October 20, 2012

Here it is, the end of Fall I term for us. It's not as sad as it could be, though. We'll be back again next week—nope, there's no break between terms! As you can see, we're still having fun with color, people, places and things. Not to mention the fun we've had trying new techniques. You'll find a last look at one of the more popular techniques we tried below.

And we're having fun out of class, too! Keep scrolling for invitations to holiday fun (Halloween shows), a set-your-dvr reminder (one of our very own group is being featured on next Sunday's 190 North), and more.

So let the good time roll. Here are our paintings—and we're presenting in alphabetical order today. Look especially closely to see two self-portraits, and a portrait of Elaine T's son. As for the man in the hood...keep coming back to see that portrait develop!

 

Techniques. As promised, here's a last look at one of the more versatile techniques we explored this term—spatter. Look below for the large and small of it. Ellen went big. Look at the huge spatters defining the trees and path. Then, look to the right to see Elaine T's use of fine spatter to create the unique feel of sand. Same technique, totally different results. I sense we haven't seen the last of spatter explorations!

 

You're invited! Halloween is coming and what better way to celebrate than a viewing of a classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Join Elaine T and the cast of Midnight Madness for three late night shows at the Music Box Theater. They also have a midnight show on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Des Plaines Theater. They've been doing the show for 25 whole years so you know it's got to be good! In fact, the ABC program 190 North will be profiling the cast.

For more information about the shows, see the poster below or go to www.midnightmadness.org. For more information about the TV show, keep scrolling to the next section.



Save the date. Set your DVRs now! The ABC program 190 North will have a spot showing Elaine T and the cast of Midnight Madness. Tune in on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 11pm (Channel 7).

Happy painting! See you next week for a new term and a new challenge.

October 13, 2012

Nearly half our class was awol today! Probably because it was gray and rainy—the downside to autumn. Still, it was warm and happy inside. Our paintings leaned towards things of nature and bright splashes of color. There were beach and camping scenes, trees and animals—and even a flash of skin as Janet and Vivian painted hands and feet.

We also missed Susan today. She took a nasty fall and had to call in sick. We all send best wishes for a speedy recovery and eagerly await her return. We're looking forward to her paintings of her accident and recuperation. Hurry back!

And now, scroll through and see what we've been up to. Then, read on for another cautionary tale about one of our techniques. Vote for Elaine O. in the Daniel Smith art contest! And see you next week.

And what is it with Masking? Seems like it should be the easiest of all the techniques, shouldn't it?  We've all done it. Yet two weeks ago, Ellen learned the hard way that masking fluid expires. Old gummy fluid won't lift. Today, Elaine O. had no trouble removing her mask—check the last painting above to see more. All the white spots are removed masking fluid. So far, so good. But as you'll see in the white blob near the top, it's wise to wait for the paint to dry before trying to remove the fluid. Otherwise, you'll wipe away the paint and smear over the reserved paper. The "Pier 23" hasn't been removed yet. Tune in next week for the grand reveal.

Vote for me!  Meanwhile, Elaine O. is still the only painter who has a painting in the Daniel Smith Customer Art Contest so far. Please continue to vote for her painting until we add more.

 

Here's how to do it. Click here to get to the voting site. Voting Gallery Link  Search for "elaine" or "osborne" or "lawyer" or "bob." The painting below (Lawyer Bob vacations in the North Woods) is the one you want to vote for—unless you see one you like better, of course. Vote daily. It's perfectly legal; this is Chicago! But remember, you only get one vote every 24 hours. We'll have other artists submitting works in the weeks to come, so watch for suggestions.

 

Lawyer Bob vacations in the North Woods

See you next week!

October 6, 2012

All at once, it's autumn! The trees have suddenly started changing color and there's a nip in the air. No wonder we're all painting trees and colors—and colorful trees! Even those of us trying out painting techniques have fallen for the colors of the season.

Well, there's too much to see to keep talking. Scroll down to see our latest works. And then keep going to learn more about watercolor techniques—and see them in action.

But wait, there's more! We'll finish up with a link to an art contest and a plea for votes. So far, there's only one of us to vote for, but we'll be adding names and information in weeks to come (all the way through May), so keep watching the skies. Meanwhile, vote for Elaine O!

