Category: Art classes

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Creative freedom and old barn project

Step 3 of barn painting, artistic freedom

Creative freedom and self-care

Creating art is a way of finding out if one is able to make creativity, drawing, sketching and painting part of their life and self-care. I recently received many positive comments about my art classes. Parents admitted that the art instruction which is available in our region (Ontario, Durham region) does not actually include learning how to draw or paint. They told that most art classes were rather craft classes which use glue, markers, inks, papers, mixed media and similar. There is a need for projects which involve real drawing, sketching and painting. I am adding to this creative freedom when we make our own choices.

Replacing device with brush and pencil

I have noticed the dramatically decreasing attention span and lack of focus due to the overuse of devices in the recent years. The inability to prioritize important things in our life is one more issue because there is too much of everything happening at once. While some people, who have no art creation experience, would assume that art entertainment events with cocktails and food are art classes,  I am very sure they are not since such events don’t teach anybody anything. There are also misleading art instruction models. Most of them are designed to please the participants and to make them believe that they are gaining a lot.

Ready product versus process

Most people are interested only in the final products, and they have no interest or patience to learn about the process of getting to this final product. Indeed, we are seeing this frequently. Many venues offer art classes which are half-done product. They supply with paper or canvas with drawing on it, so that the student has to only apply paint on certain spots Most events are a few hours a single night or one day only because everybody is in a rush. Is it possible to master everything within such a small time frame? No, it isn’t. Brushing techniques alone take time to practice, not to mention that colors, values and composition matter. We always observe certain aspects of painting and we must be aware what these aspects are.

Meaningful art instruction

If we want to make art instruction meaningful again and if we want people to really fall in love with creativity and hand-made art, we have to go the long and more difficult way. We have to allow teens and adults, who want to learn, doing so. Having the final product or masterwork done in just a few hours is an illusion. Nevertheless, there are lots of people who believe in that. Final product or masterwork cannot be the only goal. What matters in this case is the journey, the multiple techniques and approaches, the enjoyable path to self-discovery, satisfaction and feeling of fulfillment. The key is understanding the main drawing and painting principles.

Progress of my recent project

The recent project was painting a simple barn while using expressive watercolor washes. Students learned how to blend red and green colors. For that, we require wet-in-wet approach since that eliminates muddy color.  We used simple perspective drawing of buildings and fence.

Step 1 of old barn painting, artistic freedom

A few layers are already applied, I start with abstract watercolor washes and define them as I go.

Step 2 of old barn painting, artistic freedom

I keep adding layers and I have also worked more on fence posts.

Step 3 of barn painting, artistic freedom

The old country barn painting is almost done, just problems with picture-taking.

Mutual experience

I also wanted to make an art class which is hard to learn online: just because the content of this class rests on the presence and the interaction between me, group and everybody as an individual. Perspective is such subject for which understanding the principles is of extreme importance, or there is no perspective. While my photos were not perfect, the painting is correct.

Old country barn landscape

The finished painting, Old country barn, 24 x 20 in or 61 x 51 cm watercolor painting on Saunders-Waterford cotton paper

Reason to be satisfied

Therefore, I am proud that my drawing, sketching and painting classes provide teens and adults with a meaningful art instruction. I make sure that students have tools to enjoy a creative freedom, and they are able to draw, sketch and paint anything they want and the way they would like to. I believe that is different and that works in favor of any student.

Please see also: https://inesepogagallery.com/2017/10/02/art-created-different-dimension/

And if you live in Ontario, you can apply for my art classes directly here:  Art classes

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Art instruction: online versus real, myths versus reality

Painting winter birch

Art instruction in abundance

Art instruction can be found in abundance everywhere: there are numerous online classes, numerous websites that will give an idea of creating art and also countless real life events. 100% of students who attend my art classes have been watching YouTube art instruction videos, demos and suggestions. One would think they have learned a lot. In fact, it isn’t the case.

Birch painting in watercolor

 

What is the gain?

Most people after spending a lot of time with online art instruction videos haven’t learned anything. That sounds strange, but it is a fact. Most people who have been watching YouTube tutorials and demos do not know how to use the brush with acrylic, how to blend paint and how to mix the correct color they want. Most people who were learning drawing and watercolor painting using online video tutorials are afraid of water; they do not know how to apply watercolor paint, how much water to use, how to time the painting process and how to avoid muddy colors.  Most people, who were learning how to draw online, cannot draw anything on their own or using real set-up compositions. They can only trace a photo or use an outline printout for their drawing.

