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...

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 !

Not a football fan? Join us on Super Bowl Sunday...

Get Ready to Paint Class. FEBRUARY 6, 11:30-3:30.

RILEY'S ART STORE. San Rafael.

This is for total beginners. An orientation to terms, paint, brushes, surface preparation etc. Presentation and hands-on ez activities. For anyone that would love to paint but is hesitant about getting going. Email me at m@maryvalente.com

for info, questions, to register.

To 'follow' or 'subscribe'? Hmmmmm

"Tipsy after Sake" oil on board

Click to enlarge

Since I sent out the new blog I've had several emails asking the difference a Follower or Subscribing. Those who Follow tend to check favorite sites often (e.g. Facebook, Blogs, My Space etc.) Followers go onto various sites regularly to see what's up.

The Subscriber merely signs-up once, then gets an email when something new is posted on the blog. So - it's boils down to if you'd rather have your food delivered or you want to go shopping :-)

I love these - a gift from a Japanese student who lived with us for almost two years. And they are too cute. They are definitely fun when we are having Japanese food (delivered), enhanced with a little hot or cold Japanese rice wine.

Fuji Apples are My Favorite

"Two Fujis" oil on canvas. 6x6"

click to enlarge

Another small painting. This one seemed to paint itself ~ I just love that. It's so odd - sometimes it takes forever to get a piece the way you want it; then, once in awhile, the brush and paint just take over. So nice when that happens.

Marin Open Studios will be coming up in May. Need to get working on some bigger pieces for that weekend. More info to follow. Hope my ol' students are painting. Remember it's not necessary to complete a 'real' paintings - just practice mixing colors, drawing and painting with your brushes - makes shapes and 'subjects' to get comfortable with materials.

A Little Shy

"A Little Shy" oil on board 6x6.

Painted this little guy in a workshop - 2010. The vase is one of my favorites. It was in a basket at a pottery show - as 'less than perfect'. Like the runt of the litter I couldn't resist it. It's tiny - looks sweet with a couple little pansies in it.

Thought I'd the class schedule; last time I had folks say they wished they'd known about it - so let's make sure all do! :-)

FEBRUARY 6, 11:30-3:30. RILEY'S ART STORE. San Rafael.

Tell your friends. I'll be teaching "Get Ready To Paint" This is for total beginners. An orientation to terms, paint, brushes, surface preparation etc. Presentation and hands-on ez activities. For anyone that would love to paint but is hesitant about getting going.

FEBRUARY 12, 10:00 -3:00 TAM HIGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Same class as above. Register at their site.

https://marinlearn.augusoft.net//index.cfmmethod=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=25539&int_category_id=1&int_sub_category_id=29

Tell your pals! "Get Ready..." has been really well received. There are so many people who want to get in touch with their creative side; folks want to paint but are "shy" about jumping in - worry about feeling intimidated or making mistakes. Can't make any mistakes in this class! It's all about learning brushes, color mixing etc.

Two Things Today

Two Tangerines - oil on board. 6x6

These are point/shoot, so not great; oops I cut a bit of edge. Sorry about that.

Hey all, two things today:

Paintings. 6x6 paintings . Painters always are learning - not matter how long they've been at it. I think it's typical - you feel you need to 'perfect' your brush stroke, color sense, composition. Whether you paint abstract or traditional -you need to build the same skills.

These small pieces allow me to hone those skills. Most are on artisan board; a few on canvases. Usually traditional but sometimes I'll play with abstract. I'll post a few over a few weeks.

Classes. FEBRUARY 6, 11:30-3:30. RILEY'S ART STORE. San Rafael.

Tell your friends. I'll be teaching "Get Ready To Paint" This is for total beginners. An orientation to terms, paint, brushes, surface preparation etc. Presentation and hands-on ez activities. For anyone that would love to paint but is hesitant about getting going.

