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
I had not posted anything in a while, but I have new paintings on my easel. I was feeling quite terrible for a while, though. It seems the early fall weather with abnormal humidity and heat at first and with rains and storms afterwards had really got me. I was keeping my schedule to minimum: I gave all scheduled art classes since I did not want to disappoint my students, but that was about it.
I thought I would finish paintings which I started back in August, but that was not an achievable goal. While painting keeps pain at some moderate level, it was still difficult to stay on top of all tasks and duties which I had set for me.
It usually takes some time to recover completely, and my new website and initiation of the other lifestyle blog will have to wait for a better moment. Meanwhile, we have been working on some new projects. I have been doing some painting, too, regardless of all disturbing matters. I have nice frames for most of these paintings, and hopefully the final stage won’t take too long.
One more thing: when photographed, acrylic paintings do not look right. I am sometimes trying different camera settings, different light conditions, different distances and sizes. I have to admit that only very large acrylic paintings look close to their originals. It is sometimes very annoying because the photo sort of shows completely distinctive colors.
The reason I decided not to do any demos on a separate canvas for every class is simple: there have accumulated large numbers of somewhat finished; half-finished, not at all finished medium size paintings. For that purpose, I invented my changeable demo board which can tolerate everything: all kinds of colors and themes. It takes a lot of work to bring these unfinished paintings to some completed condition. On the other hand, I do not always feel like I would be interested any more in either that subject, scene, or the work itself. You know this state: some time later, next week, next month, in the fall, etc. Procrastination is a tough thing to conquer.
We all evolve, it is not surprising that our priorities or preferred methods do not remain attractive forever. I suppose anybody who has done painting or writing over long period of time, has experienced the state when one has to really wonder what was that I liked so much in this picture, scene, poem, article, story or sketch. We have learned along the way, and the former passions pale out when compared to the most recent discoveries or achievements. To some point, that is also true when I think about some people who I was so passionate about 30-40 years ago. Were they worth the tears cried out? Oh my, I have to laugh now remembering the stuff which seemed like a tragedy back then.
The same laws of affection and love regulate my overall attitude to themes and objects which I would like exploring closer and drawing or painting. The colors I loved 30 years ago are not matching the color scheme I feel comfortable with at the moment. I would not say my drawing style or general approach has dramatically changed, but there certainly has been movement and development. I am one of those people who just took the pencil and started to draw, it was very simple and easy, and everything just fall in place as I moved the pencil around. I don’t actually use eraser when drawing, unless I would like to place something significantly higher, lower, more left or right. My mom had preserved portraits and illustrations I did when I was 10 (that’s 46 years ago), and I don’t find anything wrong with them. I suppose, I dared a lot because I had not studied anything art related. It was all fresh, all from scratch, and thus, totally unaffected by any other opinions.
These were my reminiscences from far away.
Today, I am facing a lot of work. Some of previous paintings are so highly textured that it is impossible to paint over the initial image or replace it with something else. I have been thinking also about adding some mixed media parts to such works, well, assuming I’d ever have time for that. I am not sorry to through out something which is completely out of line, but there is sort of appeal in previously used canvas. Some kind of challenge, too: is it possible at all to make something nice out of this mess?
That way, I have been adding some brush strokes here and there, and some paintings are actually getting done. Interesting enough, they seem to be unusually grey scale for me. Grays have abnormally huge scale of possible shades. It is interesting to observe what some particular stuff might result in.
The attached images might inspire somebody to also finish up their started works.
It is always fairly difficult to get on the photo the exact colors or look. I’m trying, however, no online image can ever replace the actual painting.
Sketches sparkle with light probably because the weather has been no fun. The Latvian weather has been very unpredictable. Since I am always drawing and painting mostly from life and using real objects, that was quite upsetting. I did not get all depressed, but moved on as much as I could.
For time saving purposes, I am sometimes outlining and drawing with black pen. I do not have to use glasses that way which is great because glasses can destroy proportions and distort the visual perception.
I love cheerful colors!
We were doing parrots in the Exotic birds drawing workshop. Everybody loved them!
I was very happy also that I finally obtained the St. Petersburg watercolor set. I wanted these paints ever since I was a small kid when I saw one artist painting with them. I got them now at the age of 55, actually my birthday is just some weeks away, so it’s a nice birthday gift for myself. These paints are said to be the best in the world just because they are made of the purest and best really natural ingredients. I love these watercolor paints: they have excellent transparency, brightness and they are very pure.
The sun is beating down today, so we are having some Mexico weather this week. Isn’t that crazy how I was freezing in my leather coat just a week ago, and it is advisable to wear nothing more than a swimming suit at the moment? Too bad, no swimming pool anywhere here, but I suppose, I can survive that, too!
I am a child of the sun, my horoscope sign is leo, and this immediately changes my inner settings. I don’t care how hot it gets, whenever it is sunny, I am happy.
I would love to express the hugest THANK YOU to all those fellow bloggers, friends and students who did not stop encouraging me during the bad weather period and are still following my trip to Europe, Latvia.
Idleness makes hours pass slowly and years swiftly. Activity makes the hours short and the years long.
