BUY ART and TAKE ART CLASSES from ARTIST INESE POGA
Author: Inesepaints
Artist, art instructor: fine art, watercolor, acrylic, drawing; medical writer and researcher, specializing in life sciences, brain function, memory and psychology
You can expect a lot of learning; a lot of practicing and you will definitely find out something which you did not know before if you would like to paint with me. I take a lot of pride in boosting one’s creativity as opposed to mechanical copying and using paint without any knowledge. Along with nature watercolor and acrylic painting, fall art classes will be an ongoing journey into creativity, and hopefully result in some students mastering watercolor.
Nature art: a wonderful opportunity
Our eyes best notice what is around us if we focus, pay attention and observe. Fall colors are intense and make any composition look impressive. We have created numerous fall watercolors before, and they always came out nice. Acrylic definitely is a very suitable medium for depicting fall scenes, especially with grey and blue colors of sky.
Democratic nature of art
This season, fall art classes are designed to better suit teens 13+ years, and the evening group is for any age adults and youth. Art is very democratic: one works on their own canvas or paper, and nobody cares whether you have experience or not. Art classes are for learning. If you have never painted before, allow this skill some time to develop.
Online versus live art classes
When you are sitting on one side of screen, nobody can check or see how exactly you are applying the advice or tip. In a live art class, the instructor can see right away whether the paint is too wet, too dry, student uses too little of paint or there is way too much of it. The instructor can see right away who understood the technique and who is struggling with it.
Inese’s Art Studio has new location
Inese’s Art Studio has moved to Ajax at the beginning of August. It is a beautiful place with indoor and outdoor painting opportunities. Its location is perfect since it is quite central, but offers fantastic nature all around. I hope you will sign up and enjoy our fall art classes.
Schedule, registration and more info about art classes: Sign up here
When I look at my art as if from a distance before moving it, I can see that I have reached a place in art where I want to be. Every painting is a story. Every piece of art offers something beyond the directly visible lines and brushstrokes. I am at the point now when I can agree that my art has become impressive and interesting, worth looking at, worth experiencing and loving.
I had huge intentions for this summer. Then I received the news that I have to move. That was a very sudden and unexpected notice.
The best part of summer flew by unnoticed. It was a lot of paperwork and endless packing and sorting things.
I was so much looking forward to posting watercolor art (which I have in abundance) during the world watercolor month. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. One person can only do that much. Packing took me 3 weeks every single day so far. It is the last day of packing, and we move tomorrow.
It felt somewhat sad to take off paintings from all walls, and there were so many walls. I discovered that many paintings on a wall make the room look much bigger. Once I took off art, it felt the room shrank in size. Interesting. When we see regular residential houses, there are just 1 or 2 paintings on a wall. Why so few? There is no excuse for that. Art ads huge flavor to any room. Many paintings make any particular room look much larger and create big impact. I’d say the strongest impact. Fake leather sofas do not come close to that.
It does not feel sad leaving this neighborhood. I have spent more than 8 years here, and I do not feel I am going to miss this place. This location seemed to be perfect at first, but it turned out to be not that great. Most people in residential medium class areas are not much interested in arts, simply this part of town was somewhat unsuitable for an art gallery or art school. Most people who attended my art classes or bought my art found me on the internet, so, it is worth to continue pursuing this avenue.
Schedule for fall art classes is published and registration is open.
The new location is South Ajax. I believe the location is great. I will be next door to Southwood Park Public School. That might be a disaster or a plus.
I am turning 60 this weekend. It’s not a big deal, I would say. I haven’t changed my size since I was 21, I still look fine and younger tan the age number suggests, and there are no huge health concerns or problems. The only problem is getting my products out there, but I’m managing it to some extent.
What else can I say?
As soon as I publish this article and a short post on my lifeschool blog, I will turn off my computer, and I am not sure when we will have internet in the new place. After a few days, I am flying over to Latvia to meet my family and friends. I will be there for a while. Therefore, do not be angry if I cannot check all comments and return likes. I will deal with that maybe in Latvia if I get some time or after I return home in September.
I recorded a few small videos in rush just to remember how great everything looked at my gallery.
I also received numerous great comments in Facebook groups, and one man said he believes he had never seen better art. That was great.
See you when I am done with messes of moving and enjoying the new beginning!
I have found five stages which allow becoming an artist. For illustration, this post includes beautiful images of summer art in watercolor.
Learning is a gradual process
Learning how to draw or paint is a gradual process. I have noticed five stages of learning process which result in being an artist. It is the same as with manual writing: the more you write, the less you have to think about the technical side of writing a letter. Once you are past the first attempts and know all letters, you can put your efforts towards expressing a thought. The less you think about how to do that, the better your story.
