, though I may paint them since we see them so often here.) We'll talk about painting details and how to give the impression of depth and recession, as well as how to drape the foliage so it's believable.

Look for a close-up with some interesting detail. If you have one with good strong light and shadow it will give you the opportunity to paint both, and it's visually more interesting. I wouldn't try to paint a gigantic vista, although this may be a good chance to paint the Grand Canyon or Canyon de Chelly. Focus in one one interesting area of a cliff and make it the subject of your painting.

I have a few people already signed up, but I'd like to know if anyone else is coming. Please RSVP via this link. Class is at our new location at CCF. The studio opens at  11:00 for set up, and class is from 11:30-2:30. Any medium is welcome. $25.00 at the door.

See you on Thursday!

Deborah

June & July 2011 Classes REVISED SCHEDULE

There's no class this week. I hope those of you who are local will attend the IAPS convention! I'll be at The Pastel Journal booth on Friday and Saturday, as well as demonstrating PanPastels at their booth. Drop by and say hello.

Because of conflicting room availability at the church where I hold classes, I've had to revise our class schedule. Below is the new plan. I certainly hope you'll join me! Please contact me now to reserve your space.

June 9--Paint the Summer Sky and Clouds  
Our summertime skies are spectacular, with layers of beautiful clouds, summer thunderstorms, and beautiful virga falling. We'll discuss how to paint various kinds of clouds, looking at the structure, color, contrasts and 'rules' of clouds in the daytime summer sky. Any medium is welcome. (At Paradise Methodist Church, 11:30- 2:30.)  

June 16—Gouache Basics  
Gouache is opaque watercolor and has all the positive characteristics of watercolor and pastel. Like pastel, you can work from the darks and add the light colors over the top, as well as correcting as many times as you need to, and as in watercolor you can work wet into wet, use washes and various other techniques. I'll teach the basics at this small class. We'll work from photograph, share the same color paints, play around with different brushes, and just find out what this fun and versatile medium can do. I'll provide two different kinds of paper, and the paint and brushes for an extra cost of $10, or you may bring your own. You'll need a small palette of some kind, such as a white dish or plate, or a plastic watercolor palette, and a small jar for water. This class is limited to five students. Reservation required. (At my home in Taylor Ranch 11:30- 2:30, bring a sack lunch.)

June 23—How to use Photoshop for Paintings
I'll show you how I use Photoshop to prepare photographs to use for paintings. I use Photoshop Elements 2.0, but the tools I utilize are commonly available in Photoshop, no matter the version, so you should be able to adapt what I do. The space available at my computer is quite small, so we're limited to only five students. Reservation required. (* At my home in Taylor Ranch 11:30- 2:30, bring a sack lunch.)
FULL

June 30—Paint the Night Sky 
We'll explore painting the landscape at night, with a closer look at the night sky. I'll challenge you to cobble together two or more photos to create a nighttime landscape with a dramatic sky, perhaps including clouds, the moon or stars. Any medium is welcome. (At Paradise Methodist Church, 11:30- 2:30.)

July 14—How to use Photoshop for Paintings 
I'll show you how I use Photoshop to prepare photographs to use for paintings. I use Photoshop Elements 2.0, but the tools I utilize are commonly available in Photoshop, no matter the version, so you should be able to adapt what I do. The space available at my computer is quite small, so we're limited to only five students. Reservation required. (* At my home in Taylor Ranch 11:30- 2:30, bring a sack lunch.)
FULL

________________________________________________

Class Policies

The cost is $25.00 per class, payable at the door. I greatly appreciate it if you contact me to let me know you're coming. Occasionally, if the class is quite small, the location may be changed.

June Classes Offered

I'm offering four classes this June, all on Thursdays at the usual time, 11:30-2:30. The first two will be in my home, and the second two back at the classroom at Paradise Methodist. The charge is only $25.00 at the door. Reservations are required for the first two, as space is limited.


June 9--Paint the Summer Sky and Clouds 
(at Paradise Methodist Church)

Our summertime skies are spectacular, with layers of beautiful clouds, summer thunderstorms, and beautiful virga falling. We'll discuss how to paint various kinds of clouds, looking at the structure, color, contrasts and 'rules' of clouds in the daytime summer sky. Any medium is welcome.





June 16--Gouache Basics
(*in my home)

'Fall Reds', gouache

Gouache is opaque watercolor and has all the positive characteristics of watercolor and pastel. Like pastel, you can work from the darks and add the light colors over the top, as well as correcting as many times as you need to, and as in watercolor you can work wet into wet, use washes and various other techniques. I'll teach the basics at this small class. We'll work from photograph, share the same color paints, play around with different brushes, and just find out what this fun and versatile medium can do. I'll provide two different kinds of paper, and the paint and brushes for an extra cost of $10, or you may bring your own. You'll need a small palette of some kind, such as a white dish or plate, or a plastic watercolor palette, and a small jar for water.

This class is limited to five students, on a first come basis, so please reserve now if you want to take part.
Please let me know if you want to see another class like this one offered and I will form another session when we have enough participation.

June 23--How to use Photoshop for Paintings
(* in my home)

I'll show you how I use Photoshop to prepare photographs to use for paintings. I use Photoshop Elements 2.0, but the tools I utilize are commonly available in Photoshop, no matter the version, so you should be able to adapt what I do.

The space available at my computer is quite small, so we're limited to only four students

FULL--if you want to sign up for another class like this one, please let me know. As soon as there are four who want to sign up I'll organize the day and time.

 
June 30--Paint the Night Sky
(at Paradise Methodist Church)

We'll explore painting the landscape at night, with a closer look at the night sky. I'll challenge you to cobble together two or more photos to create a nighttime landscape with a dramatic sky, perhaps including clouds, the moon or stars.

