Tag Archives: workshop

Good Tutors and Good Students -Guest Blogger Charles Sluga

August 11th, 2010 | Posted in Deborah O'Sullivan
Fetch,-5×7 acrylic on cradled panel- SOLD

I am delighted to be able to present guest blogger Australian artist Charles Sluga. Charles is a wonderfully accomplished watercolorist and teacher. So without further ado….

Good Tutors and Good Students

I have been prompted to give my opinion because I conduct a lot of workshops both in Australia and overseas and have been teaching watercolour painting for many years. I have a number of pupils that have attended many of my workshops and continue to do so. Recently these people have been criticised or mocked because they choose to continue to come to my workshops. Mocked by students that seem to change their tutors as often as the wind changes.

So the question is – Should a student go to many different tutors to learn or should they stick to one? I think I have already indicated what I think, but let me expand on this.

Well from my experience and observation over twenty years of teaching I strongly recommend choosing one, but it is conditional. The student must try different classes until they find a tutor that they are happy with. A tutor than has the pupils best interest in mind and will push the student and point them in the right direction for them to discover their own way of expression…kind of like a guiding hand. A tutor that does not let his or her ego get in the way!

I think as a student if you find that your work merely looks like a second rate copy of the tutors work then I would suggest you find another tutor. It is not the tutors job to produce ‘parrots” that mimic what they do. It is all about pushing, questioning and getting the students to explore possibilities until they start to discover themselves. If you can find a tutor that can do that then stick with them.

For those of you out there who criticise these students and call them
groupies, fans or try to convince them that they should go to someone
else, then I would say to you…”continue to go to your dozen tutors in
a dozen workshops and continue to produce inferior copies with no self
expression….you have missed the whole point of being an artist and
the journey that it involves”.

Having said that, if that is what you want to do…go ahead ….it obviously satisfies some need, but be aware that others may wish to go further and demand more of themselves.

So in summary:
A good tutor:

  1. Someone who pushes you to question everything!
  2. Someone who does not paint by formula.
  3. Someone who will not spoon feed you.
  4. Someone who recognises your contribution.
  5. Someone who is not there to boost there own ego.
  6. Someone who takes there work seriously.
  7. Someone who plans lessons well.
  8. Someone who will give you time.
  9. Someone who believes they are still learning.
  10. Someone who doesn’t want you to merely be a “parrot”

A good pupil:

  1. Someone who will work hard.
  2. Someone who will take risks.
  3. Someone who will work in between workshops
  4. Someone who will ask questions.
  5. Someone who will not only be interested in the final result.
  6. Someone who is persistent.
  7. Someone who is open minded.
  8. Someone who is not there to boost their own ego!
  9. Someone with a sense of humour.
  10. Someone who has a love of Art.

So these are just 10 points I consider important for both tutor and student (there are more!)

In closing I would like to congratulate Sharon…one of these so called “groupies” of mine who entered her first exhibition recently and won the award for best watercolour. The wonderful thing about that is that I had not input or influence over that painting. She did the whole thing on her own and it was her own expression in paint! Well done!
I also congratulate these group of students that do continue to come to my workshops and tours…I am looking forward to continuing the journey with you….you have become not just students but friends! So let us all ignore the comments from others and continue to do what we do best…work together and move forward!

By the way, just to make it clear – I don’t mind who people go to! I am not saying it has to be me (because even though I am good :) , my style of teaching may not suit everyone ). It is not about me…it is about you…the student!
See you at the next workshop :)
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This article is reproduced with permission.
Copyright 2010 – Charles Sluga

For more on Charles and to view or purchase artwork visit…..
Charles Sluga Website
Charles Sluga Blog

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Deborah O’Sullivan Art
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©Copyright 2010 by Deborah O’Sullivan. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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May 22 – How about a Workshop? And the name!

May 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

The Ocala, Florida, workshop was a great event in a grand locale, and I’m please to share with you the photograph taken by Maggie Weakley’s husband–pro photographer, you can see his fabulous work here–of the ten people who participated. And of course, there is Sparky, hamming it up.

