tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66855348016034576642024-03-12T17:10:23.669-07:00Amy Fell Oil Painting TipsOffering tips, discussion, and encouragement for the novice oil painter.
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-22066538439627887252017-07-12T04:51:00.000-07:002017-07-12T06:18:20.759-07:00Tips To Stay Motivated To Paint<br />
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I always find myself chuckling a bit when someone, either a fellow artist, or a "civilian" (all non-creatives), asks me if I find it difficult to stay motivated to paint and produce large quantities of work. I follow with an admission of sorts: "I can't get myself to <i>stop!!! </i>I don't do anything BUT paint! You should see the state of my house." As an aside, my sadly neglected house is why I don't have dinner parties anymore. That and the fact my cooking's not so much. But I get this question a lot. How do I "make" myself paint every day? What if I'm not in the <i>mood </i>they ask, as if motivation comes before action. I have come to realize I have developed an important and vital skill: discipline.</div>
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I feel very gratified when fellow artists remark they really admire my strong work ethic, which is grounded in a deep desire to improve. Alternately, there's more than a few civilians out there that see me as a cautionary tale. As in: <i>Look at that poor thing toiling away. Someone stop her and put her out of her misery! </i>Well. Anyway. Putting aside the whole debate as to whether it's worth it (it is), how do I stay motivated? How did I grow this discipline to stay on task, and treat my work with the respect and dedication it deserves? </div>
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First, let me be clear: I didn't start from day one being as regimented and putting in the hours I do today. In the early days, I'd find myself getting kind of fatigued after about hour or two of slapping around paint. And painting a couple of hours a few days a week was not getting me anywhere much in the quality of my work. </div>
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So I dug deep and tried to figure out how to keep myself on task. As one approaches any project, I needed a plan. So that's what I did. I made a PLAN. This plan included setting clear and concrete goals. My goal was (and is) to become a skilled and beautiful painter. And like it or not, that was going to involve hours of practice. Later, I discovered those practice hours eventually morphed into hours of painting for actual SHOWS). This was a real<i> "</i>ah ha!" moment: Hard Work + Discipline = Reward!</div>
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This is what I discovered helped me stay on the job. And I continue to use these strategies on a daily basis.</div>
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<b>HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED TO PAINT</b></div>
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1. Time block <i>in writing</i>. So important. When I write down: <i>10 am to 12 pm work on large scale phone, </i>I find myself so much more likely to do just that. I usually write out a week's plan in pencil as everything shifts a bit. A particular painting may get finished ahead of time...actually that never happens. They all take longer. But new projects do enter the scene unexpectedly and so on.</div>
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2. Work on several paintings at a time, so as to not get bored with any particular project.</div>
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3. Take hourly breaks for ten minutes or so. (I literally time myself)</div>
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4. Take an hour lunch. Clearly define a time for it so you know it's coming: <i>I get to stop at noon.</i></div>
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5. Alternate your background noise. If I find myself feeling <i>get me outta here</i>, I change what I'm listening to in the background. If I've been listening to NPR, I switch to classical music or some jazz. And after a bit of that, I switch to easy rock - Elton John, James Taylor, etc.). I strongly encourage you to try this. It's like magic.<br />
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6. Organize your work space. When I start to get particularly stir crazy, I stop painting and switch to cleaning and organizing my studio and work space. Also extremely effective. A tidy space is very uplifting to your spirit.</div>
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7. Seek inspiration. Go through artist magazines, Instagram or Pinterest and get motivated by others work. I usually do this first thing in the morning.<br />
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8. Use some creative self talk. Sometimes when I want to quit, I say to myself: <i>okay, just work on this one section for another half hour. </i>Then a half hour goes by and that feeling has passed. I might even get in a couple more hours past that first half hour.</div>
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9. Buy a new brush or tool so you feel fancy and fresh.</div>
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10. Do not paint in your pajamas. It's just depressing.</div>
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Most importantly, understand, accept and embrace that you grow discipline like a muscle. Push yourself just a little bit every day and you will build strength at staying on task. Or think of it like brushing your teeth. You're not in the "mood" to brush your teeth, you just do it so your teeth won't fall out. Don't dwell on the drudgery, just DO IT. Keep your eyes on the prize: putting solid hours in really will lead you to becoming a skilled and beautiful painter!</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-70594608766100882762016-12-03T07:12:00.000-08:002016-12-03T07:12:53.681-08:00Step by Step: Deconstructing an Oil Painting From Start to Finish<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Losing It Two</i>, Deconstructed</span></b></h2>
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I've been asked many times how I go about painting my gumball machines. It's a process that isn't easily described at an opening! I keep telling people I'll get back to them in a blog post. So now that I <i>finally </i>remembered to take pictures of my work from the beginning of my process to the end, I can share the details of how I go about creating one of these detailed paintings. </div>
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<b>NOTE:</b> I apologize, I could not find my photo reference for this piece. Ugh. But I encourage you to use a good quality camera and take as many photos as you need, experimenting with lighting and composition. Compare one photo to the next. Which one reads better? I try to use <b>indirect, natural lighting </b>whenever possible, including for this piece. My trusty Nikon D7100 always brings the goods. If space allows, in addition to your photo reference, set up the still life in your studio so you can refer to it when you work on areas that are unclear or confusing. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MATERIALS</span></b></h4>
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<b>Paint Brands:</b> Windsor Newton, Williamsburg, and Old Holland </div>
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<b>Specific Colors:</b> Oh my gosh, so many! My list of colors includes: cadmium red, yellow and orange. Burnt umber, cobalt blue, ultra marine blue, titanium white, alizarin crimson, sap green, ivory black, payne's gray. Bright red, cobalt violet. For glazing: alizarin crimson, sap green, indian yellow, transparent red ochre. </div>
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<b>Brushes: </b>Utrecht: variety of filberts, sizes. My current favorite: The Utrecht Tuscan Series 206. For the smallest detailed areas including lettering: cheap detail brushes from the craft store. They don't last long, but do the job for those tiny details.<br />
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<b>Medium:</b> 50/50 Mixture of Gamlin's Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits and M. Graham Walnut Oil</div>
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<b>Support: </b>Fredrix Blue Label (Extra Smooth) Stretched Canvas<br />
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<b>Varnish: </b>Gamblin's Gamvar Varnish</div>
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<b>STEP ONE</b></h2>
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<b>Step One: </b>Detailed Drawing in Pencil. <b>NOTE:</b> When I am satisfied with the accuracy of my drawing, I go over the penciled sketch with an eraser, lightly. I leave a readable, ghost of the drawing of the future painting. Because nearly all of the lead has been removed from the surface, there is no smudging of the pencil when I apply the paint. I know many artists who spray their sketch with fixative, and then on top of that a reworkable varnish. This strategy also works great, but I make every attempt to use as few harmful chemicals as possible.</div>
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<b>STEP TWO</b></h2>
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<b>Step Two:</b> I create an underpainting using burnt umber and titanium white. In the darkest areas, I add ultramarine blue to the burnt umber. I am trying to establish strong value contrasts at this stage. Having said that, I want my values to be limited (which will help create that strong contrast). My goal is limiting the underpainting to three values. What I actually deliver is about five - I try to always aim higher than what I can do.<br />
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During this stage I am also stopping often to check that my drawing is accurate. <b>Methods to check accuracy: </b>Stepping back often, viewing my work in a mirror, and taking pictures of the work with my phone. All of these methods help me spot inaccuracies.</div>
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<b>STEP THREE</b></h2>
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<b>Step Three:</b> Laying in the color on top of the underpainting. Fun!</div>
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As I mix my paint, I am paying attention to value, hue and chroma. Because I have established a blueprint for my values, I am much more likely to nail those values with accuracy. During this stage, I continue to make sure my drawing hasn't lost its accuracy. Remember, a stroke doesn't always land where you intend. Stand back and make sure you're on track.</div>
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<b>STEP FOUR</b></h2>
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<b>Step Four:</b> Continue to apply the overprinting. Laying in the background is an important, early step.</div>
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<b>STEP FIVE</b></h2>
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<b> Step Five:</b> Continue to apply overpainting. I continue to refine shapes, check my drawing and make necessary corrections. I step away constantly and take breaks from my painting so I can regain my perspective. Letting the layers dry is very important. I use a lot of glazing and scumbling, and a dry surface is a must.<br />
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<b>STEP SIX</b></h2>
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<b>Step Six: </b>Finished! Before I apply <b>Gamblin's Gamvar Varnish</b> I make sure the painting is definitely, absolutely dry to the touch, and then add a few days after that.<br />
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<b>STEP SEVEN</b></h2>
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<b>Step Seven: </b>Framing. Ugh. Again, I did not take a picture of my work framed before I delivered it to the collector. But here is a close up of the frame I used. I wait a few days after varnishing my work before I have it framed, just to be extra careful. Many artists do their own framing, but I have come to realize creating frames is just not in my wheelhouse. I have an amazing framer, Jennifer Helner who I can always count on to make my work look great. Jennifer resides in Grand Rapids, but regularly takes on clients in the Detroit Metro area. </div>
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Links to Painting Materials I Use</h3>
<a href="https://www.gamblincolors.com/">Gamblin Products </a><br />
<a href="http://mgraham.com/">M. Graham Walnut Oil</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/fredrix-blue-label-cotton-canvas/?clickTracking=true&wmcp=pla&wmcid=items&wmckw=07105-1023&gclid=CjwKEAiA94nCBRDxismumrL83icSJAAeeETQainX3gimKc7CkzV4dDAgepVEHsBSD7fyGJuPZLEumhoC6Ufw_wcB">Fredrix Extra Smooth Stretched Canvas</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/utrecht-tuscan-synthetic-filbert/?clickTracking=true&wmcp=pla&wmcid=items&wmckw=04614-2104&gclid=CjwKEAiA94nCBRDxismumrL83icSJAAeeETQnOt0d35wzz5OiIuREM8E23ePrrJnJLLZA-Xxuzn-sBoClJ7w_wcB">Utrecht Tuscan Synthetics</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/gamblin-gamvar-varnish/">Gamvar Varnish</a></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-87080774468954593002016-02-25T11:32:00.000-08:002016-02-26T08:45:25.624-08:00Improve Your Painting With A Self-Styled Study Course<b>Make A Plan, Time Block and Then Do It!</b><br />
