I have Thanksgiving on my mind this year. It’s not that we always celebrate it, but I believe there are many things to be thankful for this year, especially, overcoming all the difficulties and sadness in February and March. Canadian Thanksgiving is much earlier than the American, therefore, I hope my gift sales page will be set up and published soon. I can currently invite everybody to check out my Fine Art America products: there are so many: from garments and outfits to notebooks, mugs and totes, not to mention many kinds of prints, both framed and unframed on different surfaces and in many sizes. Link is at the bottom of page.
Inese’s Art Studio creates
Inese’s Art Studio is booming with ideas, plans for projects and hands-on activities. I am working on a few new artworks, as well as finalizing some that were started 3 to 5 years ago. Having one-person run art school, creating my own art and crafts, sometimes sewing things, gardening and performing all daily chores takes a lot of time and work. I simply want to have lots and lots of gifts and smaller size art, as well as cards and Thank-you sheets to offer this year. The good thing is: art never goes bad, so, it can be used and re-used after a while again.
Fall still life with pumpkin and fruit, 20 x 24 in
What’s not to love about fall?
As much as I enjoy spring and summer, I also love the color parade and all shades of gold showing up in nature and tree foliage when the fall arrives. It is a feast for eyes, and it is a great inspiration for anybody who picks up a brush. I finished the fall still life which we started in my art classes 5 years ago. I think it came out great with warm colors and very attractive fall fruit. I struggled with photos, just as always. Some had glare on them, some came out too dark, some were to light and some had wrong colors. I chose the best, yet, I must say, the actual painting is still better. Its size is 24 x 18 inches or 61 x 46 cm.
Sunset boat, acrylic painting on canvas, 20 x 24 in
Moonlit path, acrylic, 20 x 20 in
Under fall sky, 20 x 16 in
Red poppies, bright red, acrylic 24 x 20 in acrylic on canvas
Painting fall is always rewarding and pleasure
We have done it numerous times and every year during art lessons. Even absolute beginners can get nice art done if using sponge and fan brush because it loosens one up and allows going easy about blending and color matching. Any warm colors will do, and if you pair them with cool grey or soft grey-blue, the result speaks for itself. I am sharing a few paintings which I haven’t sold yet, although, fall landscapes usually sell fast. I suppose it is because they make any wall and room cozy and warm. Fall is the time we want our comfort foods, candle lights and warm blankets on the sofa.
Enjoy and let me know if you’d be interested in purchasing some art.
Fruity, simple and attractive is still life with apples. Between years 2013 and 2018, I used to spend either August or September in Latvia. They have numerous fruit trees. Apples were in all tones and colors: red, white, green, purple and scarlet. Their round perfect shape was always attractive to me, so, I rarely could resist sketching or painting some apples whether with leaves or other elements.
This particular painting comes from my bright color period. I think it was 2008 when I painted this still life. It is quite large, 15 x 22 inches or 38 x 56 cm. I used to enjoy extra bright colors and St. Petersburg watercolors definitely facilitate that.
This apple still life was painted in Latvia looking at a tree and balancing paper in my lap. The weather wasn’t really cooperating, but I managed to finalize this painting upon my return to Canada.
Similarly, this still life with apples and pears was painted at my daughter’s computer desk. The space was too small to lay out paints and paper in a manner that I could paint without worrying that something falls to the floor. However, I love how it came out. I got some leaves in the garden, and they had a few green pears. I love my color combination in this one.
These are clear white apples which grow in my sister’s garden. They are ripe in August or even sooner, but must be consumed swiftly. They are extremely juicy and sweet, but go bad fast. I haven’t actually seen this sort of apples in Canada. I think this still life came out quite nice, too. I had to add final touches upon my return to Canada.
I have many sketches of apples, some unfinished watercolors and also acrylic still life painting with fruit and apples. It is not possible to remember all paintings which feature apples.
My personal point is that anything makes a good painting. Simple things can be painted and drawn as great as very complex subjects. I do always advise starting with such subjects that are around you and are easily found and replaced. That is a wonderful exercise in composition and color. It is also pleasure for eyes. Such paintings look great on any wall.
I have painted numerous still life paintings over years. It was not my most favorite subject when I was young, but I fall in love with this subject as time passed by. This genre usually works well for me: set up some things which can be found in the garden or fridge, find some cups, bowls and add a few flowers or leaves in absence of flowers. As you know, whenever possible I do not use photos because camera always distorts the image to some extent and the image is never what human eye can see.