There has been an incredible response to my need for a name for the newest addition to the Two Trees household! Thank you all. A list of names, and creative they are! I looked over more than fifty naming options, and cogitated on it for a full day, and the choice is made.
Here are some of your creative offerings: (I’ll never lack for a dog’s name again!)
OhNo ’cause I’m positive that’s what whoever cropped her ears said.
…she is a looker like “Vana White” on the game show and a lopped ear…Vanagogh
Shiloh…Oreo…Meadow…Bibelot…Harlow…Fargo
Hobo…Bardot…Margo (also Margeaux) …Bravo…Aiko
Oido…Segundo…Solo…Yarrow…Juno…Echo
Shiloh (really “pup”ular)…CoCo…Calypso (almost picked this one)
Artisimo…Koloh…Arrow.. Halo…Duo… Mio…Timo…
and perhaps thirty more great suggestions. Even “Shadow”, but I couldn’t bring myself to name a dog after the Tibetan Mastiff pup I lost last January. Too painful. So Willow it is!

Donna McCullough came up with Willow first, although Cheryl Pass, Judi Evans and Mary Lou Roberts also suggested that name.
Donna’s email arrived first, so she’ll be sent her choice of DVD as a gift for helping name this lucky rescue. And I thank all of you caring hearts who love the rescues. What a grand community of wonderful people! And it made my job so much easier.
Willow settling in…

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2010 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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May 10 – More East Coast Wildlife in Acrylics

May 11th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

While enjoying the Art Walk in Florida, I started this painting of the local wildlife (NOT alligators!) from an image I took while it was still light on the Silver River. I so enjoy the painted turtles, as they remind me of my childhood on Lake Barcroft in Virginia.
This is an acrylic, measuring 9 x 12, and I started it with an underpainting of thalo blue (!). Now the Cool Box colors are going over it as I pull it to life, shaping the natural environment in which it is enjoying it’s afternoon sunbath. I hope you’ll enjoy how it develops.

Here in Georgia after the first day, I’m tired but assured that the “newbies” are caroming into the Color System. Lots of good paintings! We lost one Boot Camper who went to town after class, but several phone calls later and she is safely on her way back to the farm. It is a remote location, but with the natural beauty of the area, it is ever so easy to miss the road signs. Sparky has settled into the routine of my teaching, and he enjoyed a wonderful morning walk with the students, where we captured lovely lighting situations such as the one below. May in Georgia is beautiful!
I’ll be using this one for a future demonstration in the blog of that elusive overcast light!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2010 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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May 9 – Greeting the New Boot Camp Recruits

May 11th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

As I sit and await the arrival of the seven newest Color Boot Camp recruits in gorgeous North Georgia, I’ll share with you one of the two six by eight inch canvases I did during the other workshop.

Although there is glare on the upper right, you can see the Color System working in the gentler light of the Florida evening. Note the repetition with variety in the trio of duplicate shapes–clouds, palms and shrubs. One might think that it is a no-no to repeat in twos, but in this case it works, as the dark cloud on the left middle balances the weight of the duos on the right. And each of the dual objects is similar but not equal. Design is such a strong aspect of painting; one I’m always considering!

Georgia is cool and lovely this time of year, and holding a sumptuous spring feel, and no better place to enjoy it than Fay’s farm. Her generosity in allowing us to descend upon her for a five days is not to be taken lightly, and I’m honored to be considered her friend. Here’s an image of the barn apartment upstairs with the balcony where the workshop will be held, across from the main house.

After this workshop, the only one remaining will be in Maine. I do hope to meet some more East Coast artist friends there! Color Boot Camp is special. Here’s Maggie’s most recent post.

You can see earlier posts from my blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2010 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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May 7 – Serious second pass on the 12 x 16 oil

May 8th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

I’ve spent a good amount of time working on this painting to get it to this point (far from finished at this point). Still here in Florida, and today was the last day of the wonderful first-timers Color Boot Camp. Details of the journey as viewed by one of the attendees Maggie can be seen here. (Thanks, galfriend!)

