Meeting Notes, July 28, 2016

At today’s meeting Marty D, Susan, Tim, Anna, Tracie, Ward, Judith, Loretta U, Loretta L, Joanne K, Joanne T, Jerry, Jeanie, Genie, Mike, Eunice, Teresa, Ingrid (new), Sue, Elo, Anna, Tom K and me Celeste.

Today’s suggested table topic transparent / opaque paint-- tell us anything you want on the topic of transparent /opaque paint (differences, uses, etcetera).

Celeste: I know that it is wise to begin a painting with thin transparent paint especially if you are approaching the darks first. It can be undesireable to begin with only opaque paint. I have learned that transparent orange is a lovely color for warming up other colors. I am showing three paintings.

Jerry: I am a little buffaloed by this topic. In watercolor I think in terms of transparency-- in oil I never think about it. If what I have painted looks transparent it's an accident. I know transparent paint is probably used for layering and glazing in oil (but I don’t have experience in that). I didn’t bring anything today.

Ingrid: I pass on this topic

Sue: I pass on this topic

Teresa: I use transparent paint sometimes to achieve luminosity in my portraits I am showing a recent figure painting

Joanne K: When I am painting I am aware of the properties of the paint I use, but I don’t over think. I go to what seems to be the right paint for the situation. I often like transparent red oxide to begin a painting. I am showing a demonstration that I did that just took minutes. I often use something like transparent red oxide and then I will jump to the color notes. A limited palette includes yellow red and blue—I suggest you consider lemon, alizarin and ultramarine to try or just any yellow red and blue. Spend time with different paints to learn what they do. I am showing a painting that I did at Sauvie island. I will go back on Sunday and I might paint more on this painting. I use transparent nearly always in the beginning of a painting. I’m showing other examples that include transparent passages.

Joanne T: I like Ultramarine blue and transparent red oxide together! That's about all I know. I am showing a watercolor that I did of Haystack rock. I tried the same scene in oil paint and it was not successful. I have been practicing with a palette knife. I am showing a recent oil painting (one where I did use some transparent red oxide).

Loretta L: I was late for the lavender festival and I didn't enter---but I did paint this in the lavender field. I like transparent red oxide. It is helpful to learn what paint is transparent and what paint is opaque! I liked the transparent red for the rust color in this building.

Ward: I did a painting once that should’ve been named “the over-painted desert”! (Laughter)! It was just too much. In watercolor it is so important to be aware of what to expect from your paints.  It is a matter of practice. In watercolor the dark dark dark dark’s can become leathery.  You should spend time finding out how your paints play differently with one another.  I am showing a recent painting of an elephant.

Annie: I brought in one of my favorite illustrated children’s books. It is done in pastel.

Tom: Hello my name is Tom Kane. I was taught by my father to always give both of my names because there were so many Toms I am still waiting for this painting thing to get easier (laughter)! I am just here for sympathy (laughter)! I think I have learned from this meeting that I should start painting elephants, so that I can get the ooohs and ahhhhs like Ward gets (laughter)!

Elo:  I don't think about transparency or opaque at all! I don't have the experience to think about it really. But, I would like to know the properties of paint.  I am intrigued by paintings I've seen where there is a substraction process. The transparent paint is put down and then you can tell that the paint was removed to indicate the light. I saw a painting that Joanne did that was like this. It reminded me of things I’ve seen --like monotypes. I am showing two paintings that I’ve done recently. One is of my son. They are both acrylic.

Tim: I took all of the cadmiums off of my pallete. I am now left with almost all transparent paint! I’m showing a painting that I did recently.

Susan: I start with all transparent paint and/or I will also use thinned down paint (thinned with gamsol). If you want to see the best examples of "combinations" of transparency and opacity look to Richard Schmid or Nancy Guzik. I won the commission of the 2016 Rose Festival Queen. (Applause)! This started from a sitting from life and was finished with a photo reference. Pastels employ a different type of transparency than other mediums do. I especially loved working on this crown and cape. The Cape was made in the 1950s. This is the 102nd queen. I wish that they would’ve started the Queen’s portrait commissions a long time ago. Currently I am working on a new painting 48 x 24. It is another commission. The subject is seven guys and the fish they caught. The interesting thing to me is realizing how much like the Queen’s crown is similar (in colors) to the fish!

Anna: When I first started painting I worked with a mentor and we worked with glazing and  layers. This is a painting that was done in that manner. Flake white is better for glazing than many other whites.. It doesn’t go as chalky. I went to the Sandgren paint out and painted a boat. I later improved the perspective on it, but when I did that I lost some of the vitality of the whole painting! I recently participated in Art Splash. I had some sales. Kristina and I went to Stevenson yesterday and I am showing a painting from there.

