Todays topic: Tips and suggestion (and/or tools and guides) to improve composition
Celeste: I like this viewfinder! I also appreciate this book by Greg Albert. He points out every problem and every solution regarding composition. I am showing recent paintings.
Loretta: Well, I guess I will have to compose myself to talk! (Laughter)! I have the Ian Roberts book. For me, composition is not my biggest fight (it's important, of course, but I rely on my instincts).
Peggie: I brought in this Edgar Payne book! (Thomas interjects...So did I)! Peggie: I painted this snow scene from the comfort of my own house. I did what Elo suggested...painting looking out of a window! I am also showing three iterations of this floral/vase. One is with water soluble paint.
Tim: I did this painting as "sight size" --that means that you make tic marks on the canvas so that everything will be proportional and correct. I did that and then I changed it, so that there would be a face there. (Laughter)! You can't unsee it now, can you? (Laughter)! I did it intentionally, for fun. The name of the painting is "the view from the throne" (Laughter)!
Susan: Late last year I was in Philomath in my car. I was stopped and I took this photo (Susan shows a color copy). Well, I got a traffic TICKET (because of the new law; you can not handle a device while driving at all, no photos from behind the wheel!). I had to reschedule the court date, and drive to Corvallis to answer the ticket. I took my color copy and I explained to the Judge that Yes, I can't deny it, I took the picture. I am an artist, and that I took the photo only because I wanted to paint this scene. Then I showed the resulting painting. The court reporter said: "That's beautiful"! (Laughter)! I was also crying for real in front of the Judge, very emotional, because well, just because. The Judge looked in his big book and said something about how he thought when the law actually went into effect was vague. Finally he said "CASE DISMISSED"! (Laughter!! APPLAUSE)! I am showing the resulting painting.
Judith: I did a painting recently that I brought here ---everyone liked it (It had to do with Trump and the "swamp"! Laughter! I think it was the composition that was so successful.
Ken: I painted this recently. I painted it fast. These things just come to me! That is often how I work. If I wait around and plan and ponder, the painting won't have the emotion that I am after).
Diane: I pass :)
Lisa: I like using my camera. I look through the viewfinder and suddenly feel more equipped to paint. I often use the camera for reference to finish a painting too. I went to the one day Joe Pacquet demo and I was happy that he uses a system I use! He puts hash marks on the canvas. This makes it so I won't put things where things do not belong...(in the center, for example)! I visited Tucson recently. I took my watercolors and painted at the University and out in the desert. While there a HUGE bobcat came up and stayed on the patio. I had to wait for it to leave....my stuff was out there! (Laughter)!
Kathy: The most important decision I've made recently is to decide to stick with one teacher. My teacher is Jennifer Diehl. Since I've stayed with her (taking weekly classes) I have noticed a real turnaround in my work. Everything has improved (not just composition) I am showing three pastels.
Geri: I painted this painting 7 years ago. It has to do with dysfunction in the family. I see a lot of similarity to how I paint now, but also a lot of changes too. I am also showing two paintings I did from the sktchy app.
Linda (New, welcome, Linda!) I met Joanne T at the Scottsdale school. I was taking a class with Kathy Anderson. It was a class in florals. It was a revelation to me that Kathy Anderson orchestrates the entire arrangement. She uses those glass tubes for each individual flower and that way she can arrange and rearrange everything precisely as she wants. She makes sure there is a "path" through the arrangement too.
Joanne T: My favorite tool is the cropping tool. I bought the one that Timothy Horn recommended. I've been working with Za Vue on lost and found edges! I am showing two paintings...one after I talked to Za about losing the edges (and the other before I studied with Za)!
Stephanie: I use a small viewfinder. Even after years of painting outdoors...the great outdoors still overwhelms! You have to vary your intervals. I made sketches of all of the thumbnails in Edgar Payne's book! I referred to those sketches every time I went out. Then I lost the sketches...and I noticed that my paintings were better when I really paid attention to all that! Dominant shapes are very important. I am showing two paintings.
Dotty: I started with a paper crop tool --but now I do use my phone. I look at the scene through the phone and take a photo and see how the painting will look in my mind. Pastel is really great because you can do it on paper and adjust (crop) the paper how you want it after the fact. Of course, then you are faced with a custom frame charge! I've discovered Steigerwald Refuge. I am showing two recent paintings.
Annie: I don't have any input, but I am enjoying hearing what everyone has to say on this subject.