I’ve been putting details in the grasses of the pastures and talking up composition to the Boot Campers. I will miss their pleasure at learning the beginning steps with the Color System, and hope to see them again in Florida next year as “Repeat Offenders”. Tomorrow morning I drive up north to Georgia and return to the Farm for the second week-long Color Boot Camp for newbies. I’m not tired at all!

Lynn Wade came by the Art Walk event in the downtown area, including a visit to Voilart Gallery, and I had a friend take this image of Lynn, Shraron Crute and myself with Sparky. Both Lynn and Sharon are great equine artists and I do hope you made some time to see Lynn’s paintings: www.lynnwade.com and Sharon’s web site.
Sharon is the co-owner of the gallery with Jackie, who put up with me. Kathie Camara organized the event and for all that, I’m eternally grateful! Thanks so much for a wonderful time!

My hair’s gone all curly because of the humidity. I was born with curly hair, yet it went straight when I moved to California years ago. LOVE having it back! Can you say, “POOF?”

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2010 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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May 4 – Misty Light Demonstration in Florida

May 5th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

At the Florida Boot Camp and ending the first day, I thought I would share with you the misty light painting I whipped up for their first demonstration. They are working with the Cool Box, and learning to really MIX color. I “imagineered” this Florida water landscape without seeing any of it. I need to get out more!

The painting still needs tweaking, but the idea of overcast light is conveyed, and their examples were really well done! Today they are working on Morning Light and Moonlight paintings.

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2010 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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May 3 – Finished the acrylic horse

May 4th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

First day of the Florida Color Boot Camp here in Ocala, and what a great group of artists and students! A wonderful facility and I’m staying with one of the organizers. This evening we spent it with wine glasses in their swimming pool!

This 12 x 12 acrylic has had the final “punch” put in the color to fine tune the relationships in morning light, to bring the viewer into the image, and to tell the story.

My story for this painting is in the people who do the hard work of keeping these equine athletes ready and healthy for performing. The title of this one is “It’s not about the horse”. I hope you like it.

Here’s an image of the facility at VoiART in downtown Ocala. Yes, we have chocolate!!


You can see my entire blog HERE.

My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.

Color System information can be found HERE.

If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2010 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Colored Pencil Class Schedule Extended

April 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Carrie Lewis

If you live in or near Newton, Kansas and are interested in doing colored pencil art or learning more about it, you are invited to attend my weekly colored pencil class.

Originally scheduled as an eight-week course, the class officially ended on Thursday, April 8.

Student requests have resulted in a four-week follow up class from May 13 to June 3, 2010.

After that, the class will become a regular, weekly event. We will meet every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the First Christian Church building at the corner of First and Main Streets, in Newton, Kansas. The class is a guided independent study class, with students bringing their own projects to work on during the class. We also frequently look for life drawing subjects in and around the church building.

We will also do special projects upon occasion.

The fee is $20 per class per student, pay as you attend. Students are welcome to bring their favorite colored pencil supplies if they are already acquainted with the medium.

For those who are starting from scratch, a basic supply kit can be purchased from me. The supply kit includes sketch paper, a pad of Stonehenge paper (white), a set of Prismacolor pencils, and other tools of the trade. A supply list is also available for those who prefer to do their own shopping.

For more information on the class or the supply kit, email me.

©Copyright 2010 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Mar 24 – Jury Duty and the Next Stage

March 24th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

Covering the canvas as I always do, this 12 x 9 painting progresses into the misty light of the overcast day quite easily. I stay completely in the Cool Box, using trios of colors to keep the mixes harmonious. Most of the distant areas behind the bridge are done with mixes that have white in them. White, being the coldest color on our palettes, is used in distance to give the ethereal feeling of misty light. White is also used, to a lesser degree, in the nearby areas. My contrast of values decreases as distance increases, and in misty light, the values get closer together more quickly!

