Inese's blog

August 9, 2015March 18, 2025

Benefits of attending an art class

Art class delivers

I have been mentioning in my articles for numerous times how huge the gain from learning drawing, sketching and painting is. Drawing and painting is not intended only for those who want to be artists or already are involved in creative activities. Drawing is an activity everybody can pursue and art class helps.

Repair and boost cognitive function

There is more and more proof that learning and doing arts is a unique activity which boosts brain activity and development of new neurons and their connections that there is no doubt: drawing, sketching and painting is the best exercise to keep our brain fit, thus, preventing early memory loss and age-related dementia.

Enjoy and have better memory

I recently read about a new brain fitness trial which was carried out at the Newcastle University in a population of 30 volunteers divided in 3 groups for 8 weeks. One group was walking for 3 hours a week, the second doing puzzles and crosswords, and the third group took part in art class 3 hours a week. All participants were tested before and after their respective activities.

Reference: What’s the best way to fight memory loss?

The best results undoubtedly showed the art group, which is no surprise to me because I’ve observed that during all years of teaching. I would like to just mention that I have been working with student groups of 5-30 people for almost 35 years, and those who did arts quite often excelled in ANY area of their life.

If you can write, you can learn drawing

Vegetable still life, watercolor painting

Is everybody able to draw? Yes, everybody is able to draw, but in order to do so they have to learn seeing and processing the object of interest in their brain so that the hand knows what it should be doing. Along with maintenance of good brain health and memory, it is a fantastic, rewarding leisure activity. Once one knows how to draw, they can forget about camera, image processing on computer, they can forget about copying photos.

Mastery is time- and effort consuming

Well, those, who want to master drawing from life, must count on 10,000 hours, at least. That’s the estimated time frame to learn drawing effortlessly. Although, the benefits are so obvious, majority of people will admit they cannot draw. In fact, the truth is they don’t know how to look at something, how to pay attention and what to look for The ability to draw is based on our visual ability to process the visual information and to make our brain move the hand with pencil.

Before you draw, you must learn seeing

Therefore, before we draw, we have to learn how to pay attention and notice relationships between parts of an object, its layout, size and how to reproduce everything on a correct scale. That means, most people see things, but they never focus enough to memorize what they see. At least it is not enough for being able to draw from memory.

Cure for creativity crisis, drawing still life

First attempts

What are the usual problems when starting out with drawing, sketching and painting? It depends on whether one is at the class only for the result, or for the process. Process is good for everybody, but results are evident after longer time. I have sometimes people, who want to achieve excellent results right away, in 1 workshop or 1 class, or they think, it’s not worth continuing. While we progress, we can still enjoy a lot and give our brain the necessary exercise.

How to get better with drawing and painting

Watch, learn seeing and exercise focusing ability! Drawing is not the same what copying photos, transferring images from photos or printing off outlines. Once one gets used to flat objects in a photo, they will have much harder times to ever learn drawing from reality. Reproducing photos also does not facilitate the brain activity as drawing for real does.

Still life with fruit and flowers, watercolor

The initial steps don’t look that great, but after adding some 8-10 payers, we get extremely good results

Learning changes our ability to see

All people, who wanted to participate in drawing and sketching classes noticed soon that they are seeing everything in a different way. Would you like to boost your memory and have some pleasurable pastime? Join the club. We are starting out next week. I’m sharing some pictures which show different types of drawing. We usually draw with very light lines for watercolor painting. We can sketch out main values if the reference object can go bad or disappear soon.

I actually completed one still life only 3 years later and the large still life 4 years later, but since I had a sketch, it was no problem. Here is link to the large still life and how it came out: Finished large Autumn harvest still life

In my opinion, the only way to draw efficiently is using real subjects, real setups or ask somebody to be a model. Everything else means reproducing photos. Some do this very creatively and successfully, some not that much, but only manual drawing from real subject makes one free and independent of any devices. We can interpret our painting also in any way we prefer while photo limits one to use only what is on a photo.

