Two Topics Today: The Challenge ...How to Figure Out What to Paint

The two parts of this title have nothing to do with one another. Or do they?

Part 1: The Challenge.  The other evening I painted from a weekly challenge offered on Daily Paintworks. The challenge, from a fellow artist, was to replicate the values in a b&w photo of her cat, regardless of what colors you chose.  You'll see I decided on complimentary colors...blues and oranges.

(for my students- about the 'black"in the painting:  I wanted it interesting, not out the tube. It includes varying degrees of Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, sometimes Viridian or Sap Green, a even a dab of orange at times.)

Part 2:  How to Figure Out What to Paint.  If you've ever grappled with this (me? like all the time!) check out a recent segment/podcast ..from the blog talk show "Artists Helping Artists", hosted by palette knife painter Leslie Saeta.  She and Carrie Waller (watercolorist) share not only their personal ideas but review an excellent article by Marion Boddy-Evans.  You're give a plethora of ideas from specific subject matter to where to find inspiration. Plus exercises to get you thinking in a whole new way.  I encourage to listen (be patient, there's a lot of friendly chatter along the way)...
iTunes (click on Podcasts - then search Artists Helping Artists )
Or here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artistshelpingartists/2014/01/23/how-to-find-the-right-subjects-to-paint

So, are parts 1 & 2 really so different? Nope - finding challenges (on-line or on your own) is just another resource of try out new subject matter.   You never know what will get your excited.  And even if the subject doesn't become your signature work, it's always a way to hone your skills.

Credit where credit it due! ...and Tip about Acrylic Paint Hue and Tube Labels

First , I want to share with you the name of the artist who painted the two paintings (the dazzling eggs and the handsome portrait) in my last post:- hers was the very meticulous studio - white, organized and lovely.  Suzanne Berry.  I've long subscribed to her blog and love seeing her work and, as importantly, reading about her journey.  Check it out!  http://suzanneberry.blogspot.com/

Secondly, a student asked me about tubes of acrylic paint marked Hue.  I tried to explain about the label and hues but not sure I was clear. The particular color in question was Alizarin Crimson.   Here is some info about the Golden Alizarin Crimson Hue that was in question:

The chemical name for Alizarin Crimson is Quinacridone / Chlorinated Copper Phthalocyanine. The ratings on the Alizarin Crimson Hue are:

Transparency Level: 4   (high - very transparent)   Good as a glaze, to mix or as a think color.
Lightfastness:  1    Excellent!  not likely to fade or change colors over very long time.

ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) classifies artists' colors based on a test that simulates 20 years of gallery exposure.  Lightfastness standards that you should look for when selecting paint: 
ATSM 1 = Excellent 
ATSM 2 =  Very Good
ATSM 3 = Not Sufficiently Lightfast

Here's a good link to learn how to read the label on paint:
http://painting.about.com/od/paintingforbeginners/ss/PaintTubeLabel_5.htm

Also you can go on the Golden Site ...research/support and find all kinds of important information about their products.  
http://www.goldenpaints.com/

What a COOL bunch Painters! And.. photos for encouragement

The workshop at College of Marin last Saturday was terrific....and crazy.  Arrived to find the doors locked and a loud high pitched whistling coming from inside the room. I stressed a bit because it's takes me quite a while to set up. I made a call but got a message machine..yikes more panic. But then in only a few minutes superhero Valerie came to my rescue.

And..what a special group of folks.  From a young au pair to recent retirees - and everyone in between. They arrived by car, bus and bike - determined to try their hand at something creative, something that most have wanted to do for years and were either afraid of failure or just too darn busy (like two young mothers who were tickled to find some time for themselves!).   My bad though - we were so engrossed, I forgot to take photos of the gang.

One student is concerned because he's trying to figure out how to use a small space for a studio.
So - below are some studios for inspiration.

The first two shots are of a room that may be bigger than you have, but given the big paintings she creates, it's a pretty small.  If you're painting smaller, you can get by with an even smaller space, no? Photos show both ends of the room- she probably moves her easel based on the light and what she's painting.

The third photo is tells it all - if you really love to paint, you can paint anywhere, no matter how small the space.  Once you start painting you'll forget the size of the room.

Check out Google Images and search for art studios...or small art studios for lots ideas.

Let me know if this gives you some inspiration!

Winter and Spring Classes - Begin January 25th

Time to put on my teacher hat again.  Yeah! I so enjoy this part of my art experience.  The Winter Session begins this week and rolls right into early March.

Get Ready to  Paint - for the total novice.  Students learn about painting tools, terms and how to mix paint.

Artistically Yours - students of any level.  Experimental painting.  Exercises, free form etc.

