Warm-ups work (remember my challenge?)

Lemon Studies (click to enlarge).

Did you painters out there try the 15 minute challenge warm-ups? When I went into the studio Saturday, I brought down my kitchen timer, a little lemon and rushed out four 15 minute studies (top row); the next day I did three 10 minute studies (bottom row). You can see I "saw" the colors of the meyer better the second day - made them warmer, more orange.

You can bet I felt stiff for the first couple attempts.... then free and loose by the end. There are plenty of changes I would make with more time (let me know the changes you would make if you were working on them: lemon, background); it's hard not to fuss over each -- you need to stop when that timer rings. You can see that we're not aiming for 'perfect' here. But to be able to get that little meyer lemon down in 10 minutes feels good. Gets you ready to jump into something bigger with it's own challenges. From this I went on to paint a little still life of flowers (the remains of a bouquet). I'll post that tomorrow.

Keller Grand Opening & reception recap

SO! Have any of you painters/students tried the 15 minute challenge? I confess, I hadn't done it in awhile so yesterday, before I began work on my current piece, I did three 15-min. studies; used a lemon. It's gets you revved up, for sure. Tell me, via comments below or emails, when you try it; do you like it?

A couple of blogs below I told you about the Grand Opening Reception for der Keller: the new furniture/artisan store on Fourth Street. It was a great event - lots of amazing food and fun people.

That's me in front of 'Whisper I' - one of my larger pieces-pieces 60x40 -- Painting big is a challenge but I enjoy it a lot You have to have enough info that the eye of the viewer travels around the work rather than just to one place. Soon...... Mary

15-Minute Challenge for You!

A common exercise for painters is to do several quick studies each day to warm up. It's good on so many levels: helps you loosen up, builds skills, helps you really learn that one subject--well maybe not the first few times but after 100 you'll be able to paint an apple with your eyes closed.

For newer painters:

1. Pick a simple subject: an apple, orange, a cup, two cherries or grapes (not a big bunch). Set it up on a table. If you can put a spot light on it to create a dark and light side - even better but not required.

2. Divide a board or gessoed paper into 6 sections

3. Set your timer for 15 minute and paint. When the 15 minute time rings -STOP!!

4. Then paint 5 more - each with a 15 minute limit.

Don't fuss over it. Don't try to correct mistakes. You'll work them as you paint the next few. Just got for it. Have fun. Who cares if it isn't wonderful - it will be after you do this for your daily painting exercise. Next day paint the same subject or another.

For experienced painters:

Go to the Daily Painter website (below) and give their challenge a try. You have nothing to lose. No one will see you work - unless you want them to. If you like what you do - send it in to be posted on their site (read details at http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenges)

Their challenge: each week there's a new image and you are challenged to paint it 9 times in 10 minutes! And if you like what you've done you can post it on their site.

Are you up for trying this?! Let us know how it goes.

Using the comments section below - let us all know what you think of the challenge! And then how you feel when you have tried it.

Tam Class-fun (and corrected date for March!

a terrific group at Tam High on Saturday. Here are a couple shots of my enthusiastic and hard-working students. All nine jumped in to try the exercises, experiment with paint and brushes, mix gorgeous colors. They are really ready to go!

(click to see photos large)

I'll teach "Get Ready to Paint" workshop again on March 12th (corrected date), College of Marin. Contact me if you need more info.

After class,scooted to the reception at der Keller (see last post). It was packed. Great artisan furniture.... and the appetizers were terrific! It's fun to see my big abstracts hanging around the room. Also had a few little valentines paintings matted and in red frames. There is work by several artists and some really cool custom made furniture etc. Stop by the store - she's open Wed-Sunday. See address below

You're Invited~Feb 12th!

Two invites for you, and your pals...

Grand Opening ~ Reception

Feb 12, 3:00 - 7:00

A local couple are introducing their new store/artisan showroom. The Kunkles have designed a unique space that is more like a gallery than a furniture store. They have paired modern sofas and unique chairs with local artisan-designed wood and iron tables, metal sculptures..and, OH, did I mention? Art by local painters , including work by 'yours truly ;-)

der Keller is at 1850 4th Street, San Rafael, next to the Wooden Duck (across from the old Yardbirds store). I teach a workshop that day until 3:00, but will be there part of the time. Stop by, say hi, see all the cool artisan work, sample the goodies...

Get Ready to Paint Workshop: February 12th - Tamalpais High - 10 - 3:00.

You can just show up. It's part of the Continuing Ed Program - you'll have to register at class. You can do it now on-line or at class. Read the details at http://www.marinlearn.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=1010

Click on Art - then Visual - then look for Get Ready to Paint class. Easy !