FEBRUARY 12, 10:00 -3:00 TAM HIGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Same class as above. Register at their site.

https://marinlearn.augusoft.net//index.cfmmethod=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=25539&int_category_id=1&int_sub_category_id=29

Tell your pals! "Get Ready..." has been really well received. There are so many people who want to get in touch with their creative side; folks want to paint but are "shy" about jumping in - worry about feeling intimidated or making mistakes. Can't make any mistakes in this class! It's all about learning brushes, color mixing etc.

NEW CLASS: Working on new class - should be ready in next month or so. New class should be ready in a couple weeks then I see if I can get it into the schools.

Phone Call = Happy New Year!

Untitled-I, 2009.

Maybe, in honor of NY Eve this should be titled "Fireworks" ....?

This was done last year . I don't paint a lot of abstracts but enjoyed watching this one unfold. I did a smaller one too but then got jumped into other projects. Hope to do a few more this year -maybe a series.

About that phone call in today's title: This week a woman called and said she is about to open a modern furniture and design store in town. The space has lots of high walls with great lighting - so she decided to find original work from local artists (paintings, sculptures) to pair with her furnishings. Too fun!

On Thursday Ms. Kunckle came by the studio and selected several paintings; we schlepped them over today. Soon after the New Year she'll host a Grand Opening reception. Should be a lot of fun. I'll post your invitation here :-)

Wishing you and yours a happy healthy 2011. Mary

Tryptic: China Red. Acrylic on paper

Part 2 of three-part of a Tryptic. Could not fit all on this line.

It's been way too long since I've posted but I have a good excuse. Our last week in Buenos Aires (my last posting)-I got Shingles and have had them ever since. SO not much art going on. But - as I recover, I'm trying to get back into my work a little at a time.

Good News: Received confirmation on 3 Get Ready to Paint classes I'll teach in the New Year:

Feb. 6. Riley Street Art in San Rafael.

Feb. 12. Tam High, Mill Valley.

Mar. 12. College of Marin Kentfield.

This is a fun class designed for folks who has wanted to but never painted. We'll use acrylics. So - tell your buddies. More info and registration on the web sites for the venues noted above.

Hola from Argentina

Hola my patient blog pals, It's been so long since my last post. We've been in Buenos Aires since mid-Oct..ole'

Hubby is working here and between getting settled, learning my way around this huge city (6th largest) and figuring out how to paint in our tiny flat.....aww heck - excuses, excuses. Have done a little painting but not tons.

You can see my make-shift atelier. Using the buffet in the dining room which has a glass top -- makes it esp. easy to work on. I lay out my paint in plastic take-out food trays. A glass of water, a little table easel and ready to go.

This painting is of a little restaurant in the hip barrio of Palermo which is divided into Palermo Soho (art and designers), Palermo Hollywood (movie/tv studios), Palermo Viego (oldest buildings, homes etc). This is one of a zillion places to eat. The cute Vespa is used for food delivery. In BA they even deliver helado (like gelato) to your house! Now THAT needs to be imported to US for sure.

BTW - Will be teaching three sessions of my "GET READY TO PAINT" for beginnings - after the first of the year - will post that info soon. Also have been working on a new class while down here.

To those of you who paint, esp. my new students, please use my email and drop me a note of what you are working on.

To all - Hope you are having a lovely fall. Ciao for now, Mary

A great class today! plus.... a book tip

value study - black, white and gray

Brand new painters + 1 classroom + tons of enthusiasm, paint, brushes and playful spirits = one fun Saturday afternoon! (phooey - I forgot to take a photo of our gang)

A new session of Get Ready to Paint - this time in Mill Valley at Tam High school. My 'kids' -- a wide range of ages and histories; the common denominator was each wants to learn to paint but is hesitant to jump into a full blown landscape/figure/still life class -- that ol' fear of failure that so many of us have to face down all the time.

