When they seemed to be getting on well with help from my demos I had created, I handed everyone a feather to paint straight with the brush. I do admire everyone - they just got on and did it! Here are some results
Then we had a short lunch break, as everyone seemed to want to get on to the major piece of the day. I had brought along some interesting shaped and coloured figures, plus of course some flowers, and let them chooose which they wanted to do. Some lovely results with the brush, the images in some cases at the early wash stages and one of our gentlemen creating a backdrop for his African family.
here are the figures I brought along and work in varying stages
One lady chose the tulips (afraid the daffodils were still tightly in bud). This is an early stage of her washes.
... and we had a new young lady join us who astounded me with her ability with the pencil at the age of 14. Here is her study of geometric shapes and realising how capable she is suggested in the afternoon she join the others to draw the African Family. I'm really looking forward to encouraging her development.
The day whizzed passed and we even forgot to break for afternoon cakes and tea!!!!! Delighted to hear comments that they felt they had learned a lot taking them out of their comfort zone of always sketching first .. and discovered what their different brushes were for!!
12 comments:
Wow, this looks like so much fun. Wish I could have been there.
What a wonderful workshop! A youforgot to break for food??? THAT'S really dedication. Sure looks like a lot of fun with great results. I'll bet everyone went home tired, too.
Looks like you have a lot of very talented artists in your group, Joan, and you'll only strengthen that with your workshop lessons! How fun! That top feather - when it came up on the sidebar as a small thumbnail, I thought it was an abstracted landscape = hills and valleys. Could be both!
Vicki/Sandy/Rhonda - yes I feel honoured to have such dedicated monthly members who seem to have learned so much in just 1 year (10 workshops). Others come from time to time, but there is this regular group I feel so close to. I checked out the subjects we have covered and noted we had started with drawing skills, then m oved onto ink work, colour theory, watercolour washes, watercolour pencils and acrylics, using flowers, still life, garden equipment and figures. Next month it will PASTELS.
Sounds like a fun workshop. Great for developing creativity
Great job with the workshop. That young lady is very good. I really like the figurine of the African family. And everything must be going well if food is forgotten.
I love the feathers. One of the exercises we did at art school was not to draw an outline - objects don't have outlines we were told. Just draw the tonal values and shapes. Amazing what a difference it can make to your technical skills.
Your workshops sound wonderful, Joan - and lovely results here. Have you ever tried painting with a feather?(don't use such beautiful ones as you have here!) It can give great loose effects, especially for foliage.
Thank you so much for your very kind comment, offering refuge in case of need for my daughter, I am so touched. She will be fine, and has a couple of havens to go to if necessary!
Joanne - nice to meet you - have left a comment on your blog
Jeanne - I agree my new young member is amazing. I do hope I can lead her well in to developing a true talent.
Anita - that was the reason behind this workshop to make developing artists see only shapes.
Cathy - yes I've used old ordinary feathers from time to time - great fun and very light. Might give my current work a try with them for the winter outline of trees. Glad to hear your daughter has contacts in England.
Thanks for the comment on my blog and I see we both like "Out of Africa". The squares - I work with 7 collaborative artists and we each paint one square to contribute to the whole painting. See more of our work at http://canvasbycanvas.com.
Great post. I like the art classes and how your students shine with their work.
Great class with some wonderful results Joan...Love that peacock feather!
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