Developing manual drawing and painting ability
To some extent, drawing and painting are similar activities to manual writing. You have a concept and you use graphic characters and signs to turn your concept into visually perceivable and readable text. At first, you learn writing letters. You put letters together and you have a word. You line up words in a sentence. You study grammar and style, and your sentences become better over time. After long hours of practice and after many attempts, you are able to write a story or a poem. This poem is what people can read and understand. The same goes for drawing and painting. Becoming an artist takes time.
Practicing techniques
The more you draw and use your brush, the less you have to think about how to use your brush or pencil sufficiently. You feel that you can show the story behind your painting and focus on expressing your emotions, not struggles with getting the main shapes and values right or achieving contrast and good composition.. Drawing and painting become processes which progress by hour if you keep practicing.
The first stage
You draw something, paint something. You try, but either brush or pencil does not want to do what you tell them to. Many lines have to be erased and brush stroke does not work yet. This is the encouraging stage: I could draw or paint, but this will require work and learning. Long way yet to being an artist.
The second stage
You decide to draw or paint a particular subject. Artwork is satisfactory, but the successful parts are good because you got them right accidentally, not intentionally. You mention frequently: I’m not going to touch it again, otherwise I will destroy what I have. The stage of accidental success. This stage will motivate you to move on.
The third stage
You have a plan, and everything goes accordingly to it, but some areas of painting do not work. You work over parts of drawing or painting for many times. Subject could have less or more detail, colors could be much better. There is little distinctions in values. Your artwork shows mainly the same values all over. You notice still lots of flaws. The almost-certain stage. You know you can do it, but practice is necessary, however, you feel like an artist!
The fourth stage
You have decided to draw a rose. You go outside, find a flower and draw a rose that looks like a soft, gentle rose. You decide to add color to it. You mix and test colors. No rush. It works out well: no part is too strong or too weak. Brushstrokes lay on smoothly. You are very satisfied with what you have achieved. A month passes. You look at the same painting, and you definitely see that, it could have been better actually. The potential excellence stage. You are very aware that there is still space for improvement.
The fifth stage
You are not flying on clouds. You know that any painting subject takes work and some planning. You allow yourself making unexpected and unplanned steps, too. It is meant just to keep the hand sensitive, to keep your eye observant. You have no absurd expectations. You have become master of the process, the artist. You can paint anything which comes to mind.
To know what works
You do a value or color sketch. You transfer the drawing onto paper or canvas. You do the color test. You create dark and light color palette for the particular painting. You have your favorite subjects, but you step out of comfort zone. You know exactly what effect each color combination will provide you with. You know exactly where to place details in order to make your composition work.
Painting according to your plan
You start painting in a relaxed manner. You know it takes time, but when this drawing or painting is done, it will be exactly what you want. You raise your bar with every painting. You look at your first drawings and paintings and you say: what was I thinking! That is when you have arrived at the mastery stage. You can do it. You can achieve any results you want. You have no limitations in what you draw or paint. Finally, you are in charge. Rushing won’t take you to where you want to be faster.
Watercolors of summer nature to inspire
Summer barn, just finished watercolor 15 x 20 in or 38 x 50.5 cm
Summer barn watercolor painting, 15 x 20 in or 38 x 50.5 cm
Spring creek sketch which I used as reference for the large watercolor painting
This sketch became a large watercolor painting afterwards
The final spring creek painting is much larger than sketch.
Spring creek with white anemones, 24.5 x 20.5 in or 62 cm x 51.5 cm watercolor
Self-care and no summer vacation stress syndrome
There is a huge advantage with manual drawing and painting: it is a perfect type of self-care and the best cure for summer stress syndrome when people feel lost and do not know how to spend their vacation. Many feel they have no idea what to fill all free time with, especially, if they cannot book a trip, travel or have a party. I’m inviting everybody to paint!
It’s probably a good reason for many to participate in World Watercolor Month and share the joy of creating art and using watercolor. Isn’t that great that it has become a tradition already? I read that it started only in 2016, and I believe many people are extra excited about that. I cannot post every day, but I am certainly happy to contribute at least some images and posts.
Manual abilities still matter
While we are swiftly becoming a digital and virtual society which uses devices and apps for everything, there are some things we should not delegate to devices. It’s in our favor to maintain ability to write and draw manually. Manual drawing and painting are extremely rewarding activities which not only make one happy and less stressed , but result in enjoyable art.
My current subjects: summer and nature
Nothing is better than nature, outdoors, gardens, flowers, growing vegetables in the summer. Nature is always genuine and honest. There is no pretense or flirting; that is the most real beauty we can have. I can draw and paint anything, but I have to admit that nature is the richest resource for any goal, any intention, anything in art. Therefore, while teaching and creating art I am teaching people to also love, appreciate and take care of this wonderful resource. Everything is connected. We can only harvest what we have planted.
The dreamy purple of summer pansies
Please, have a look and get inspired by my most recent watercolor project: The dreamy purple of summer pansies. I have posted 3 steps, but the first step is actually to transfer the drawing or draw with very light lines on watercolor paper. I used Saunders-Waterford watercolor paper, but medium to heavy Arches would serve better. The size is quite serious in order to capture flow of lines and shifts of color better.