Thanks for reading! Create!

July 23, 2015October 17, 2024

Art loaded with uplifting and positive energy

Just good and positive energy

Positive energy is a big part of my art. We all probably used to have sense of energy and its vibrations, just like animals and birds still do. There are energy-sensitive people, people who do not feel or recognize any energy flow, but experience it subconsciously, and people, who are unable to perceive any energy at all, even though, they are just like everybody else affected by it.

With good thoughts

I paint implementing lots of positive energy in my creations, it’s not only because I cannot make myself draw or paint gruesome, terrifying or evil subjects and scenes, but mainly because that is who I am: a medium for converting the great energy from the impressive nature scenes, flowers, still life subjects into the sensitively perceivable feeling of good vibrations. I doubt this could be felt through the internet images or prints since these are copies of copies. I know that people, who look physically at my paintings in person can experience such strong, good impact.

Red as energy carrier

I have painted numerous red flowers as commissions – poppies, wild roses and similar floral paintings on request of people, who can sense energy and are able to recognize it. Some of them have placed my paintings in the entrance hall to prevent bad luck and bad energy from entering their personal living space. I know a couple, who hang a flower painting of mine at the upper staircase overlooking the entire stair, and they told everything became much better and better in their life since that.

Take it from subject

Some people wanted red flowers for their living rooms and some for bedrooms as an energy carrier for passion and love. I believe any appropriate place is good, and these paintings work well because I have puts lots of positive energy into them. I take it from the beauty of objects to be painted, and these paintings become a shield to stop the flow of disturbing energy.

Let energy flow

When it comes to positive energy, its flow in a room or in any space matters a lot. Color matters and the subject is important also. Therefore, I’d advise to use for personal space only such paintings, art and items that enable the flow of positive energy, not block it.

There’s nothing which makes a room look more cozy than good art. If you want to take the easy path, certainly you can go with color splash and abstract art or no color at all. However, since I always have many paintings in just one room, I can tell that the colors do not disturb and art which displays recognizable subject looks fantastic. It might take more time to decide what exactly to hang on your walls, but there’s no limitation of choices.

Art which releases positive energy and good vibes is usually sold. My art sells the best when people can experience its impact in person. Many of paintings which you see in this post are sold. It makes me happy that somebody else find my art so appealing that they wish to have it in their homes.

Finally, a very large painting from 2014: the Nostalgia gardens. It was sold also. There are definitely more and new paintings to enjoy, to purchase and have the positive energy always with you.

I hope you enjoyed! I would appreciate a lot if you stopped by at the art studio in downtown Whitby, Ontario to have a look at original paintings and at FFA online site to check out all art products.

Art collections by Inese Poga

July 3, 2015October 16, 2024

Weekend painting tips to enjoy summer creativity

Early spring, acrylic painting by Inese Poga

Summer painting tips

Some painting tips, especially for beginners in acrylic painting can be always useful! Many people have time and opportunity to do something about their creative intentions during the summer vacation. I will also answer some frequently asked questions. I have attached the demo art from a few recent art classes and workshops.

The favorite brush

Always use the brush which feels comfortable for the part of painting you are working on. It is difficult to draw fine lines with a huge brush and vice versa: it takes too long to cover large are with a tiny brush. Over time, every artist develops some kind of attraction to a certain brush whether flat, fan brush or round. It is very possible to paint the entire medium size acrylic painting with one medium size flat brush from start to finish.

No pressure

We should never try to put pressure on ourselves or canvas if some painting step doesn’t happen. As with all water-based mediums, timing is an important part of acrylic painting. We should always use large loose brushstrokes for the first layers and keep the textured impasto approach for the most important areas and for the end. exception is when you are using the texture medium or modelling paste at first, then the sequence will be slightly different.