Where does the time go? I’ve been doing much Spring cleaning of my studio, offing old work and work that doesn’t represent my legacy, and “relocating” books from my art library to new owners through Amazon.com. I’m also just enjoying this gorgeous spring weather here in California with gardens needing planting.

The workshop in Florida has been moved right into Ocala, so if you are in that area and want to attend this Color Boot Camp, please contact Kathie Camara ASAP (Link takes you to an email message)! The new location puts us in an urban area, and boot campers can come in daily instead of staying at the Carriage Park. It makes the workshop more affordable, as well.

Georgia is almost full, and it is going to be FANTASTIC as well!

I’m sitting in jury duty today….at least they have wifi!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2010 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Mar 9 – Sadness and Acceptance

March 10th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

Many of you have noticed the sporadic emails in the last few weeks, and for that I sincerely apologize. I’d hoped to share with you the finished polo ponies, but in utter amazement, I cannot FIND the painting! In the chaos of doing a major studio cleanout, I put it “somewhere safe”. Have you ever done that?

But today I am very sad for having to put down my companion of eighteen years–Qso, the German Pinscher–shown here with Pesto the studio cat.

Pets connect us to our past, living lives of scant more than a decade, and linking us to events and people from earlier times. As they age, we see our own lives (compressed) of youth, prime and then, if we are lucky, and if the animal is as well, we carry them through their old age, giving them the gift of care and a final exit with dignity and sadness.

So today’s message is one of communication to all animal lovers out there, those of us who have lost a beloved pet, and to all who share with me the sharp pain of the memory of their last days.

Animals have a prescience and acceptance of death that we humans can only envy. She told me it was time, and her passing was peaceful. I have always said that if we lose a pet, we have a hole in our heart waiting to be filled by an eager newcomer, whose future may be uncertain if we stay within our pain of loss. I am not sure when that achy place will be filled, but fill it will.

So, beloved Qso, I sent you to the Rainbow Bridge today as my last gift to you, and buried you just outside the studio door where you’ll always be in my thoughts, and nearby. Safe journey, my companion. My heart is heavy tonight.

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Colored Pencil Class

February 16th, 2010 | Posted in Carrie Lewis

On Thursday, February 18, I will be starting an eight week class on colored pencils.

The class will cover basic techniques, tips and tools. All student levels from beginner to advanced are welcome.

The class will be meeting every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at First Christian Church at the corner of First and Main Streets in Newton.

The cost is $20 per class per student pay as you go or $15 per class if you want to pay for the full eight weeks up front.

Pre-registration is recommended, but not required.

If you would like more information about this class or about future classes, email me.

©Copyright 2009 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Feb 11 – Demonstration in OIls for Hemet Valley Art Association Continues

February 13th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

Here’s the 16 x 20 oil demonstration for the Hemet Valley Art Association after about 10 minutes with the brush on the canvas. I’m completely in the Cool Box of the Color System for these lower values, all representing shadows in the composition. I like to start with darks, painting UP to the light as I work.

Most interesting at this stage is the “warm” reflected light on the belly of the third horse–a gray. That’s a “peach” color made by white, alizarin and yellow ocrhe. Great illusion of warm where it is needed. I do admit that the luscious blue-green of the Thalo green and white mix in those shadows gives me shivers of excitement, though! More tomorrow, and I hope you’re enjoying the development of this one as much as I am.

I am not interested in edges or tight control, but more in the masses of value. Like good construction, one ensures that the walls are sturdy before putting in the windows!

Yesterday’s email went out with a video on my martial art in it, and if you were not able to see it, I have it on my blog for yesterday. Worth a look! And I’m looking forward to teaching the Color System workshop this coming weekend, too!

Yes, life is good. Now where did I put my pina colada? Hmmm…. (grin).

