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.
Since the new fall semester is starting soon at my studio and people are signing up for fall semester art classes, I would like to point out a few creative blocks that prevent us from unfolding our creative potential to full extent. We are all very different and we come with our good and bad habits. We have great and not that great qualities, but there are some things we need to leave at home when starting an art class.
Self-criticism
Students sometimes describe their first drawing and painting attempts as bad, unsuccessful or failure. This can mean a few things. There are people who apply strict critical attitude to themselves. They might not love themselves or they might be afraid that if they do not say that first, somebody else will. In other cases self-criticism can mean just asking for a compliment, to be certain that whatever you do is fine. When somebody is just starting out to explore what drawing or painting is, they have to relax and stop programming themselves for inability to do anything.
Programming oneself for failure
Saying that you cannot do one thing or another creates strong internal resistance to experiencing new abilities and skills. If you have come to an art class, stop criticizing yourself and what you do: most likely, you wanted to learn. That’s what learning process is: going from not that great result to achieving everything you wanted. We must devote time and do some work in order to see how much and how far we can go. Please, leave the strict inner critic at home; don’t allow it to follow you into the classroom!
Flower painting class for adults
Expecting immediate results
Learning anything is a process, a journey and a discovery. Learning is a gradual process. We go from simple to complex, from general to specific, from mediocre to outstanding. Sky is the limit or rather, the only limitations are these which we put ourselves within.
Have you ever heard that somebody learned playing an instrument within a few hours? It is unlikely, isn’t it? Have you ever seen an Olympic champion who just picked up their sport a few days ago? Do you know about any writer who won global attention with the first line they ever wrote?
Time, practice and effort
Any new skill takes time, work, practice and effort. When it comes to drawing and painting, for some unknown reason, many people are convinced that they just go to an art class and become skilled within 2 hours. It might be because watching YouTube videos has made an impression that it is extra easy and fast. That applies especially to time-lapse and speed videos. You see quite many hours of work squeezed in a few minutes.
Lack of confidence and insecurity
We can distinct 3 main types when it comes to confidence and insecurity: some people are way too confident that they know everything, some keep a healthy balance, but some others doubt every breath they take.
The value of an art class is that it teaches confidence and how to become confident and forget all insecurities what one had. That is a valuable quality for any person, not only for the creative type. Lack of confidence is easy to detect in art. Most often we get rid of this disturbing feature by courageously going with our feelings about the particular subject. We have to also stop worrying about mistakes. They happen; they are a normal part of any learning process and creativity.
Fear
I have been writing about this issue numerous times. It is your paper, it is your canvas. You can put on it anything you feel like. If you do not take small artistic risks, progress will be slow. There is no point in trying to avoid mistakes or errors. Don’t be quick to describe your learning process as a failure.
Paper, canvas, brushes and pencil do not bite. There are no known health threats when using good quality, safe paints.
Mastery doesn’t happen immediately
Nobody has ever become a master within a few hours, nobody. Fear usually arises from comparing oneself to either the best images on the internet or to other students. Students sometimes say they have no experience only to try looking better in the context of the group. It is not a competition. It is a class. Class is a learning process.
Fear paralyzes our creative resources. Drawing and painting is seeing at first and then allowing the signal from our brain to travel to the hand with brush or pencil.
Extreme sensitivity
Being emotionally very sensitive can frequently involve anxiety and unjustified stresses. You must understand that nobody comes to an art class to judge what you paint or draw because all students want to learn or develop their beginner skills more. Art class is not a show or competition. If you do not want others to see what you have painted, say so. I do sometimes wonder why somebody would want to compare unfinished project, color swaps or draft sketches? You have all rights to keep your work private. If you do not want the teacher or art instructor to correct any of your lines, colors or show brushstrokes, just say so. It is sometimes better to simply show some technique, but if it makes some person feel not right, that’s ok.
Watercolor painting class
Emotional barrier
All of the above can create an emotional barrier which prevents you from either improving your skills or getting started with the new activity. You might feel uncomfortable with new things; however, it is so much excitement once you get out of the box where you have put yourself in! There are so many options to pursue and so many ways to develop any of your abilities. Taking the first step and diving into the unknown shouldn’t stop you from trying. It is way worth it.
Quitting before you even started
Art class is no different from any other class: there are fast learners, slow learners, the ones who grasp everything immediately and these ones who always doubt whether they should be even doing this class.
If you are not giving yourself a chance to experience what the new pursuit is about, you most likely will not be satisfied with it.
