Art Bits

This is a fun blog.

It is for me to keep in touch with my students and all others who create art and/or enjoy art....any medium.

It is for all of us to include our thoughts, ideas, happenings, and show our artwork. Just e-mail me those ideas and photos and I will post them to this blog. Please do !!! It will make it a group blog.

Enter your e-mail address in the "Follow by Email" to the right, if you would like to get email notification each time something has been posted. If you don't wish to do that...be sure to check back often...as I hope to post very often. You can also add the blog address to your favorites.

To enlarge any photo...just click on it.

(If this is your first time visiting this blog.... scroll down to (or look at the "Blog Archive" section) for the Tuesday, Aug 28th posting which was the first posting with info. These blogs add the newest posting on top).

Enjoy......

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Blog Views: This week the views were from...US, UK, Germany & Sweden.
Readings: I just read, Painting with Pastels by Maggie Price. I wasn't disappointed. It includes lots more than just pastel techniques. I liked the chapters on painting from photos, plein air painting, composition and the age old question: "When is a painting finished !!!".
She states that you should always use your own photos, not just because of the copyright laws of using other people's photos (from magazines, calenders, friends etc) but also you know what you are looking for....always keep in mind your painting goals when you take photos. Also that a photo is just that...it is a photo not a painting. A photo has everything in focus, where you wouldn't do that in a painting.

I recommend that everyone research the copyright laws. There is a fine line between just changing a few "things" from someone else's photo or artwork and be able to call it your own. Don't think that you are just a single person that might not be well known and will never be caught copying.
KCC Classes: Fall term starts next week. Enrollment is very low this term...so if you are interested in a class...be sure to register very soon, as they will be canceled Monday....due to low enrollment.

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Welcome !!

Below are challenges my classes have done. Check out our results. If you find you need encouragement to do a challenge....try them. Good luck.

Check out the blog to see the results from the challenges.

New Art Challenge:

Copy Someones Artwork: Find an artist's artwork painted in the medium you use, and copy it as closely as you can. Great for observation, color mixing, values, composition, brush stokes etc. These copied paintings are for educational purposes only...you can not sign it, show it, sale it or giveaway saying it was your painting.

Complementary Color Scheme. There are five, but our class choose the complementary colors of blue and orange.

Balance.....no limits to what you decide on...you can stack objects, things, colors etc as your subject....with their balance about ready to tumble. Any media.

(Just suggestions:...coffee cups off balance about ready to tumble, books, balls etc).

Put those thinking caps on.

Repeat Object

The challenge is to choose an object or idea and paint it everyday. Ideas were...a flower, an animal. still life, trees, lemon, buildings etc. Here are some thoughts:

* A quick study...maybe only 30 min...whatever you have time for.

* Painting small....gives freedom to experiment more, takes less time and uses less supplies.

* Paint often...greatly improves your ability and keeps you involved.

* Mix it up. One time paint it in watercolor...next time maybe draw it...next time mix media ???

* Keep your work area available...so what if your art supplies take up your dinning room table !

* Keep yourself on track...a routine. Try to paint everyday or maybe every Tuesday or at night. It is so easy to let yourself down by making excuses. Just do it...but don't kick yourself if all of your good

intentions don't work out...you will only further sabotage yourself.

* Save all of your artwork...they will teach you more each time you view them. View them often, or hang on a wall you see often and view for a few weeks. You will be surprised how much better it looks than you thought or you'll see what to change so it will look more like you want.

*Enjoy.

*Contribute to this blog...student of mine or not. All are welcome....any medium.

*Email me your thoughts, ideas and photos of your artwork and I will post on this blog.

Quiz: Some of the quiz questions come from the art store, Central Art Supply, in Medford, Oregon. Thank you.