Still life tells a story
Still life always tells a story, and this story can be read quite easily if and when the viewer wants to. It is by far not only shapes and color; it is much more than contrast between live and organic shapes and handmade items. Still life reflects my current opinions and my current emotions. It can express everything we are willing to disclose.
I started this particular still life 5 years ago. I had everything I need to set up something quite attractive. I did a rough value sketch in the actual size which is 22 x 30 inches or full sheet of Arches watercolor paper. I transferred the drawing onto watercolor paper and moved to first washes, just like always working from the back to the front.
This is how far I got in 2015., drawing from a setup in my studioI only created a few washes and left the painting alone for practically 5 years
Restarting the process
I suppose, I got busy afterwards and the items of my still life simply went bad. I did not have time for about 5 years until recently.
After I moved into my new Ajax place, I had to sort out all numerous art folders. I found a few started paintings, all on large size Arches watercolor paper, and I decided to do something about at least a few of them. It took me about 3 days to bring the painting to its final stages.
Lack of reference should not stop us
The sad thing is that I could only reference the rough sketch. I obviously used my memory and imagination, otherwise it did not work. Working from life results in more vivid and lifelike painting. However, if there is huge interruption in the process, completing such painting can be challenging. It is not only because I do not have the same setup, but also because we change over time. Our perception changes, our color preferences change and, finally, the way we work changes. Therefore, it can be tricky to pick up the process where it was left so many years ago.
I took the risk, and I think the result is great. It is a very large painting. It took the entire table length to somehow accommodate it. I also had quite hard time taking pictures with iPhone because of the size.
Masterclass: new way to learn art this fall
This fall I am starting master-classes which will take place once a month. These will be classes for people with experience and they will be designed to elaborate a particular subject and master-class will also include extensive demo and explanations.
I would like to give art classes that genuinely teach somebody, so, that they have artistic freedom creating their own art. I find that most art classes teach students nothing. It is mostly just some design which is executed with paints. Learning is a great way to stay young and keep our brain flexible.
Should you paint your current subject using vertical or horizontal format? Anybody who paints and draws, will most likely say: it depends. It really depends, and especially on the subject of a painting. If it is a commission, it will depend on client’s choice and placement of art.
Attractive vertical compositions
I think, when it comes to not that large paintings, I mean, sizes 16 x 20 in up to 20 x 24 in, I really love using the vertical format. I have sometimes adjusted whatever I see or imagine for the use of vertically shaped canvas. Long vertical images are compositionally attractive. It is possible to implement tall trees or abstract background, or separate parts of an abstracted image on a long vertical canvas. I’d love that. I haven’t been to art store recently, but I will purchase a few very long canvases just for images I have on my mind.
Summer meadow, acrylic on canvas
Bluebell forest, acrylic painting, original sold
Distant shores at dusk, acrylic on canvas, original sold
Trillium forest, acrylic painting on canvas
Barn reflection, acrylic on canvas
Trying to arrange the new studio space
Studio move is complete. It took me more than a month, and I obviously could not paint anything new during this time. For the most part, art supplies and painting tools have been sorted out. I am able to find most things what I am looking for. Watercolor paintings and drawings are still packed in huge folders, I mean, large size folders and folders containing numerous paintings and drawings. I have no access to these at the moment. Acrylic paintings are mostly packed up still, too, but it is easier to sort through them.
Arranging art supplies
We haven’t managed to hang any paintings on walls yet, but I have also to arrange and organize 5 rooms of our personal living space, as well as 3 classrooms for my studio, my large office and a beautiful outdoor space. I planted, replanted and took care of numerous plants before and after moving, not everything is done yet, but it certainly takes time and lots and lots of work.
New intensive summer art classes
I am preparing materials for the new intensive summer classes, and I hope they will be very successful. I intend to present easy and very attractive subjects to students: they are all new subjects. That is why I need to work out painting steps and techniques for easy steps for every project. We have good light here, large spaces, both, indoors and outdoors.
We have to keep art supply list short! When somebody wants to start drawing or painting, they sometimes buy too many painting and art supplies, tools and materials, and quite a few of them won’t ever be used. While we need paper, canvas or other surface to draw and paint on, it is important to have that surface which fits your art intentions.
It is also important to find out what the painting style or technique you want to use involves.