We played with brushes, the color wheel, complements and harmonious color. We mixed paints, made value scales. And then, because this group was fast and full of energy, we had a bit of time to spare so they created a value study of a subject (like the one above) --painting in one color - training the eye to find the spot or two of darkest dark, the the lightest light and two or three mid-tones. If you can nail your values - it doesn't matter what color you paint in. To share an anonymous quote - "color gets the credit; value does the heavy lifting".

Recommendation: the small wonderful book Art & Fear, for any one who wants to learn any new skill but is afraid of failing: (painting, music, writing, sports, cooking, a new job!) Easy to read - lots of wonderful anecdotes. You can check it out here http://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-Observations-Rewards-Artmaking/dp/0961454733

Dillion's First trip to the Beach. oil on canvas.

This is a painting I made about 6 months ago. It started out as a practice study - on an old canvas that was partially painted (thus the cut-away edges). I love painting it - the sun on his hat and color my favorite parts. I'll send it off to his mom (our niece); hope she likes it.

A dear friend and fellow painter are talking about really delving into figure painting. Very appealing. Not portraits but paintings with people in them - abstracted usually. Should be fun and a bit of a challenge.

OK - my BAD!

Hi all. Recently I posted a kids' photo (see previous blog) - as I delve into figure painting. Promised to share the final pic. Well, started the painting and then put it aside to finish another project and get ready for today's class. So - my bad - still haven't finished it. Hope to this week.. Stay tuned.

Today, had a really fun workshop at the College of Marin - 15 enthusiastic 'newby' painters showed up and were really adventurous! (I meet the neatest people teaching this class).

They drank in tons of new info I presented, about brushes, paints, products, supports. Then I put them through the paces. First exercise - experiment with different brushes (see attached - click to enlarge) to learn how they differ in performance. Other exercises included color mixing with primaries and secondaries, making cool blacks and colorful grays and, saving the best for last, we ended with a lesson on the importance of knowing how to make use of value/tone to make a good painting great.

I'll be teaching this class in Mill Valley in October - a one day workshop like today. If you know anyone who might be interested have them register through the Tam District Adult Education (or contact met).

Play with paint - it's good for the soul!

Elena & Lia. Easter.

While I've done some figure painting - abstracted or models - have not painted people I know. GULP! I'm going to go for it. Try to capture the little cousins, both 6; Elena (granddaughter) and her cousin Lia. They're just 6 weeks apart in age.

I'll let you see it when it's done. Wish me luck!

Color theory - an experiement

Red Jubilee. 6x6 oil on board.

Color is a strange animal. We now know it can affect moods, looks different depending on what you pair it with. Can be "warm" or" cool" color.

Remember Red Jubilee? Well here is it with a warm harmonious background (left) and a cooler, contrasting background. I'm curious which you find more appealing?

Painting -Before & After: color mixing

Cherry-licious! redo 6x6" - oil

Today I reworked two little paintings that I did a couple of weeks ago. This is the first I reworked (new is on bottom): changed color combination and added a more distinct back and fore ground.

Which do you like better? Is it the color combo that affects how you feel about them?

Sometimes I look around my studio and find pieces that don't quite make me happy. I use them as "practice' pieces --trying out new brush strokes, colors, composition etc.

Some artists really hate doing this; if a piece doesn't work they destroy it. But for me, working an 'old' painting I'm not satisfied with gives me a feeling of freedom. It's not like that precious white new canvas. If I think of it as recycling for practice sake - I'm free to experiment - get crazy. Sometimes I do this multiple times (experiment; not 'get crazy'!). The end result is always a surprise.

Richard Schilling - DIY Art

Today I'm just passing along a wonderful link - one sample of the DIY (Do It Yourself) art movement. DIY is about finding ways to create art that is accessible. It is an anti-big-business-corporate-art world groundswell. Examples range from public free temporary work like Schillings (attached) to instances where artists form their own collectives, find venues to share their art (visual, movement, literary). I think you'll enjoy these wonderful art works made in nature, from nature - by pros and novices alike. May it be a spring board for us all to think outside the box, Enjoy. if it doesn't open - cut and pst into your browser. http://www.tikkun.org/tikkundaily/richard-shilling/

Just returned from a week with the grandkids. While I had hoped to make a little painting or two my art this trip consisted of sandcastles, pine-cone collections and clothespin dolls :-) New work soon.

