Merry Christmas!

My card for 2009. Continuing the exploits of 'Little Crab' and the decorating of the tree.

Enjoy.

Bird Feeder - Class Demo

Here is photo of the latest class demo. I finished it on Thursday. I will start a new demo in January when classes resume.

The lessons that went with this painting are, in no particular order...

It is an example of 'arial perspective' - the distant trees are bluer and softer than the near bushes. You can paint a bird with just a dot and stroke or two - just get the shape and size right. Flowers are best when painted in three layers, a dark value, followed by a mid-value, followed by the highlight. Keep highlights all on the same side toward the light source. Make sure your cast shadows under the bushes are a dark value. To make an object appear 3-D you need 3 values - check the bee hive boxes in the front, one side is light, one medium and one dark to give them dimensions. Even the sticks need a highlight.

One day workshop on Thursday Dec 17 9am til noon $8.00 Everyone welcomed. Classes resume first week of January, 2010.

Bridge in Color Pencil

I just completed this small landscape of a bridge over a boulder strewn stream in color pencil. It is an image I found interesting and thought it would be a fun challenge in color pencil. I do not use color pencils often, they are not my favorite medium to use, but I like to keep in practice.

No matter what medium you choose, the basic principles of composition, perspective, ariel perspective, value use and color temperature use are always the same. Kate told me that my personal style shows through even though its not my medium of choice - that made me feel good since I think your personal style remains the same no matter what medium you use.

Using different mediums will keep you versitile. What you learn in one medium will usually translate to your usual medium. Doing something different will also keep your work fresh. Although oils are my first choice, I like playing with almost every medium out there.