See complete descriptions:  www.maryvalente.com    click on Workshops

Jan  25   Get Ready to Paint - College of Marin      Kentfield Campus 10:00 - 3:00

Feb  8     Get Ready to Paint - Drake High School    Fairfax

Mar 8     Artistically Yours -    Drake High School   Fairfax

It's not too late to sign up for either class.  Just go on either College of Marin's or Tamalpais Union District's  Community Education website to register. Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested.  More classes will be added March through May.  Email me with any questions.

Here are a few
Budding artists

College of Marin 

 Spring Classes - still waiting on confirmed dates from both schools.

Supply lists are on the website also.

A Rascal

 6x6                                         Ninko                             acrylic 

This is a new adventure for me - painting animals.  A few days ago I posted a small painting of our current kitty, Mollie..so then I wanted to paint Ninko   Ninko was a character -a bit feisty with most, not great with my grandkids though they were sweet o her.  But she was a buddy to me. Definitely did things on her own terms, like curl up near you on but never on your lap--tres gauche!  She loved to play and was a stealth hunter.  Like most hunters she wanted to show off her prize... at the sliding door (mice-yuk!).  I miss the rascal.

on-line STUDIO SALE

Today I sent out an email to my friends, family, previous buyers and art students announcing a big On-line Studio Sale I'm having.  Bottom line -  over 90% of my work is being offered at a big discount. This tells you what/why/where.....

So, here's the deal...

   2014  Online STUDIO SALE.....with 20% off many paintings

It's the new year and I'm starting a series of larger paintings, in addition to my normal work. I really need to create some space in my studio, which translates into bargain prices.

Check out the sale!    Click here: www.maryvalente.com ... then click on the gallery titles on the left of the main website page. On each gallery summary page you'll see thumbnail images framed in red.  Click the thumbnail and find the new prices.

Save even more!  If you're able to swing by the studio to pick up your painting, you'll save the packaging and shipping charges.

If you have any questions, just reply to this email.   Happy Shopping!

Mary

My Muse

6x6                                       Mollie                      acrylic

Mollie likes to hang out in my studio; my buddy and mascot...or maybe muse would be a better word.  I've been wanting to paint her for awhile but next time I'll try to find an better photo to work from. (I've asked her to model but getting her to stay in the same pose.....) You'll see that the light hitting her in the photo below is over exposed so I made up the info that's missing.  Even so, it was fun to play with darks and lights...shadows and sun.  Felt more like painting a b&w study.  

Click here to bid.

]   

Messerschmitt ~1956

Came across a photo of this little cutie and had to paint it. What a cool little car; bet it would be a kick to drive it around.  And I'd keep that little luggage case on the back - sort of jaunty, no?   I admit, though, that the three wheel design gives me pause.  I read that this and a variety of models were designed by Fritz Fend and built by an airplane manufacturer. A trivia fact about this car is that one of my favorite people is a Messerschmitt! Wonder if any connection.....

Acrylic, 8x10" panel  Auction begins Jan. 9 here

Anders Zorn

OK - there are a lot of amazing painters ...both current and historic, that impress me. And I greatly appreciate those who have broken ground and push boundaries.  But...this weekend I spent a joyful couple of hours basking in one of the most breathtaking exhibits I've every seen.  I got to 'meet' Anders Zorn....a master painter I had not heard of until a couple of months ago (why am I sharing my ignorance here?!).

While all his varied genres captivated my attention (colorful country scenes, portraits of European and American politicians and socialites... as well as local rural folk) I was most enthralled by his outlandish ability to paint an entire scene using white and make it so incredibly rich, complex and ..'colorful'.

For example, in this he had his wife (new bride) pose, incorporating white in the gown, upholstery, lace curtains, table cloth, outdoor light etc.  I could have stood and looked at this painting forever.  The layers of watercolor work is amazing.  You have to see it in person to realize all that is going on here - the multiple layers of fabric and folds. White upon whites.

This smaller work was one of my favorites  Just a white dress and the shoulders and face of his model (wife).  So simple and yet so full of information...a sense of sharing an intimate moment with this young woman, a feeling, a story being told...

Zorn was just a kid -15- when he entered the Art Academy in Stockholm; by 20 he had dropped out of school to accept commissioned paintings and travel extensively.  He is one of those lucky individuals born with a rare talent. They make it all seem so effortless - his sense of composition and line, his ability to capture the delicate nature of the skin's texture, the blush of a cheek, the wet, shiny surface of the eye..whether with water colors or oil.  He even did some sculpture. And many etchings.

The image below is of his mother and step-sister.  If you see it in person, you'll see the glimming shine in the mother's eye, the high edge of the cheekbone. Almost like a photo but with a tenderness and warmth unique to his work.

Well, obviously, I'm a big fan.  If you haven't yet seen the exhibit and have time, get over to the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.  The show only runs through Feb. 2.

Here are just a couple more images.  Can't help it - I'm hooked.   Thanks for indulging me.