Form is described with values. If we take a simple approach we can design all the shapes that we are painting and consider how we might paint them. Glazes or wet-in-wet gradations are some of the options, however we want to know … Read More
Teaching
HOW TO Portraiture Planning – Value Plans That Describe Form
Once we have made a study of the placement of features on the ovoid of the head, we can accurately draw them. These studies can make lovely line drawing studies unto themselves. However, if the placement of the features is … Read More
HOW TO Oil Painting Glazes & Washes
Altering the support surface with medium or layers of oil paint can make interesting grounds for subsequent glazes and washes in oil painting. If you are interested in making your surface appear semi-abstract and enjoy the looseness that this effect … Read More
HOW TO Thumbnail Sketches & First Watercolor Washes
In order to have confidence to lay in some of the first washes it is always best to come up with a design plan. Spending time on that little rough sketch can eliminate hours of head scratching and problem solving down … Read More
HOW TO Portraiture Axis & Placement of Features
We can simplify how we observe the head by thinking of it as an oval or egg which can be viewed in nine classic positions. The imaginary line running through the oval from top to bottom is the axis, the north and south pole. This axis tilts … Read More
How Can I Draw and Paint This?
Start your art! We explore the question of “How can I paint or draw this?” in the 2016 painting and drawing sessions at The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum Beach soon underway, with a week left to get … Read More
Painting People Dry and Wet
Here we have a study of a classic subject – children playing at the beach. By understanding the typical features of a child’s body such as the “roundedness” of limbs and the larger head than an adult which is a … Read More
Blocking in Tree Shapes in Oils
Drama can be created in tree shapes by observing what the darkest values are first. What color is the value? Is the scene bathed in warm light? Warm light produces cool shadows and cool light produces warm shadow. This will … Read More
HOW TO – Watercolor Starts to a Landscape
After working out a few thumbnails or value studies, we have a better feel of the subject and see the simple shape patterns that we can create in either wet in wets or controlled glazes. Our value study helps us … Read More
HOW TO – Child Portrait 3 Value Study
We have explored the proportions of a child’s head, noting the tell-tale details such as flattening of features and large eyes. As we begin the drawing on toned paper with vine charcoal which can be easily removed for corrections, we … Read More
Cityscape Figures: One-point Perspective
Artist groups abound on Vancouver Island, surrounded by the beauty of weather changing from Summer to Autumn.This is the season when artists head to their studios with new inspiration from summer activities as well as vibrant colors of foliage. A thriving art … Read More
Classic Conte Dry or Wet
“Bob With Binoculars” by Peggy Burkosky Classic conte crayons are sticks of solid pigment made from a mixture of graphite and clay. Much harder than charcoal and pastel, these sticks can be directly applied to paper and can produce everything from … Read More