/Cesare Pavese “This business Of Living”, 1938/
Accomplishments as measuring unit
Time flies: are we going to stand by and watch it disappear? I’m using accomplishment to mark the days, months, years. Most of us have some daily duties, jobs, schedules, routine, obligations and problems. Fewer of us have big achievements, satisfaction, passion, happiness and things that make this life a pleasurable experience.
One of my youngest art students with her creation
Be passionate
I have noticed people who are passionate about something are simply better off. They are better off in many ways, not only because they don’t know what boredom or wasted time is, but they have something more than just routine, duties and obligations. Time really flies, and there are so many reasons to interact with life. My accomplishments don’t have to be always important things, but “accomplished” things. Watching TV, for instance is wasted time. Watering plants is an “accomplished” thing. Calling mom is an “accomplished” thing. Painting or sketching is an “accomplished” thing for sure.
Giving art class as accomplishment
I am happy that my art classes allow other people achieving something good, as well. That can be even to make a dream come true. I am obviously happy that spots for the fall art classes are already taken in spring. I hope we will be able to arrange an exhibition of my students and my demo artworks either in October or December.
Everybody loved following steps on spring orchard painting.
Rich in inspiration
Not all art which I am putting on this blog is finished works, but it is easy to understand: we all are unique and our creative ways are distinctive. The passion for art and creation is a common feature of all my students. The inspiration is so vibrant in this studio that it is simply impossible not to paint, draw, sketch or create.
The blossoming road, acrylic painting done during art classes as a demo.
Live art classes versus art classes on the internet
Why are live art classes loved so much when all kinds of online and offline art learning materials are available? For established artists or someone who has quite a lot of painting experience, watching tutorial videos can be beneficial. They know what the demo is about, they understand how to achieve what is told they would, and there is usually no problem with following the guidance material, even though it can take pretty much time.
Are there any benefits for beginners?
It is a bit different with beginning artists or students, who have no painting experience. For people, who have encountered tough situations when painting on their own, for students, who struggle with some parts of painting, some colors or application of some techniques and who never get the result they are looking for, for somebody who tried and was ready to give up painting because of difficulties, nothing can replace live direct teaching and personal approach in live art classes.
How we gain experience
It is very obvious that knowledge can be achieved thanks to learning, trying and experimenting. I like shortcuts in all areas of life, so I am teaching how to get great results in painting without having to struggle and getting frustrated. It is no secret that many people give up painting, drawing or art because they assume it is something they will never manage or make work for them.
Specifics of acrylic painting
Acrylic is a specific painting medium: along with huge advantages it possesses some drawbacks, too. The most frustrating part is probably the very fast drying times which gives little time to work out painting properly. However, once one becomes familiar with these specific features, acrylic painting does not feel any more difficult. It is as easy to use acrylic paints as any other medium. We learn treating a painting in such a way that we can work in layers and on segments.
Painting tips for beginners in art
You shouldn’t overdo with blending. Instead of brushing all along from dark to light and from light to dark which very often will cause everything become the same color, try applying paint exactly on the spots which require it. Place dark colors where you see them, place medium tones where they belong and finish up using light colors and highlights. They come together with a careful, soft brush stroke of damp clean brush, usually flat brush.
Importance of contrast
Great artwork usually contains many or some contrasts and strong contrast areas: light, dark, subtle and strong values, sharp and soft edges, contrasting colors, both in tone and temperature, contrasting lines, layouts and shapes. Problems often arise when there is no contrast in the painting. Painting looks flat and unimpressive. Try not brushing around, but move smoothly from one color to another by applying paint in segments so that no dark spots are lost. If you lose your dark areas or sketch lines, or if your drawing has disappeared, recreate the dark areas and contrasting spots, as well as sketch new lines or shapes.
Advantages of participation in live art classes
While any advice can be helpful, in direct class, we can learn how to avoid most problems and issues; what effects to use, what techniques to avoid and what to pay more attention to. Your art instructor will provide with immediate solutions when a problem arises. Any issue can be fixed when it occurred.
Bluebells and birches are always a lovely project for art classes and painting workshops. We usually prefer landscapes, but some subjects are simply more attractive than others.
Suggestion for beginners in art
Tip for beginners: unless your painting requires lots of pure white, use pre-painted canvas or canvas board since human perception works better with medium dark backgrounds. It is easy to add dark colors and light colors on pre-painted canvas. It can be dark brown, dark grey, cardboard color, black or red, any color which facilitates better creation process
Tip for everybody, who wants to start painting
Do not give up painting when you encounter the first problems. When painting does not work, instead of putting pressure on yourself and painting, set it aside, give it some time. Place it so that you can see it when walking around, and the right solution will cross your mind at some point. You will later understand easily what exactly you have to do with this painting and how to turn it into masterwork. Anger causes more mistakes, and frustration is even worse.
Beginners in art: view the project as a step to success
Tip when using photo reference
If you are using a photo reference, remember that painting is more important as it develops than reference. The photo reference is just a reference. Always do things that matter for painting without trying to create a copy of your photo. That refers to color, shapes and details, as well. The task of art is not to recreate a photo, but to create something completely new which is perceived on its own.
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