Cleaning brush

Whenever we move from one color to another, we have to rinse the brush and swipe it on a paper towel. It is important not to have too much water on a brush before you get the paint. You need just a small bit of water. Acrylic paint darkens as it dries, therefore, the values might appear not as they are while the paint is wet.

Keeping acrylic paint workable

Extenders and flow medium can extend the working time, however, working with sticky paint may be not suitable for all areas. It is better to work on segments and use mix of medium and tiny bit of water for re-wetting large areas. Too much water can damage acrylic paint. Brushes must always stay submerged in water while we paint. We can rinse them under running warm water and wash with soap afterwards.

Create monochromatic base image

If the object or scene is very complex, it is great to paint the main parts just in one color: create a monochromatic base image. Changing and adding color is very easy, the most difficult part is achieving the right values, color intensity, proportion between light and dark colors.

Expectations and real painting

It can happen that participants have very high expectations when they come to the 3-hour painting workshop. In general, one has to be a realist to some extent. If the participant has never painted before or has done a little bit of painting 20 or more years ago, the first painting will be an interesting exercise. That helps understanding what it means to paint with a brush and to try mixing colors. I would not advise to expect it to be a perfection and best art ever created. Who gets better when just starting to paint? People, who are able to take risks, to experiment and who dare stepping out of their comfort zone.

Acrylic paintings tips — Acrylic landscape with purple and yellow flowers, sold

You will have to learn and paint it

Signing up for a painting class does not mean that painting will paint itself. The art instructor is not a magician, but somebody who can explain, show, demonstrate and correct if something goes completely wrong. Live classes are much better than any online classes because I can see right away what is causing a problem: too much paint, too less paint, too dry or wet brush and so on. We are painting not only with brushstroke, palette knives and sponges, but also with hand pressure, heavy or light movement of the hand, arm or wrist. Application of paint is a big deal and that is something which is best done in the presence of an instructor. I usually explain why the particular image or composition is good or isn’t, why the particular choice of color works or doesn’t.

Spring, acrylic painting — Road to spring was created during art class as a demo for group.

Some tips for beginning artists:

Whenever you have time and chance, pre-paint your canvas in light cardboard color using burnt sienna, yellow ocher and white. Instead of white, we can use gesso, as well. Acrylic gesso is acrylic primer, it seals the pores on canvas or any other material, that includes wood panels, plastic and similar materials. It allows using less paint and it is easier to apply it on previously primed surface.

Spring road, acrylic painting — Behind the ben: acrylic painting of spring road is 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm art on canvas

Think layers

Think in layers, separate in your imagination the part which is behind and underneath, in order to avoid working on small details right away. I’m often seeing how everybody tends to move to fine details way too fast and well before the entire scene is blocked in. We always start from the back and with the background. Unless there is a large very light part, we have to start with dark and medium dark colors. That seems to be the most difficult part for beginners. We do not use the final color at the beginning, but we build it up layer upon layer.

Applying color or building it up

There is a big difference between applying color and building it up. The further we are in the painting the closer we move to the front part. That is a bit different with separate objects like in still life or floral painting. However, we always start with more general things and just afterwards move to particular parts and details. In oil or acrylic, we always go from dark to light and finish up with small areas of highlights. If we have lost the dark parts, we have to paint them back in.

Start over

If you think that some painting is not good enough and it is not worth trying to make it right, you can cover the entire canvas (previous painting) with a mix of gesso and some colors and start a new painting. The small imprints from old painting lines will add more texture, they most often look interesting, and you can build up a thicker layer above the basic layers.

Correct everything

It takes a lot of effort to damage an acrylic painting completely since you can paint it over for as many times as you wish and have time for (or patience). Being afraid to do something wrong in acrylic painting has no reason – you can correct practically anything. It will take more work, time and paint, that’s all.

Happy summer painting! I hope you enjoy the summer painting tips!

