Friday, March 28, 2014

Painting Simply


We began the new Spring Session at NRAS this week. 
I find it very exciting to expose beginning painters to 
the One Hour Painting approach. 
It's like lightbulbs going off!  

Quick demo using 
One Hour Approach 
8 x 10 

Meanwhile, I've just discovered work by  
We saw this painting last night at the opening gala
of the AD 20/21 show at the Cyclorama in Boston
in the Sloane Merrill Gallery booth. 

His brushwork and simplicity are stunning! 
I'm a huge new fan. 



Monday, March 24, 2014

Spring Sighting!

I saw this the shocking sight the other day 
and had to pull over and take a picture of it! 

"Spring Sighting"
12 x 12 


Color in the landscape! 
Had to paint it today.....
Spring can't be that far away now, 
can it????????




Friday, March 21, 2014

High / Low Key Exercise

We had our last class of the winter session today
(and it was the first day of spring)
so I thought I'd try something new.


High Keyed Demo
9 x 12

We set up a simple still life using
very light colored objects.


Using a 10 value scale, we were to use only the top 5 values,
(middle value being the darkest dark)

We blocked in everything in shadow with yellow ochre
to use a "guide".
Then only used values lighter than that
for the rest of it.


Then we painted the same subject  
using only the lower (darker) values 5 - 10! 
How do you paint white tulips without using white???

This exercise forces you to think about using values 
relative to each other 
in order to create a mood or overall feeling in a painting. 
High Keyed or Low Keyed Paintings can be very dramatic! 


One of the joys of teaching! 
A generous gift from one of my students, 
Happiness in a bottle! 
Thank you Marsha! 

HAPPY SPRING!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

R & R

I just returned from a week away 
where I completely shut down all normal activity. 
I did nothing but relax, read, and restore my vitamin D. 
Afraid I may have "forgotten how to paint" 
I managed a quick session in the studio today 
to sketch out this fun subject.

Flamenco Dancing by the Pool
(to be continued) 

I have a lot of images and ideas to play with and 
am inspired to get back at it!  
Re-entry can be so... well... let's just say
challenging!  

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Best of 2013

Every year since 2009 I have published a Blurb book 
featuring twenty of my favorite oil paintings. 
This year, many of them are included in a show at the 
as the Faculty Feature
(showing until March 23!) 



All those who have purchased a painting so far,
have received one of the books as a thank you!  
If interested, you can now review and purchase the book 
here at cost.

Happy looking! 

Monday, March 10, 2014

Jump on Board!

Before the Spring class schedule at 
is announced, 
I thought I'd give you the heads up! 
I will be teaching another 
class on Thursdays from March 27 - May 1
9:30 - 12:30
Orange Towel 
10 x 12 
(sold) 

Whether you are a beginner or have been painting for years,
this approach will give you the tools you need to
build a strong foundation for your paintings.
 We have a lot of fun and the results are amazing
 so jump on board and enjoy the ride!

NOTE:
These classes fill up quickly,
so the sooner the better!


Friday, March 7, 2014

Proportions of the Figure Exercise

After I struggled with toned paper demo I did last week in class 
I wanted to redeem myself a bit, 
so I did this quick demo on a toned canvas board. 

"For You Dad"
8 x 8 

The image I used was helpful
in showing the difference between proportions
of adults and kids! 

Monday, March 3, 2014

Demo Surprises

I'm continually amazed at how much my materials affect how I paint.  
That said, I do love surprises so I'll try anything.  
Last week I toned some watercolor paper with a thin wash of the 
muddy goop left in my turp jar. 
(After all, it's the perfect middle value and
has the same DNA as my pallet, so why not?)  

10 minute rather awkward demo 
during a class on "proportions of the figure."

 I never considered how much the turp portion of the mixture 
sucks the oil right out of the paint

causing some interesting "drag". 

Close up of demo
(oil on toned paper)


Another great teaching/learning moment.
Love that.