Mike: There is this bizarre viewpoint that artists just get in front of an easel and create a masterpiece from their own "self"! But we know that in fact, we have spent time gathering a collection of skills. I created my own learning tool but writing/drawing out important principles of art/design. I laminated it so that I can have it with me and refer to it. I paint more instinctively than I used to now (but I still can refer to this sheet anytime)! The more you practice focusing on important components...the more it sinks in! I have learned that I prefer the landscape format to the portrait format for out door painting.
Jim: When you take up painting late in life it can be really overwhelming. I have had more than one teacher advise me to "slow down". I've been told that I am better off slowing down and focusing on certain aspects of painting (instead of everything)! I am signed up with Easel insight. It is really great. I recommend it. I am showing recent practice paintings.
Yong: All the credit (for me) goes to Disney (my former employer). They drove home the 3 value thumbnail and the rule of thirds...I still rely on those ideas to do my paintings. I used to use my hands as a viewfinder, but most of the time I don't need to do that anymore, I can see the painting in my head first. Don't forget about "Big, Medium and Small"! I am showing a painting that shows what I mean.
Thomas: This book (Albert) is where I learned about "same-same...bad-bad" (Laughter)! If you are painting outdoors and you put in two trees, the same height and the same distance apart...you need to rethink that. Same for telephone poles that have consistent intervals...rethink! How many of you have actually READ Edgar Payne's book (not many hands go up). Well, the thumbnail sketches in the book are worth the price of the book...not so much the words! (It is a very difficult book to read). I want to caution anyone who uses the camera to decide on composition, just make sure that YOU are represented in the final result. (Don't slavishly copy from the phone). I am showing these small 6x8 studies I did under transitory light conditions. I am realizing that these small studies are more valuable than anything!
Za: I am happy to be here, but this is too early ! (laughter)! I am currently obsessed with this new surface that I love. It is Canson Plein Air paper! It is archival. I like how the paint goes down onto it. It suits me! Bhavani and I went to Mt. Hood to paint snow recently and also I painted this (Cooper Mountain overlook). We are so lucky that scenery like this is right here in our backyard! More and more I am looking for the feeling of the place. I want my painting to reflect how I felt.
Eduardo: I use this viewfinder that I keep on a lanyard. I also like this sketchbook that has these lightly printed dots...I can do a thumbnail sketch that matches the size of my canvas. I just sketch and sketch and sketch! Sometimes I will go to a place and sketch only --no painting---because I want to get 2 or 3 ideas and I want to really consider why and what I am doing. Keep things proportional and trust your feelings. I am showing some recent landscape.
Announcements:
email Za Vue to learn about her weekly class, she will put you on the waiting list. studioza@me.com
https://www.yerzavue.com
Eduardo Fernandez new classes are coming up: check out his website and email for more information:
https://www.eduardofernandez.com/learn/
Susan Kuznitsky classes and workshops: https://susankuznitsky.com/workshops
Thomas Kitts: online mentoring: https://www.askanartist.com
Lavender Festival (sign up, address corrected): http://www.wvlavenderfestival.org/oregon-lavender-paint-out.html
Paint the figure Friday ("Fine Art Friday") at OSA March 16 1-4pm with Joanne Radmilovich Kollman.
$20 drop ins are welcome.
https://www.oregonsocietyofartists.com
Come paint with
FRESH FLOWER SATURDAY (and/or open studio, paint from your own reference) Every Saturday, Next one: March 17 1:30-4:30 pmwith artist Joanne Radmilovich Kollman $25 Questions? If you need assistance, instruction or help with supplies don't hesitate to ask, contact Joanne Kollman Email or phone RSVP is helpful but Drop-ins are welcome. Joradarts@gmail.com 503.752.3708
Yong Hong Zhong two upcoming watercolor workshops (May and Sept)
http://yonghongzhong.com/workshpsevents/
Jennifer Diehl new classes and workshops:
May4-6 Color workshop
(starting in April/8 weeks in duration):
Morning class 9-12(floral)
afternoon 12:30- 3:30 glass and chrome
(above at Brush and Palette in Oregon City)
Edmond WA workshop:
figure in the landscape
April 20-22
Email Jennifer: jdiehlart@yahoo.com
Michael Lindstrom Upcoming Workshops
Michael Lindstrom
Michael Lindstrom
Announcing my 2018 Plein Air Workshop schedule!
Spring, Summer, and Fall.
