In the years I have been producing artwork and painting, some of the issues I am constantly up against is fixing problems with either composition, drawing or value. Even though this workshop is only one day, we will work on the foundations of composition and value, then move on to paint and my hope is we all learn a bit more about creating solid artwork.
OUR GOAL: To work through some quick studies of composition and value, helps us gain some understanding of what we want to say in the painting, and it begins the process of problem solving that is always present. It also help to define what the most important “thing” that drew us to the scene, what is less important, how to communicate that to viewer.
The subject(s) will be the landscape since it lends itself well to being a great teacher in the foundational aspects of painting. I believe principles learned in these quick exercises will also easily carry over to other painting projects that are not landscapes – paintings of varying subject matter.
COMPOSITION AND VALUE: We will work on composition and value with gray scale markers. I will provide each person with 5 complimentary greyscale markers (5 shades of grey) to use and take home after the workshop. I will also provide some paper to work with. I have found that this process of using the markers provides a quick way to explore value and composition before committing to paint.
We should have approximately half or two thirds of the day remaining to work on a painting based on composition worked out previously.
Time/Date: July 24 starting at 8:30 in morning til 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $100
Location: Bear Creek Baptist, 1810 Hampton Road, Glen Heights, TX 75154
Lunch: Since we are on a tight schedule, please bring your lunch to enjoy during a short lunch break!
SUPPLIES TO BRING
PHOTO: I will some extra photos of various landscapes for the value studies we will do, but if you have a photo in mind that has a range of values, or you can print and bring your own photos. Remember the photo doesn’t need to have a high level of complexity. Something like a barn in foreground, middle ground trees and distant hills or mountains work great for our purposes.
PAINT: As I mentioned, I’ll provide 5 Greyscale Markers for each person to keep, and Paper for the value studies, but each person should bring paint, brushes, paper towels, etc. and either a plein air easel or a table top easel to work on the final painting. We will keep the palette simple and limited – primary colors, plus white. List of suggested color below.
Since this is to be a fast day, I would suggest for brushes to stick with a larger bristle brush – Flats, 3/8 to ½ inch wide. If time permits the painting to progress to near completion, small brushes may be needed.
LIST OF PAINT: Ultramarine Blue, Alizarine Crimson, Cadmium Yellow Light, Titanium White are great primaries to work with. I also use Gamblin’s Portland Greys: Light, Medium and Deep as this sames time mixing greys from the primaries. Occasionally I use Gamblin’s Chromatic Black, which is a transparent black made from color.
You will also need to bring a CANVAS or PANEL to paint no, a 9 x 12 works great.
Please email me is you have any questions at: smiller2@sbcglobal.net
FINAL NOTE: Sometimes we are hesitant and unwilling to stretch a bit, but I believe there is much to learn through the process we will work through. The solid fundamentals will help improve future work. And “work” is the correct word as it takes work to hammer out the issues and obstacles that hinder creating better paintings.
