Hello,

New SALE in my SHOP from Aug 31 - Sept 7th midnight. Save 20% with code FIRSTSALE.

So thank you for visiting, and hope you enjoy the many art tips in my BLOG, and paintings in my SHOP and just feel blessed while you hang around awhile.

Joanie

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Coming Up: Abstracted Still Lifes

Friday, January 31, 2025

Ooh, this is going to be fun. We will start by taking our everyday objects, learn some basic composition techniques, arrange and rearrange our personal items, take pictures for a multitude of possibilities, then begin to learn a few tips to not go so much toward Detail as SuggestionJoin us.......this month long, 4 week session, starts this coming week.

There's no one way to create abstraction, but rather multiple approaches. We will cover these so each artist can experiment with the approach that fits their painting goals.


As for January, per usual, we focussed on Color Theory. This time we chose quite unusual and limited palettes with a "wild child" for mixing unique and sometimes uncomfortable, or at least unfamiliar color harmonies. The results were fascinating and we each grew out of our comfort zone a bit, and some.

This year, another new thing I am throwing into the mix, is a Skill Building prompt for those artists who wish to expand their skills beyond "just painting". For instance, we started the year with Graphite -  pencils of different hardnesses and a few other graphite options. I am encouraging my classes to draw from life daily. Even 5 minutes daily will dramaticallly improve your skills....and with pencil there is the Value to see, to observe, to notice, to dive into and express. The more I SEE values, the more i SEE the subtleties beyond the first glance of Values. Learning never ends....and as I discovered after my very first painting workshop 18 years ago...

If I learned to draw better, I could paint better.

That epiphany has only grown stronger over the years. I had no idea, seriously, that I could LEARN TO DRAW. I thought you were just Born with it. But truly, all I had to do was just do it.

...........

This month of Feb, we are moving onto colored pencils. Cool things to try with this medium, too. There is never only one way to use a medium.

And here's a little pet portrait from this past month's paintings. 

1. I started with a graphite potpourri of a background. You can see that this piece of paper was half demo, notes, etc. I love to work on "worked on" paper. 

2. I painted in gouache with the intent to let it emerge out of the chaotic abstracted background.

3.  NOTE TO SELF: Small painting of 8 x8, do not overwork, stop before you think you are done.

3. Added some Neocolor II crayons over the top. I use mixed media atop almost every painting these days. It's like Dessert!




And here are a few more paintings from this months limited color palette experiments. I believe these were all gouache and graphite, with mixed media for "dessert". 




If you have been thinking of joining one of my Zoom classes, what are you waiting for?  If you don't feel you yet have the skills or need a refresher to boost your confidence, a good way to start is with a private session. You may need one or a few, but once you start the Zoom classes you will be on your way to expressing your creative talents with an extraordinary group of artists.  We are bigger than the sum of our parts. (Smile).

My classes are small (under 10) and we paint and learn together, with deep encouragement and inspiration.

Blessings,
Joanie


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Design out of the FlyBird's Box.