September 29, 2018

The weather was crisp and cool today—it's definitely autumn! We're newly invigorated and eager to try new things. Elaine T., for instance, is a prime example. She opted for a background on this painting of a tree stump she saw while camping. We think it's a brilliant choice. It adds a distinct mood while not taking anything away from the focus.

Then, she revisits the subject (we do love our series paintings) with different media. Elaine T. used ink and watercolor for this monochromatic study...

...before beginning this watercolor version.

Looking forward to her next painting, Elaine T. is testing watercolor pencils. These are Derwent Inktense pencils, and the test results are very promising. We love to experiment, don't we?

Steve is still experimenting with his new color palette. Here, he continues spectrum lines between each of his six colors. Each swatch changes the proportions of the colors in the mix from the pure color at left to the one at right. The variety of colors is amazing, isn't it?

And here, Steve moves on to test the reds and blues. He's having so much fun (and gaining so much valuable information) that we're all inspired and tempted to do the same. Come back and see if any of us yield to the temptation.

Ken's calling this finished and we agree. While he's not planning to test any color swatches, this already looks like a swatch book on a page, don't you think?

Ken begins the latest in his series. We love the use of the turquoise—it's so cool and refreshing. But, knowing Ken, there's much more to come. Come back and see what we mean.

Speaking of  side eyes, Elaine O. has started this painting of an interaction that makes her smile. Admittedly, all you can see is the background, but come back and let us know if you find this as funny as Elaine O. does.

Susan's also working as colorfully as usual, but this time, she's also working big. She's re-doing the 9x12 painting of the Hanging Coffins of Sagada onto 18 x 24 paper. It's intended for a Philippine celebration in the Thompson Center, so it's large enough to be seen, and of a known tourist site.

We neglected to photograph Gabby's Grand Color Wheel last week, so we're adding it here. Like Steve's swatches, this is an invaluable resource. It features hues, tints, tones and shades of all her basic colors. Especially fun is the color testing confetti along the side and bottom.

Here's Gabby's homework. She grabbed colors from magazines and attempted to match them. These are not easy colors, yet she's managed to recreate the colors.

 

Here's one of our favorite exercises—the three-way fruit. Gabby chose this colorful apple (how appropriate for the season) and painted it in three different styles. We show them together so you can see the differences at a glance. Clockwise from top left are the combo style (wet or dry as necessary), dry (trying to use as little water as possible) and wet (painting with wet paint on soaking wet paper). Also, notice the shadows and the color test strip.

There's still time to see Ken's paintings at the Ten Cat and savor the last tomatoes of summer. Stroll by and see them in the windows—or you can go inside for beer and pool and a wonderful environment.

Mosaic Tomatoes.  Ken's exhibition at Ten Cat Tavern features his popular mosaic tomatoes series. Drop by to see the art...and maybe play some pool.

      Where:
      Ten Cat Tavern

      3931 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL

     When:
     August 22–October 15, 2018

September 22, 2018

It's cool and crisp today—the perfect day for breaking out some new school supplies and trying something new. This also works in the world of art, as you can see below. Steve made a shopping trip and has exciting new colors on his exciting new palette. Seriously, this kind of thing quickens the pulse of artists everywhere.

And then, Steve began to get to know his new colors. He made this color chart where he mixed each of his six colors (that's really all it takes!) with every other one...

...before doing a chart where he combines two of his colors in varying amounts to get a mixing spectrum chart. These swatch charts are incredibly valuable, especially for someone like Steve who has been painting for a while and knows what these charts mean.

Marva is all about color, too. She's going back to her psychedelic roots and using flat, vibrant colors to set a mood. And it works—we're all feeling happy and smiling.

Sara went shopping for art supplies too. She also visited the library to do some research on color palettes. All in preparation for her next painting. She begins with this tiny, old, B/W photo of her mother....

... and moves on to a small value sketch.

Then, she fine tunes and redraws her value sketch to the size she intends to paint it.

Finally, Sara does a color study. There only are three colors here, but already we see interesting shapes everywhere, and a spotlight focus on her subject.

Susan is also revisiting an old painting with an eye to using composition to better tell her story. Notice how the mountains cradle the hanging coffins of Sagada?

Elaine T. is also working with a black and white photo to paint this tree stump. Notice the exuberant use of color and texture. She's debating leaving the background white (as for a botanical painting). Come back and see what she chooses to do.

Elaine O. is still delighted with her new art supplies from three weeks ago. She's used that brush to finish the painting below. Her main area of interest was the sunlight playing across the game players below (especially the little boy). She's debating if the figures need to be more backlit, but is pretty happy with the effect as it stands.

Ken is finishing the latest in his new series. Here, he's experimenting with using color to bring the main areas of the painting together. Ken thinks he's finished, but may go back to add a final touch or two. We love the effect of the wavy stripes and can't wait to see the next technique in the series.