Every artist I know has a deep desire to get better at their craft. In fact, that desire for improvement often serves as the inspiration for that next piece. <i>I'm going to just kill it this time</i>, is a refrain that often goes through my head as I lay in that first pass. But sometimes what happens is that the new piece - and the one after that - doesn't show much growth. And while the pieces we're churning out may be solid and of high quality, we want to take our work to the<i> next level</i>.<br />
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Whether I like it or not, a good old "back to the basics" regimen of study and practice sessions bring new levels of skill. I've talked before about cleaning your studio, etc. to bring about better painting. But sometimes organizing or listening to different music while you work just isn't enough to bring about better paintings. Oil painting - any art - requires life long study and practice.<br />
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The best way to approach the goal of self-study is be <b>organized and specific</b>.You have to take the time to make a plan of attack. If I were to breakdown my process, it would look something like this:<br />
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<b>1. Make A List</b><br />
First, I get out a piece of paper and pencil (stepping away from the computer and actually using a writing utensil seems to bring about a higher level of thought for me for some reason). I make the heading:<b> 2016 Self-Styled Study Course.</b> I feel quite official doing that. I jot down maybe five "commitment" activities. After some personal history with doing this, I try not to be overly optimistic. I want my study program to be solid, but realistic in terms of scale and time requirements. For example:<br />
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1. Study Andrew Loomis's <i>Figure Drawing For All It's Worth. </i>With two workshops coming up involving the figure, I want to be as prepared as possible.<br />
2. Study Andrew Loomis's <i>Creative Illustration</i> (I really want to understand the intricacies of composition and this book came highly recommended).<br />
3. Research and sign up for one to two workshops during the next year.<br />
4. Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts twice in the next month.<br />
5. Make one random sketch per day while I'm watching tv, in the car - as a passenger - or in a restaurant.<br />
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<b>2. Time Block</b><br />
Ladies and gentlemen, your list of all the things you're going to do will not happen without designating a specific period of time you're going to do them. You'll end up saying, Y<i>eah, I'm going to get to that book as soon as I've finished this painting, the laundry, and the dogs have been walked...oops! Where did my day go again?! </i> Don't wait for a convenient time. Pick a start and finish time, and treat it like a paid time commitment.<br />
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For my current Self-Styled Study Course, I've designated 8 am to 9am to read the Loomis texts. I chose that time because usually I'm just messing around on the computer anyway during the early morning hours. I've also written in two dates on my calendars to visit the DIA - coordinating it with my out-of-home studio time which happens to be just a few minutes from the museum. If I end up being in the neighborhood before that date - fine. I'll be ahead of the game.<br />
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3. <b>Tell A Few People</b><br />
There's nothing like accountability to help you live up to your plans. Ask your friends to try and remember to ask you about your progress.<br />
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<b>4. A Few Words About Workshops</b><br />
I cannot say enough about what a great investment it is to take a quality workshop from the multitude that are available out there. Of course, it's much more convenient and less costly if the workshop is near your hometown, but if there's a dream artist you'd love to work with - go for it! I once traveled 14 hours to attend a David Gray workshop and it was worth every penny and minute spent driving (listening to books on tape the whole time).<br />
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It's a very bonding experience to be with like-minded people who share the same goals and dreams. Best of all, it's incredibly thrilling to learn from an artist whose work you have admired for years. This year, I've settled on Casey Childs's workshop in April (traveling about 8 hours to Virgina) and Alyssa Monks' s held very near my home in Michigan in September. I sent my deposits and registration forms in for both workshops and I can't wait!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JH1Nz-cW1E/Vs9OyUihZ1I/AAAAAAAAA58/OcZv4qYTkPk/s1600/DSC_5986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9JH1Nz-cW1E/Vs9OyUihZ1I/AAAAAAAAA58/OcZv4qYTkPk/s400/DSC_5986.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loomis's Texts I'm Studying - I'm actually reading them and doing the exercises!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am still painting!</span></b> </div>
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work in progress, sneak peek:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHx2LAc4Rns/Vs9OzP_G_-I/AAAAAAAAA6A/HiThWRMsT08/s1600/DSC_5980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHx2LAc4Rns/Vs9OzP_G_-I/AAAAAAAAA6A/HiThWRMsT08/s640/DSC_5980.jpg" width="417" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pinned, </i>work in progress - approximately 24x36 Just thought I'd share.<br />
I'll post the final version soon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> To be clear, I'm not suggesting you stop your regular painting altogether. You may have a show to prepare for, a class to teach or commissions to finish. But a yearly Self-Styled Study Course really can bring your work to that next level. Let me know if you do and what types of activities you come up with. I'd really like to hear! Email me at amyfell@umich.edu or post a comment.</span></div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-21340150606660276092015-12-15T06:54:00.002-08:002015-12-15T06:54:45.585-08:00Getting Back Into The Swing Of Things: Think Small<h2>
<b>Fishing for Inspiration</b></h2>
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After completing over 20 paintings for my solo show in September, I was one tired painter. I needed to get into the painting groove again, so I tried an old trick: paint something small and fun! I can't even remember how it came to me, but fishing lures seemed to be a fast and easy project. Ok, so they ended up being not so easy or fast - but isn't that the way it always is? The lures were definitely a challenge, but a good one. I quickly became obsessed.</div>
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Fishing lures come in an endless variety, and yes, they were so much fun to paint. Full of color (and you know how I love color) and easy to frame as painted them on oil-primed boards. They're on display at the Ann Arbor Art Center now until January 10. <a href="http://www.annarborartcenter.org/exhibitions/artoffthewall-2015/">www.annarborartcenter.org/exhibitions/artoffthewall-2015/</a></div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-66838864039337516002015-12-06T14:10:00.000-08:002015-12-12T04:50:37.053-08:00Bucket List: Solo Show, Check!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Post Show Reflections</h2>
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I did it! The opening of <i>A Closer Look </i>at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center was September 11, 2015 - almost three months ago - and I still can't believe I pulled it off. That was a lot of planning, painting and panting. Walking into the gallery for the first time and seeing all my work hung on the walls was one scary, thrilling, surreal, and stunning moment. Relief set in. I had actually delivered what I promised: I filled an entire gallery with a solid collection of my best work. Better still was receiving enthusiastic feedback from gallery guests, and not just from my mom! I am grateful to those artists who took the time to email or call me to congratulate me and offer me their praise and positive feedback. It meant everything to me.</div>
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So, what would I do differently? As far as the work itself, I can say without hesitation I produced the best work I was capable of at this stage of my journey. And how can one do better than ones best? But there were plenty of promotional and logistical moments I wish I could do over.</div>
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<b>Plan Your Postcards Early!</b><br />
For starters, I would have planned my postcards much earlier and researched how to produce them. Many galleries take care of the promotional materials for the artist, but if you are doing it yourself, please plan ahead. I started only a few weeks before the show and rushed like mad to get them out. The quality of my imagery for my postcards would have been dramatically better if I had known about using CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) instead of RGB (red, green, blue) when printing cards. I couldn't have switched over to the CMYK version myself as I don't currently have Photoshop, but I have friends who would have happily made the adjustment for me. My postcards looked <i>okay, </i>but definitely not great<b> </b>because of the imagery.<br />
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<b>Are The Labels on The Art Right? Do You Have an Artist Statement Displayed?</b><br />
Moving on. I would have visited the show when the art was labeled to make sure the names and prices were correctly displayed. It was opening night when I discovered some four pieces had incorrect prices. Mistakes happen - no hard feelings. And shame on me for not getting myself out there to proof everything.<br />
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I also would have offered to pay/order a nice name graphic of the show name, along with my name displayed on the wall. I would have had my artist statement printed out as well. Next time.<br />
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<b>Post Show Let Down.</b><br />
A seasoned mentor warned me that one experiences a "let down" after the opening, and I can confirm this is true. Preparing for a show of this scale is an enormous undertaking, and there were plenty of twelve hour days. When you're running on that level of adrenaline, it's almost like a "high." And then, cold-turkey, you STOP. It's the most unsettling feeling. I felt without a specific purpose. I knew that painting again was my only cure, but it was hard to start a new work. Where the heck did my drive and determination go? It's taken a while for me to feel like myself again. But I'm almost there! I'm even tossing ideas around in my head for my next show. It'll be spectacular!<br />
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Especially the postcards. </div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-13992462510986495032015-09-04T05:18:00.000-07:002015-09-04T05:18:07.758-07:00IT'S SHOW TIME!!!<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">A CLOSER LOOK</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Oil Paintings by Amy Fell</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1516 South Cranbrook Road</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Birmingham, MI 48009</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BBArtCenter.org</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">September 11-November 12, 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Reception: September 11, 6-8p</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bbartcenter.org/">http://bbartcenter.org</a></span><br />
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My first major solo show is only a week away. Yikes! The venue is the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center where I have studied under very accomplished artists for the past seven years. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I still can't believe it's happening!<br />
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I have learned so much about preparing for a show. I can't wait to share what I would have done differently, what I'm glad I did, and how it all turned out. There needs to be a seminar on how to tackle this kind of task! I've said it before: painting is <i>not</i> for sissies.<br />
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Wish me luck!<br />
