Another Great Art Workshop

This past weekend, Island Arts Magazine had the pleasure of hosting Nicholas Pearce's "Limited Palette" acrylic painting workshop. With an almost full class of 11 students, our weekend began.

First thing Saturday morning, Nicholas told us that we were going to listen to music, sing and dance while we paint. The idea is that if you are singing, then your brain does not get hung up on every little detail of your painting. The music was cranked up loud as we began gridding our black canvas.

Gridding wasn't new to me, but I just hadn't done it since art school. It was one of those simple techniques that I had forgotten about. I quite enjoyed the process while singing to the tunes.

After lunch, with our 1.5" brush in hand and using our limited palette of 4 colours plus white, we started blocking in colours. Let me tell you, that brought about a lot of moaning and frustration, from myself and the other students. Threats of smuggling in smaller brushes on Sunday ran rampant. At one point Nicholas left the class room to take a call. I said, "Ha, the teacher's gone." Without missing a beat, most of the class replied "Get out the small brushes."

For myself, painting this way was a test in trying to remember how to mix a particular colour, mixing on the canvas and trying to get your darn brush to work properly. I suggested to Nicholas that perhaps my brush was faulty ... and NOT operator error?!

Sunday morning, we came into class with fresh eyes and thought "Wow" these really aren't too bad. Perhaps Nicholas had stayed all night and worked on our pieces? How nice!

We all worked really hard cleaning up our paintings, while getting into our musical groove. Nicholas walked about giving us encouraging direction. By the end of the weekend, we had a group showing of really spectacular work. BRAVO everyone.

I love organizing and participating in workshops. There are always tricks and tips that come about, from the instructor and also from the participants. In this particular class, I was re-united with the process of gridding; a wonderful tool for working big. I was frustrated with a limited palette and realized that I need to work on my colour mixing skills. I love the idea of down-sizing my palette to only a few colours.

Thanks to Nicholas Pearce for providing us with an energetic, thought prevoking and FUN weekend. Special thanks to all the artists who took on the task of working big with a "Limited Palette".

Check our website often for upcoming workshops.


Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Artist Workshop

This past weekend Island Arts Magazine hosted another artists' workshop - Fundamentals of Plein Air Painting with instructor  Brian Buckrell.

 

Watching the instructor do a demo is always a great learning experience, as we can see how he (Brian) starts and works a painting. The group gathered around and watched as the piece magically came to life, asking questions about the process. 

The weather didn't cooperate for painting outdoors, but the group was eager to participate in the workshop indoors, working from images while wearing their "En Plein Air" hat.

Some of the points that Brian stressed over the course of the weekend were:
- pick a battle you can win
- start with a plan
- make lots of small starts

I think that this painting was a 'good start' for me.

Taking a workshop is a wonderful way to spend time with like-minded people often swapping stories, struggles, laughs and tips over coffee and lunch.

This is the third workshop of Brian's that I have attended, two of which we hosted. I always learn a thing or two and come back to my studio with more resolve. As one of our participants put it ...

"Your approach (Brian) is gentle, supportive, sharing and giving. You were accessible in your delivery and demeanour, non-judgmental in your silences. You make the time to spend with the class as well as individual time. That makes the spirit soar."

Thanks Brian.

For more information on upcoming workshops please check our website.

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Why I Love Workshops

I never tire of organizing and attending workshops. This past weekend was no exception.

Almost two years in the planning, it was our pleasure to host David Langevin for a painting workshop; his first on Vancouver Island.

Three days may sound like a long enough time, but the days just flew by. Friday we worked mostly on theory; properties of paint, etc. It's a good idea to have a clear understanding of your materials. Notes were made, great questions were asked and answered and many laughs made for a fun and informative day. We had time in the afternoon to practice glazes and veils.

Day two we worked on a painting using glazes and veils, as the old master Caravaggio painted. David says "Now take the glaze and brush it across the entire surface. Understand? Now you try."

Day 3 we tackled a grisaille painting; a method using different shades of grey. Once you have a strong value painting, you then add the colour.

We all enjoyed David's 'magic' as he went through his process of working on a painting. It  brought on great discussions, conversations and lots of laughter.

Starting with a detailed drawing on the canvas, he puts a warm glaze over the entire surface.

More glazes, more colour, more discussion - the painting quickly came to life.

Looking good now! Asked if it is finished, David says "Nope, not yet."

David is a master of the old masters. As David says "Only David Langevin and Caravaggio paint this way".

I love to organize workshops and bring in wonderful artists to learn from. We keep the class size limited to 12, which makes for an intimate and comfortable group. It's fun to spend the weekend with like-minded artists, a chance to meet new people and to sharpen one's painting skills.

Plus, if the mood moves me, I often make fresh cookies for our morning break.

Check out our website for upcoming workshops. See you at the next one.

Till Next Time ...

From the Prairies, to the West Coast and Beyond...

Susan

Tide's Out

If you recall, I had taken a workshop with Brian Simons in Victoria, this past Jan. I was struggling with one particular painting - a wavey beach. Brian had told me to go home, and not to touch the piece again until it "Screamed" at me. (refer to blog of Jan. 30th.).

Home I went, wondering why I put myself through the torture of trying to learn new techniques. The painting stood against my wall for several weeks, before I heard a slight peep "Try painting me again!"

So I timidly dusted if off, placed it on the easel, and the words of "David Wick" (another famous artist whom I've recently met) came into my mind - "Let the spirit move you."

I put on some funky rock 'n' roll music, big brush in hand and began to play - putting paint on canvas. The paint was flying, the brush strokes were painterly. The painting was taking on a life of it's own.

Jeff came into the studio "Five minutes till supper". "I can't stop now" I said, "I'm in the groove and I have wet paint". Several brush strokes later, I stood back and declared the painting finished.

The painting has now been transformed from a wavey beach, to a

"Tide's Out", 24 x 30", acrylic

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan

Workshops

I have always enjoyed organizing and attending artists workshops. I go into them with an open mind and a positive attitude about learning what the instructor has to teach ... after all that is what I paid the money for. Even if I only learn one thing in each workshop, I feel that I am a better painter for it.

Last weekend I attended a workshop by Brian Simons in Victoria BC. I had been looking for an acrylic workshop when I came across his website and really liked the look of his artwork. I thought, perhaps I can learn from this man.

Brian teaches you to underpaint using a burnt sienna, spending time working on your values - darks and lights. Once you are happy with that, then the colour is ready to be added and like magic your painting comes to life. I started this one upside down, as I wanted to get my head out of the process (the canvas was upside down - not me). Instead of thinking about clouds and beach, I was thinking about shapes and light and dark spaces.

After two days of struggling with this new technique - here is the end result.

Brian thinks this piece is close to being finished and to not work it anymore - until it SCREAMS at me.
So far it hasn't even whispered .... so perhaps I'll leave it be.

p.s. Update on Sheldon:

Sheldon has arrived in Sask. feathers unruffled
They think perhaps Johnathan is a tinsy bit jealous as Sheldon is a little more 'polished' and perhaps more of a ladies man.

They think it's best for the time being to be on separate walls to let them 'get to know' each other.

Till Next Time ...

Love what you Do ... and Do what you Love.

Susan