Yellow, orange, rusty color and red: leaves say good-bye to their shelter tree and throw themselves into the swirling wind. It is the ancient show of the fall: the last waltz of leaves with the wind as they fall down, down, down …
While the fall is writing a summary about everything that was done during this year, the nature decorates outdoors with all its treasures: colorful leaves, acorns, rowan berries, chestnuts, wild mushrooms, rose hips, late fall blooms, vegetables in the garden and fruits on trees. This is the season of abundance, and this is the most genuine pleasure for our eyes and soul.
Soothing, relaxing and pleasurable
Well, the wind could slow down a bit, and showers could be not that freezing. However, they’re just doing their job whether we like it or not. What can be more soothing and relaxing than creating some paintings in the warm and welcoming fall colors? A cup of herbal tea perhaps, or flavor of chicken soup on the stove? These are useful things for nasty and chilly fall days, too, but they don’t replace the simple pleasure of creation.
Rewarding brushes
If there weren’t these fantastic colors out there, the pain of the summer disappearing behind a dark cloud would be unbearable! I hope everybody can enjoy some hot chicken broth or a cup of tea with homemade pastries at this chilly night in countries where it is getting cold. Other than that: we always have our brushes, pencils and paints. Let us keep painting and drawing, and creating as the fall makes us seek for a shelter indoors! Let us lighten up our inspiration so that we don’t have to blame the darkness and bad weather for our upset moods!
I have attached for illustration some of the autumn nature series paintings.
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.
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 your 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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Winter ends in the art studio around half January. That’s just how impatient we are: once Christmas is over, we’ve got to start preparing for Valentine’s Day, Easter and, most importantly, for spring. We use this time period to define our painting styles.
While winter may seem to be long, boring and unpleasant to many people, we are using the best part of it. The picturesque beauty of snow-covered fields makes a good scene for painting, especially when contrasted with frozen or silently running dark streams to which the majestic attraction of trees under the snow is added.
Our vision and perception of any subject are absolutely unique. There are no two persons who can see one thing in exactly the same way. That’s how nature has taken care of our individual features. That’s also how one image becomes a reflection of many personal interpretations and allows to create many distinctive paintings.
Winter creek, acrylic painting, it’s sold. I painted it as a demo for class
Painting as a process is a very individual activity regardless of how much of experience or knowledge we are implementing in this process. The art we are creating from scratch will always carry our own features, as well.
From psychological point of view, it is possible to associate certain types of lines, composition, application of paint, colors, amount of detail or lack of it with particular human features. I find this fantastic because that’s one more way how our uniqueness manifests.
Winter creek paintings by my students
The emerging painting style is like handwriting: once we have perfected it, it’s completely ours. Does it make sense to repeat somebody else’s writing? Probably not, not even in these cases when you are told your writing is hard to read. The most beautiful hand-writings are actually all complicated and hard to read.
Participating in art classesway to express yourself
What is the best way to never feel bored again?
How to give one’s life a new meaning?
How to make long winter nights shorter not wasting time in front of TV?
It is very simple, indeed: by doing something pleasurable and rewarding.
Art classes and painting lessons fit in this type of activities just perfectly. Not everybody feels like dancing or exercising every weeknight. Not everybody has a good company on his/her own. That’s where I come in with my art classes for beginners and people who simply enjoy colors, shapes and images.
Art classes can lead to a new career or lovely hobby
Some students will continue painting, some will have art only as a hobby, and some students will enjoy time spent in a nice atmosphere. Whatever way it is done, it is worth it. It is amazing to hear after a class how surprised and satisfied students are that they were able to create something on their own, not to mention the value of art created in these art classes.
Wednesday acrylic painting group started to work on fall maple images
Just get started, everything will happen
Many of potential students are asking if they need to be good at drawing or painting before enrolling in art classes. The answer is no, they do not. It is enough that somebody has found time, and this is a good way to spend it. You can enjoy art classes whether you are willing to purchase your own supplies (in that case you can keep working at home, as well), or you just want to use the provided art supplies for the moment.
The new art activity resolves problems
People who feel they depend on their mobile devices, phones, laptops and computers should give this some consideration, as well. We are learning how not to use any devices, printouts or digital references. Once you learn live without a device, even though it is just a few hours, you will see that it is possible and you will learn how to take a break from devices.
Art cures
Art is a fantastic cure for any addiction since it takes us away from troublesome thoughts and cravings. Challenging our brain and drawing or painting new subject every time will improve the cognitive function, memory and brain flexibility.
Thursday acrylic painting class for adults enjoyed drawing, sketching and painting still life. The first part is done, and results look very promising.
Real subject, individualized art
If you use a real subject and do not trace photo, you will get to your personal style much faster. Drawing and painting style is your individual handwriting, and as you improve and develop it, you enjoy a very individualized approach to any part of painting.
Drawing and painting is done observing and re-creating objects on canvas or paper. It may be challenging at first, but this approach is the most natural one and provides with real artistic freedom.