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Here's a sneak peek:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1CNCcPsqNfs/VemDyELoKRI/AAAAAAAAAvY/I5fmTk-ZpwE/s1600/DSC_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1CNCcPsqNfs/VemDyELoKRI/AAAAAAAAAvY/I5fmTk-ZpwE/s400/DSC_4031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New York, New York </i>20x20</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_mt39JRfns/VemCQN62E0I/AAAAAAAAAu4/5aR1ne9Mf60/s1600/DSC_3943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_mt39JRfns/VemCQN62E0I/AAAAAAAAAu4/5aR1ne9Mf60/s640/DSC_3943.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>313 </i>48x60</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3y0lT1bkaw/VemDREBgayI/AAAAAAAAAvM/6Hyco4_hsCs/s1600/DSC_4013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3y0lT1bkaw/VemDREBgayI/AAAAAAAAAvM/6Hyco4_hsCs/s400/DSC_4013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ray Man </i>36x24</td></tr>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-69162794946111625222015-07-17T05:34:00.000-07:002015-07-17T05:34:53.247-07:002014-2015 WorkI thought it would be nice to share a review of my collection of work from 2014 to present day. Enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gum Balls In Gold, 36x48</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrzSkYQ9RIg/VajxZEo7v9I/AAAAAAAAAto/qpEyNeDMYMs/s1600/DSC_3681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrzSkYQ9RIg/VajxZEo7v9I/AAAAAAAAAto/qpEyNeDMYMs/s400/DSC_3681.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess, 24x36</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3M3_B8Vs6A/VajvQrwY8XI/AAAAAAAAAsw/b6zVH-eW6Vo/s1600/FellBurford_Amy_A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3M3_B8Vs6A/VajvQrwY8XI/AAAAAAAAAsw/b6zVH-eW6Vo/s640/FellBurford_Amy_A.jpeg" width="505" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relentless, 48x60</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8Ivc4wX3l4/VajuHlyqu9I/AAAAAAAAArY/ZDcTKQcxn9Q/s1600/AFellBurford_HaveABall_36x48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F8Ivc4wX3l4/VajuHlyqu9I/AAAAAAAAArY/ZDcTKQcxn9Q/s400/AFellBurford_HaveABall_36x48.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Big Ball, 36x48</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6M487TzZaJM/VajuPwxasWI/AAAAAAAAArw/-WDipgAxnM0/s1600/ball%2Bjars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6M487TzZaJM/VajuPwxasWI/AAAAAAAAArw/-WDipgAxnM0/s400/ball%2Bjars.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ball Jars, 40x36</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEXYd4g4QfE/VajuMYUkboI/AAAAAAAAArg/Mj4wMBSYq8U/s1600/DSC_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEXYd4g4QfE/VajuMYUkboI/AAAAAAAAArg/Mj4wMBSYq8U/s320/DSC_0239.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Squirt 24x24</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6UMQU1RUiRI/VajuMflz67I/AAAAAAAAArk/PO39ZkdGrFY/s1600/DSC_0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6UMQU1RUiRI/VajuMflz67I/AAAAAAAAArk/PO39ZkdGrFY/s320/DSC_0250.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Squirt 24x24</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQz0Q7b_ERM/VajuSWB8wMI/AAAAAAAAAsA/8KE9UUNPkR0/s1600/image-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQz0Q7b_ERM/VajuSWB8wMI/AAAAAAAAAsA/8KE9UUNPkR0/s320/image-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turquoise Squirt 24x24</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WXwkiF3gOM/VajuUaVkqpI/AAAAAAAAAsM/HUUrAqDDCNA/s1600/DSC_3675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WXwkiF3gOM/VajuUaVkqpI/AAAAAAAAAsM/HUUrAqDDCNA/s400/DSC_3675.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray, 24x36</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dVMZXYi0U4/VajuUHXuYvI/AAAAAAAAAsI/jRyu3N8QWOo/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dVMZXYi0U4/VajuUHXuYvI/AAAAAAAAAsI/jRyu3N8QWOo/s400/shoes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Shoes, 40x36</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0D4osMANeU/Vaju2pfF27I/AAAAAAAAAsY/QOh5Ol1RQCc/s1600/AFellBurford_LED_30x48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0D4osMANeU/Vaju2pfF27I/AAAAAAAAAsY/QOh5Ol1RQCc/s400/AFellBurford_LED_30x48.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LED, 30x46</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLFkpiEefVg/VajwUlhqI2I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/1u-1MtJUOZI/s1600/DSC_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BLFkpiEefVg/VajwUlhqI2I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/1u-1MtJUOZI/s320/DSC_0906.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luden's 40x36</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cG44yThVo8/VajwSaIFmpI/AAAAAAAAAtE/s2VKew_1hYM/s1600/DSC_0938_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3cG44yThVo8/VajwSaIFmpI/AAAAAAAAAtE/s2VKew_1hYM/s320/DSC_0938_2.JPG" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for Service, 36x36</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x97tZMad0H0/Vaju4j3XmsI/AAAAAAAAAsg/qgInBcneZSY/s1600/DSC_1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x97tZMad0H0/Vaju4j3XmsI/AAAAAAAAAsg/qgInBcneZSY/s400/DSC_1758.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Losing It, 24x36</td></tr>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-65649875499064731792015-02-16T09:13:00.000-08:002015-02-16T09:17:00.466-08:00New Discoveries February 2015<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I love new discoveries! Anything that makes the painting process easier, less painful, or best of all: results in a more beautifully constructed finished piece, is just cause for a celebration. And who wants to celebrate alone? I'm here to share. Without further delay, here they are.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">HOW TO AVOID DRY SPOTS ON PAINTINGS WHEN VARNISHING </span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I'm sure many of you have experienced this annoying phenomena: you lovingly and carefully varnish your painting. You </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">spend a day or so feeling pride and accomplishment - wow a coat of varnish brings your work to a whole new level of beauty. But a day or so later, you notice several annoying dry spots in areas that make your beautiful varnishing job not so nice. Much to your chagrin, you discover these spots persist even after adding a second, or even third, coat. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">After years of research, I finally think I've cracked the code to this mystery, and I'd like to thank Sadie Valeri, and Gamblin Studio Notes for helping me out (all information gleaned from their fabulous blogs referenced below). The answer: you need to prepare the surface BEFORE the varnish goes </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>on. The method, "oiling out,"is relatively easy and results in a beautifully even surface. </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oiling Out Method</span></b></span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBlOG2RoWR4/VOIfmyAlJEI/AAAAAAAAAnk/NInTkZzJ9sE/s1600/DSC_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBlOG2RoWR4/VOIfmyAlJEI/AAAAAAAAAnk/NInTkZzJ9sE/s1600/DSC_1310.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Tools: </b></span></span><br />
- Galkyd Painting Medium<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- Small, shallow bowl or cup to mix and later dip into</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- Brush, sponge brush or makeup wedge to apply mixture</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- Lint free rag</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">- Gamvar Varnish </span></span><br />
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<b>Directions:</b></div>
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<b>1. </b>Mix up a 50/50 Galkyd Painting Medium and Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits in small cup/bowl.<br />
2. Apply mixture, using sponge or other applicator you find effective, to a dry painting. I cover the entire painting with this mixture.<br />
3. Let dry a few minutes.<br />
4. Take a lint-free cloth and wipe it off - although not entirely.<br />
5. Proceed with varnishing (my favorite: Gamvar). </div>
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Oiling Out is also <i>extremely</i> effective when you go to work on an unfinished painting that has dried out in areas, which makes it difficult to "read" and doesn't seem to take additional paint layers very well. Apply this mixture only in areas you plan on working on. Don't just apply it and let it dry on top. Please note, that I've described<b> t</b>he method I use, but do visit Valeri and Gamblin Studio's blog for more detailed options. </div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">BEST PAPER TOWEL EVER - SCOTT "SHOP" TOWELS</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-OK-7tyYIc/VOIfnJotI0I/AAAAAAAAAno/apyAMxP7JB4/s1600/DSC_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-OK-7tyYIc/VOIfnJotI0I/AAAAAAAAAno/apyAMxP7JB4/s1600/DSC_1309.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a>I'm so sorry, Viva, but Scott has bested you in the competition for the oil painter's most trusty paper towel. This is the nearest to cloth I've found, and as an added bonus, is cheaper than Viva! Although Target and your grocery store doesn't seem to carry Scott Shop, it is available at hardware stores, and even better, COSTCO. I highly recommend. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>HOW TO STOP YOURSELF FROM OVERWORKING A PAINTING</b></span></div>
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Lord, I thought I'd never stop this horrible obsession-driven tendency. I have dozens of overworked, got the life blood sucked right out of them, pieces (some quite large!) that make me feel awful. They're all stored in a sad closet, much like the land of misfit toys that will never see the light of day. I keep thinking I might be able to use them for, what, I'm not sure.<br />
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Just when I thought I'd never ever stop this cycle, I finally kicked the habit. I am happy to report I haven't added any to the sad collection in quite some time. Understanding what drove me to work and noodle past the point of effectiveness led me to an easy solution. The reason I kept working on paintings I darn well knew I needed a break from:<br />
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<i><b>I DIDN'T WANT TO STOP PAINTING.</b></i><br />
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Well, no shocker there. If I stopped painting I'd have to clean the house, or face some other mundane boring task. So I came up with a pretty obvious solution: working on several paintings at once. Having a couple of works going at the same time allows me to step away from one when I need to, but still be able work on another piece that is fresh to my eye and mind. Therefore: I can keep PAINTING!!! Interestingly, I've discovered that if I'm not working on at least five paintings concurrently I find myself getting into trouble.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>BEST BLOGS FOR PAINTING</b></span><br />
Trust me, if you're not visiting these blogs, you're missing out on so much. I am extremely grateful for the information these artists share. If you read, watch their tutorials, I guarantee you will receive an expensive workshop's worth of information.<br />
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<b>David Gray</b> <a href="http://dgpaints.org/">http://dgpaints.org/</a> David Gray also has a post discussing "oiling out" as it relates to working on paintings in progress, using a mixture of 50/50 Gamsol & Walnut Oil that is very helpful.<br />
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<b>Sadie Valeri </b>(where I culled a lot of info regarding varnishing) <a href="http://www.sadievaleri.com/">http://www.sadievaleri.com/</a><br />
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<b>Gamblin Studio Notes</b> <a href="http://www.gamblincolors.com/newsletters/">http://www.gamblincolors.com/newsletters/</a><br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-35553695851346218782015-01-20T07:07:00.003-08:002015-07-09T07:16:19.708-07:00Ready, Set, Paint! Latest WorkAnd I thought learning to paint was daunting! I've discovered preparing for shows offers a whole new set of challenges to conquer. Especially when opportunity decides to knock at several doors at once. You need to answer each one, willing and ready to deliver your best efforts. Here's a selection from the body of work I've completed in the eight months or so. These are all rather large scale pieces and required lots of planning and hours and hours of labor.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7iYwtECvr-g/VZ6BkEWV0_I/AAAAAAAAAqg/To0HBQWn5tc/s1600/Fell-Burford_Amy_B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7iYwtECvr-g/VZ6BkEWV0_I/AAAAAAAAAqg/To0HBQWn5tc/s400/Fell-Burford_Amy_B.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ball Jars, 40 x 36</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REHyRu6aR1A/VL5qJh0WXxI/AAAAAAAAAmU/SDeGGQULovo/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REHyRu6aR1A/VL5qJh0WXxI/AAAAAAAAAmU/SDeGGQULovo/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turquoise Squirt 24x24</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz-yd1FpAmM/VL5qIsH7F4I/AAAAAAAAAmI/jaFgdxFWrHQ/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz-yd1FpAmM/VL5qIsH7F4I/AAAAAAAAAmI/jaFgdxFWrHQ/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Squirt 24x24</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIUlrL7ynVA/VL5qI-kaF5I/AAAAAAAAAmM/dn_V5M-CfO4/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIUlrL7ynVA/VL5qI-kaF5I/AAAAAAAAAmM/dn_V5M-CfO4/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Squirt 24x24</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWYqPLmCJUs/VL5uaC9p9DI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/_WwSzaVcr0I/s1600/DSC_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWYqPLmCJUs/VL5uaC9p9DI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/_WwSzaVcr0I/s1600/DSC_0791.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Shoes 40x36</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Af8vGuIc7IY/VL5qREU1MgI/AAAAAAAAAmg/0msiiDb7IPw/s1600/DSC_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Af8vGuIc7IY/VL5qREU1MgI/AAAAAAAAAmg/0msiiDb7IPw/s1600/DSC_0813.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swirls 30x46</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sl5YtgAZPxA/VL5rdb827BI/AAAAAAAAAm8/K6defsIyWuQ/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sl5YtgAZPxA/VL5rdb827BI/AAAAAAAAAm8/K6defsIyWuQ/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for Service 36x36</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4Yb4kL5u0/VL5rcc-3H8I/AAAAAAAAAm0/P0Qvk3x449s/s1600/DSC_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4Yb4kL5u0/VL5rcc-3H8I/AAAAAAAAAm0/P0Qvk3x449s/s1600/DSC_0812.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ludens, 40x36</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNuzepDqMJ0/VL5rLgKpaHI/AAAAAAAAAms/Dhr5v-yaelw/s1600/DSC_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNuzepDqMJ0/VL5rLgKpaHI/AAAAAAAAAms/Dhr5v-yaelw/s1600/DSC_0816.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Apple a Day 40x36</td></tr>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-16148181127332097672014-08-31T08:23:00.000-07:002014-08-31T08:31:43.664-07:00Thank you Ira Glass!A nearly constant narrative in my head nags and pokes at me, telling me my work is not where it should be. I finish a painting and think:<i> Wow. Really? That is not what I visualized at all</i>. Sometimes I can field the negativity with a hearty <i>Yeah, I know, but it's a PROCESS.</i> Other times, I find myself pretty darn demoralized. I look at my paintings and worry and fret. I started my study of painting late - like <i>really </i>late - in life, so it's a little daunting to think I will have to maintain my patience and persistence for an indeterminable amount of time before I get to where I want to be. Will I even have my teeth by the time I feel my work is something I can and should be proud of?<br />