Merry Christmas snowman

Reasons and causes

Why would that be? Why haven’t they become skilled after spending numerous hours at the screen? The main reason might be the one-sidedness. If one has a lot of artistic experience and knowledge of painting techniques and understanding of paint properties, they will benefit from such online art instruction videos. These, who have zero experience, most likely will not. I believe these art instruction videos are good for inspiration and issue solving. If you do not have experience, you will rather get confused and disappointed.

Two-way communication

In real and live class, I can see how somebody understood the demo or painting tip. You’d be surprised seeing what levels of moisture are applied when I am saying: make your paper wet. That ranges from flooded paper with puddles of water to slightly seeing shine on it. Graded wash is understood in very different ways: from thick layer of paint to no paint at all. Not to mention a wet paint application on wet paper and a dry paint application on wet or dry paper.

Timing

Timing is a very important part of painting with either watercolor, or acrylic. By not observing timing and making good use of it, the potential artist will definitely get frustrated. There are things which are easy to do when the timing is right and impossible to do at all if the timing is wrong.

On your own and on one side of screen

When you are sitting on one side of screen, nobody can check or see how exactly you are applying advice or tip. In a live class, I can see right away whether the paint is too wet, too dry, if there is too little of it or way too much of it. I can see right away who understood the technique and who is struggling with it. I am able to notice the weaknesses and the strengths right away, as well, and do that for each particular student.

Art instruction, winter birch painting

Brushing techniques

Brushing techniques are probably the most important part of acrylic painting. Most people have absolutely no idea about these techniques. It is understood that it does not matter how you put the acrylic paint on canvas. Well, that makes the painting experience either pleasant or results in frustration when one cannot achieve what they want to.

Painting winter birch

Using watercolor paint

Most people do not know how wet or how dry watercolor paint should be, and I have seen how some would try applying it without any water at all. Sounds crazy? Yes, it is weird because we call it watercolor because it is used with water. Pigment in watercolor paint is activated using water, otherwise it won’t work. Without doing this properly, there is no watercolor painting, but we create a streaky smear.

Quality of art supplies

There is a principle which is always true when it comes to art supplies: the better quality art supplies are, the easier it is to apply them; and vice versa: the worse quality art supplies are, the more skills one will need to use them properly and to achieve good results.

How to or how not to

While many art instruction demos and videos are called “How to paint ….” they should be called, in fact, “How I paint ….” because there are lots of ways to interpret one and the same subject and one and the same theme. Many of demos also instead of “How to paint …” fall in the category “How not to paint …”. That’s just how wrong the demo or art instruction advice can be. With the widespread accessibility of internet and opportunity to share and post anything, we cannot be always sure if the advice we are given is correct or if it will ever work for us in particular. We have to approach everything selectively. That refers not only to art instruction, but also to any advice for any situation in life.

Teaching without skills? That happens

We have seen by now how art instruction is given by people who do not have the slightest teaching or art experience, as well. Art instruction has become an area where everybody is an expert. Would anybody teach and give music lessons? Piano or guitar lessons, for instance? No, they would not. Would anybody without any knowledge and skill teach foreign language, math or chemistry? No, they would not because that means misleading the student and pretending that one has what they do not. When it comes to drawing and painting, it is assumed that having no experience is not an issue. Just teach it and everything will be fine. Isn’t that a bit absurd?

Learn faster

I would say if you want to see fast results and create decent and interesting art, you definitely have to start with real and live art instruction. Let the art instructor see how and what you are doing because that is the only way to find out why some things do not work and what you should be doing to make this experience rewarding and uplifting. Realistically, the things one needs to learn are the main principles of drawing and painting, not the style and techniques of artist X, Y or Z.

Finding out what you can do

Once you have learned the basics and have established the foundation, you will be able to create anything, draw and paint anything in your personal style and develop a personal approach to any subject. That won’t limit you to being able to only paint one particular scene and subject. It will feel like: I can draw and paint any scene, any still life and floral composition. I can draw and paint anything. That’s why starting with techniques, values, color theory and composition is important. Practically, that means finding out what your brush, paint and pencil can do once you know how to use them.

Winter birch painting by Inese Poga
Painting which we created during recent art class

From simple to complex

Therefore, I would suggest, we start with basics and go from simple subjects to very complex ones. Along with becoming skilled in art, drawing and painting are the absolutely best things to devote our free time and leisure hours to. This means also exploring ourselves, becoming smarter, better with decision-making and invisibly growing new brain cells, as well, extending the lifetime of the existing brain cells. That means a better memory and an improved cognitive function.