3 Painting Classes Coming up

Three session of "Get Ready to Paint" are now schedule for the next couple of months.

This is an orientation for the total novice - covering brushes, canvas prep, basic color mixing etc. We have a lot of fun. Some presentation, demos and hands-on activities.

If you know anyone that might be interested pls pass this along! Questions? email me.

August 8 - Riley Street Art Supply, San Rafael.

September 11 - College of Marin, Kentfield Campus

October 2 - Tam District Adult Ed - Tam High, Mill Valley.

A Sneak preview - and two Painter's Tips

Two peeks at a new piece started a few days ago. Worked on it most of today, except when I was having a friendly (I hope) FB debate with my ol' pal Charlie.

What fun this new project is. In my typical schizophrenic style, from last week to this, I went from using 6x6" to 36x48" canvas, oil to acrylic, realism to abstraction (shoot, I'll never be a famous "landscape" or "still-life" or "portrait" painter.... too confining. Will post the final soon.

Painter's (Green) Tip: You never have to throw away paint.

Tip 1: When you finish painting, cover you palette and acrylic paints, with waxed paper, pat down the edges to the palette and pop in the freezer for a day, a month - or longer (trust me on this...and don't ask me how one can forget /not notice a big pan full of paint....). Before you cover it, wipe off the thin, used areas of paint - keep the big blobs of clean or mixed paint.

Tip 2: Another way to use up all your leftover paint - prime any new canvases/board etc. you have laying around. Don't worry about it being all one color, smooth, thin, missing places Whatever you have left - wipe across your next to paint surface. Eventually you can cover completely with your next painting...or let little surprise color highlights pop through.

Cherry-licious... thanks to Fern!

"Cherry-licious" 6x6" oil on panel. Thanks to you you all for the fun titles for yesterday's painting: Compassion, Red Jubilee, Starting Life, Cherrilicious, the Huddle and Cherry Hug ---all terrific titles. Pulling out of a hat, the winner is...(ta-da) "Red Jubilee". Thanks Marilyn G.!

Since there were so many cute titles to choose from, I chose another one for today's painting -- Cherry-licious, from Fern N (I made a letter change - OK?) By the way, the back wall is grayish in the orig.; go figure!

So you're off the hook for this one. Watch for another "name that painting" image later this week. .

Painter's (Green) Tip: Make friends with those old scruffy crusty brushes and save them from the dump. You can get some great affects with frumpy brushes. They are wonderful for making uneven, squiggly lines and edges, 'carving' marks in thick paint, etc. When I'm stumped with a painting that seems to be overworked or going down a dead end, I grab one of my old brushes and redraw or just put some color on and enjoy the unpredictable. I used two rough one today to create an edge that I didn't want to look rigid.

What shall we title this?

"______" ? 6x6" oil/board.

Help me name this little orphan: click comment or send an email to me. Winners will get fame, fortune... well, maybe not - perhaps just notoriety. :-) I'll post a couple more later this week ....let's see how creative you can be.

The cherries were gorgeous. What is it that is so happy about cherries?

Soon I'll try a similar one with acrylic to see which ends up easier/more fun to paint. Or better yet - someone from my last class - give it a try. Let me know how it turns out.

China Red /2. This is the 2nd image of a small triptych piece.

About a week ago I committed to painting every day for the week; pretty much did. Little guys - 6x6", oils. Been waiting for them to dry so I can shoot photos. Some I like better than others. Will post a few during the week. Always hard to come up with a name - how many "tulips" can one have?

Stand by - you can help name them. This is not from last week but had the photo already.