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Some months back I was in a particularly bad funk. I tend to overwork paintings to get them "right" and in the process squeeze a lot of the lifeblood out of them, resulting in highly disappointing paintings. Which translates into a waste of time, along with costly paint and canvas. Right around June I had gotten into a really bad cycle. Painting after painting was just:<i> ugh</i>. I kept thinking, I could spend my time more productively doing basically anything, ANYTHING else. Even staring out the window would be better since I wouldn't be wasting money on costly art supplies.<br />
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One day my demoralization hit a fevered pitch. I was on facebook torturing myself by looking at posts from fellow artists whose level of skill was truly worth the time and effort. <i>Now there's quality, </i>I mumbled as I scrolled through image after brilliant image. Right then a message in my inbox from my sister popped up. In my catatonic state I was almost too weary to clink the link she had sent me. But thank God I did, because the web posting she sent was so pitch perfect to my current state of mind, it could be defined only in terms of divine intervention.<br />
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The link led to some generous and solid advice for the struggling artist of all genres given by Ira Glass, host of NPR's <i>This American Life. </i>(As an aside, <i>This American Life </i>is one of my very top favorite shows to listen to while working.) <i> </i>The piece discussed the moment in time when you're feeling just not good enough, and how crucial it is to keep going anyway. Glass asserts that it's precisely at that moment you feel you're doomed that you need to<i> increase</i> your output. As I listened, I was buoyed and heartened - well for me, anyway. I went from feeling like a fool and a failure to: <i>maybe I shouldn't quit after all! </i>The take away for me was you have to produce as much as you can just when you feel as if it's all for naught.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"></span>I highly encourage you to take a moment and listen to what Glass has to say. Even if you're on a good roll.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mobiledia.com/news/188186.html">If You’re Not Good Enough, Just Do This One Thing Over and Over and Over… and Over Again. </a><br />
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Thank you, Ira! You truly made a difference in my life!<br />
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-86774642131528442372014-05-15T05:53:00.001-07:002014-05-15T06:11:52.239-07:00Amy Fell Website<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">To view more of my paintings click the link below:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.amyfellart.com/">www.amyfellart.com</a></u></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Great Big Kiss, 20x20</i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.amyfellart.com/">Amy Fell - Paintings Celebrating Color and Life</a></b></span></div>
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<b>LATEST WORK</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Losing It (detail), </i>24x36<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Undressed, </i>15x30</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="http://www.amyfellart.com/">www.amyfellart.com</a></u></span>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-21945759199619866022014-03-22T13:43:00.000-07:002014-04-01T05:02:05.662-07:00My Favorite Art Magazines<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6685534801603457664" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6685534801603457664" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6685534801603457664" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Before discussing favorite magazines, I obviously have to give a shout out to the internet. As a self-directed student of the art, I feel enormously lucky to have the web at my disposal for a seemingly endless supply of researching and learning resources about oil painting. The number of websites, youtube tutorials, blogs, and social media portals such as facebook, twitter, and instagram gives someone like me access to ideas, knowledge and resources that would have been impossible or extremely difficult to access say, twenty years ago. If you want to take advantage of these resources, they're nothing more than a click away. So click away!<br />
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Having giving due credit to online learning, I still love and deeply appreciate a well published art magazine. I will <i>never</i> tire of leafing through a newly purchased or fresh in the mailbox art journal. I find it difficult to dispose any of them, so my library boasts quite a large collection. I don't understand how anyone serious about their study doesn't purchase a few of the gems available out there at least once in a while. For one thing, a painter gets to see which contemporary artists the power brokers in art world deem worthy for their attention. Not to mention you get to tear out favorite images and stick them in organized folders titled: Portraits, Paintings to Copy (as an exercise!), Urbanscape - and so on.<br />
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The following are the magazines I easily find worthy to include in my education budget.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>international artistwww.americanartcollector.com/</i></b></span><br />
<a href="https://www.internationalartist.com/%E2%80%8E">https://www.internationalartist.com/</a><br />
<i><b>International Artist</b> </i>offers so much to its readers I could devote an entire blog entry to this magazine alone.The $7.95 price is such a bargain for what you get in each issue. I especially appreciate the step by step breakdown of featured artists (fabulous photos included with the description of each step). Of course there are competitions to enter along with articles exploring technique, inspiration, etc. from the viewpoint of a variety of countries including the USA, Canada, and the UK.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Artist's Magazine </i></b></span><br />
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Likewise, <i><b>The Artist's Magazine </b></i>also offers a lot of helpful feature and columns a painter would appreciate. Articles range from technique to the business end of art along with practical advice regarding framing and so on. Definitely worth the $5.99 price.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAN art COLLECTOR</b></span></i><br />
<a href="http://www.americanartcollector.com/%E2%80%8E">www.americanartcollector.com/</a><br />
<i><b>American Art Collector </b></i>is aimed at collectors, galleries and painters of "traditional" art. But don't assume traditional in a boring, old fashioned sense. The artists they include are contemporary and anything but staid or irrelevant. It is full of page after page of amazing art. If I need a little inspiration (otherwise known as What Do I Paint Panic????!), <i><b>American Art Collector </b></i>is one of my top resources for inspiration. Its focus is presenting the art itself, rather than a lot of advice on technique, but that's okay. You simply can't get enough inspiring imagery and <i><b>AAC </b></i>offers a monthly supply to its readers. Love it. $6.95Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-1085373158252022802013-12-09T11:09:00.003-08:002014-03-22T06:07:37.231-07:00More DiscoveriesIt's time to talk about new discoveries, my favorite blogging topic. I'm happy to share some of my latest finds & strategies for the painting process. Hope they help!<br />
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<b>1. Painting Surface </b><br />
After a long search, I've FINALLY found several painting surfaces that I seem to get along with. Ever since I began painting, most of the time I felt as if I were fighting against the surface. I'm sure it had everything to do with the fact I wasn't buying very good quality. This past year I decided hmm, maybe I would get better results if I chose better canvases. As an aside, because I'm working on better quality (costly) surfaces I tend to spend much more time in the planning stages before I commit brush to canvas. I guess I should've been doing that all along :)<br />
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These are the surfaces I'm loving:<br />
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<b>Raphael Premium Archival Oil Primed Linen Panels.</b><br />
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<i>Passages,</i> Oil, 16 x 20 Raphael Archival Oil Primed Linen Panel</div>
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Holy Cow I'm impressed with these panels. I like to blend, as well as scumble and glaze, and the surface of these panels is just a dream to employ these kind of techniques. Panels, as opposed to stretched, are nice to use as the issue of bounce is completely nonexistent. At 3/8" thickness, the panels are easy to frame, especially if you select standard sizes to work on.<br />
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<b>Centurion OP DLX Oil Primed </b><br />
The Centurion Oil Primed Linen boards are also very nice to work on. They seem to have more of a texture than the Raphael. These boards receive thick applications of paint nicely, although you can still achieve fine detail if desired.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Morning Ride</i>, Oil, 9 x 12 Centurion Linen Panel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pin Cushion</i>, 4 x 6 </td></tr>
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<b>2. Make-up wedges for paint application. Huh? </b>Yup, sometimes I use these little guys to smooth large areas of paint I've applied with a brush if I need a really smooth finish. They also are very handy when applying varnish. I keep a bag handy ALWAYS.<br />
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In the painting below, I used makeup wedges for the achieving a super smooth, blended background and the area below the shelf top. Sometimes you want a textured effect, but sometimes you want it smooth and void of brush strokes. Makeup sponges can be the answer, and a cheap one at that.</div>
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<b>3. Viridian Green </b>Viridian Green cools skin tone mixtures beautifully. I could do a commercial for Viridian Green - definitely have a tube (and you don't need to use much) when mixing your skin mixtures.</div>
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<b>4. Payne's Gray</b> I love Payne's gray! It is a very translucent, almost blue black. Great for gray colored eyes, or glazing. I really like adding alizarin crimson to this for dark backgrounds to achieve a rich but still thin background.</div>
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5. <b>A Trusty Notebook</b> <b>Designated for Your Paintings & How You Achieved Them. </b>Oh my gosh, the older I get the more I can't remember anything. Especially that brown I achieved by mixing this that and the other thing. For some time now, every time I begin a painting, I create a log of particular mixtures and other relevant notes. I usually add a little dab of whatever color I've created, put a little plastic wrap over it so it doesn't smear the pages when I close the book. I HIGHLY recommend this practice. Be especially disciplined about noting mixtures of large areas of your paintings (example, the yellow I achieved in the gum ball machine painting above). I had to do a second pass here and there on that yellow area and I can't tell you how easy it was when I just looked up my recipe. As I paint each particular piece, I have the notebook open, pen nearby. I make sure the notebook super easy to get to or I won't take the time to make the notes I should.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-5375703276034609402013-11-09T07:24:00.002-08:002013-12-02T04:34:32.777-08:00Reality Check: What Is Really Involved In Being An "Artist" <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This is A Lot of Work!!!</span></b></div>
