Topics of Interest
2008, April 24Mastering Composition by Ian Roberts: If you want to learn about composition, this is a great book. Just released in 2008, it tells you just about everything you would want or need to know about the process of composition and leading the eye through a painting. He is an oil painter, so it is not a place to learn about watercolors, but it is invaluable for general art design. I previously had purchase his 2-DVD set workshop on composition and knew he was good at teaching, so I jumped at the chance to get his book when it was released. The book comes with one DVD--a 40 minute instructional DVD, so you get the best of both! North Light Book Club is where I got it, but I'm sure it would be available elsewhere. Here is the cover:
2008, January 10
A wonderful artist that I admire is Robert Wade. This Australian artist has been around for a number of years. He used to travel the world painting and teaching, but he has decided to slow down and just teach in Australia. He has a number of books and videos, any of which are well worth purchasing and can be found on the internet through several sources. However, one of his earlier books, "Painting More Than the Eye Can See" is one of my favorites and is full of problem-solving tips and solutions. This is a must-have in my library and I refer to it often. (One of Wade's statements: "The intensity of the light source controls the contrast range-the stronger the light, the greater the contrast; the weaker the light, the more restricted the contrast range." Think about that. Makes sense, doesn't it. You wouldn't see bright, white reflected highlights at dusk, would you? Nor, would a clear, sunny day be painted with muted colors!)
Okay, so the down-side is this book is out-of-print. The up-side is you can often obtain copies through Abebooks.com. I highly recommend this book for anyone -beginners to advanced artists, and in any medium. He is one of the greats!
2007, October 29
Another great drawing book for beginners (and more advanced artists, as well) is Bert Dodson's "Keys to Drawing." This book goes from the very basic drawing process into more complex perspective and design. There are exercises to perform, along with self-critique guidelines to help you be more objective in the assessment of your work. Very helpful when you are trying to develop as an artist. Below is a photo of the book cover. It can be purchased online through Amazon.com.
Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson
When I first decided to paint, I knew my drawing skills could make or break my paintings. So, I looked for good instructional books to get started. I found "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards.
This book was very helpful in getting good basic drawing skills down and moving from that pesky "left-brain" mode into the "right-brain" mode. (One great exercise is to draw the subject matter upside down--the subject upside down, not you!) The photo above is the book that I purchased, which was copyrighted in 1979, however she now has newer versions, workbooks and even videos. They can be viewed and purchased at Betty Edwards' website at www.drawright.com. Amazon.com also carries her books.
2007, October 14
People may wonder why I waited so long to start painting. Sometimes I wonder, myself. Circumstances may have kept me from painting...I have a physically disabled daughter, Sara, who has had 15 surgeries, I worked as a Registered Nurse which limited my time, I've been involved in developing a business with my husband, Marty, etc. Good excuses, but not really good reasons. I really don't think those things have kept me from developing as an artist. If I had been driven to paint, I would have painted. I think it was something that just had to evolve. A process. I look at it this way...I was observing and learning along the way, preparing myself for art. There is a story about an old artist...he was asked by a potential customer, "How long did it take you to paint that painting?" and his reply was "83 years." There is a lot of truth in that.
I grew up watching my mother paint. One of my earlier memories was of her teaching my older sister, Sharon, and me to draw at the kitchen table. Mom always had an easel set up in the front window where the lighting was good and a painting in process all the time. I so enjoyed watching her and feeling her excitement when a painting came together. When she died, almost 23 years ago, I missed seeing that creative energy and missed the wonder I felt as her white canvas gradually filled with paint into something of beauty. I tried to take painting lessons about 18 years ago, but had setbacks along the way and quit (my instructor became ill after two lessons and never returned--surely not something I did-- and the owner of the art store closed up shop not long after that...definitely not me). Maybe God was just telling me, it wasn't time. Then, about 7 years ago, things had settled down in my life and I decided to try again, teaching myself what I could through reading and videos, knowing I could study at my pace and convenience. My husband bought me an easel and brushes, encouraging me to try. Once I got started, I never quit. Now my easel is up continuously, with ongoing paintings. Painting brought something back into my life that I truly missed. I only wish my mother were still alive so that I could share it with her.
I have been blessed with this gift--not so much with painting itself, but because painting forces you to look at the world more closely. It requires your thorough inspection. You never realized that clouds aren't just white, but pink, blue, gray, purple; not just fluffy but thin, full, billowing, skinny, sweeping, etc. I've always had an appreciation of nature, architecture, character, etc. but now I have it even more. What a wonderful gift, seeing the world differently.
Painting also gives you the gift of friends for life. Someone once said, "An artist is never lonely." Your art brings you to others with the same passion. You instantly have something to talk about. I remember my first traveling workshop, going by myself I was afraid I wouldn't have anything to talk about with all those strangers. Not so! I blabbed the whole time. I remember marveling at how twenty people could get to know each other so quickly and have so much to talk about. Our love of art, and particularly the challenges of watercolors, brought us together.
Art gives me much more than my artwork could ever give to others. So, the question remains, "Why did I wait until later to start painting?" I'm still wondering. Only heaven knows. Truly, only heaven knows.
I grew up watching my mother paint. One of my earlier memories was of her teaching my older sister, Sharon, and me to draw at the kitchen table. Mom always had an easel set up in the front window where the lighting was good and a painting in process all the time. I so enjoyed watching her and feeling her excitement when a painting came together. When she died, almost 23 years ago, I missed seeing that creative energy and missed the wonder I felt as her white canvas gradually filled with paint into something of beauty. I tried to take painting lessons about 18 years ago, but had setbacks along the way and quit (my instructor became ill after two lessons and never returned--surely not something I did-- and the owner of the art store closed up shop not long after that...definitely not me). Maybe God was just telling me, it wasn't time. Then, about 7 years ago, things had settled down in my life and I decided to try again, teaching myself what I could through reading and videos, knowing I could study at my pace and convenience. My husband bought me an easel and brushes, encouraging me to try. Once I got started, I never quit. Now my easel is up continuously, with ongoing paintings. Painting brought something back into my life that I truly missed. I only wish my mother were still alive so that I could share it with her.
I have been blessed with this gift--not so much with painting itself, but because painting forces you to look at the world more closely. It requires your thorough inspection. You never realized that clouds aren't just white, but pink, blue, gray, purple; not just fluffy but thin, full, billowing, skinny, sweeping, etc. I've always had an appreciation of nature, architecture, character, etc. but now I have it even more. What a wonderful gift, seeing the world differently.
Painting also gives you the gift of friends for life. Someone once said, "An artist is never lonely." Your art brings you to others with the same passion. You instantly have something to talk about. I remember my first traveling workshop, going by myself I was afraid I wouldn't have anything to talk about with all those strangers. Not so! I blabbed the whole time. I remember marveling at how twenty people could get to know each other so quickly and have so much to talk about. Our love of art, and particularly the challenges of watercolors, brought us together.
Art gives me much more than my artwork could ever give to others. So, the question remains, "Why did I wait until later to start painting?" I'm still wondering. Only heaven knows. Truly, only heaven knows.