PAINTERS TIP: Lava soap! Amazing for cleaning off oil or acrylic paint from your hand. And you thought it was only for auto shop!

Paint Solver: Be cleaner - be thrifty - be smart!

'Two Fujis' - oil on canvas. 5x5

Oil painters often use mineral spirits, turpentine or Turpenoid for cleaning brushes and sometimes as a medium. Sadly, many newbies throw out a lot of it each session - wasting both the product and money, not to mention having adding a lot of toxic product to our fragile planet.

Thought I'd pass on an efficient, cleaner was to handle your solvent:

1. Get yourself two old food jars with good screw-on lids: one for dirty solvent; one for clean solvent.

2. Into a clean jars, pour a little solvent and use it sparing while you paint. Between colors, wipe your brush well on an old thick rag/towel. Often you can then go to your next color without rinsing the brush in solvent. You usually can get away with rinsing only when going from a dark color to a much lighter color.

3. At the end of your painting session, pour the dirty solvent into your second jar, put lid on tight.

4. Let the solution separate. After a few hours (or overnight) the dirty paint sludge will settle to the bottom.

5. Next painting session, carefully pour the clean solvent into your 'clean' jar - to use again.

This process can be done over and over. Your solvent will last for years. Or, better yet, avoid toxic solvets. Use Murphy's Oil, kitchen oil, painter's soap or other on-toxic product to clean your brushes. Now - go paint!

One step at a time....

(Chine Red II; acrylic on paper)

Some weeks I think about painting more than I do it - booo. This week I commit to painting every day (once I clean a path in the studio tomorrow!)

Saw an odd, haunting movie recently - "Seraphine" (Netflix) - about a woman's passion for making art in spite of her circumstances. Many things to soak up in this movie. One point that particularly struck me is that she just let her art flow - no formal lessons, no thought about a 'right vs wrong' way to paint. She had the urge to paint and she did it- she had no choice really. With little or no money she found ways to make 'paint'...no Winsor-Newton tubes to buy readily! Her originality is what made her art special. Pretty inspirational. Let me know if you have any other art movies to recommend...

Got a couple new class dates scheduled. I'll post them in a day or two.

"Cuties"

These little 'cutie' tangerines are sweet to eat and sweet to paint. I worked on value to show how the afternoon light pushed played on the subjects.

If any of my students see this, note the gradual transition on the pitcher - the middle values - between the light side and the back side - as also on the tangerines. Oil on panel, 5x5".

p.s. the original is really crisp - the fuzziness is my poor photography!

"Color gets the credit but value does the heavy lifting" (anon quote shared by Debby Kaspari)

Wow, this is so true! - whether you're talking about a b&w or color image.

Beginners often paint with little attention to value relationships (i.e. degrees of lightness and darkness (not to be confused with color changes). To give life and interest to your piece, to keep the viewers attention - the drawing/paintings should have at least 3, hopefully more, value changes.

In the first image there is very little value change. It's almost monotone. Except for the left side of the piece, most areas are middle gray with a few brighter light touches - barely.

In the second picture, note there are multiple values i.e. lights and darks: the darkest almost black areas (mid-section of stems), the brightest areas (reflection of light on water, next the buds) and then several different mid-gray values (left foreground vs. right foreground vs. right back area vs. water). Finally these value variations were translated into color.

It takes a bit to train the eye to notice value. Try to identify 'value' (lights and darks) when going about your day. If there is an apple sitting on the kitchen table and the morning light comes in through the window squint and look at the 'scene' and pick out:

- the very darkest dark (perhaps in the shadow wear the apple meets the table? or the shadow side of the stem?

- there may also be a dark shadow between the sunlit side of the apple and the back shadowy side....is it darker or lighter than the table shadow.

- Note how the table shadow is darker in some area than another.

- Where is the lightest brightest area?

- What is the 2nd lightest area?

- How does the sunny side of the table look compared to the shadowy side?

I'll share some other images of value in the next few days. Questions?