Get the most out of your paintings

Techniques class 1 Recap

By taking the time to work out your design and values before hitting the canvas can make the experience more enjoyable and result in a better painting. If you haven't decided where you are going with the painting or what are the most important elements, you can spend most of your painting time trying to work through all that and it will show.

Here is a recap of what we covered in class today. Working from a photo, create as many gesture sketches as needed until you are happy with the design. These need to be fast and are meant to help you work through your ideas about the composition. Make as many adjustments as you need. Next step, create a value painting using black, gray, and, white. By taking away the color in a study, it's much easier to see what is going on in the painting. Again, make any adjustments to make a stronger painting.

In this example, I am working from several different photos.

Below are my initial gesture sketches.  The wagon is the focal point and the house is just the back drop. But in my first sketch the wagon is a minor player. I switched to oil pastel and tried agin. It wasn't until the 4th one, I came up with something I liked. I finally made the wagon the major part of the painting. I was able to work through this in about 30 mins. That's the beauty of a rough drawing, just keep tossing them out until you get a good one.

Gesture sketches for wagon painting

Next week  - block in the painting with color. 

I often will do this step in acrylic so that I can make quick adjustments before starting with the oils. When you"re happy with the overall design and color palette,  it's time to paint!

Blocking in color for wagon painting

All of this took under and hour, and the time and struggle it will save for the rest of the painting will be well worth it. 

We will work on blocking in the color in next weeks class.

Second week making color notes.

Below you can see  the next steps. Making color and value decisions. 

Until then - have a great week!

Dawn

Hope to see you out there.

Happy fall, Dawn

DIY Palette Box and Wet Panel Carrier

As I am getting ready for the 3 day painting retreat at The Parker Ranch in Clayton, I thought I would share this earlier post on how to build a palette box. If you are handy, it's nice to make your own! - Dawn

In a recent Plein air workshop, one of the students asked me to share how I made my palette box and wet panel carrier. Of course I've had that on my to do list for months, but that was the motivation I needed to get my to sit down and work on it.

A portable palette box and wet panel carrier for plein air

I typical paint 12 x 16 when working plein air, so I made the bottom of the box large enough to hold that size once I put the sides on. 13x 17 plus the handles.  Once I had the back cut out, I cut out the space that will go around my tripod. I used the jigsaw and drill with a spade bit to make this cut.

Now I have base of the palette box, I made the sides. I used  1/2 inch oak for this and cut them to size using the miter saw. Next I cut a block to bring the handle up to the same height as the sides. Now I put an adjustable bracket on the handle that will hold it on to the tripod.

This is a close up of the handle.  I mitered the top piece so that it can easily slide on to the tripod and the tension will hold the box in place. Also, it can be adjusted if I ever change tripods. 

Time for the folding shelves. I made two sides for the shelves first to make sure I had the measurements right, then cut the panels to make the tops. Glueing and nailing them to the frames

Okay ready for the hinges. I ran four small hinges down each side. 

Here's the completed box. I put blocks on the back as well with enough open space for me to guide the panels in. I have clips on the sides that will hold the panels in place.  It will hold 2 panels facing each other with plenty of space between them to keep them from touching. 

I also stapled elastic to the sides, that holds my palette knives, brushes and small tubes of paint. Then put mirror hangers on the sides and attach a shoulder strap and voila!!

Okay, there you have it. I hope it's helpful  

Thanks Megan for motivating me to actually do this. Let me know if you have any question!

 

 

Why do you do it?!?

Why do we do what we do? This is a question that keeps coming up in the classes I have been at C4 (business classes for artists). I am amazed by how hard this question is to answer.

Easy answers:

I can.  I love it.  I'm curious.  Etc....

Why is this such a hard thing to answer? I have been making art most of my life. I have a degree in painting. I have been teaching painting classes for 14 years. But why do I do this? Well... I love making 3 dimensional space on a 2 dimensional plane, moving color back in forth within that 2D space. I love problem solving, and I just like to walk around and look and think about how so many things are possible on one little planet.

 I have been assigned to make my mission statement  as part of my class work, and after a lot of struggle, I think I have it.

Mission: Create expressive paintings that elevate the ordinary and encourage the viewer to appreciate the beauty of the day to day.

When it comes down to it, I always feel so lucky. I love my work and I can always learn and improve. I look forward to seeing what tomorrow brings. 

