No Photos Again!

I just can't seem to get my head around the need to take photos when I give a class. This afternoon I again spent some time with the TAPS people and the students from Wildflower. I was so busy talking and teaching that taking photos completely slipped my mind.

I can, however, show you the pieces I did to prepare for the 'class' and outline what was done.

When I first started teaching beginner art, I used the 'basic shapes' method to show people how to draw. People seem to get bogged down and I often heard things like 'I can't draw a circle' or 'I can't draw a straight line'. My response? "Can you print the alphabet?" Thus was born my version of "Alphabet Art".

Life on the Prairies

 Except for the rolling hills, everything in the above picture was drawn using these letters: H, L, B, V, O, T, A (with out the cross bar) and I.

Life in the Valley

For this picture I added a row of K's to make the mountains in the background. I also took an unfair advantage when drawing the barn because I couldn't think of a letter that would give me the right shape. For those of you shaking your head's, in some cases you need to turn the paper sideways to get the right effect.

Life in the City

Today I started by showing everyone how they could draw certain subjects - houses, trees, bushes, windows and doors. Once they all had the idea I invited them to draw a picture of where they grew up or the best place they ever lived and to share their stories with the group. I spent the rest of my time visiting, listening to their stories and offering suggestions of things to add to their drawings (it surprised me to see a few outhouses in some of the pictures- lol). Everyone seemed to have a great time and it was nice to bring back some memories to some of the seniors.

After seeing that some of the kids put stick figures in their drawings I added a few more letters to the lesson.

Not the best photo but I hope you get the idea. The boy starts with an H for his body, V's for the arms, O for the head, and W for the legs. The girl starts with an X and the rest is the same.

Of course, the letters get a bit distorted and the final result is tidied up but the basics are simply letters that we use everyday. I hope this encourages you to think up your own drawings based on the alphabet and if you do please share them!

Painting Day

Every once in a while my friend, Linda, drives the 2 hours from Nelson, BC to spend the day with me so we can paint together.

Linda in my studio

It is always a fascinating time because Linda likes trying new things and every time she visits I end up painting something I never would have painted on my own.

Today she brought a tutorial of a painting by Frank Webb - "Bill's Lumberyard" that she printed from the internet.

my painting

I have a few samples of Frank Webb's art in one of my painting books so I might try this style again just to see if I can.

Over the years, Painting Days with Linda have taken me in a number of different directions that I might not have traveled on my own.

Other Worldly

Sometimes we will use one of our painting books for ideas. For "Other Worldly" we looked at "Watercolor, Pour it on!" by Jan Fabian Wallake.

Master of the Farm

Sometimes we will use something from my files of reference material. I don't remember exactly what I used for this painting but I loved the rooster and hated the rest of the piece. I cut the rooster out and stuck it on another piece of paper and added a new background, creating a watercolor collage.

Wonder & Joy

Linda and I don't always paint the same subject. For "Wonder & Joy", I used a photo from a magazine and Linda painted a picture of a young boy from one of my art books. We both painted people which I would never have done without her suggestion.

Our Painting Days don't happen often because of the distance between us and the fact that we both have pretty busy lives. I don't remember how many we have had over the years but every one has given me new knowledge and ideas. Painting Days are a wonderful way to share and learn from a friend and I am so happy that Linda will take the time to come and share with me.

Looking for the Cute!

I am a member of two Google+ communities that are all about Anime - https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/118263779281217652988 and https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/102365177651453517231. I don't read the stories or follow the characters but I really enjoy seeing the art.

One of my goals this winter is to try to learn to draw this fascinating genre. Like every other creative endeavour it takes skill and practice. As drawing people is way outside my normal subject area, it is going to take a lot of work!

Using a "how-to" guide from one of the above communities, I have been trying my hand at some Anime heads. However,  I CAN'T FIND THE CUTE! So many of the Anime characters are cute - I think it is the eyes - but I know my drawings fall way short.

My first attempts

I admit that I haven't spent much time yet on this challenge but I will keep at it over the next few months and I will keep you up-dated too!

DAY 14 - Using Color

I have been using "A Copybook for Japanese Ink-Painting" in learning the techniques for Oriental style painting. All of the reference photos are, of course, in black and white but today I decided to use color for my study.

Going Fishing

 I also used an unknown type of paper just to experiment. It was something I got at a garage sale and I like the way it turned out! The paper allowed a little bit of blending and I find the color more interesting than the black and white. I think I will try this combination again. I also like the vignette feel of this painting - it leaves a little bit to the imagination.

Check out the art submitted for today at -  http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.ca/ and then go and vote for your favorites at - http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.ca/