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Artists work incredibly hard. Along with many other artists I know, this often means working seven days a week. The tasks involve not just painting, but countless other activities, including: developing concepts for paintings, taking photos, sketching, studying techniques, practicing new techniques, taking classes, attending workshops, reading books, discussing strategies, developing websites and blogs, creating cds of work and filling out applications for shows, delivering work to shows, attending shows (ours & our friends), volunteering for art centers, serving on boards, teaching, lecturing and oh, so much more. What also needs to be included in the workload, is the incredible energy expended picking ourselves up off the floor after a promising work ends up not so successful, and reaching for that brush and saying, "I'll try again." </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8pEyN-jvbc/Un405rjONhI/AAAAAAAAAck/O758sVBj9bw/s1600/DSC_1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8pEyN-jvbc/Un405rjONhI/AAAAAAAAAck/O758sVBj9bw/s320/DSC_1250.jpg" width="253" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79NIlJJVXuM/Un47RnpUVuI/AAAAAAAAAeY/1m-CcI6OgNM/s1600/DSC_1648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79NIlJJVXuM/Un47RnpUVuI/AAAAAAAAAeY/1m-CcI6OgNM/s320/DSC_1648.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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Most artists are deeply committed to making their personal visual contribution to society and there are a myriad of forces that drive our desire to create art. Much of what is fueling the urge comes from the creative spirit that refuses to be ignored. But there's also the undeniable need for attention: <i>listen to me and what I have to say!</i> I often hear artists feel as if they are just plain addicted to creating art, myself included. The reasons for choosing an artist's life may be varied, but the incredible amount of work that it requires to achieve "success" (which can be defined in so many ways) is the same. The process of relentless study, practice, trial and error pieces usually takes <i>years and years. </i>Even more sobering: a lot of talented artists aren't even able to turn a profit from their work. Ever. And yet, we remain committed.<br />
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When talking to non-artist friends, I am slightly bemused when I hear someone believe the painter's life means one just paints a couple paintings now and then. The rest of our time, they seem to assume we just "hang out." Which also leads them to believe we have plenty of time for any number of activities which "working" people don't have time to do. I am relieved to say however, that non-artist friends and relatives have finally stopped dropping by my home during the day (where my studio is). Apparently, my hostile mien, resentment palpable, was effective. Would they just drop by someone's office unannounced? I think not.<br />
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Being a painter means when one painting is finished & framed, you go onto the next one and pray like mad the next one shows improvement. If you have a desire to turn a profit, you must produce a lot of paintings. And if you're not "in the mood" to paint, you need to dang well get yourself in the mood. For some prospective, in this post I'm including a small portion of what I've completed this year. This doesn't include all the year's work, or the duds, but I do think it gives an idea as to the amount I'm talking about. Enjoy, and now I have to get back to work!</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SMALL WORKS CHERRIES/FRUIT</span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjl3tNZCtzw/Un47PGZTyAI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/Z2boD00GYbE/s1600/DSC_1252_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjl3tNZCtzw/Un47PGZTyAI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/Z2boD00GYbE/s200/DSC_1252_2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 x 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKrxs90YV5c/Un47KpVLkvI/AAAAAAAAAdk/Drq0lLX7J6o/s1600/DSC_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKrxs90YV5c/Un47KpVLkvI/AAAAAAAAAdk/Drq0lLX7J6o/s200/DSC_0431.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 x 4</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5veiPJS-MHw/Un47JhzwnmI/AAAAAAAAAdU/17hC6KjA9OA/s1600/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5veiPJS-MHw/Un47JhzwnmI/AAAAAAAAAdU/17hC6KjA9OA/s200/DSC_0428.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 x 4</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx7h8JEb5UQ/Un47JuW7VNI/AAAAAAAAAdY/wGfzIUlJHxo/s1600/DSC_0428_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx7h8JEb5UQ/Un47JuW7VNI/AAAAAAAAAdY/wGfzIUlJHxo/s200/DSC_0428_2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 x 4</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOpIXf4zXLE/Un47Kwldj2I/AAAAAAAAAdo/D4EJIWdhGV4/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOpIXf4zXLE/Un47Kwldj2I/AAAAAAAAAdo/D4EJIWdhGV4/s200/DSC_0429.JPG" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4 x 6</span></td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">TOOTSIES </span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">(4 x 6)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq5YCnGfo6w/Un47M0L3sLI/AAAAAAAAAeA/My5VTtE4_kA/s1600/DSC_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq5YCnGfo6w/Un47M0L3sLI/AAAAAAAAAeA/My5VTtE4_kA/s200/DSC_1252.JPG" width="131" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwQsUaswqwM/Un47Miy_cVI/AAAAAAAAAd8/qACJ1aRXNqw/s1600/DSC_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwQsUaswqwM/Un47Miy_cVI/AAAAAAAAAd8/qACJ1aRXNqw/s200/DSC_0431.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8EDpAJqIBs/Un47L8tXNUI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ze6Es5YH1nQ/s1600/DSC_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8EDpAJqIBs/Un47L8tXNUI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ze6Es5YH1nQ/s200/DSC_1190.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>STILL LIFE</b></span></div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ4ka9oB49c/Un41xC52Q9I/AAAAAAAAAc0/Ya_4wZ6ST0Q/s1600/DSC_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ4ka9oB49c/Un41xC52Q9I/AAAAAAAAAc0/Ya_4wZ6ST0Q/s320/DSC_1487.JPG" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pink Rain Boots (</i>8 x 10)</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CM0FazSTi8/Upx94Uww1xI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Dhnj68yFox8/s1600/DSC_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CM0FazSTi8/Upx94Uww1xI/AAAAAAAAAe8/Dhnj68yFox8/s320/DSC_0465.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Should I? </i>(16 x 20)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>STREET SCENE</b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EsHCuTJ-Fk/Un5U5ZDgzSI/AAAAAAAAAes/eWaoo2WHgJU/s1600/DSC_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EsHCuTJ-Fk/Un5U5ZDgzSI/AAAAAAAAAes/eWaoo2WHgJU/s320/DSC_0336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Timor Waiting </i>(20 x 24)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ANIMAL PORTRAITS</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOWjjdChp9U/Un47Q5UMAyI/AAAAAAAAAeU/b-rUsdXhw9s/s1600/DSC_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOWjjdChp9U/Un47Q5UMAyI/AAAAAAAAAeU/b-rUsdXhw9s/s320/DSC_1238.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> 5 x 7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wAktdxVMow4/Un405FiyjMI/AAAAAAAAAcg/fbwIlTMxo1M/s1600/DSC_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wAktdxVMow4/Un405FiyjMI/AAAAAAAAAcg/fbwIlTMxo1M/s320/DSC_0393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 x 10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">LARGE SCALE</span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQNxJAQBwxk/Un4zt9i1k4I/AAAAAAAAAbc/U-BZX2eco-s/s1600/DSC_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQNxJAQBwxk/Un4zt9i1k4I/AAAAAAAAAbc/U-BZX2eco-s/s320/DSC_0420.JPG" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Pretty In Pink </i>24 x 24</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QptaERVEGlU/Un402Z3x4HI/AAAAAAAAAcM/EKQyg9wtaC8/s1600/DSC_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QptaERVEGlU/Un402Z3x4HI/AAAAAAAAAcM/EKQyg9wtaC8/s320/DSC_1187.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Glazed Doughnut (</i>20 x 20)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35iHcehdBaI/Un401txouQI/AAAAAAAAAcI/QBDA0mXwIug/s1600/DSC_0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35iHcehdBaI/Un401txouQI/AAAAAAAAAcI/QBDA0mXwIug/s320/DSC_0374.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In Or Out? (30 x 40)</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vyi5MChHKI/Un40ybFf4uI/AAAAAAAAAb4/XkowhRr5ss0/s1600/DSC_0378_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vyi5MChHKI/Un40ybFf4uI/AAAAAAAAAb4/XkowhRr5ss0/s320/DSC_0378_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8pEyN-jvbc/Un405rjONhI/AAAAAAAAAcc/_cT4bfMJcKE/s1600/DSC_1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8pEyN-jvbc/Un405rjONhI/AAAAAAAAAcc/_cT4bfMJcKE/s320/DSC_1250.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Relentless</i> (48 x 60)</td></tr>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-22623283027333693252013-09-05T07:58:00.000-07:002013-09-06T11:25:48.487-07:00Who would think settling on a composition would be so challenging?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><i>Problem: I'm inspired to paint, but what the heck should I paint?</i></b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWQyBNl7Qyo/UiiXAa3-CKI/AAAAAAAAAZk/OFaZ4v7ApZg/s1600/B0000099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWQyBNl7Qyo/UiiXAa3-CKI/AAAAAAAAAZk/OFaZ4v7ApZg/s320/B0000099.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could I get a painting out of this sweet scene?</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t
you find the work of accomplished artists amazing and inspiring? And more than
a bit mysterious in terms of how they arrive at the compositions they do? Often
their subjects and arrangements seem so effortless, so simple – yet these
“simple” arrangements produce quite a powerful emotional response us. We soon realize
that what looks so easy is pretty darn tough to pull off when we try to do it
ourselves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Figuring
out what to paint takes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a lot</i> of
study and hard work. This includes: a huge dose of trial and error, copying
other successful works (switching out particulars), sketching and re-sketching ideas,
snapping countless pictures of possible scenes with a camera and altering with
photoshop and did I mention trial and error? Sorry, you thought “what to
paint” was the easy, fun part. Actually, creating good compositions takes as
much study as any other aspect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, it is rare that an instructor will take the time to
discuss this crucial aspect of painting. Curious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Most
of you are beginners at painting, so it may be a good idea to keep it extremely
simple while you’re tackling all the other aspects of the craft. Consider some
of the following ideas to paint when you’re a newbie to oil painting. As your
skill grows, your compositions can evolve into more challenging and complex
arrangements (while making it all look effortless, of course). But for the time
being, let’s choose subjects that will lead to success & confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Some Ideas:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Daily
Painters list a daily challenge</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (</span><a href="http://www.dailypaintworks.com/challenges"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.dailypaintworks.com/challenges</span></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">) I love this site. I find it
extremely helpful for ideas and examples of easy set ups that are fun and
something a newbie can tackle. I especially appreciate reviewing the
submissions of painters who take on the challenges. It’s great to see the
variety of approaches to the subject matter presented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1P2z2jpgsQ/UiibOeWvAGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/525A1yc88rg/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1P2z2jpgsQ/UiibOeWvAGI/AAAAAAAAAaE/525A1yc88rg/s200/DSC_0095.JPG" width="139" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog Portraits: <br />
An unexpected paint pleasure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Paint
something you thought you had no interest in</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> I was recently commissioned
to paint a dog portrait, which I thought was the last thing in the world that
would interest me. Until I did it, that is! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am all about pet portraits now.I’m approaching neighborhood
veterinarians as we speak to see if I can put some advertisements in their
offices. After experiencing the surprising pleasure from the dog portrait, I
wondered what other ho-hum subjects could end up being rewarding (given the
right lighting & narrative)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Copy</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">a
painting you really love. Pick a painting you usually wouldn’t attempt.