The truth is that every art, drawing and painting project takes time to elaborate. It also requires practicing some certain techniques and approaches. Acrylic, for instance, is such a medium that it does not look great at early stages. It can even look like a mess and that is great because you have a good base to build the subject on. Some steps might take longer and some are quick. Details and highlights add a special flare to any art, but that comes at later stages. Quitting after the first class will prevent you from seeing what you could have achieved, and especially, after a longer time.
Rose painting workshop
Unrealistic expectations
If you know what your level at the current activity is, and most likely, you do, expect normal progress, not pure miracles. Miracles happen, but only to these who dare.
Going from zero skills to good skills will definitely take time and practice. You will enjoy faster progress if you repeat at home everything you learned at class, but this time on your own. That will indicate which are the weak aspects and you might want to find out more about them during the next class.
Any teacher or instructor may seem like a magician during a demo, but they cannot make you move your hand, make decisions and apply recommendations. You will have to focus, be attentive and observant and also courageous enough to apply what you just learned. Should you expect a masterwork from just the first lines and brushstrokes? You shouldn’t, but during the learning semester that might happen.
Teen students, watercolor painting class
Lack of commitment
Some students are surprised that drawing and painting take work, efforts, a lot of thinking, decision making and even physical strength. For instance, covering quite large canvas takes also physical effort because it needs to be done quite fast to prevent drying and blend some areas seamlessly. We have to act sometimes very fast with large watercolor washes, too.
Creating something requires our input. The drawing or painting will be exactly as you create it. There is no point in saying: “I don’t like it!” Instead, try saying: “What do I like about this and what needs to be changed or improved as I proceed?”
Learning as an ongoing process
Attending any classes takes commitment. Skipping one class might be fine, but you will need to still catch up with others because it is an ongoing process. People, who are convinced that good work pays off, always achieve more and better results. Learning is a serious process. It will require your focus and attention. It is a fantastic, pleasurable and rewarding process, but if you think that it is just play and fun, you might be disappointed. Artists, who want to achieve great results, spend many years learning and never stop doing so.
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.
This year, I am filling my summer sketchbook with floral art. 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 watercolors is using pen and watercolor wash, that will fill your sketchbook in no time. That enables us creating great composition and not caring too much about pencil lines and perfect application of watercolor.
Summer poppies, 12 x 16 in or 30.5 x 40.5 cm
Summer poppies, 12 x 16 in or 30.5 x 40.5 cm
Excellent technique for beginners
Pen and watercolor wash is a great technique for beginning watercolor artists. The most exciting part is adding watercolor washes, as well as more detailed areas with more concentrated paint. We can create a wonderful painting in less time this way because we do not need multi-step drawing transfer onto watercolor paper. It is also much easier to know where to use paint because the black outline clearly identifies that.
The spring rose, 15 x 11 in or 38 x 28 cm
Greatness takes time
If you are new to a particular medium or absolutely new to drawing and painting, you have to remember: nothing happens right away. Every skill takes time, efforts and work to develop. It is no reason to give up painting or drawing if you are not happy with the first few drawings and sketches. You might be surprised how much better one becomes after a while.
Sunflowers, pen and watercolor, 12 x 16 in or 30.5 x 40.5 cm
Not every painting is masterwork
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 scenes, changed the layout and composition completely, switched to a different color or tools. They have done many things before they have created the first amazing painting. Not every drawing or painting is or should be a masterwork. It should be a stepping stone on our way to better art. We use our errors as a way of discovering how to achieve what we want and have intended.
Red poppies, pen and watercolor, 11 x 14 in or 28 x 36 cm
For your inspiration
Get inspired by my simple pen and watercolor sketches. This time, they are floral sketches and paintings. Go outdoors; see what you have in your backyard. Sketching is always better if you do not use any photos, but the real thing in front of you. Pen and watercolor technique allows achieving fast results, therefore, your subject will not change while you draw and sketch it.
Clematis, pen and watercolor, 12 x 16 in or 30.5 x 40.5 cm
Art supplies for drawing and sketching to fill your summer sketchbook
CANSON XL cold press, 140 lb watercolor paper, size 12 x 16 or 12 x 18 in
Arches, cold press, 140 lb watercolor paper, size 12 x 16 or 12 x 18 in
Saunders Waterford, cold press,watercolor paper in whatever weight is available and affordable, size 12 x 16 or 12 x 18 in
For pen, you can use any black pen which does not bleed with application of water. I recommend MICRON brand which contains archival ink, size from 1 to 05, test it. You can test it at the store for thickness of line before buying to see which one you like.
Graphite pencil, HB or even harder
Soft, kneaded, artist’s grade eraser, it is sold in art stores.
Paper towel, a few sheets
Set of watercolors in basic colors
All my art prints, art cards and other products on FAA:
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.