 

And now for the techniques. The sunset which follows is a great use of backruns. These occur when the artist lays water or watery paint in or near an area of not-quite-dry paint. The watery paint runs back into the thicker paint, causing a bloom. These can be accidental, but skilled artists like Sara deliberately create them—for instance, to form clouds.

 

 

Blends. The monument below is a superb sampler of blending methods. Elaine T. used a number of colors, blending as she went to make the colors visually combine to create the grey stone. Some of the paints were applied wet-into-wet, some allowed to dry (or dampen) before adding another color; some were laid down next to each other and allowed to bleed together. And in some cases, she used a brush, rag, tissue or finger to move and blend colors to achieve the look below. Sure, everyone blends, but some of us are better than others!

 

 

Spattering. This technique is fast and fun—but there's a method to the madness. Ellen took three of her older paintings and spattered paint with a toothbrush to add texture and vibrancy. It's amazing what spattering can do—fall trees gained autumnal crispness, the sun sparkles on the leafy path, and you can feel the sand on the beach scene. Quite literally. People actually tried to brush away the sand when this one made the rounds! Look carefully to see the judicious positioning and the way she used different colors for shadows, skies, foliage and flowers.

 

 

 

Sponging. Last, but not least is sponge painting. Vivian used a small sea sponge to paint foliage and sky in the painting below. It's another fast technique, but when done well (like below!), it adds texture and variety to the foliage, and softness to the clouds, contrasting effectively with the smooth metal and the grass, pathway and rough tree trunks.

 

 

Vote for me!  Daniel Smith Art Supplies (purveyors of fine paint) is holding its 11th annual customer art contest. Artists submit works into weekly contents and urge visitors to vote for them. Weekly winners are entered into a monthly voting gallery and the voting begins again. Our own Elaine O. has a painting that's moved to the monthly gallery and we'd like to urge you to vote for her painting.

 

The link and an explanation of the process appears below. If you're searching for her painting, search for "elaine" or "osborne" or "lawyer" or "bob." The painting you're looking for appears below so you'll recognize it when you click that "vote" button (Lawyer Bob vacations in the North Woods). Of course, if you see something you like better, feel free to vote for that painting—but remember, you only get one vote every 24 hours!

 

Lawyer Bob vacations in the North Woods

Follow this link and vote for Lawyer Bob: Voting Gallery Link  Share it with your friends and family. Vote early and often! And remember, we'll have other artists submitting works in the weeks to come, so watch this space for lots of "recommendations!"

 

September 29, 2012

Beware! We're starting another of our "projects." Pat found an art instruction book with instructions for various techniques and decided we're going to try them out. And because she's the teacher, we're going along with her hare-brained scheme. So we each drew a technique from the art bag, read up on it, and will explore that technique before the end of the term. Some of the things you'll want to watch for are masking, spattering, sponge painting, backruns, brush drawing and lifting out.

Actually, this could be fun. Look at the sunset above, for instance. Backruns! Tune in over the next few weeks and learn along with us. In fact, after today's paintings you'll learn an important lesson about mask—although not from Elaine, whose technique it is. Meanwhile, join us as we welcome our newest artist (from Paris, no less!), explore color wheels, exuberant colors, flowers, seashores, skies and more. You'll see brush drawing from Mark, masking by Ellen and Helen, and lifting by Susan—and none of these artists chose these techniques!

A lesson about masking (actually, more of a cautionary tale). Masking fluid is a rubbery liquid artists use to reserve the white of the paper. They paint it on and can paint over it with impunity, knowing the masked areas are safe. And that's what Ellen did in the painting of irises at right. Notice the sparkling whites? And how she protected the petals when she added the leaves? Exactly how mask should behave. But then she tried to remove it—and couldn't! The lesson? Masking fluid has a shelf life. When you get to the gummy bits at the bottom of the bottle, you've probably passed the unwritten "use by" date. Toss that bottle and buy another! In this case, the painting still looks fine (a little shiny, but fine). But some brands add color for visibility. That would not have worked out so well.

An amusing juxtaposition. Did you notice Robert and Patricia's paintings? Positioned together as they are here, Robert's tiger looks to be stalking Patricia's bird! Mind meld? Hidden message? Who knows? We just found it funny.

And come back next week to see some of the sketches from last week's fabulously successful "autumnal equinox sketching party."