Category Archives: Learning
Learning to paint the human figure is hard work, but I’m up for the challenge
Where two colors meet: That’s where all the action is
Our assignment: Make two identical compositions, each at least 10″ x 12″. Use the exact same colors in both compositions. You want to have clear foreground shapes and clear background shape. In composition A, you will create normal interactions between the foreground shapes/colors and the background shapes/colors. In composition B, the foreground shapes will be […]
I never realized how much influence one color could have over others
I’m learning so much in the Color Theory class I’m taking this semester. The instructor is Jim Flahaven at the University of Southern Maine. These images are from an assignment designed to help us better understand simultaneous contrast. I won’t take it for granted that you all know what simultaneous contrast is because I didn’t know. […]
84 shades of gray: Exciting, beautiful, rich and yes, lusty shades of gray!
I spent a lazy Sunday mixing shades of gray. And you thought this was going to be an erotic post! There is something sensual about playing with paint, I think. And there is something exciting about mixing colors. I remember the first time I mixed a gray instead of using one straight from the tube. […]
The final drawings: Building on our own momentum
As usual, it’s hard to believe another semester has whizzed by. We exhibited our final drawing projects at an open studio reception, which was fun. I was blown away by the work my fellow students did, so decided to focus on some of their projects instead of mine. These are images from the reception and […]
Learning to be an artist. Making progress and works in progress
It’s right on the tip of our pens
No commentary with this post. Pictures only. Exquisite little pen and ink drawings that we did in our Drawing: Media and Strategies class with Michael Shaughnessy. We had to do 12 drawings each on 6×6-inch squares of heavy paper. They all had 4-inch borders, but we weren’t restricted to staying inside. There did have to […]
How to be inspired by apple trees and abstract art
En plein air. A French expression that means “in the open air.” A plein air painting is done outdoors. Last week, Jim, my painting instructor, took the class on a plein air field trip to Randall Apple Orchard in Standish. It was a warm, sunny fall day. Couldn’t be more perfect. And there were no […]