For prints:

Art collections by Inese Poga

June 13, 2015October 16, 2024

Ode to perseverance and how to overcome I cannot

In order to improve oneself, perseverance is important. Life is always full of something, and we are mostly busy, sometimes with the most beautiful things and events, sometimes with terrible issues. We simply deal with that, but not everybody has the courage to take a special time for themselves or to spend it as they wish. There are billions of excuses, and behind “I cannot” is quite often hiding: I don’t seriously want it. I am not willing to make a commitment. I am not sure if I want anything at all. It is so much easier to do nothing. It is less complicated to let everything flow by and to go with the stream. The power of doing nothing is huge.

Who doesn’t know moments of emptiness, moments of weakness, and moments of a complete exhaustion: mental and physical? That is life, and, unfortunately, nothing and nobody can prevent such moments from happening. I know this so well: it can be abnormally tough at times to resist the tiredness and pain. Well, we have two choices: feel sorry and cry or stand up and get going. Here I would like to mention perseverance again. We stick to decisions and goals no matter what.

I am for these, who make everything happen. I am with these, who fight their own moods, pain and helplessness. We have a fantastic tool to make our life better: it is self-improvement. Step by step, one move at a time.

Therefore, I feel extremely blessed that my art and painting classes have brought me together with such sincere, honest and creative people. It is very simple to take a brush and swipe it over canvas. Play is attractive. How about when we want something more? Not only spots and splashes, but something way exceeding basics?

Creativity and self-improvement are both: rewarding and demanding. Rewarding all the way through the discoveries and confusion, giving back things which we never even expected; and demanding because we cannot give up our efforts by facing the first difficulties. Self-improvement requires perseverance, a strong spinal cord and ability to go against the wind. I suppose, life is generous mostly to those, who dare. Dare to overcome at least their own resistance and remove the internal brakes.

I would not call the participants of the Wednesday group students anymore. Some of them have become established artists after attending my classes. I am really proud of that because I care how my students are doing and they try to do their best. I am sometimes telling them: you don’t even need any classes any longer. They answer: we love the group and the atmosphere, and we still appreciate the advice.

The Wednesday class takes a break now. We are meeting closer to the fall again. However, the question that surprises me most is: how do these really busy people always find the time not to skip any single class? Well, the secret is most likely unsophisticated: we can always find time for things we love. I would like to thank all my long-term creative friends and participants of my painting classes. Keep your brushes wet!

May 24, 2015October 16, 2024

Take a moment and paint it

This moment is full of blossoming outdoors and still takes our breath away. Endless cloud of fragrances and all colors of the rainbow: how not to love this spring time? I think, I only live in spring. Summer brings its pleasure, too, but I’m already concerned in the fall because that means the dreadful winter is not far away. That’s just how I am, a spring and sun person.

I was so upset that my health decided to give me hard times exactly when everything just asks to be painted. Well, up to today, I didn’t get done much and kept everything to minimum, that unfortunately included posting, as well. Things seem to be easing up, so, I’m quite hopeful that the improvement will finally start. I’m using that expensive pills at the moment that I pretty much should be skipping other stuff like the daily bread.

Even though struggles were inevitable, we managed to get done something very useful in the studio. The regular Wednesday class was painting wildflowers and so did the Saturday Fun and Pleasure acrylic painting event participants.

Moment in art, spring — Behind the ben: acrylic painting of spring road is 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm art on canvas

I had big difficulties with picture-taking because I don’t have filters that make a photographed acrylic or oil painting look nice, but nevertheless, I took quite a few. I will let these pictures speak for me this time. Nothing makes me happier than somebody admitting they like my paintings.

Spring birch trees, acrylic painting — Some of my paintings at the studio. Birches are sold.

Summer flower fields, acrylic painting, abstract — I hope people, who bought this painting, enjoy it!

Thanks for reading!

Inese’s blog

Benefits of attending an art class

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Art loaded with uplifting and positive energy

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Weekend painting tips to enjoy summer creativity

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Ode to perseverance and how to overcome I cannot

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Take a moment and paint it

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