Marty D: I am currently fascinated with the Gamblin grays. Both the warms and the cools. I also like transparent white!

Judith: I shared with many of you that I have been worried about my eyesight. I had to have a test and the test revealed that my eyesight is not in jeopardy  (Applause)! I know my paintings sometimes look like I am going blind, but I’m not! (Laughter!) I wanted to tell you about this book that’s called 33 artist in 3 arts. I highly recommend it. I went to Sauvie island on Sunday. My objective was to compose something out there in the field. I am showing two paintings from Sunday.


Tracie: I come to you from a recent swear-fest! I used this Utrecht retouch varnish on a recent painting. My painting melted in a couple spots! I wanted to ask about other peoples experience with this varnish. I’ve started using Indian yellow and I really love it. I am showing the recent (slightly melted) painting.

(Anna interjects): Jennifer Diehl told us that is always wise to test your painting for varnishing --put your thumb nail in the paint and see if you have a dent or not. No dent in order to varnish.

(Editors note): Craig Srebnik taught us that it is OK to varnish a wet painting with retouch as long as you sprayed it  from a distance and with a light touch.

Kristina: I don't have anything to say much on the subject of transparent or opaque. I am showing this painting from the lavender farm. I have discovered pthalo- turquoise. It is a new color for me and I really like it and think of it as a fun color.

Loretta U: I use transparent color in the beginning of a painting!

Eunice: I love transparent paint especially for florals.

Genie: I love transparent colors. I like transparent gold. A workshop instructor taught us to paint the entire underpainting in transparent and then paint the rest mostly in opaque.  I am showing two paintings I did after Colley Whisson. I am going to be taking a workshop with him. I’m also showing two paintings that employ transparent colors.

Mike: How many here have the James Gurney book? In fact when we talk about transparency we are really talking about about reflectives. Pigment ALWAYS blocks the light, so transparency is a misnomer. Watercolorists often drag paint across the surface and let the white of the paper indicate light. I see this often in oil paintings too-- a scumble approach. it is interesting to find out what is really going on with this illusion.  (You’re not seeing “through” the paint at all).

Jeanie: I do use lots of transparent paint. I often have paintings all going at once and I have to wait for things to dry. Transparent paint can lend a new dimension to a painting.

Announcements:
Joanne Radmilovich Kollman oil painting class at Oregon Society of Artists
Fridays 1-4 starting July 29th.
We’ll kick off the class with a group critique, bring a painting that you have been struggling with and/or one that is successful. If you have been painting with us on Sauvie Island bring your paintings to share. We’ll go over pertinent topics like: temperature, technique and composition and a game plan for getting familiar and comfortable with new materials and surfaces.
Other classes at OSA

Jef Gunn Plein Air Workshop at Sitka
 Plein Air and the Dao of Seeing
 Sitka Center for Art and Ecology
 Cascade Head, Oregon Coast
August 24 - 27      (Mon - Fri)
Mingle and Muse meeting with Terry Louie and Jef on Friday August 21 at 4:30
 Terry's class on Chinese Calligraphy and Tai Chi --Unpredictable paintings. Not necessarily what one might expect from plein air painting.
 For a full description please visit the sitka website:

Additional workshops on the facebook page:

 George Broderick’s “Adios”  party July 31 1to 6 PM (click to Enlarge)


Augen gallery first Thursday Mark Andres
http://www.augengallery.com/index.html

Mary McClain Reception August 7:

 Stephanie Cissna and Vicki Zimmerman will be at Medley Tea for the month of August

 Summer sale at Forever art on Saturday (Anna Lancaster)

First Friday at art of the Boulevard (Art in the Heart)
Michael Lindstrom, Za Vue, Mike Rangner and others

Pacific NW Plein Air : https://pacificnwpa.com

Sunday paint outs at Sauvie Island, meet at the Cracker Barrell store 9am

Our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/222304114527014/

The "Official" Thursday Drawing Club is going on HIATUS. That is not to say we can't swing by to see Stephanie and Vicki's show or drop in whenever we like for a "meeting after the meeting"...but participation in the Drawing Club has fallen off and it makes sense to bring it back "officially" closer to the winter. Stay tuned!:)


It was noisy today! Thanks for speaking up and showing us your painitngs and sharing your ideas. Next meeting, Thursday 9am August 4 suggested topic: Balancing neutrals with color…what are your thoughts?

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