The dreamy purple of pansies, step 1, painting in first layers on flowers and leaves, identifying the subject and composition
The dreamy purple of pansies, step 2, painting around the flowers and adding more layers on blossoms
The dreamy purple of pansies, step 3, adding more layers on flowers and defining more the background
The dreamy purple of pansies, step 3, adding more layers on flowers and defining more the background
Join us, create with watercolor
I know how excellent it is when one can use watercolor or pen and watercolor: it can easily become an obsession. If you were always attracted to watercolor, but are not completely sure what and how to paint, you are very welcome to join our watercolor summer painting sessions. Summer is the time to go out and paint nature. Enjoy the summer, get brushes and paint sets, and let us paint!
Summer and watercolor: that is such an artistic combination! Watercolor sketch, pen and watercolor or purely watercolor are excellent ways to paint summer scenes, summer flowers, summer landscapes and simply enjoy the outdoors and beauty. The easiest way to practice painting with watercolor is using pen and watercolor wash.
That enables us creating great composition and not caring too much about pencil lines and perfect application of watercolor.
I said it once and I would love to repeat it: pen and watercolor wash is a great technique for beginning watercolorists. Some like it so much that they stick to this technique and turn it into their personal style.
Many of watercolor paintings take origin in imagination and do not require a reference.
Save time, paint effortlessly
If you are afraid of drawing with pen, do the initial drawing with pencil. Afterwards, you can draw over with pen and delete everything else. Therefore, we have a beautiful and clean drawing in black ink, and the watercolor paper is not damaged.
The most exciting part is adding watercolor washes, as well as more detailed areas with more saturated paint. We can create a wonderful painting in less time this way because we do not need multi-step drawing transfer onto watercolor paper and it is much easier to know where to use paint because the black outline clearly identifies that.
Real subjects make good painting
Summer is definitely a very suitable time for practicing painting plants, flowers, vegetables, fruit and all kinds of landscapes and garden scenes. I find that implementing fence or corner of a building adds extra impact. White or grey fence looks great with flowers and leaves.
What to do with the background?
There are no strict rules about backgrounds and additional details. Very frequently, less is more. Whenever we can, we should simplify our scene and subject. Whether to include a detail or leave it out usually depends on our style, intention and skill level. Minimalist paintings look as great as detailed realistic paintings; there is no such a thing as mandatory inclusion of detail in a painting. Many beginning artists wonder: what should they do with the background: leave it as is, white, make it dark or add background shapes and colors? That, too, will depend on how you have captured the subject.
Summer poppies, 12 x 16 in or 30.5 x 40.5 cm
Less can be more
My personal point always is: let the painting or drawing tell you what else to do. It usually does when you look at it carefully and from some distance. Realistically, you should always look at your creation from some distance since being too close to it all the time makes us not notice flaws and strange areas which require improvement. Certainly, step back and have a look. If it is all flat and lacks any contrast, add some.
Don’t be afraid of dark colors in painting
I find that beginning artists are afraid of dark colors. Even when painting with acrylic where there is no threat of painting something too dark because you can always paint over, the first layers and make it noticeably lighter, new artists use no dark color. Having absolutely no dark colors and contrast reduces our ability to add volume and impact.
Patience and practice
We all want our art to be great and impressive. However, if you are new to some medium or absolutely new to drawing and painting, you have to bear in mind: nothing happens right away and with the first brush stroke. I have had absolute beginners who were somewhat disappointed that their first attempt wasn’t a masterpiece. Every skill takes time, efforts and work. However, not being satisfied with the first few drawings and sketches, is no reason to give up painting or drawing. You might be surprised how much better one becomes after a while.
Focus on potential
Focusing on perfection right away will cause you to be disappointed. Any artist will tell you that they have damaged, and thrown out lots and lots of initial sketches, painted over initial paintings, changed the layout and composition completely, switched to a different colors or tools. They have done many things before they have got their first good painting. Not every drawing or painting is or should be a masterwork. It should be a stepping stone on our way to better us, to better art which we have created. We use our errors as a way of discovering how to achieve what we want and have intended.
If you love it, go for it
It doesn’t matter what somebody says about your drawing or painting. They might not be the best critics or they might also praise it too much. Practice is practice, we have to spend time learning until we get where we want to be. Regardless of how somebody looks at your creation, regardless of how much they praise or criticize it, you have to be realistic and admit what is wrong and what is great to yourself. That will help keeping your assessment realistic. Do what you are good at. I hear frequently: I am very bad with whatever, I need to do that. Leave that for later when you have more experience. We should do everything we like and love, at least in art.
Copyright notice: Copyright of displayed paintings, drawings, images of work in progress and images of finished paintings belong to artist Inese Poga. The use of painting and drawing images is prohibited if I have not issued a written permission. That includes no pinning policy.