Dedicate at least a day each month to do a copying exercise. You shouldn’t
labor over these exercises…several hours is plenty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Create a
Series of Small Works. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXvRmPkUbO0/UiiZz6IPj3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/YgVmn8sF29M/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXvRmPkUbO0/UiiZz6IPj3I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/YgVmn8sF29M/s200/DSC_0009.JPG" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Penny Candy</i>, 4 x 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Fruit</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> – Grapes, a single pear or
apple, or how about a whole row of apples of various sizes and colors? Paint your
chosen fruit from different vantage points (looking down at the fruit, straight
on). Experiment with different lighting angles, various colors & patterns
in the backgrounds. Consider paring items that send a secret message. A gummy
worm on top of a book…scissors on top of a rock on top of a wrinkled piece of
paper…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- Dishes</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> – especially if they have
special meaning to you; I love painting my grandmother’s teacups. A coffee cup
with a bit of newspaper showing in the background creates a whole narrative. Paint
the steam…include an antique spoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">- Sea Shells</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> – just beautiful, and full
of beautiful highlights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Candy</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> – especially the
translucent type.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Paint what you think is too hard </span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">– this is actually a
must.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just can’t avoid
drapery, elipses, hands, feet, ears. Do a small 4 x 6 of just a hand to get the
practice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Stacks of things:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">when stacking, make sure there’s interest to the stacking,
off set them in other words. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> Some things to stack:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cups<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Old
Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bowls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Sports Related Objects:</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">baseballs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">tennis balls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">baseball mitt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">ice skates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">pool balls (the color combos are endless, no pun
intended)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">-Antique
Anything</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Toys<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eC_SFDGfdMA/UiiXj1r8CQI/AAAAAAAAAZs/ncsqzCbGfDM/s1600/DSC_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eC_SFDGfdMA/UiiXj1r8CQI/AAAAAAAAAZs/ncsqzCbGfDM/s200/DSC_0141.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Would it be fun to paint reflections?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Containers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sports Equipment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kitchen Equipment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Typewriters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Phones <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tea Kettles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tools<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hats</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Food</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cookies with Milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hot Dogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Decorated cupcakes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Honey in its cute squirt bottle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jam in its pretty jar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">LATER
COMPOSITION IDEAS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Urban Landscapes…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">People in casual setting…playing cards, drinking
coffee, at a jazz club<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">People in motion: walking dogs..window shopping…diving
in a pool…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">zipping up a coat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Landscapes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And when all
else fails, I always refer to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What Do The
Masters Do?<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And what do the masters do? They take (steal,
borrow, embellish) from the works of others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Yup, if you study the work of current masters, I
guarantee a lot of their compositions are borrowed from earlier masters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They change things up a bit, but there’s
no mistaking that they’ve taken their inspiration from a tried & true
composition plan. You learn so much from “borrowing” – knowledge that you’ll
apply to completely different scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, if the masters do it, shouldn’t we newbies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-12966126868135896672013-07-19T12:26:00.002-07:002015-12-19T06:31:18.072-08:00Building a Comprehensive Oil Painting Resource Library <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4_X5hmnPPY/UewIh95mTLI/AAAAAAAAAYk/SVkbQO9W7uw/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4_X5hmnPPY/UewIh95mTLI/AAAAAAAAAYk/SVkbQO9W7uw/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
If you're a serious student of oil painting, maintaining a well stocked library is a must. While it seems every time you turn around you're dropping another coin on an expensive brush or canvas, building your reference library is a solid investment that you won't regret. You'll find that your books will contain information that if not applicable today, might be vital a year or two later.<br />
<br />
A day doesn't go by that I don't check in with one of my trusty resources. And if I know I'm going to be on a long car ride (I'm not driving of course) or stuck in a doctor's office waiting, I'll grab one to get some extra studying in.<br />
<br />
Having said all that, the following is my current top go to books for information. Several of the artists have developed brush strokes that, although are beautiful and to be admired, are not of my style. Still, much can be gained by studying their various techniques, including color mixing, paint application and breaking down the process as a whole.<br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UNwaEL3EL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UNwaEL3EL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <i>Problem Solving for Oil Painters </i>by Gregg Kreutz - If I lose this book, and I hope I don't, I will immediately replace it, the information covered is that comprehensive and basic. Simple, straightforward, great examples.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519zUZBn5WL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519zUZBn5WL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Classical Painting Atelier - A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice </i>by Juliette Aristides - Oh my gosh, I love this book. The paintings included in this book will make any art lover swoon.</span>Aristides<span class="Apple-style-span"> also includes an Appendix that lists the palettes of some of our most accomplished contemporary artists such as Jacob Collins and Steven Assael. How great is that?</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Portrait Painting Atelier - Old Master Techniques and Contemporary Applications </i>by Suzanne Brooker. Again, Brooker includes absolutely beautiful pieces to illustrate the techniques of the masters. I really appreciate the recipes for skin palettes included in the book.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Radiant Oils - Glazing Techniques for Paintings that Glow </i>by Arleta Pech. Although Pech's style is not my style, I really appreciate the glazing techniques she fully explores in this book. She breaks down the process step by step with quality examples that are extremely helpful.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Portraits from Life in 29 Steps </i>by John Howard Sanden. Again, although Sanden's style is not exactly my goal, wow, he breaks down the process so simply and thoroughly, if you follow the steps it is amazing how much progress you see yourself making. And his palette recipes make producing beautiful skin tones achievable.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Portraits in Oil The Van Wyk Way</i> by Helen Van Wyk. This is just a wonderful book, especially for beginners who need the process broken down into mangagable steps. I've relied on it countless times, and you can tell by all the oil paint on the pages!</span></td></tr>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-19441139555413028562013-01-11T11:51:00.001-08:002013-07-22T05:13:50.576-07:00New Discoveries<h2>
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Wow, that makes things easier!</span></b></i></h2>
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Every so often I discover a special medium, brush, or particular tool or method that makes painting easier. When that happens, it's such a nice moment. It's especially rewarding when my discovery allows me to conquer some issue I've been struggling with. I've found several items lately I'd like to share with you.</div>
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Here are a few recent discoveries.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Watercolor Pencils for Preliminary Sketch</span></b><br />
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For the last several months I've been using a watercolor pencil to pencil in my preliminary sketch on the canvas. It's just great to nail the proportions and get a contour drawing in place first, instead of trying to get it with paint and brush. And using a lead pencil brings all sorts of issues. If I make a mistake using my watercolor pencil, I just wet a brush or a piece of cloth with water and "erase" it. You need to let the area on the canvas dry again before having another go at it. Also, years ago I invested in an electric pencil sharpener, and I have that handy since I discovered a watercolor pencil needs to be sharpened constantly while drawing on the canvas. There's no need to seal the sketch with fixative which is great as I try to avoid chemical exposure whenever possible.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28cKoG1TYeE/UPBigiSDz0I/AAAAAAAAAXY/vjN6TsaPzMM/s1600/DSC_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-28cKoG1TYeE/UPBigiSDz0I/AAAAAAAAAXY/vjN6TsaPzMM/s320/DSC_0343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Painting Medium</b></span><br />
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<b>Daniel Smith Painting Medium for Oils and Alkyds </b>Love, love, love. This is just a wonderful medium for glazing, enhancing the colors and speeding the drying time for oils. <b> </b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Retouch Varnish</span></b></span></b><br />
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<b>Old Holland Retouch Varnish </b>I can't tell you how I've struggled with retouch and permanent varnish. To me, it is just the devil. I won't trash talk the other brands I've used, I'll just tell you Old Holland's Retouch Varnish is definitely something worth trying. Another tip comes from a class I was recently in. Instead of brushing the length of the canvas, isolate the shapes within the painting and varnish those one at a time. In the past I tried to brush varnish in strokes the length of each canvas (as this is what every website recommended). For me, what resulted was streaks, and goopy areas. Tackling shape by shape in my painting has improved my varnishing results dramatically.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJDd66x_M5o/UPBiipYRl6I/AAAAAAAAAXg/e4n1Ph66-VI/s1600/DSC_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJDd66x_M5o/UPBiipYRl6I/AAAAAAAAAXg/e4n1Ph66-VI/s320/DSC_0339.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And I Always Love Me Some Really Great Websites....</span></b></div>
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<b>www.drawmixpaint.com </b>Painter Mark Carder offers an amazing amount of tips and tutorials, many of which are free and only a click away. I was amazed at the amount of information and instruction he provides. Carder is a gifted teacher and brilliant painter. I've downloaded his $20 Portrait Lesson and currently studying from it.</div>
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<b>dgoilpaintingtechnique.com </b>Classical Realist David Gray maintains an amazing blog on his techniques. He is enormously generous with his knowledge and process. I go to his site so often, I feel like I should pay rent. In fact, it was through his site I learned about the Daniel Smith Medium. I always find it so heartwarming when a truly gifted and successful painter is so down to earth and accessible. </div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-34416621835754103962012-05-22T05:15:00.001-07:002012-05-22T05:44:39.482-07:00Why aren't I getting better????<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Getting over the hump.</span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lunch</i> 8 x 10 Oil</td></tr>
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What seems to happen a lot when you are studying painting is that at first the progress can be depressingly slow and hard coming. And then, all of a sudden, bam, you start making huge strides. Finally, you complete something you could even frame! You feel enormously grateful. And boy, does that hard won success fuel your desire to work harder and longer. Laundry Schmandry! You've got masterpieces to create!<br />
