Saturday workshop -

Wow time flies. Saturday (Apr 3) I'll teach another "Get Ready to Paint" - an orientation for novice painters!" session. It's been a popular class and I love meeting folks who are setting out on this new adventure. We'll meet at Sir Francis Drake High School, 10-2:00. There are still a couple places left. If you know anyone that might be interested learning about and trying out basic tools and materials needed for oil or acrylic painting - they can show up and register there - or contact Tam District Com. Ed. Join us!

"Painting Tidbits" ...

What are these !? you ask. After my classes, students write with questions. Got me thinking about sharing painting tidbits here from time to time – with a visual when practical.

To kick this off, a bit about brushes, those commonly used with acrylics and oils: rounds, brights, filberts, the palette knife... and one of my faves – the Big Stubby Round.

The pictures here are 'details' from a large 40x60” painting in progress - selected to show different effects these clever brushes offer:. (double click image to see large view)

Top left: the red, bluish and white horizontal lines were done with a round brush - long handle; I stood back always from easel. Paint dried between each layer (there are many many layers of paint on this piece). For the white line, the brush was pretty dry with out-of-tube paint; for the bluish line - there was a bit more water with the paint so it flowed and made a smother line . fyi-Sometimes after the paint sets up a bit I take a damp towel over my finger and rub out some of the line so it isn't too uniform (from length and/or width).

Top left and just below: the ochre gold flat surfaces and the bumpy white marks were made with paint (no water) spread with palette knife over older layers of paint.

Picture on right: a bigger view that includes the first pic. combo of the round, the palette and a very large filbert.

Bottom pic: This is one corner of the big painting. All the negative space (white cloudy area) was built with layer over thin layer using 'big stubby brush' -i.e. washes of white and water. Sometimes a little thicker. You can see faint vein-like color lines showing through.

The process with this type of painting is very organic. When in doubt – pick up a new brush and wipe something out or add something new – It's a blast!

So let me know if materials and paintings tips are helpful. I welcome your input - just click on "comments' and tell me what other topics you may want to know about.... I've got a few lined up for the next couple of weeks.

Happy Painting!

Coming up Friday..

...Falkirk Cultural Center hosts their Annual Bay Area Exhibit juried by Donna Seager, owner of the Donna Seager Art Gallery.

Friday night is the opening reception (5:30 - 7:30). Lots of fun work on display from a variety of artists - like yours truly :-) Drop by if you have time. They'll even have some little treats to lure you in.

This is the 'sister' of the one in the show.

"Birthday Tulips:" - 20x20, oil.

1000th Painting!

Today a artist friend posted her 1000th Painting! Carol Marine, a painter in Texas, has been painting and posting her work for a long while.

In Art & Fear, there is a wonderful passage. A pottery class is divided into w parts. Half the students are charged with making as many pots as they can; the more pots- the better the grade. The other half is asked to make only one pot but it should be perfect. At the end of the term, it turns out the pots made by those who went for quantity - turned out the most exquisite pots of all! They learned from their trial, error and experimentation. So....

...Enjoy the process --and good things will come. You can see Carol's 6x6" 1000th gem at http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/

Happy Painting

Six new painters!

Six cool students! What a great bunch we had yesterday.

Our Riley's group included total art novices as well as some who have have worked in other mediums - watercolor, sketching, photography etc.--all curious about acrylic or oil painting. Time sped by - and felt jam-packed, at least to me.

If I'm lucky, the April 3rd Tam District class will be half as much fun! OK - back to painting....yahoo!

For what it's worth....

I've just learned about a fellow who makes frames at unbelievably low prices. He contacted me and other artists here in Marin & Sonoma. Haven't tried him out yet but I did watch his video - seems to really know his stuff. I often use shadow-box frames - they set work of nicely and then your buyer can replace the frame with a style that best fits their decor, if they so choose. Again, I've not yet tried him, but will. Thought I'd pass this along. Ted Gross

http://paintersframer.com/  

a tip about a canvas sale

Just read one of my emails and - FYI - Riley Street Art Supply is having a huge canvas sale starting Saturday. Thought I'd share the tip. M

The TIme has Come - Finally!

After being postponed from Jan, it's finally time for "Get Ready to Paint" - an orientation for totally novice painters. Tomorrow (3/20) is the big day. Can't wait to meet these new painters!

I'm always amazed that no matter how much I try to pack in - it is only the 'tip of the iceberg'. But after sharing some basics my goal is to make folks more comfy when they walk into their first actual painting session.

Tomorrow's class is at Riley Street Art Supply (info below). The one on April 3 is at Sir Francis Drake High on April 3rd through Tam District Community Ed. If you think of someone who would enjoy a 'peek at what painting' is about, let them know.

If you can't make the class - but are curious about painting, just get a few basic colors of acrylic paint - a couple brush, a tub of water - and GO FOR IT! All playing with paint is good - for skill building ...and for the soul!

5x5, oil on canvas

Classes - Mar 20 or Apr 3

"Get Ready to Paint".

Novices, this is for you!

Get the scoop and then sign-up for your first painting class (oil or acrylic) feeling confident instead of anxious.

We'll cover BRUSHES / SOLVENTS/ MEDIUM/ SUPPORTS / CLEANING/CARE & COLOR MIXING. You'll go home with exercises you can do before your first class.

Contact me for the Mar 20 class; Contact Tam District Adult Ed for Apr 3 class. Email or comment here with your observations or questions. If you know someone who has been wanting to paint but is self-conscious or hesitant - pass this along.

Birthday Tulips

The little ladies on left were just jury selected for the Falkirk Cultural Center's Artists Exhibit. Yeah! 3/26 - 5/ 29. I tend to paint slow; this set a record. One day - before they drooped! A gift from hubby. awww...

18x24, acrylic, ground is deep prussian blue/blk. Custom frame

Fragile Tulip

Marty wrote to ask if I had done any other white tulips. I did a few years ago - and it now lives in Southern California :-) Click the flower to see up close and personal.

Fragile Tulip 12x12" Oil.

White Tulip

This delicate tulip was a challenge but very rewarding to paint. Soft layers of translucent glaze over colorful shades of white.

Oil on canvas, 10x10. Framed in a shadow-box style light walnut frame. $350 includes tax & shipping.