Teaching drawing and sketching classes is something I have added to my schedule of class offerings just this year. I am loving it! So far I have had two students finish an 8 week course and the second class is halfway through. It is challenging for me! Luckily I have had very motivated students who are ready to work for 2.5 hours straight and willing to do homework assignments! I can barely get the social greeting portions completed before these eager and talented students are doing "show and tell"!
My lesson plans include perspective, proportions of the human figure, values - contrasts and shading and composition. We have done still life, human portraits, landscape with pen and ink and also charcoal drawing. In each of the eight week sessions we do an in-class project, stop long enough for a sip of tea, then we do a second drawing project. It is amazing how quickly that two and a half hour session goes by!
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you will click on this gallery photo below to see more of my art websites and paintings. Don't forget to come back here to read my journal blog! http://patlblair.webs.com/
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
MY JOURNAL
My photograph of Mount Thielsen, Oregon . . . should I paint it
in my studio or just go there and paint en plein air?
My first love is the out of doors and painting en plein air, but since the weather here isn't always perfect even in the summer, the studio is a logical respite. I have spent a lot of time in my studio this year, too much time. But, the reality is that studio work is an integral part of this artist's life.
I am committed to working from life, either in the studio with still life setups or outside on location. I take a lot of reference photos which I use in my studio when composing a new studio painting. The thing that I must learn to do in my studio paintings is to paint in the same manner as the plein air pieces. That is, with a lot of paint and spontaneity.
Watercolor is a seductive medium with a will of its own and I work constantly towards conquering it or at least feeling somewhat successful! I spend many hours working on composition, values and technique. When I achieve perfection I will let you know!
Oil painting is a constant challenge and a medium that I feel is more conducive to working en plein air. My goal is to spend more time outdoors painting either in oil or watercolor this year and perhaps encourage others to join me for a plein air class in this Spring and Summer. I intend to push myself "out there"!
Teaching is a wonderful learning experience, since it requires that the instructor be ‘brushed up’ on her knowledge, and having to verbalize that knowledge reinforces it. It’s also amazing how much students give in return.
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WORKSHOP "CREATING & KEEPING ART JOURNALS " MAY 27,2011 . CALL TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!
GALLERY & STUDIO SALES
My Gallery/ Studio is in my home and I am fairly successful in selling my work by having an open house studio/gallery reception about twice a year (one in the Summer and one in early winter.) I find it fun to do and usually set a three hour time for the gallery sale to run. I serve wine and cheeses and spend a lot of time visiting with my friends and neighbors. (Sixteen of my paintings sold in my last sale during a three hour time period!)
Let me know if you'd like to be on my invitation list.
Just email me at: blair432@charter.net.
Let me know if you'd like to be on my invitation list.
Just email me at: blair432@charter.net.