Class 7— Mar. 3 – Abstract Landscape Painting: Robert Genn

"Late Light on Wiwaxy from Larch Grove, Yoho Park, B.C.," by Robert Genn

In this first class of its kind for us, we’ll be inspired by the paintings of well-known Canadian painter Robert Genn, who has a knack for distilling the landscape. Many of you may recognize Genn from the twice-weekly letters he has written since 1999, but he is a fine artist with a strong personal voice. He paints in acrylics and most often portrays landscapes.

Robert Genn is one of Canada’s most accomplished painters, having gained international recognition for his genre subjects on Canada’s West Coast. 

He has painted in most parts of Canada, and in the United States, Central America, Europe and Asia. His technique includes a tradition of strong design using patterns of color and form, with a pervasive sense of personal style. 

Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1936, he attended Victoria College, The University of British Columbia and The Art Centre School in Los Angeles, California. Genn carries on the tradition of the Canadian Landscape with fresh, painterly techniques and strong design, often and especially exhibiting his devotion to painting by reducing grand themes to small panels – painted in the wilderness he loves.

(Taken from “About The Painter’s Keys” www.painterskeys.com)

I'll take us on a tour of his artwork, looking at the elements of art he uses so successfully, as well as analyzing his palette of colors, his philosophy of painting, and flair for design.

Come prepared to paint after this presentation and discussion.Although you're free to continue work on anything you've already begun, since our final critique is next week, you're also welcome to be inspired by Genn's work and emulate it in a painting, if you so desire. 

Please bring your White Without White paintings for us to see, too. 

_______________________

We will begin a new eight-week session on Thursday, March 17. There will be no class on April 21. The final critique is on May 12. 

Please make suggestions for the classes you would like to have in this session now. I'll have a final class schedule on hand next week. 

If you plan to continue classes, or would like to join us, please let me know by next Thursday. Payment is due at class one.

_______________________

See you on Thursday!
Deborah 

New Class Session Begins January 13--Join Us!

Time to make some plans for the new year. I sure hope you'll join us for the next eight week session. I have some great new teaching ideas and plans, focusing us a bit more on composition and how to create a painting that's expressive, personal and successful.

Our next session will be January 13 to March 3, 2011 at the same time and location as always--11:30-2:30, on Thursdays at Paradise Hills Methodist Church in Albuquerque. The cost of the eight-week class remains $200.00. Please click on the Upcoming Classes page, above, for further class policies.

Below is the class plan. Details regarding each class will be posted on this blog sometime during the day on  Monday, including the plan for the coming class and any materials you might want to consider bringing, so that you can be prepared to get the most out of it. 

I'll discuss the details as we approach the class, but I'm going to change the structure of the class a little this session. As usual, we’ll meet to set up at 11:00, and at 11:30 I’ll do a mini-critique of one WIP (work in progress) from each student, specifically meant to review what was covered in the previous class. At approximately one half hour before closing we’ll gather again at my easel with questions and further discussion when it will be beneficial.

Class Schedule

January 13 to March 3, 2011

Class 1— Jan. 13 – Emulation

If you could paint like another artist, who would it be? I’ll share with you the work of artists I admire and show you why I believe their paintings are successful, pointing out specific art elements. I want you to decide where your overall work needs to improve and search for artwork that does well what you need to improve on. Please bring photographs of two such paintings by any artist, done at any time. We’ll copy—but with a twist.

Class 2— Jan. 20 – Repaint It

Bring one of your paintings today that you feel came close but just didn’t quite make it. My challenge is to repaint it, but instead of painting with your usual medium I want you to change media. I believe that this will enhance the process you use in your more accustomed medium. We’ll begin with a short group critique of the painting to help you decide what needs to be done. When completed we’ll look at the two paintings side-by-side.

Class 3— Jan. 27 – The Value of Value

Today we’ll use no color at all, only black, white and gray. You can paint in pastels, use black and white paint, or draw using pencil, charcoal or whatever media you like—but no color. I’ll share work that exemplifies the critical role value plays in composition, as well as supplying three different photographs you will use as inspiration.  

Class 4— Feb. 3 – Vloothuis's “No-fly” Zone

We’ll explore the effects of peripheral vision on all paintings, applying the concept of the “no-fly” zone to composing. Please bring one or more of your unframed paintings, finished or unfinished, to examine for this critical means of looking at composing. The studio portion of this class is open to WIP.

Class 5— Feb. 10 – Evergreen Trees

I’ll email several photographs to you ahead of time so you can play with them—drawing, recomposing on the computer, or doing notan/ thumbnails—but you’ll paint in class after seeing a demonstration showing you some of the key elements you need to consider. The idea is to use the “rules” but customize things, enhancing the painting in your own way.

Class 6— Feb. 17 – Snow: White Without White

How can you paint colorful whites? Don’t use any white! I challenge you to paint from a photograph I’ll provide. Bring a piece of virgin white paper, any size or format, and a clean palette.  We’ll discuss how colorful snow (or any white subject) really can be.

Class 7— Feb. 24 – Abstract Landscape Painting: Robert Genn

In this first class of its kind for us, we’ll be inspired by the paintings of well-known Canadian painter Robert Genn, who has a knack for distilling the landscape. He is perhaps best known for his work on (Canada’s) West Coast and in the Rocky Mountains. His technique includes a tradition of strong design using patterns of color and form, with a pervasive sense of personal style. Come prepared to paint any WIP (work in progress) after this presentation and discussion.

Class 8— Mar. 3 - Final Critique and Class Potluck

We’ll do an in-depth crit of the paintings done in this class or anything you’re working on outside of class. Food and fun!