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And yet, for all that time and effort following your hard won breakthrough, your rewards yet again seem pitiful. Oh, sure, you can identify a color without looking at the tube, even the more obscure ones. <i>"Why, there's my quinacridone red,"</i> you might mutter in front of a newbie at art class. You know your filbert from your flat. Your OMS from your turp.<br />
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And yet aside from your impressive art vocab, your paintings kinda look the same in terms of quality from the year before. So you paint longer hours. Your laundry piles are growing larger and you keep your garage door closed at all times so the neighbors don't see the out of control mess. But your paintings? They aren't getting better. Not at all. You find yourself thinking a horrifying thought. <i>Is this as good as I can get? Yikes, that's not very good.</i><br />
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No. That is not as good as you're going to get. You're just in a rut. Step back and reflect on what you're doing that's keeping you stuck. For starters, you might be trance painting. Trance painting happens A LOT. Especially when painters stick to painting objects they feel they paint well. Which makes sense. You should, up to a point. Until and unless you find yourself trance painting, or phoning it in. <br />
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For example you might discover you paint apples so proficiently that one could reach over and pick them off the canvas...and you start painting apples like they're falling off the trees. Next thing you know, you've painted them so often, you end up painting them without really thinking about what you're doing. You might even brag to friends, <i>A</i><i>pples? I could paint 'em in my sleep! </i>Which is sadly, what you're kind of doing without knowing. And how are you going to get better if you're doing something you could do in your sleep!<br />
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What's tricky about trance painting is that it is difficult to spot yourself doing it, as is all unconscious behavior. So how can you tell? A little self reflection works. For me, it's realizing I'm following the NPR segment playing in the background; waiting for the answer to Terry Gross's question. And if I'm following along with something in the background, it means I'm not fully engaged in what I'm painting.<br />
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And not being fully engaged can lead to your other paintings outside of your brilliant apples. You can phone it in even if your subject matter is varied if you're sticking to the exact methodology every painting. To get back into the zone you have to create ways to get your brain off of auto pilot.<br />
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Such as? Pick a new subject. That's why I like to continue my series of small paintings. I'll paint anything including my lunch. Another effective method is switching up how you start your paintings. If you usual start with an underpainting, don't, and use a blocking in of local color instead. If you never start your work with an underpainting, do. Or use a different palette. Put away the brushes and use a palette knife only.<br />
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If you're still stuck, force yourself <b>not</b> to paint for a few days and sketch with pencil or charcoal (and you should be sketching every week anyway). Or take a class which explores a difficult process that you can't teach yourself. Venetian painting. Egg tempera. That brain will turn back on in no time faced with a challenge like a new multi step process.<br />
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Other ways to get out of a rut: Clean up your workspace and make sure you're not surrounded by so much clutter you can't possibly think clearly. Put anything away you're not using so that the area produces a calm, not chaotic mood. That works like magic for me. Use a different type of canvas. Turn off NPR, and turn on some classical or jazz. Are you stepping away from your canvas every fifteen minutes?<br />
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Yet another way to get unstuck is to watch someone else who's better than you paint. Rent, borrow or buy a video of by an artist whose work you admire. I've said it before and I'll say it again: watching someone who knows what they're doing is the BEST education of all and is a very effective "getting out of a rut" method.<br />
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Again, this is not as good as you can get. There's no end to improvement as long as there's a will to improve.<br />
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Keep painting ;)<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-78136551720490798232012-04-25T06:02:00.000-07:002012-04-25T06:02:05.416-07:00A Few Thoughts About Portraiture....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Creating a successful portrait is the result of a complicated balancing act that I continue to study and practice. Depending on the day, or sometimes even a moment in time, I'll find myself terribly frustrated or thrilled by success.</div>
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There are so many elements to control (all the while painting with a stroke that doesn't look belabored!) It's really interesting that it takes an enormous amount of self control to be loose. So many aspects to keep in mind, including: turning the form with color and temperature. Retaining softness. Making the painting interesting through mood and lighting. Making sure your model strikes a pose that will ultimately be satisfying.</div>
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What helps? Honestly, when working on a painting, just give yourself to the moment, especially in class, when it's all about the learning anyway. Get rid of self sabotaging thoughts: <i>this is going to be brilliant and I'm going to enter it in a show a win a big RIBBON and Oprah is going to interview me about my miraculous journey as a late starting artist. </i>Placing all that pressure on yourself will lead to a bad painting. Just focus on the current stroke. </div>
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A few more tips:</div>
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1. Don't rush. Take your time. Get your landmarks down correctly.</div>
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2. After mixing a puddle of color you're trying to match, put some on a pallet knife and hold it up to the area on the model's face or body to see if you're close.</div>
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3. Every 15 minutes step back!</div>
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4. Look in a mirror at your work and the model.</div>
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5. Work with as many instructors as you can, they each bring something different to the table.</div>
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6. Watch as many artists (whose work you admire) paint. Watch how they mix their paint. How they load their brush. You will learn more through observation than you can believe.</div>
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7. After you've been studying a while, pick up books on oil painting from the library and actually read them. They actually will make sense to you after you've been slapping paint around for a while.</div>
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8. Value, value, value.</div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-5324861556493794042012-04-03T10:52:00.000-07:002012-04-03T10:52:05.520-07:00Sometimes, you need to have a little fun....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">dressed and </span></div>
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I really enjoy painting small intimate paintings that celebrate iconic objects. Small time commitment and immediate gratification are the huge benefits to the process. The opportunities for interesting items are seemingly endless. The other day, while painting a batch of Tootsie Pops (my supply for clients had run out!), I thought I'd include one that still was in its wrapper. I was delighted with the result. I was just having fun, and sometimes when you stop taking yourself and life so seriously you end up regaining your energy and joy. Not to mention ending up with a cute little painting add to your collection. :)</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-63371710350308223952012-03-17T08:16:00.000-07:002012-11-11T07:39:59.950-08:00My Favorite Tools for Making Painting Easier<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<b>Glass Palette</b></div>
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Who doesn't have left over glass from an old frame? I love using glass as a palette...keeping in mind you do have to be careful around the edges, (taping, sanding them or otherwise protecting yourself from the sharp edges.) You can even buy an official glass palette from your art store, but to save a few dollars, I'll just grab what I have around the house. By far, I find glass to be the best surface to mix my paints on. It cleans up soooo easily, and if you've left paint to dry, no matter, a razor will get all that dried on paint off. I never use the disposable palettes that seem to be so popular. Yes, you just throw them out and don't have to clean them, but I find the paper's surface characteristics less than desirable. For one thing, the paper tends to buckle as I mix. If I go to class and I need something portable, I'll bring a 11 x 14 or even smaller glass to work from. Again, you have to be mindful of sharp edges, but I encourage you to at least once try it. It's also a good idea to put a gray cardboard underneath the glass to provide a neutral tone to mix upon.</div>
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<b>Chipper Brushes</b></div>
Chipper brushes can be picked up at your local hardware or craft store and they are dirt cheap. I love these brushes! They're good for blending and softening edges - and clean up incredibly easily.<br />
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<b>Murphy Oil Soap</b></div>
I used to really struggle with cleaning my brushes well. Once I discovered that Murphy Oil Soap for brush cleaning, I never looked back. Once in a great while I'll forget to clean an expensive brush until the next morning and find paint is really coated on it. No worries, Murphy to the rescue - usually a good soak will remedy the situation. Also, if you get paint on your clothes, pull out the Murphy's again...<br />
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<b>Viva Paper Towels</b></div>
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Don't even think about starting a painting without your Viva close at hand. I could and would happily do a commercial for these paper towels. They are incredibly soft, and I can't believe I ever used anything else. I buy them in bulk and ALWAYS have them on hand.<br />
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<b>Hand Mirror</b></div>
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It never ceases to amaze me how my mistakes and drafting errors stand out when viewing my work in reverse in a mirror. Try it, I guarantee it. Have your mirror always within easy reach and reach for it often.</div>
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<b>Brush Washer Pot</b></div>
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I don't know how in the world I ever painted without my brush washer pot. I often struggled with "muddy" colors since I wasn't keeping my brushes clean during my painting sessions. This wonderful little invention (which has been around forever) makes the process of keeping brushes clean a snap...</div>
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<b>IPad</b></div>
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Of course it's always best to work from life, but sometimes you're forced to work from a photo. What a difference it is to view your photo reference from your IPad! Subtle color changes are clear, you can zoom in...I admit even if I'm working from life I'll snap a picture of my subject and view it from my IPad so I can enlarge details and see my subject from a different perspective. Of course you can work from a regular size monitor as well...but if you have space constraints, or if you want to be able to bring your image to class, the IPad is a great alternative. </div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-35370410197373611942012-01-26T05:48:00.000-08:002012-01-26T05:48:43.737-08:00Tips for Beginners from a Beginner<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I remember what it's like to be a beginner at oil painting, since that's what I am right now...</span></i></b></div>
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I started my serious study of painting four years ago at the age of 46. I fit my work in between a hectic life of kids and family and a myriad of obligations. Still, I attend as many workshops as I can manage and afford, along with taking a class every fall and winter. I recognize I've merely scratched the surface of what there is to learn. I understand and happily admit I am a beginner, which takes a lot of pressure off me to be better than I can be at this point.</div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A good effort from a beginner...</span></i></b><br />
I believe this is a good example of a painting that reflects the improvement in my work. I have kicked a lot of bad habits that, until recently, kept me from progressing the way I thought I should. During the painting of this piece, I painted closely to the subject, but stepped away often to view what my work looked like from afar...I used a limited palette, but worked from large puddles of paint. I also painted loosely for as long as possible. I see things I could and should have done differently, but at least my bad habits were largely kept under control during the painting of this piece. I feel encouraged by my efforts and self control. My goal is not a perfect painting, but painting as efficiently as I can at every step.<br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Top Ten Bad Habits We Beginners Need to Shake</span></i></b><br />
