Libby's Flowers - A Challenge for Fun

Hi All -

It's really not a challenge. Libby sent me some wonderful photos of flowers that are in her world right now. I thought it might be fun to take one or the other to see what we come up with, be it oil, watercolor, acrylics or pastels. Or maybe just pencil. She did too. So I'm attaching two. One is a closeup another has more stuff in it. Remember, these are just reference photos. We don't have to, or shouldn't get too literal. Let me know what you think. - Cathy

--NEW-- Atelier - search by thumbnail

Folks, I added a new feature to the website. You can now find paintings by going to 'Search by Thumbnail' and clicking on a thumbnail to see its entry.

Enjoy,
Les

WetCanvas Seiler webinar

I watched the Seiler webinar and found it to be almost all inspirational talk ("Paint, paint, paint, ...). A few interesting tidbits came up: for instance, adding pumice to acrylic gesso - worth a try to improve the gesso.

The idea of making a box for small item still life work is good. I may try that. I already have lots of 5x7 boards to work on. It would probably be good to do a small painting every day.

Is the '120 Paintings' idea just a 12-step program times ten?

Les

surpise

Hello class,
Surprise, surprise!!  My portrait of our granddaughter, Abbie, got honorable mention in the advanced class at the art show.  Thank you, Ed!!!
Enjoying a day in Savannah before we head to Jekyll Island tomorrow.  The azalea's are blooming and I will try to send photos.
Keep painting,
Libby

120 Bad Paintings...

"It takes 120 bad paintings to know something about painting." Larry Seiler

This is a quote from a webinar on Wet Canvas hosted by Larry Seiler. While I am not impressed with the webinar itself, he does have some pearls of wisdom, and this exercise which has a thread on Wet Canvas is pretty amazing.

Also, this blog http://jmahorney.blogspot.com/2008/01/120-paintings.html

It covers where one artist started with this exercise and where he ended up when all was said and done. It's an interesting blog to poke around.

I wonder what I'm up to... ;-)

Happy Friday and happy painting, people!

Cathy

Reference Photos

Hi All!

I just found this thread on Wet Canvas for an amazing, and never ending source of reference photos. Now that we have all these wonderful canvases to work on (thank you, Les), I can see lots of things happening. This goes for those working with watercolor and pastel. Check it out.

Happy painting!

Cathy

http://www.wetcanvas.com/RefLib/index.php?cat=15

Welcome back, Margaret.  We missed you.
Libby

Catamount Arts

Opening...this Friday. Ed's cranky indian is there. We should be there, though I suspect Ed will be elusive. I'm planning on going. Let me know if anyone else is interested. Keep in mind, painters, if your a member of Catamount Arts your work will be part of next year's exhibit.

Keep painting!!!

Cathy

Margaret is Back...

And, it's so good to see her. She's creating some amazing things with her watercolors as I struggle with my sunflower. One, singular, separate image of a flower in bloom. How difficult is that?

It will get done and it will be beautiful. I think it's time we all took a look at the Atelier website to see what's happening.

Hope to see you all next week!

Cathy

Another day at the studio

Today was the first time I got myself to class on a Monday. It was really nice to meet another "Cathy," and to listen to Ed talk about perspective. I was listening from one side of my head while I was trying to finish the salt marsh, which is finally done, and signed.

Now on to some new stuff, finally. But, one thing I heard which always rings true, is even if you're not learning you are. Ed is a wonderful teacher, and I'm thankful that I managed to get myself into this class almost a year ago next month. Time for an anniversary party for all of us, no? Yes!

See you next week..

Cathy

Yippee!! My dunes painting sold from the Jekyll Gallery.  Guess I'm now authentic.
Libby

The Wet Panel Carrier is Done!

Hi All -

Wow, this was an adventure. It took a trip to Burlington to find 1/2" foam board which only came in black which was more expensive, but looks very cool trimmed with silver duct

tape : )

It actually works, though my initial intention was to be able to fit two 8x10's, two 6x6's, and an adapter to fit 5x7's. Not being a mathematical genius, and also being an impatient Gemini, I managed to work it out so that I can carry the 8x10's and 5X7's. Nix the 6x6. Of course I did a small 6x6 painting today, so it will end up in the little pizza box : (

The foam board is quite strong and can be adapted to carry small canvases. Actually large ones too, depending on how much you want to spend, which in the scheme of things is a lot less than the stuff you see on line. I'll attempt to post a photo tomorrow, or take it into class on Monday/Tuesday.

I think if you're patient, mathematically adept, make straight cuts, have some good permanent glue tape...and duct tape, it will totally work. I fit into two of those categories. But really, the black and silver looks kind of cool. And, then add some silver marker stuff and you have a piece of art. I intend to strap it to the french easel when I'm out plein air painting this summer. I can't wait!

On another note...the new brushes are different, but interesting. As Ed always says...More paint. The gesso boards are really nice too. I am a painting fool right now.

See you next week!

Cathy