Sunday Hunt

I recently reconnected with a friend of mine from Chicago 

who does a lot of horseback riding. 

I found some great images of her on one of her hunts on her Facebook page 

and thought they would be great subjects for some larger paintings.

Sunday Hunt #1

12 x 24 

The figures and the horses were working well in this,

but once I added the background, it felt overworked and fussy.

(And the heads feel a little too big.)  

Sunday Hunt #2

12 x 24 

So I did another one and made it ALL ABOUT the 

figures and the horses. 

What do you think? 

Last week, I bought lots of new odd sized larger canvas's 

to play with and I'm psyched! 

Repeating a Good Time

I rarely offer to re-do a painting that has sold.

Somehow it feels like trying to repeat a good time, 

which we all know, doesn't always work out. 

Busy Beach Day 

8 x 10 

A woman in NYC saw this on the Cove Gallery website. 

It had sold so she asked if I had anything like it. 

I did not, but I thought it would be a good challenge to try it again. 

Busy Beach Day II

I think it has the same feel and happily, 

she is delighted and is purchasing it to give to her daughter! 

The added bonus: 

The flood gates are open and 

I am painting again! 

Yahoo! 

"Sip and Sketch"

Thank you everyone who wrote to me 

regarding my "painters block!" 

As much as I know we all go through it, 

it's great to hear how others deal with it! 

To help move things along,

I hosted a small "Sip and Sketch" last night in my studio.

There is nothing more cathartic than sitting around 

with talented artist pals 

chatting and sipping wine 

while doing blind contour drawings of each other 

(and Cello!)  

 I think it reminded all of us just how important 

(and fun!) sketching is! 

Edouard Vuillard

 My pal Sally and I found some great art books 

at a Church Fair recently. 

I am thrilled with this paper back

published by the Museum of Modern Art, New York in 1954

in conjunction with an exhibition that summer.  

  

It is a real treasure; 

a chronological look at the artist and his work, 

filled with great colored images.  

Lilacs, 1892

Self Portrait 1892 

These two are not his most famous paintings,

 but they represent his interest in pattern painting! 

(See my previous Pattern Painting post) 

Enjoy! 

Note: I'm having significant "painters block"right now.

Change of season. Full moon. 

Whatever it is, I am trying to accept it, so am spending time 

looking at art, reading about art, 

and complaining about it to my friends and family.

Sorry guys.  

This too shall pass. 

In the Style of Van Gogh

Our challenge this month is to do a painting 

in the style of Vincent Van Gogh.

I've been spending a lot of time
walking in the woods lately
(with Cello!) 

 so I thought I'd do something with trees. 

"Color in a painting, is like enthusiasm in life"

Vincent Van Gogh 

I love that quote! 

I saw it in Haidee- Jo Summers's fabulous new book! 

I did this quick sketch on my I Pad 

first to experiment with some color! 

Such a fun tool. 

"Back To Basics" continued

I'm trying out a few exercises I may do with the 

"Back to Basics" class I'm teaching in January.
I'm starting with one from Peggi's Value and Color DVD.

 I took the drawing of the sphere and block,

and massed in everything in shadow in one color.  

I adjusted the shadow values, 

then moved on to the masses in light.

The whole time I reminded myself about 

cast shadows, form shadows, 

shadow core, reflected light, 

half tones and accents. 

Then, I took two objects similar to the sphere and cube; 

a yellow cup and a red box, 

and painted them in color, using the same approach. 

This is an incredibly valuable exercise.

A good drawing and a clear understanding of those terms

(and how they help suggest form) 

are the foundation for strong paintings. 

I need to get really comfortable with this. 

before I have to demo it in front of the class! 

"Back to Basics" class

Recently, I was feeling like I needed to take a  

"Back to Basics" painting class.

A "refresher" course of sorts.   

So when the SSAC proposals for winter classes were due, 

I decided to teach one instead. 

That way, I would be sure to re-learn everything!
The brochure came out this week:  

"Back to Basics"

 for Stronger Oil Paintings
Nancy Colella

 Do you lack confidence in your drawing skills? 

Are you confused about “shadow core” or “reflected light”? 

Do you struggle with the difference between color and value? 

This six-week course will put you back on track. 

We will practice simple techniques for better drawing. 

We will explore light and shadow on a form 

and do exercises to help us see value in color. 

Classes will include demos, exercises, discussions and critique. 

This class is suitable for beginners, 

as well as experienced painters who need a “review” of the basics. 

 1/22–3/5 

Tuesday am 9:30–12:30 

$175M $215NM 6 classes 

South Shore Art Center 

Practice Drawing

(Measuring with a brush) 

I purchased Peggi Kroll Roberts' Value and Color Kit 

this summer and finally got to play with it today. 

What a valuable learning / teaching tool!  

Remember:

Taking a class is a great way to warm up the winter blues! 

And they make great gifts. 

To yourself!