A lot of my classes obviously don't run during the summer, however I like to keep my hand in, so to speak, and offer my most popular class (Acrylics & Oils) as well as some one-day workshops. It's also a time of year that I want to be working in the studio, with the door open and the chipmunks popping in regularly to offer their critiques. You should hear some of the things they say! Oh my!
This summer I'm offering:
Acrylic & Oil Painting
other media (pastels, watercolour, mixed media etc) are also welcome
Thursdays, July 9 to August 27 (8 weeks)
1:00 to 3:30 PM
Drop in Fee: $20/class Please let me know if you plan to be a drop in student... it makes a difference whether the class runs or not. Thank you!
Plein Air Painting
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Fee: $95
Alternate Painting Surfaces
Saturday, July 25, 2015
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Fee: $145 (Includes alternate surface materials and workbook)
Colour Mixing, the School of Colour Way
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Fee: $115 (Includes extensive workbook and exercise sheets)
Colour Harmony and Contrast, the School of Colour Way
Saturday, August 8, 2015
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Fee: $115 (Includes extensive workbook and exercise sheets)
Silk Scarf Workshop
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Fee: $65 (All materials supplied)
Developing an Artistic Journal
Saturday, August 22, 2015
9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Fee: $60 (Materials list at registration.)
All courses will be held at the NECTAR Centre at 255 MacKay Street in Ottawa.
For more information: http://www.susanashbrook.com/summer-workshops--classes.html or contact me directly at 613-833-8312 or mailto:ashbrookcreative@gmail.com.
Also this week I've been talking with two premiere artist/teachers about setting up some workshops later this year and next. One is a well known Canadian artist who paints in acrylics and the other is a Certified Botanical Illustrator from the US who works in a variety of media.
I really enjoy setting up workshops with guest instructors, so if there are subjects, media or even artists that you would like to have workshops with, please by all means let me know... if there is enough interest I'll set it up!
So, no lazy, hazy around here... this summer is going to be busy! So let's get it rolling!
Today's Painting Tip: Painting Clouds
First get your sky in, remembering that the sky is lighter and cooler toward the horizon. A quick and easy way to do this is to cover your sky area with Titanium White and then start at the top of the painting with a line of Ultramarine Blue and blend it down into the white. If you need to add more blue start at the top again so that you maintain the proper gradient as you move toward the horizon.
Next mix a light gray with a touch of purple to warm it up and apply it randomly across the sky where you want the clouds to be. Soften the bottom edges of the clouds so that they blend into the sky. Clouds appear smaller the closer they get to the horizon. The purple adds life to the gray of the clouds and without it they will look dull and flat.
Now mix a warm colour using white with a touch of yellow or yellow ochre and apply this on the upper part of the clouds you have already painted, blending the colour into the purple/gray colour. Finally, apply pure white at the top of the clouds, blending into the yellow colour. You can also leave some pure white harder edges at the top.
When painting clouds take some time to think about what they are... water vapour, rather than cotton balls. If your clouds look too much like cotton balls try softening some of the edges to that they blend into the sky. With clouds the light source (the sun) is above them so the shadows will be on the underside and the highlights on the top... simple observations that can really help.
Now that the painting from Jane's photograph is finished, I've gone back to the first one I did in this series, that I posted on Facebook. As is often the case, the first one is a test and the second one gives the real lessons. Well I've taken those lessons and am applying them to the first one "Reflections". Today I'll bring you up to date on where we left off on Facebook. Next week you will see what I learned from doing Jane's Photograph.
By the way, if you wish to comment or suggest workshops please go to http://www.susanashbrook.com/blog where you can comment or subscribe.
Thanks and best wishes,
Susan