Don't be fooled...same class -new name

Birthday Tulips acrylic on canvas 20x2.

click on picture to enlarge

Please note - the "Beginning Painting with Acrylics" class that I'll teach at Riley Street Art Supply on April 2 is actually the same "Get Ready to Paint" class I've been teaching at College of Marin and Mt. Tam High Community Ed.

Riley's felt this new title fits better for the art store. I just want to make sure that my previous students don't think this is a new follow-up class. (I am working on one though - will let you know when we're ready to go "live" with it.)

Hot tip: - LAVA SOAP! No kidding. Keep this under your sink. It's the best for washing off oil and acrylic paint.

BTW: These flowers were painted in two days . You kno how tulips droop so fast...had to catch this little gift from hubby before I lost them all.

Good Sports all!

A Pair of Fujis... oil on canvas 6x6"
Today's class deserves a big THANK YOU for taking all the gliches in stride.... from the room change to not having access to the supply list until Friday late in the day. You were all so positive and upbeat - even Heidi after her auto accident!! Big round of applause to you all. The old room used for this class had tons of table and sitting space. Perhaps next time we'll be in there.

As always - teaching is a joy. So many people excited this new adventure.

I forgot my camera today so no shots of this cool group painting -phooey. Thought this an appropriate painting since we talked a ton about apples. '

Finally - students , go to earlier blog below and see the timed lemons we talked about. You can sign up to learn the newest class. If you have questions, comment below or email me m@maryvalente.com

Sneak preview

'sneak preview' ....

As you can tell in this close-up, I've taken a totally different approach to painting flowers than in the last post. That was a small 6 inch painting, in oil, done with small brushes and careful strokes. Realistic. This time I'm working a 48"x36" (4x3') canvas.

When approaching a large canvas it's best to stand back from the canvas, arm's reach. To get this loose look, I use a big filbert or brite brush, gripping it towards the end of the handle with my whole hand (not like holding a pen). Lots of sweeping and back and forth brushing -- rubbing edges of color into color (the side of my old brush is worn to a very different angle than its original shape from all that hard rubbing against the canvas). To create detail and interest, use the side of your brush and/or a Round

The cool thing about acrylic paint is that if you wait just a few minutes, one layers dries so you don't make 'mud' - you can get layers showing through layers. OR -you can paint wet over wet to mix your colors on the canvas - creating wonderful hues you would never get mixing on your palette. (That being said - I do mix colors on the palette but then work them into the canvas....they will change depending on if I'm painting over wet or dry areas.

Of course having some great music playing, warm light streaming in - makes this a grand old time. So grab yourself a big canvas (watch for sales: 2 for 1) some acrylic paint and get happy! Don't set up a still life, just have an idea - or a very loose sketch- of what you want to paint (totally abstract to an abstracted subject: flower, person, landscape. Don't try to make it real - make it full of odd color and proportion. PLAY!

Final painting should be up by end of week.

After the lemons came the little Pinkies

'Little Pinkies' oil on board. click to enlarge

Yesterday I mentioned doing a small still life after the warm-up lemons posted yesterday. This is it- lot of fun to paint. I especially enjoyed working out the shadows which are often a challenge for me.

I wish I knew the name of these sweet little flowers - do you? They were like fillers in a larger bouquet.

While working on this and the little lemons, I also have been developing a 30 x 46" abstract in oil. A journey - we'll see where it goes...