At least they appear to be as I only have a few things scheduled for the rest of this month - thank heaven!
I started off the month with a lesson to a small group of ladies who want to learn how to draw. They plan on coming once a week but one already had to miss a class and another will be missing this week. It is hard to figure out how to catch people up on what was missed while the others want to forge ahead.
On October 7, I hosted my final Watercolour Painting Party for the season. I had 5 scheduled to attend and ended up with only two due to cancellations. No matter, we had a great time!
Cheryl and Ed have both attended parties in the past and have also taken some private lessons with me. Both did a super job on their chosen paintings and were very happy with the results. I think they will be back for more lessons once golfing season ends.
Yesterday I attended a one day acrylic workshop with Castlegar artist Mirja Vahala
Mirja's Studio.
The workshop was put on by the Creston Art Club and seemed to involve a ton of emails back and forth between the club's president and me and between me and the participants - much more work than was needed!. However, we all had a good time and I think we all learned stuff too. (the photos are in reverse order)
 |
| critique time! |
 |
| finished pieces ready for critique |
 |
| watching and listening - what did we do wrong? |
 |
| more critiques |
 |
| Linda's piece |
 |
| Jenny's paintings for the final critique |
 |
| getting set up |
 |
| Mirja Vahala |
The focus of the class was Colour Contrasts: value, compliments, temperature, intensity, hue and quantity. Until the end we were painting the same still life over and over, each painting building on what we learned in the ones before. I admit there are still a few gaps in my understanding especially with intensity and quantity but I will work on those concepts on my own.
These are my paintings from the class. I am missing either intensity or hue although I can't figure out which one is missing - oh well, more study required. The last two I did were on 'quantity' - can you figure out what it means? These were done on 8 x 10 canvases and I think I will redo the studies onto watercolour paper and reuse the canvases in the future. These are not suitable for selling and paper stores better - lol.
As there is not much on my schedule (except for the drawing classes) for some time I will be relaxing after the busy summer and just puttering in my studio for the next while and enjoying doing not much of anything.
Thanks for stopping by.
Val, your students always create something so nice! These two must be very happy with your classes if they come back. Looks like an interesting class.
ReplyDeleteHi Joan, thanks for stopping by. I hope my students come back because they are happy - they must be as there are a number of other options for learning in our area. It was an interesting class - now to cement the knowledge into the brain - practice, practice, practice !
DeleteGood for you Val, time to putter. LOL. I really love the messy backgrounds on some of your pieces. The shapely shadows are really interesting!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheila, I like the messy ones best too. And, I am looking forward to just puttering for a while.
DeleteWhat a fascinating challenge, to paint the same still life learning different concepts. Looks like you've done an excellent job! Maybe it's the time of year it is, but my favorite is the top right one with the warm autumn colors. Enjoy your puttering!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Cathy. It was an interesting workshop although still-life pieces are not my favourite - now to translate what I learned into landscapes. As for favourite, mine are the loose one on the bottom - quick and easy - lol.
DeleteWhew I am worn out!! Glad you are getting some down time. Well I will take a crack at your questions, but just my two cents!! I think in the first paintings you do show value and tones, but I think intensity is looking for some pops of colors and range of color might be what she means? I haven't heard these terms exactly this way as she is teaching. On the quantity, well that one has me stumped. Is she referring to the amount of paint in various sections, as in those it looks more impressionistic and like paint was spread more thinly across the canvas? When you figure it out, and I know you will, let us know please.
ReplyDeleteYou could use some down time too Nelvia as you have done so many paintings lately and all of the super. Thanks for your 'two cents' worth of comments. I went back over the notes from the workshop; she puts Intensity as brightness or chroma, for Hue she wanted us to use all of the colours on the outer ring of the colour wheel, and Quantity she qualifies as mass versus broken (which I still don't understand - lol) I think I will have to get in touch with the instructor as none of my books seem to reference the Quantity aspect. Thanks for you comments!
DeleteIsn't it lovely to have the fall weather to slow down in? We can teach instead of garden, and enjoy the weather and colour! It looks as though you've been having a great time, Val - way to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks Win - Fall is my favourite time of year - it always feels like a new start.
DeleteI love the works of your students, Val. I am sure you had a wonderful time on the workshop. Kisses!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Mia! I am so glad you like the students' work - I do too. I had a look at you G+ page - such charming pieces. Hug and kisses to you!
DeleteI love the beautiful works of your students as well as yours!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lisa - and thanks for stopping by!
Delete