Suggestions on how to choose art classes: https://inesepogagallery.com/2017/10/09/choose-art-classes/

Registration for art classes: Art classes

And some of our previous experiences: https://inesepogagallery.com/2013/09/20/art-classes-a-worthwhile-activity/

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Celebrate in style: the best way to get into Christmas mood

Christmas mood, small paintings

Robins, cardinals, fun and Christmas mood

Christmas mood must be intentionally created. Original art has a special attraction, energy and flare to it, therefore, it really helps. I don’t think there can be too much art on any walls. I have usually some 200 works of art on display in my studio gallery, and it does not feel overwhelming or crowded. I rotate my art depending on demand and season. It feels very appropriate to have snow scenes and winter villages on display when Christmas is around the corner, and it is very obvious that spring flowers blossom around the gallery in spring.

Christmas mood: Bird paintings

Fantastic small bird paintings

I have a special love to small birds. I preferred them to any other creatures already as a kid. I assume that one should only paint what they know. I watch these birds during any season, and I have hundreds of sketches which I can turn into artworks later. I painted this particular painting “Robins, winter” last year. I painted 6 bird paintings. As it frequently happens, I felt I wanted to improve the color balance. So, I added a few more layers of paint to this painting. I believe it became better and birds are more bird-like, as well. The entire scene is lovely and welcoming and speaks for itself – it works very well for Christmas mood.

Red robins, winter painting

Robins, winter, 16 x 20 in (41 cm x 51 cm) acrylic painting on canvas, sold

Festive gift painting workshop

I  invite everybody to participate in a festive workshop at the beginning of December to try out how nice of an adventure it is to create something heart-warming and cheerful. We can choose the image, and some people usually prefer winter scenes, some illustration or wall decoration type of art, as well as some might go for birds. We also paint poinsettias almost every winter. I must admit, that is a subject which always works well on canvas and paper and looks great.

Christmas mood: Bird paintings in acrylic

Create the mood, create the gift

The best way to get into Christmas mood is to create art that suits the season. Let us celebrate in style with original art this year! Please let me know if you like “Robins, winter” painting and whether you’d love me to ship it to you!

Art prints and other artistic products are available from Fine Art America., just click on image.

Celebrate in style, Christmas gifts

My favorite from all products with this particular painting is the spiral notebook. It looks unbelievably good! Mugs also look impressive, so do actually lots of my art products and art prints.

Here is how you get to purchase many fantastic prints and similar artsy things at very attractive prices: Art collections by Inese Poga

Christmas mood

Celebrate in style and have a wonderful Christmas mood!

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How to choose art classes

Choose art classes, watercolor painting classes

Many benefits of art classes

Many people who feel attracted to art, sign up for art and painting classes in the fall. Certainly, days are getting shorter and the weather gradually changes from very pleasant to quite nasty, rainy and chilly. I will not list all advantages of joining an art class or painting group this time because I’ve been mentioning them multiple times, and there are so many: from building your confidence and self-esteem and finding a great thing to fill up the long nights to effects similar to meditation which allow one floating away from daily troubles and problems, to mental fitness and rejuvenation of brain cells. The created art becomes just another gain along the way.

Choosing an art class that suits your preferences

When choosing an art class, you should first check out what art instructor does. What are his or her favorite subjects, style, colors, approach? If you generally do not like such art as instructor is doing, you most likely will not enjoy it. For instance, if instructor is insisting on copying photos, you most likely will not be learning how to paint abstracts; or if she or he never do portrait painting, it is unlikely the class will provide with portrait painting skills.

Watercolor for beginners

Size matters

Make sure the size of group somewhat works with you. I hear people complaining that they signed up for an art class and never got any attention, therefore, never learned anything. Well, if a weekly art class is 2 hours long and there are 20 or even more students in the classroom, how would you get a lot of attention? You can count on about 5 minutes of individual instruction in the best case because no instructor can run around the class while they are demonstrating technique. It is obvious that you have to choose a small art class if you require much advice or want very individual approach.

Level class is designed for

Find out what level this art class is for. If class is intended for advanced painters, , but you are just starting out, you will not be able to catch up with others. Beginner is somebody, who hasn’t done at least 200 small size paintings or 150 larger paintings.

Realistic expectations

Next thing is: be realistic in expectations. That is probably the most overlooked aspect of any art class or studies of creative things. Learning how to use tools takes time. Although, everybody has seen a painting brush and quite frequently people have tried using it, it does not mean that you know what correct brushstroke is. Any brush (they come in very many sizes, shapes and are made from all kinds of materials) can be used for very specific things and also for very general approaches. That depends also on your personal preferences, medium and subject.