I find it curious when instructors fail to call students out for their bad habits. Maybe they don't notice the silly things we're doing, or they don't want to be critical, but not doing so keeps a novice stuck, unable to move to the next level. I've seen it happen countless times: the particular technique the master is sharing gets lost by the beginner during the application. Why? Only because another bad habit the student has formed foils the effort. I see beginners struggle and struggle, doing things that I myself did, habits that have nothing whatsoever to do with lack of talent or motivation. These bad practices make the process of painting harder, leaving the student deeply frustrated and ready to quit.<br />
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<b><i>Here's my Top Ten List of Bad Habits we newbies need to shake, the quicker the better: </i></b><br />
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<b>Number One</b>: Using too <b>too many colors </b>before you're ready (or even <i>need</i> to). If you're just beginning your study, keep it simple. You have a much better chance of not muddying your colors if you don't use too many. Example: for portraits, I stick to: titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cad red med, alizarin crimson, and cad yellow medium. For still life: Actually the same palette, and maybe bring in another color now and then. Sap green, for example. You'll feel quite fancy when you bring introduce a new color to the party!<br />
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If you want to really have<b> fun without frustration</b>, read about<b> Zorn's limited palette </b>- it is amazing to study and enjoy the beautiful paintings he created with about four colors: white, yellow ochre, vermilion and ivory black. (For brevity's sake, I'm going to avoid the whole controversy as to whether he used blues and so on...) Use the palette yourself, I guarantee you'll be shocked at how beautiful and harmonious your painting will be.<br />
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<b>Number Two: </b>Being <b>skimpy with paint. </b>Ok, I still really struggle with this. I feel like I need an intervention sometimes. So for all of us: Mix enough paint! Not baby little puddles that aren't enough to load your brush more than once! Huge amounts that keep you going so you don't have to stop and mix and remix, trying to recreate the exact hue. All this remixing really affects the flow of your work.<br />
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<b>Number Three:</b> Being<b> too tight</b> and detailed immediately. Start out big and general, and make sure you're correctly describing your form. Read up on how to measure your subject using your paint brush or a plum line. You have to get a few landmarks on your canvas in that assure correct drawing of the subject before you lay in some serious color, or details. This is probably the most common bad habit that ultimately ruins a painting. Do not plan to correct that confused problem area later, all you'll do is overwork the piece trying to fix something at a stage during which it is impossible to fix. You must at least <i>attempt</i> to get the underlying structure correct in your sketch stage before proceeding with color.<br />
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<b>Number Four:</b> Not working with as many instructors as possible. It's okay to work repeatedly with someone you continue to grow with, but make sure you add a new instructor as often as possible, or attend a weekend workshop. <b>Each person I've studied under brings something new to my toolbox of knowledge.</b> I love it when I'm working with a new teacher and I learn something completely new that'll make my painting easier, better and more gratifying.<br />
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<b>Number Five:</b> Rushing. <b>Take your time! </b>Seriously. People (myself included) are in such a rush to see something recognizable on their canvas, hey don't take the time to realllllly look at their subject before laying a stroke.<br />
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<b>Number Six:</b> Being<b> too far </b>from your subject. Especially for portraiture, get as near to the model as possible. Quit being timid, or worried about getting so close to the model it will freak her out. They are models and used to being studied, that's what they're getting paid for. I get to class early, staking out my claim for the best position so I can really see the subtle colors in the skin. Ever watch those tutorials of the masters on line and see how close the artist is to the model? If the master needs to be that close, doesn't it make sense the novice does as well?<br />
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<b>Number Seven:</b> Not stepping away from your easel enough. <b>You MUST step away from your easel </b>as often as you can and view your work and the subject. I can't understand why instructors aren't barking at the students to do this. Put a timer on for every 15 minutes, and step away each time. You will be amazed at what you can see you're doing right or wrong. Stepping away, getting your prospective back makes painting so much easier.<br />
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<b>Number Eight:</b> Never drawing. If you're learning to oil paint, all you want to do is, well, oil paint! No, no, no. <b>Pick up a pencil,</b> a piece of charcoal, or a marker, or your pastels...and DRAW. For one thing, you'll be amazed at how your work with paint influences your drawing. And yet drawing is the foundation for painting, so you need to keep it up. Keep a sketch book handy and draw something everyday, even if it's something small and simple.<br />
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<b>Number Nine:</b> Using really<b> crummy photo references</b> for paintings and then wondering why the painting looks awful. I've used too small references, not clear, or with subjects lit with no light source showing me any form. Experiment with your camera and take loads of photos using different light sources. Light that object from one side, or over head...or if working with portraiture: there's nothing like natural lighting.<br />
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<b>Number Ten:</b> Instead of <b>watching the instructor provide a demonstration, </b>rushing to slap around paint themselves. This is the worst habit of all. WHENEVER you are lucky enough to watch your artist instructor paint themselves, stop what you're doing immediately and watch as closely as you can. It is the absolute best way to learn to paint. It will amaze you later when your technique improves without even making a conscious effort!<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-81552465879057956622012-01-13T09:33:00.000-08:002012-01-13T09:33:40.233-08:00Two of this week's paintings....<br />My goal is to be more consistent in producing paintings. I hope to complete 5 small paintings per week. This week, I did work on five separate paintings...<i>Detroit Spirit, Grosse Pointe Tennis Ball, Pear and Cherry, Pear and 2 Cherries, </i>along with a very ambitious painting that is 6 by 4 feet. Here's two of the smaller paintings I finished...waiting to dry to varnish at a later time...<br /><br /><b>Thought for the day:</b> I find it much better if I work on several paintings at once. Sometimes I get to painting and don't stop on a piece even when I'm not making progress. I end up noodling it, overworking it and becoming very frustrated. What's nice about working on several paintings at once is that it's easier to stop slapping paint around unproductively if you have another to play around with. Later you can go back to that troublesome piece and have a fresh prospective.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grosse Pointe Tennis Ball, 5 x 5</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pear and Cherry</i>,<i> 4 x 6</i></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6685534801603457664.post-44504727587959932952011-12-14T09:53:00.000-08:002012-02-17T05:44:38.714-08:00Small Works Collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know what's really fun? Finishing a painting in the space of a day, sometimes even within a few hours if you're lucky (and focused!). You definitely don't have to go big in size to achieve great results in color, form and whimsy. I'm happy to offer these small, affordable pieces to the collector who's looking for a little something to brighten their day......<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Small Works Collection: Candy</span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tootsie (4 x 6) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDfJBhZQQrY/Tujcku2eq1I/AAAAAAAAAGU/zKuAjH5bLmg/s1600/DSC_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDfJBhZQQrY/Tujcku2eq1I/AAAAAAAAAGU/zKuAjH5bLmg/s200/DSC_0337.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Candy (4 x 6) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tootsie (4 x 6)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wy1WucKKwxc/TukFbvBAW3I/AAAAAAAAAJE/IREGy_umoko/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wy1WucKKwxc/TukFbvBAW3I/AAAAAAAAAJE/IREGy_umoko/s200/DSC_0001.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting Sucker (5 x 7)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqtj9qaMvAU/TujreWQfVpI/AAAAAAAAAHc/qkXPcGIsFtY/s1600/DSC_0798_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqtj9qaMvAU/TujreWQfVpI/AAAAAAAAAHc/qkXPcGIsFtY/s200/DSC_0798_2.JPG" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tootsie (4 x 6)</td></tr>
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Tootsie (4 x 6) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penny Candy 2 (4 x 6)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Small Works Series: Fruit</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OBieAekHz9Y/Tujrjvi8_VI/AAAAAAAAAH0/vvsKfMnGIsM/s1600/DSC_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OBieAekHz9Y/Tujrjvi8_VI/AAAAAAAAAH0/vvsKfMnGIsM/s200/DSC_0811.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traverse Bing (4 x 4) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rRzP7QlONg/TukFcjlchGI/AAAAAAAAAJM/m0Lg1zAG3Lg/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rRzP7QlONg/TukFcjlchGI/AAAAAAAAAJM/m0Lg1zAG3Lg/s200/DSC_0004.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting Cherry (2 x 3)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p36ypLb0Q2M/TukFYxWh-4I/AAAAAAAAAI8/X2fK7VI5ch4/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p36ypLb0Q2M/TukFYxWh-4I/AAAAAAAAAI8/X2fK7VI5ch4/s200/DSC_0011.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting Cherries (4 x 4) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgMdmuRhGYE/TujbgDBNgDI/AAAAAAAAAE8/CgHEwV8AUts/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgMdmuRhGYE/TujbgDBNgDI/AAAAAAAAAE8/CgHEwV8AUts/s200/DSC_0222.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Gold (4 x 4)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzic5frUlPY/TujbmfZLDeI/AAAAAAAAAFM/rhOjpEtMF1w/s200/DSC_0844.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="191" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traverse Bings (4 x 4)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JatjLEJ0h14/TukFSmIT3XI/AAAAAAAAAIc/qljX4R_Cg2g/s1600/SweetPearsv2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JatjLEJ0h14/TukFSmIT3XI/AAAAAAAAAIc/qljX4R_Cg2g/s320/SweetPearsv2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Pears (8 x 10)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyYcl2338KI/TujrimzMh4I/AAAAAAAAAHs/DKnfPZ3iyb8/s1600/DSC_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyYcl2338KI/TujrimzMh4I/AAAAAAAAAHs/DKnfPZ3iyb8/s200/DSC_0806.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traverse Bings (4 x4) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Myxuyz33xRg/TukfLdKGLOI/AAAAAAAAAJU/LQaQ5YSZsRE/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Myxuyz33xRg/TukfLdKGLOI/AAAAAAAAAJU/LQaQ5YSZsRE/s320/DSC_0085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Delicious (5 x 5)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Small Works Series: Newsstands</span></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKvXq4Xq9lQ/TujciwbIB1I/AAAAAAAAAFs/WRONIbXk_9M/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKvXq4Xq9lQ/TujciwbIB1I/AAAAAAAAAFs/WRONIbXk_9M/s320/DSC_0076.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good News (8 x 10)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URXHRcCrINM/TujcjqhREhI/AAAAAAAAAF8/4jham__2rAc/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URXHRcCrINM/TujcjqhREhI/AAAAAAAAAF8/4jham__2rAc/s200/DSC_0026.jpg" width="124" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detroit Rock (4 x 6)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9izDlvvVtSI/TujrVJi2P_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/lsXcpUSeQQA/s1600/DSC_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9izDlvvVtSI/TujrVJi2P_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/lsXcpUSeQQA/s200/DSC_0338.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detroit Spirit News (4 x 6) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fd-Ou7S8f7k/TujrPcz1ppI/AAAAAAAAAGs/So9zl6U58Qs/s1600/DSC_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fd-Ou7S8f7k/TujrPcz1ppI/AAAAAAAAAGs/So9zl6U58Qs/s200/DSC_0800.JPG" width="126" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detroit Free (4 x 6) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1Dz72brrOg/TujrLLLrWUI/AAAAAAAAAGk/UVXsO1aM9Ng/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1Dz72brrOg/TujrLLLrWUI/AAAAAAAAAGk/UVXsO1aM9Ng/s200/DSC_0095.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trust in Detroit (4 x 6 )<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Small Works Series: Around Town</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnc5W9OZtcc/TujrhaLB1gI/AAAAAAAAAHk/ugPUQfCte0A/s1600/DSC_0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnc5W9OZtcc/TujrhaLB1gI/AAAAAAAAAHk/ugPUQfCte0A/s320/DSC_0801.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color Infused Spirit of Detroit (6 x 6) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvfzq11DTJw/TujcjQIh_aI/AAAAAAAAAF0/CieQfT6x-fg/s1600/DSC_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvfzq11DTJw/TujcjQIh_aI/AAAAAAAAAF0/CieQfT6x-fg/s400/DSC_0080.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy Hot (11 x 14) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sold</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120718340540435980noreply@blogger.com0