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Workshops and Classes: Provide a playground for creativity.
JEFF LEGG - Still Life Painting in Oil
JEFF LEGG - Still Life Painting in Oil
Jeff in front of his still life setup.
Jeff Legg is the master of still life painting in oil and an excellent teacher. He places his subject and canvas at eye level and lights both with a single light source (the light on the pole to the left). Later the room lights were turned off so they didn't interfere with the lights and shadows cast by the single light. Note the subject still life set up is in a partial box so it is shielded from other lights in the room.
My still life setup with the overhead lights still on. I originally had a large yellow vase behind the Mud Man but Jeff substituted the ivy instead and it was a great improvement.
My unfinished painting of a Mud Man figurine with a bowl of grapes. Next time I will use a smoother surface (geso on Masonite) instead of canvas as Jeff recommends.
JEFF'S FINISHED PAINTING
What can I say but WOW!!!
I finished my painting later and it hangs in my home.
Mud Man Info
Mud Man Info
Mud Men are handmade mud figures from China. The very old ones can be quite valuable. The newer ones... not so much. I got this vintage Mud Man at a resale store for $1 but I've seen them in Flea Markets and on line for hundreds. An expert would be able to tell in what area of China this Mud Man was created because the skin tones are the natural color of the clay and the clay colors vary greatly in different areas.
WILD WOMAN WORKSHOP - Watercolor with Carol Cooper
WILD WOMAN WORKSHOP - Watercolor with Carol Cooper
The Wild Woman Workshops were taught for a number of years by Carol Cooper at the studio of RuAnn Ewing. Both Carol and RuAnn are talented artists but for these workshops Carol took on the roll as watercolor instructor while RuAnn provided the venue and the food for the three day event.
I attended the workshop twice and sadly it is no longer offered. It was an opportunity to learn about watercolor and to enjoy the support and comradeship of other women in a peaceful setting apart from the daily distractions and the annoyances of our busy lives.
RuAnn's amazing studio is in a tranquil rural setting. RuAnn converted an old barn into a place where she can do her large iron pieces and her intricate bead jewelry. It was the perfect setting for a workshop.
My Collage
The workshop started indoors with an exercise to loosen us up and explore color and texture possibilities. We used textured papers, stamps, and just about anything else we could glean from Carol's stash of interesting items. I normally would never do a collage but I enjoyed it and did several. Years later this one was displayed along with a flower arrangement in a Garden Club Show called "Duets in Bloom". To my surprise this piece was purchased.
Later we went to a nearby river location where Carol gave instruction in watercolor techniques. She did short demos rather than complete paintings. Her style is as exuberant as she is lively and funny. I have taken other workshops from Carol and always learn something new about color and design and always enjoy her quirky sense of humor. We painted the water, bluff and trees and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
RuAnn in her tiny but efficient kitchen she is the consummate chef she is preparing another culinary treat. The food was awesome and was often Hispanic.
Later we did small paintings in and around the studio. RuAnn had planted flowers all around the building in joyful free flowing beds so most of us took our inspiration from the flowers.
DETAIL OF THE GROUP'S MONTAGE
My painting - lower left.
STEVE ROGERS - Painting from Photos in Watercolor
STEVE ROGERS - Painting from Photos in Watercolor
Steve Rogers doing a demo on color in the studio. He purposely mixed a very "muddy" color. Mud is usually not a desirable thing to get with watercolor so it was amazing to see him bring it back to clear and vibrant (a great trick).
Because of the extreme July heat, we worked in the studio from photographs.
EARLY STAGE OF STEVE"S DEMO PAINTING
Steve could do a gradated wash like nobody else as seen here. He was fearless with color.
MY UNFINISHED PAINTING This 16" x 20" watercolor was started during the workshop.
I had done this image before in oil but it took on a whole new life using Steve's techniques. I was hoping Steve's workshop would help me get out of my color rut - it did.
STEVE ROGERS FINISHED PAINTING
Steve's work is vibrant with color and contrast and though his exciting work looks loose and almost accidental, he demonstrated total control of the media.
TODD WILLIAMS - Painting with Pallet Knife in Oils
TODD WILLIAMS - Painting with Pallet Knife in Oils
Painting Plein Aire and from Photos
Here Todd Williams is working on a painting using pallet knife. Todd is best known for his ability to paint all subject matter using spontaneous brush and pallet knife work.
The workshop started with a studio demo by Todd. After that, we moved outdoors to Tanyard Creek. Most people would paint the waterfall but Todd preferred this wooded area where the creek was quite reflective.
Todd is not an abstractionist but he uses an abstractionist metaphor which is 'to take from'. In this case he has chosen to take his forms from nature and his expression from his heart. He has a unique ability to go beyond surface effects of atmosphere and light and to capture the soul of the subject. I took the workshop to loosen up a bit. I take a lot of workshops for that reason and it sometimes works for a while and then I revert back to my more realistic style.
I don't usually paint with a pallet knife. This detail shows some of my early knife work. I bought a set of knives after the workshop and plan to do more with them especially when painting Plein Aire.
MY FINISHED PAINTING
I did this 9" x 12" Oil Painting based on a photo I took in New Orleans. It now hangs in my house.
TODD WILLIAMS FINISHED PAINTING
Loved the color and exuberance of Todds work. Years later, I put the photo I took of the actual scene in an art show and it won a blue ribbon. Strange how that works out.
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