My favorite watercolor painting supplies
Buying watercolor paper
Watercolor paper is a very sensitive part of watercolor painting and by choosing the right paper you will enable yourself learning faster and paint better.
There are so many paper manufacturers! Most of thin watercolor paper will not do anything. In order to create beautiful washes, you need paper which takes in water and pigment: thick, heavy, cotton paper. My favorite watercolor papers are Arches brand and Saunders-Waterford. I use the heavier papers of these brands, always cold pressed because I love the grain on paper.
You can do test painting on lighter and thinner paper, it is just so, that you probably won’t get the best results and painting on thin watercolor paper will require more skill and more effort.
Art supply sets
We can see quite frequently sets at the art store: sets of brushes, sets of pencils, sets of paints and sets of canvas and even combined sets of paper blocks, canvas with drawing, brushes and other things. Sets are meant for testing brands and also for as if your comfort: just get a set and no worries.
Universal things never work for specific purposes. You are not going to do a universal painting, but most likely pick your favorite painting subject and technique; therefore, you need specific and tailored things, not anything that says paint or brush on the label.
Art supply setswhich won’t work
Some sets don’t make sense, for example, acrylic paint sets. You will use white color at least twice as much as any other color. Yellow color can be very problematic, and it goes fast, too. Depending on a personal preference, you might never like or find attractive some set colors. We generally do not need any premixed green colors because we can always mix up numerous tones. You will need a few primary colors, black and white. The problem is that all primary colors come in very many shades and tones. It is the best you choose from separate tubes and test many similar colors until you find yours.
These art supplies I use for drawing, they include pens
Quality matters
Craft acrylic paints will not have the same features what paints for fine art. They are generally very liquid. Liquid paints are useful if you want to pour them, but they won’t do well for painting.
Students grade acrylic paints are cheaper and contain less pigment, but more binding and filling substances. Some brands have fairly good paints, but most cheap paints feel like colored pasta, not paint. That depends on color, too. Red and some dark blue colors will be quite fine, but the lightest and darkest colors will fail when mixing.
My favorite art supplies for acrylic painting
Medium quality acrylic paints
Medium quality acrylic paints are fine for basic layers, but they usually have very weak white and yellow colors. That affects the painting to a great degree. We have to remember: as acrylic painting dries, it will become much darker and flatter without that initial contrast which is present on the wet painting. Therefore, we normally use third, fourth and more layers depending on subject. It is a good thing to leave acrylic painting alone between painting sessions to dry completely. Every next layer is easier to apply. Most artists use only good quality acrylic paints for top layers.
Brush sets
Sets of all-purpose brushes are simply useless. We use watercolor brushes (very soft, capable of absorbing and holding pigment and water) for watercolor painting, specific acrylic brushes, they can be as soft as watercolor brushes, but with shorter bristles. You certainly could use synthetic watercolor brush for acrylic painting. Acrylic is versatile medium and you could use fan brush, sponge, rough bristle brush for effects and sponge.
You will need a few brushes depending on painting size, painting subject and detail, but not 10 brushes for a small painting. The brush we use depends on our medium of choice and technique. If you are a beginner, get 3 (small, medium and large) brushes for your medium, that will do and you can buy everything else as you go.
Some of art supplies we used in recent art classes
It’s not the brush, it’s the painter
I use only 2 brushes for watercolor painting: number 12-14 round with fine tip and number 6 round for small parts. I usually paint large size art. For acrylic, I can paint the entire painting with 1 flat brush, or 1 Filbert and then use adjusted fan brush. The main thing is usually to know how to use the brush to its full potential. It is frequently not the brush, but person who paints with it.
The specific supplies you need will always depend on size, technique and painting subject. It feels good getting supplies on sale, but one has to be careful when deciding whether you will ever use these particular materials, tools and supplies. Keep the art supply list short!
Organize art supplies and painting tools
Students love leaving everything in a big suitcase type of bag and then they cannot find anything when they need it. We need not only to organize the folder, bag or case of art supplies, but also our work space before we start painting. All tools, brushes, pencils, all paint tubes, palette, palette knife, sheets of paper towel, mixing pad, paper or plate, water containers, eraser, sharpener – everything must be within reach. You should keep on your direct work space only tools, brushes and paints which you are going to use. Overcrowded work space will disturb you and slow down.
My advice is: have less art supplies, thus, keeping the art supply list short. Try also buying better quality art supplies and keep them neatly organized when stored and when in use!