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Jan 29 – Signed but not finished

January 30th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

I signed it, but it isn’t finished yet. However it really has that “feel” I was seeking when I picked up the brushes. Do you see the strong triangular design, with the black lab on the left anchoring that corner? An overlay of this image would show the many diagonals that work to repeat and support the structure of this work.

I really like it at this point, but it truly is not finished. I had pressure on me to use this image for entering the Art Show at the Dog Show, and it was summarily rejected. I entered it more because of what I KNOW it will become, rather than as a finished piece. But judges are arbitrary, subjective and totally in control of the shape of an art show, so I don’t take that rejection personally. Sometimes that’s just where the chips fall.

Below is the image with tension-creating diagonals for you. To me, this angled tension with so many lines sets the stage for excitement in this dog walker composition. Horizontal and verticals are static, lines that lean are tension-filled and exciting. Note the two vertical signposts in the upper left corner, effectively stopping the convergence of the snow lines off the edge of the canvas. “That’s design, baaaybe!”

After I finish up both this one and the backlit Lab (which DID get accepted to the show), I’ll share with you the second painting for the upcoming DVD on misty and overcast lighting–in stages, of course!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE. (Still some slots!!!)
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Jan 14 – Oh dear… Problems!!! (All Fixable)

January 15th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

Ten more minutes and I’m making a bad problem worse. If I were in the studio, I would have taken a break, had a cuppa coffy and taken one huge step backward to see what was going on and what was going wrong with this painting.

The “essense” is there, but the values and colors are off in many places. I’m thinkin’ (wrong) the dog’s shadow side needs to be lighter because after all, it’s a yellow lab and yellow is light, right? Not always, and making that shadow side as light as I have loses the “pizazz”. The buzz and zap of color excitement is eluding me and I’m at a loss as to how to pull it back and fix it as I’m painting it. I’m talking and entertaining the group, so my focus isn’t on the deep introspection of a quiet plein air location or standing in front of my easel in the studio, in company only with myself. Hey, it happens….

I had a doubt about sharing this painting at this “uglies” stage with y’all, but realize that perhaps the benefits outweigh the chaos in that someone can learn that artists “of a certain level” still can make major mistakes.

Tomorrow it will get better. (Didn’t Annie say that?) Ha!

The weather here has been in teh 70s and sunny, and I’ve enjoyed the winter pruning of the roses and other garden plants, and also the lemon harvest. My freezer is already full of squeezed lemons, so the bumper crop will be donated. It’s good to give back the excess. And I’ve been working on editing the Misty Light DVD, too. Hours of work, but all good footage.

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Jan 12 – Continuing to Cover the Demonstration Canvas

January 13th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

I skipped through a couple of ten minutes sessions to get you to this point because I want you to see the bigger picture of what happened. I’ll add one of the earlier ones below for clarity. The Warm Box is open now, and I’m putting in the cadmiums that are int he sky on the left, and also in the water reflections.

The splash under the dog is WAY too green, and the blue is too strong–got carried away there, and didn’t even see it until much later. That’s the down side of painting for a demonstration, talking, and changing the time of day on source material! I’ll pull it through and modify it later, but wanted you to see it now. That’s because no matter what, everyone makes mistakes as they work through the process of painting. It’s knowing where those mistakes are, and how to correct them, that may separate the less experienced painters from the pros. I can also see that the values aren’t dramatic enough to convey the backlit evening time, so there is another major “fix” that will have to occur before I can call it done.

That’s like life, though. We go forward, thinking we’re doing what’s right and “proper”, only to be caught up short with new knowledge that radically changes our behavior and our outlook on things, as we formerly perceived them. In art, we can stretch our wings into new directions, as long as we are not shackled to the expectations of galleries and collectors. In life, the restrictions are more insidious–sometimes coming from within ourselves, even! So I’m leaning into my ARTIST mindset, and making some fun and exciting choices about how I’m going to spend the rest of my life. Conventional wisdom can go pound sand–I’m having FUN!!! The art is reflecting that outlook–more free, more interesting subjects and truly exciting to create. Life is GOOD.

