Soft Sunlight

The  GJWP challenge this month is 

"sunlight".

Good Morning! 

6 x 8 

My personal challenge here was to create the feeling of sun light 

in a subtle, soft, warm way.

(Instead of my usual exaggeration of strong light and shadow patterns) 

The added challenge of mixing up all those colorful whites,

 was a treat as well! 

Here is my palette.

Our posts are due at the end of every month,

which lands on Easter Sunday.

I for one, am as happy as can be, to see this month end!  

PKR is coming to New England!

I was recently alerted that Peggi Kroll Roberts
is giving a workshop this summer at the new
Northeast Art Workshop Retreats

in Gloucester, MA. 

Figure study by PKR

4.5 x 3.5

 I bought this little gem at a PKR workshop I took back in 

January of 2003 in Fredericksburg, TX.

Her approach to painting and style of teaching 

made a huge impression on me back then 

and I've been a big follower ever since. 

6 x 8 Demo from workshop

I also came home with this. 

She did this quick demo "just for me" on my canvas

and then gave it to me. 

I thought that was the most generous gesture! 

  

Reserved Seating

I found those two chairs,

 set up in the shade facing the ocean

refreshing and hopeful. 

"Reserved Seating" 

11 x 14 

I enjoyed doing this one

on yet another rainy stormy day 

"stuck" in my studio.

Poor me. 

"His and Hers" Painting Lesson

 I gave my son and his girlfriend a painting lesson
for Christmas and we finally got around to it this weekend. 

Sebastian has only painted once before

and this was Kristen's first oil painting. 

 It was such fun because they were so enthusiastic and fearless!

Unafraid to use a lot of paint and leave the strokes alone! 

His 

Hers 

Kristen's Mom, Mary Johannessen is an amazing glass artist,
known for her colorful and graphic designs.
Clearly, the Mom's have had some influence here!

Laundry on a Line

Everyone loves paintings of laundry drying on a line,

so we thought that would be a great topic for the Alzheimer patients. 

While researching images of paintings to show them,

 I ran across this amazing artist and just had to share! 

Maggie Siner 

Her work just knocks me out! 

Meanwhile, we ended up using some images of wonderful paintings 

done by my friend and assistant Judith Schroeter.

Check out the work they did yesterday on my other blog

Patients with Patients

This is my favorite! 

Limited Stroke Exercise

My all time favorite! 

This challenge helps overcome the ever present  
fear of using a lot of paint
and the results are always amazing.

We set up a simple still life in strong light, 

and drew our maps outlining only the big shapes.

The idea is to fill in each shape with one stroke! 

We counted the number of shapes and marked that number to the left. 

Each time you fill in a shape without picking up the brush

you make a mark under the number. 

You have to use a lot of paint and a #8 flat to get the job done. 

For that background I LOADED the brush and just kept turning it. 

The results are surprisingly simple, rather abstract paintings 

with wonderful surface quality! 

Here are just a few of the delightful surprises that happened today.

Look at all that luscious paint! 

Bravo people! 

Note: 

There are a few openings left for my 

Painting Simply / Back to Basics Continued 

class Tuesday mornings 

South Shore Art Center 

April 23 to May 28

There will be new exercises and demos, 

focussing on simplifying the painting process

for more intuitive and spontaneous paintings.

Perfect for anyone needing to get 

inspired!  

It's All Relative

Last summer we started a new tradition at the beach.
Launching Sky Lanterns!
I found an image of this in my TBC file and
thought I'd give it a try.  

"Sky Lantern" 

8 x 8

I was channelling Kevin MacPherson's  painting 

"Man with a Gold Tooth".

It's a great example of how to make something "glow"

by painting every thing surrounding it

darker and cooler! 

(It's all relative!) 

My TBC file

I collect images that I think
would make a good painting

in a TBC file. (To Be Considered)
That way, whenever I need a little inspiration,
I'm all set!

I'm not a skier, but it sure makes great subject matter. 

I found this in the file and couldn't resist all that red, white and blue! 

"Laboratory Conditions"

12 x 12 

This has been an ideal winter for skiers 

and I am thrilled for them. 

But I'm more thrilled,

 that it's almost over.  

Five Minute to an Hour Exercise

I used to do ten minutes for this exercise 

but found that five minutes 

 is just enough time to get the point across.
(less titching)

We divide our 8 x 10 panels into four sections. 

Then pick one object in strong light. 

Set the timer for 5 minutes and try to fill a section. 

Move the object and repeat three more times.   

The idea is to change your approach each time.

This forces you to really look at the object,

simplify the shapes, 

and make every stroke count! 

  

While they were still reeling from that, 

we set up more complicated still lives 

and set the timer for one hour! 

The idea is to keep the spontaneity 

of the five minute paintings, 

while spending more time

planning. 

This exercise is not for sissies!
Most of them have never done this before,
and happily,
I think they got it!
No titching here!