Some thoughts for the team this weekend

Over the weekend, at Crossroads Art Center, the team will again step up to the "BIG" challenge. Realization will hit home Friday morning when they are greeted by some very large white canvases....yikes! Only momentarily........ I'm sure they'll jump right in! 

Subject selection: One clear idea - avoid juggling references.......keep it simple!

Establish a basic painting plan: Break points, take each as far as possible before starting another, use the last session or day to bring it all together. Over the 3-days we'll have a morning session and afternoon session....perhaps (6) breakpoints.

BREAK POINT EXAMPLES

The team learned from previous classes a few tricks on how to keep paint brushes full of colour to get the job done, and medium to make the paint flow effortlessly and not waste paint in the process.

This will be a great opportunity to practice painting more from the shoulder than the wrist, as in conducting an orchestra. Also following the rhythm (direction) of a subject with your brush marks.

 BRUSH MOVEMENT 

(direction of brush marks)

COUNTER MOVEMENT 

(back spray - top of wave)

As painting coach, I urged the use of deliberate brush strokes. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore energy painting, moving with the natural lines of our subject - stepping back to observe progress and adjusting our progress. Working towards the ultimate goal, intuitive painting (know your subject)......it requires confidence and space to do it. 

TEAM, THIS WEEKEND YOU'LL HAVE THE SPACE TO DO IT!

 

PAINTING SHAPES  AS COLOUR MOVEMENTS

(1) Highlight (2) Shadow

DETAIL

The detail looks a bit like paint-by-numbers. In many respects painting shapes is, but far more sophisticated.

(broken down to basically a shadow, mid-tone and highlight (3) colours)

A DEMO, THAT'S NOT A DEMO

Like the team, I choose a subject to paint, not as a demo, but as a large studio painting executed over the course of many days.....or as long as it takes.

If they "cop" a glance, it will demonstrate how I developed my concept (established before I picked up my brush)..... how I break my subject down, establish break points, continually working toward a cohesive movement.... a connection between each, so the eye moves naturally throughout. It requires using paint efficiently, making marks that count, not wasting paint.....also, Moving with the energy of the moment which gives a painting movement and life - accomplished by continually taking breaks to check it out from a distance. Then, going back with renewed energy to take advantage of what I saw.

I also hope this painting demonstrates how effective energy painting from the shoulder is. 

LAST 3-DAY STUDIO
COMPLETED IN THE STUDIO

Claiming the High Ground 56x48 oil on linen (10-6-16 canvas 1091)