Oh, yeah, good except for the cortizone shot they poked in my hip today. Seems I have a touch of bursitus from the motorcycle accident and the doc thinks that this shot will fix me up right ‘n’ proper. I’m not to do anything but WALK for three friggin’ days, so she says. That is SO not fair. I want to chase my horses, fall all over the mats in aikido and dance the night away! OK, so I’ll find a bucket of patience somewhere…. Friday cannot come too soon for this lady.

Still have one or two spaces in the February Color Boot Camp coming up Feb 12-15. Best value for your artistic money, in that this will not change your style or method, but will profoundly affect your color choices and color harmony in your work! Email me for the information. It promises to be an intimate and enlightening opportunity for you, right here in my studio.

Here’s the one prior to the covered canvas image, and I can easily see I lost my concentration in that splash area, and the dog doesn’t have much detail…

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Jan 10 – Continuing the Labrador Oil Painting, 20 minutes in

January 11th, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

Blinga-bling! Twenty minutes into the demonstration at the Canyon Lake Art Association, and more of the canvas is covered–this time with the grays and sky areas made with the three Big Ones–Alizarin, Yellow Ochre and Ultramarine Blue (with white) to create these harmonious grays.

If you put your hand over the left side, and just show the right side, you can see that even at this early stage, the colors are beautifully harmonious–all coming from the Color System’s Cool Box!

Other news, with our mid-70s weather, I’ve been working with the mustang and bonding with him in the corral. It is a lot of fun to have a young horse again–he’s stout as a tank, still growing at 15.2 and even in winter woolies, he is a beautiful buckskin. I leaned all over his back today, and worked on reining left and right. And today (Sunday) I played water volleyball for almost three hours, so my shoulders are sore. Great exercise!
Here’s a picture of him still in slick clothes. BIG mustang feet, too.

So even though it gets hot in the summer, there are certainly good reasons to enjoy California in the winter (what winter?). I know much of the country is in a deep freeze right now, and I hope all are doing well in coping with the ice and slush.

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Jan 1 – Happy 2010, the Acrylic is Finished…

January 2nd, 2010 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

The 12 x 9 acrylic of the Saddle River is finished now, and the changes from the non-detailed image from yesterday’s blog are really noticeable. The calligraphic lines and patches of slightly different value are the added ingredients to take this painting to this stage. I added the shrubbery branches and leaves on the lower left as the last element of the design, which brings the painting into balance.

In looking at the painting I find that the brushwork (textural marks) and complementary color change are the strongest design elements holding this one together. I find it good to be able to analyze my work using design principles–and if the work is good, several will be easily noted. Do you know your design elements and principles? There are good sources online to review them. This link is Wikipedia’s, and although the terminology my shift from source to source, the concepts are valid for every artist.

Now off into a new year, full of possibilities and opportunities! Happy New Year to all of you!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Dec 25 – Next Step in the Still Life, Happy Holidays!

December 25th, 2009 | Posted in Elin Pendleton

Now I’m starting to add color to the 6 x 12 acrylic painting–noting the basic structure of the pears with my brushwork. Knowing these pear-boys are going to be warm in the lights, I’ve added some cadmium red and burnt sienna to the sides away from the shadows, because on the next “go-pass” I’ll be putting many thicker layers of color. Having an underlayment of the basic color helps me to unify the finished work in those areas. Note I’ve also put a warm wash over the horizontal surface, and the relationship to the pears’ coloration is obvious. This will bind and unify the painting as it progresses.

On other news, the Christmas Day was wonderful with family and laughter here on the East Coast. One of the laughs came when Sparky decided to sit on my host’s five-month Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, Hero, and his look of surprise. He’s adorable, and has been going on long walks with Sparky and me using the tandem leash. Much like driving a team of ponies, albeit small versions. They are staying warm by the wood fire! I wish all of you a very peaceful and happy rest of 2009 and a year full of wishes met and dreams realized in 2010 and beyond.
Peace.

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©Copyright 2009 by Elin Pendleton. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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