Happy Thanksgiving

Among the many blessing I'm thankful for, 

this year the glorious weather we've had this fall /early winter 

is high on the list. 

Almost as if Mother Nature 

is putting on a show. 

I've been compelled to paint plein air again 

and it's inspiring. 

The Meadow October 

8 x8 oil 

 The Woods October 

8 x 8 oil 

   Gordon's Pond November 

8 x 10 oil

I was walking in the woods this week
when the late afternoon sun light on the top of the trees
took my breath away.
I am grateful for those moments.


Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

After Color Study

After doing the color study last week, 

I took out my wooden blocks in various shapes, colors, and values

(purchased from Peggi Kroll Roberts) 

I set up three random blocks on a turquoise

cloth for a simple still life, 

lit by a 75 watt full spectrum candescent bulb.  

8 x 8 colored block study 

(not accurate colors)  

My goal was to focus on mixing

the most accurate color and values I could, 

using the 16 color pallet from class. 

This is such a great exercise, 

I'm thinking about including a version of it

in my classes down the road.  

Color Study

For homework this week,
 I did a color study using three of each
Primary and Secondary color I'm using lately.

The top three rows are each of the primary complementary colors 

mixed in equal parts,
followed by the secondary combinations.   

The lowest row is all the colors I used with white added. 

Can you guess what colors they are? 

(I need one more purple for the math to work.)

This exercise taught me so much about how
each color affects another
and there were many surprises.
I look forward to using this chart as a reference,
especially for skin tones.

Sunday of Bliss

We had a Sunday session today 

at Mass Art from 11 - 5 pm. 

Six hours of focussing on nothing but painting 

Ernesto, our fabulous model.

No news. No sports. No politics. No egos. 

It was pure bliss. 

With the challenges we are facing living in today's world,

 escaping is essential. 

I highly recommend it.  

Holiday Small Works

It's that time of year! 

These four small paintings will be showing at the Copley Society

now through December 24. 

There is an opening reception tonight (Thursday 11/12) 

from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

Green Chair 

8 x 8

Yellow Hat 

8 x 8 

In the Moment

6 x 8 

Treasure Hunting 

8 x 6 

You can preview the entire show here!

A gift of original art is always appreciated

IMHO.  

Private Studio Lessons

During my mini sabbatical from teaching weekly classes,

 this winter I'll be offering  

private and small group classes in 

Salty Dog Studio. 

We can tailor the lesson(s) to your level and need 

and price accordingly.

Painting lessons make great holiday gifts too. 

Contact me here if you're interested! 

NOTE: Testimonial from a former student:

Jennifer Whitfield 
http://jswhitfieldfineart.com

"Amazing workshop with Nancy Colella at the Cape Cod Art Association! 

I tend to fuss and focus on details in my paintings. 

This class was geared to encourage spontaneity, 
train the eye to look at big shapes and shadows for dynamic paintings from photos. 

The blonde chicken was painted upside down, looking at an upside down photo! 

All this to be done in 1 hour! 

I was invigorated after taking this 2 day workshop. 

Very excited to let loose using pastels in my landscapes! "

Plein Air Landscape

I haven't done a Plein Air painting in a long time,
but the weather was so gorgeous this week,
I did this standing outside my studio.
  

The Meadow 

8 x 8 oil 

The challenge I gave myself was 

to think of it as painting with cut paper. 

The light kept changing while milky clouds came and went. 

I used some new colors (no neutrals!) 

and mixed them with a pallet knife. 

It was so calming to be painting outside,

especially since I was nervously waiting 

for my first Grandchild to arrive! 

Welcome 

Nicholas David Colella. (Nico) 

We're going to have a lot of fun together!