Art supplies

Materials are an extremely important thing for an art class, so, the best results will definitely be achieved using good quality materials straight from the beginning. I have heard this often: I’m just learning, so I will use the cheapest materials for now. Well, that might not work at all because using bad materials can easily become a torture and nuisance. Sometimes students struggle with bad watercolor paper and they think they are doing something wrong, but, in fact, it is the paper which prevents from getting acceptable results.

Your own art supplies

Equally important is also having your own materials. It might seem: what’s the difference? The answer is: there is a huge difference between paints, brushes, canvas, papers, pencils and even erasers, not to mention that is one of the most important aspects of learning. Tools matter, surface matters, paints and brands matter. There is no other way to become familiar with some materials in particular as using them.

Art classes, watercolor

Be motivated

The most important part is to sign up for something that you feel interested in. One should also be prepared to learn, practice and memorize things, be spontaneous, courageous, daring and fearless, as well as have enough personal time for not feeling rushed.

Fall nature and still life

Fall paintings in watercolor

I always work harder on pictures than actual paintings.

Drawing and painting nature

Colors in context images are much more like in reality.

How to choose art classes

I loved them, I hope it becomes a source of pleasure for you, too.

This is the updated painting

Art classes

Clear white apples, available

Art classes, schedule and registration

Private art lessons

Enjoy!

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Different approach to art class: focus on relaxing and stress-free creativity

Watercolor paints

Creativity for an art class

As the fall of 2017 is approaching, my new art class focus on stress-free environment and creative techniques. Students can learn, paint and relax letting all concerns and problems go. The key to creativity is being relaxed and not expecting miracles, but creating them: one small miracle at a time. I noticed that some students were taking art classes way too seriously, and being worried does not allow achieving great results.

Forget concerns and technical perfection

I want this to be a welcoming stress-free environment for creation so that purely technical goals become secondary. Traditional art instruction pays too much attention to the technical execution leaving the emotional and mental side neglected. That is why some artists go for big lengths: trace and copy photos, repaint everything which is in digitally adjusted photo. What about creativity? Going for photographic perfection frequently lacks the emotional aspect. I’d like to emphasize: the creative process is the most valuable part of the artistic journey.

Country barn, spring, art class subject

Don’t limit yourself

Perfection in art is not the best goal because it simply prevents from unfolding our creative potential and limits the range of tools and techniques we apply. I hear this quite frequently: I’m not touching this painting anymore because I do not want to damage it. Well, leaving work unfinished isn’t good either. Limitless creativity takes us much further. You will learn effortless and, thus, stress-free techniques to avoid leaving work unfinished in my art class.

Live versus online art class

I also wanted to make an art class which is impossible to replicate online. The content of this art class rests on the presence and the interaction between me, group and everybody as an individual. The live art class allows me seeing and noticing why something does not work and why students cannot achieve the result they are looking for.

Watercolor, abstract leaves, painted in art class

Artistic experience

I will gear everything towards a great, interesting, amazing and positive experience. That means learning about oneself and art, and learning to be creative without the annoying pressure which some teaching venues want to impose on somebody who is looking for a new skill and ability.

Watercolor reflection painting for art class

Painted images diary

We will use blocks of paper, so that at the end of this  positive painting session  everybody will have an image diary and will be able to continue adding creations. Inspiration and immersion in calm, creative environment is what one can find engaging in art.

Backyard watercolor painting, art class

Emotional satisfaction

I believe, this type of art class where experience and activity flow together creating emotional satisfaction, thus, being stress-free and providing with a new perspective on the bothersome issues in one’s life, will be appreciated. It’s interesting that I was away and did not do any advertising so far, but people were applying already, in fact, a lot of people. That included the new daytime watercolor painting class.

Wash paintings without drawing

I am adding as illustration brushstroke and wash only painting. We use only watercolor paint and water, and we watch what happens and how our thoughts and ideas look on paper. Watercolor paintings without drawing:  it is fun, relaxing brushing and interesting flow of pigment:

Stress-free painting - maple leaf sketch

Choose your own subject

Participants will have a lot of choice: they can draw, they can use pen or they can also do very abstract or semi-abstract art for their image diary. That’s why it’s called: stress relief with color and line. Art classes are for everybody because we will be using only our personal preferences with colors, subjects and the way they look.

Sign up here: Art classes

Find out more: Inese’s blog