4/28 Sauvie Island, OR
8/25-8/26 Jane Weber Arboretum, Vancouver,WA
10/13 Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver,WA
See my website for more details:
michaellindstromartist.com
contact me with questions or registration
michaellindstromartist@gmail.com
360-334-2517
4/28 Sauvie Island, OR
8/25-8/26 Jane Weber Arboretum, Vancouver,WA
10/13 Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver,WA
See my website for more details:
michaellindstromartist.com
contact me with questions or registration
michaellindstromartist@gmail.com
360-334-2517
The Hiatus Drawing Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/333152383542909/
Join Peggie Moje' at Kell's Irish Pub, downtown Portland, 10:30pm 3/17/18 (She will be playing the fiddle)
Mike Porter: I am taking orders for wood turned brush holders as a fundraiser for OSA. The brush holders are $30.00 (see photos below). I also can take orders for pepper grinders and coffee scoops. Please order to support OSA. ALL proceeds go to them. tmikeporter@gmail.com
Join Peggie Moje' at Kell's Irish Pub, downtown Portland, 10:30pm 3/17/18 (She will be playing the fiddle)
Mike Porter: I am taking orders for wood turned brush holders as a fundraiser for OSA. The brush holders are $30.00 (see photos below). I also can take orders for pepper grinders and coffee scoops. Please order to support OSA. ALL proceeds go to them. tmikeporter@gmail.com
Artist Opportunities:
(You are encouraged to paint at the same locations with accepted artists):
Pacific NW Plein Air 2018 (+ Workshop with Randall Sexton)
https://pacificnwpa.com
https://pleinairhoodriver.blogspot.com
Southern Oregon Plein Air 2018 (+ Workshop with Aimee Erickson): https://www.soartistsworkshop.com/southern-oregon-plein-air-2018-2/
The Bennett Prize (women figurative artists): https://thebennettprize.org
Hip to be Square (Sequoia Gallery): http://sequoiagallerystudios.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hip-2B-Square_2018.pdf
Paint the Peninsula: https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=4936
Portland Open Studios: http://portlandopenstudios.com
PPLC Newsletter: (Eugene) https://mailchi.mp/c264eca178f1/pplc-october-newsletter-1480569
Plein Air Lake Oswego:
Next Meeting Thursday, March 22, Suggested table topic: When things come together! Have you had any recent "aha" moments, where something (art related) clicked and you fully understood something? What accounted for your new understanding? Lets discuss!
(You are encouraged to paint at the same locations with accepted artists):
Pacific NW Plein Air 2018 (+ Workshop with Randall Sexton)
https://pacificnwpa.com
https://pleinairhoodriver.blogspot.com
Southern Oregon Plein Air 2018 (+ Workshop with Aimee Erickson): https://www.soartistsworkshop.com/southern-oregon-plein-air-2018-2/
The Bennett Prize (women figurative artists): https://thebennettprize.org
Hip to be Square (Sequoia Gallery): http://sequoiagallerystudios.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hip-2B-Square_2018.pdf
Paint the Peninsula: https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=4936
Portland Open Studios: http://portlandopenstudios.com
PPLC Newsletter: (Eugene) https://mailchi.mp/c264eca178f1/pplc-october-newsletter-1480569
Plein Air Lake Oswego:
RE: Lake Oswego Plein Air 2018
• email kferreira@ci.oswego.or.us to add your name to the list of artists interested in participating in this year's event. Doing so ensures you will receive updates about Plein Air.
The Arts Council of Lake Oswego is excited to welcome back Plein Air Lake Oswego for the 2018 exhibition season! Please mark your calendars for the Paint Out June 8-10 and the Opening Reception July 6 from 5-7 p.m. The exhibition will be held at our 510 Museum & ARTspace June 22 through August 4.
We hope you will come paint with us and be a part of this beautiful local art showcase!
Paint Out: June 8-10, 2018 I All Day Opening Reception: July 6, 2018 I 5-7 p.m. Exhibition Dates: June 22 - August 4, 2018
• To receive our newsletter please visit our website. http://artscouncillo.org/?mc_cid=37738d98f6&mc_eid=[UNIQID]
• To receive our newsletter please visit our website. http://artscouncillo.org/?mc_cid=37738d98f6&mc_eid=[UNIQID]
Next Meeting Thursday, March 22, Suggested table topic: When things come together! Have you had any recent "aha" moments, where something (art related) clicked and you fully understood something? What accounted for your new understanding? Lets discuss!
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