After all the examples above, we're more excited than ever to see the color exercises. Kevin did his first color wheel (using only three colors). He's made it rather small—perfect for carrying around for reference.

Then, Kevin did the Grand Color Wheel, with hues, tints, tones and shades. This is also pocket sized, but there's a wealth of information packed into this small space.

Gabby has moved on to explore complimentary colors here. Notice the way complements enhance each other when they stand side-by-side (top pairings). And when they are mixed, they result in some lovely neutrals (see the bottom swatches). She's also done the "match your skin color" and the infamous "paper towel" exercises to the right. Nothing like experimenting with color!

 

There's still time to see Ken's paintings at the Ten Cat (and buy one, if you are so inclined). You can stroll by and see them in the windows—or you can go inside for beer and pool and a wonderful environment.

Mosaic Tomatoes.  Ken's exhibition at Ten Cat Tavern features his popular mosaic tomatoes series. Drop by to see the art...and maybe play some pool.

      Where:
      Ten Cat Tavern

      3931 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL

     When:
     August 22–October 15, 2018

September 15, 2018

We're at the time of year when some of us are eking out the last bits of summer vacations or getting in family obligations. As for the rest of us, we're painting up a storm. Marva is actually looking forward to autumn, as you can see in this beautifully colorful landscape.

Elaine O. loves autumn, too, but she's looking back to summer and capturing the light as it plays on these three game players. In case you wondered, she's still loving her new school supplies.

Ken's been working away on his new series Not That Damn Cat Again! (sorry, we got the name wrong last week!). We love the waves and stripes of the fur and are waiting to see how it links up with the fur under the eye.

Steve's also loving his new school supplies. He's researching and choosing a new palette. Part of the fun is this page of color mixing swatches. He's using warm and cool versions of the the primary colors and mixing secondaries from each combination. Here are the yellow and blue swatches and the resulting greens. Watch for even more fun when he adds the reds!

Gaby is working on the "grand" color wheel. These color swatching and mixing exercises are intricate and involved, but oh-so-valuable! We see the hues and tints of Gaby's colors. Come back next week to see shades and tones.

We always marvel at how every one of us does the same beginning exercises and yet, they all look completely different. Case in point: Kevin's beginning plaid. Admittedly, he's testing more than the standard few colors, but isn't this cool? We love the vibrancy and the drybrush—and we're glad he labelled everything so carefully. He'll want to refer back to this.  

 

And if it's fall, the art exhibition season is upon us! Ken's opening reception may be over, but there's still time to see his paintings at the Ten Cat. You can just stroll by and see them in the windows—or you can go inside for beer and pool in a wonderful environment.

Mosaic Tomatoes.  Ken's exhibition at Ten Cat Tavern features his popular mosaic tomatoes series. Drop by to see the art...and maybe play some pool.

      Where:
      Ten Cat Tavern

      3931 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL

     When:
     August 22–October 15, 2018

September 8, 2018

It's back to school time and we are back with a vengeance! Seriously, we're doing all the typical "back to school" things. Ken, for instance, spend his summer vacation doing homework. Yes, he's begun a new series called Not that Darn Cat Again! It will be based on the same cat and each painting in the series will be done in a different style. Here, for instance, is a highly textured, realistic painting....

... a mosaic version....

...and the beginning of a wavy, stripey version.

 

We welcomed back Elaine T. after a sabbatical of several years. Obviously, she hasn't lost any of her touch as you can see from this conceptual painting of a tunnel entry. And notice the color testing brushmarks on the side? We love the energy!

Sara is trying a new style—and no, that isn't baby Nora! This portrait of her mother is based on a tiny B&W photo and Sara is placing her against a background of flat distinct shapes.

Elaine O. bought a new brush and is trying it out here. It's sable and she's loving it. Part of the fun of back-to-school is using fresh new supplies, isn't it?

Steve is planning a whole new color palette—look at his nearly pristine palette below.

He's is moving to a split primary setup, with artist grade paints. He's been carefully researching the colors he wants to add (here are some options below).

What this meant for our newest student, Gaby, was a treasure trove of watercolor tubes. She was able to finish the first two assignments in one class! Here's the beloved newbie plaid....

... and the color wheel. All the colors are mixed from just three (yellow, blue and rose). And notice the test swatches on the left side. Gaby fits right in, doesn't she?

Finally, Ken's opening reception may be over, but it's not too late to see his paintings at the Ten Cat (through mid-October). Mark your calendars!
 

Mosaic Tomatoes.  Ken will be having an exhibition at Ten Cat Tavern. It will feature his popular mosaic tomatoes series. Drop by to see the art...and maybe play some pool.

      Where:
      Ten Cat Tavern

      3931 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL

     When:
     August 22–October 15, 2018