Paint on my friends,

Dawn

May 20 - 22 No Stress Plein Air 3 day Workshop

Painting at Tallulah Gorge at our last trip to Parker Ranch

May 20 - 22 No Stress Plein Air at the Parker Ranch in Clayton GA

Stay together, paint together.

The Parker Ranch

 in Clayton Ga is a cozy gathering place. The owners, Becky and Paula have hosted my plein workshops several times and they always out do themselves to make sure everyone is comfortable.

Learn to capture the outdoor with a limited color palette and the palette knife. Working from the landscape is such a great way to improve your paintings, but it can be overwhelming when just starting out. In this class, I'll help you with tips and tricks to setting up, how to find your focus, and get started. Using a limited palette will help you with color mixing and creating harmony in your paintings.  I love the energy working with a palette knife brings to my paintings. An added bonus - no cleaning your brushes!! You will learn different ways to use the knife to get your desired effect.

Classes  Times

12 - 5 Friday, 10 - 5 Sat, & 10 - 3 Sunday

Cost $225 Includes daily instruction and demos in the field and one on one instruction throughout  the day. Nightly social hour with wine and cheese

Breakfast each morning is provided by the Ranch with your reservation.

100.00 holds your spot.

Deadline to sign up is May 14 th.

Room arrange should be made through Becky at the Parker Lodge

Becky Hoover 

becky@parkersranch.com

http://www.parkersranch.com

404-373-0566

You can request a private or shared room.

Register here

What's not included:

Lodging

Lunches and dinner

Painting supplies

Supply list 

This is a rain or shine event. Bring photos to work from just in case we have bad weather.

Here is a

link

 to a great post from fellow artist Lori Putman with tips for flying with you paints.

http://www.loriputnam.com/blog/taking-flight-tips-for-the-winged-artist/

*For those that arrive early on Thursday, we'll get a little painting done.

** I have a few extra plein air easels if you are new. Just let me know right away if you need one.

The Parker Ranch

The Parker Ranch is a laid back loge built in 1907 as an Atlanta family summer home in Clayton GA. It has 6 rooms all with private baths. Some are double occupancy - two beds - so you can share rooms  if you'd like, and one cabin. Clayton is just under 2 hours from Atlanta, world away. The Lodge is about one mile from town with good restaurants and lots of charm.

Room arrange should be made through Becky at the Parker Lodge

Becky Hoover 

becky@parkersranch.com

http://www.parkersranch.com

404-373-0566

Close by

Lake Burton

Dillard House

Talulah Gorge and Day Use Area

Cancellation Policy:  If cancellation is made ten or more days prior to beginning workshop date, a full refund will be made.  If cancellation is made less than 10 days prior to beginning of workshop, half of the workshop fee will be refunded.  Cancellations of 5 days or less from beginning date of workshop, no refunds issued. If workshop is cancelled by the artist, the entire workshop fee will be refunded.  If flying, it is advised that you purchase refundable airline tickets in the event of a cancellation

 

Making Progress

Monday in the studio!! Untitled for now, 24 x 36 Oil on canvas - palette knife.

24 x 36 Oil on Canvas

Last weeks efforts.

This one started as a plein air study in Olmsted Park

Check out all classes available online: click 

Classes and Workshops

Hope to see you out there,

 Dawn 

 

Questions? Get in touch

 dawn@dawnart.com

Studio Tip: What do you get when you cross a paper towel roll and a saw?

I was tired of wasting paper towels in the studio or being to cheap to get a clean one, so I thought I'd try cutting a role down in the shop. By cutting the roll into three sections, I have the perfect size to clean my brushes and knives without waste! Hallelujah   Why did it take me so long to come up with this??

Cheers, Dawn

Check out all classes available online: click 

Classes and Workshops

.Hope to see you out there,

 Dawn 

Questions? Get in touch

 dawn@dawnart.com

Today Efforts - Headed to the Park

I went back around the corner today to see if I could finish this one.  Right at 4:00 the light hits the buildings just right. Now if only these people would hold still!!

9 x 12 "Headed to the Park"  oil on panel, plein air

Here's my start. Too bad I couldn't get that tandem bike in there. Such an unwilling model . : )

Questions? Get in touch

 dawn@dawnart.com

Sunny, but Cool

I didn't finish today as I had hope, but made a lot of progress. This one started as a plein air study in the Olmsted Linear Park. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll finish : )  Dawn

Untitled 24 x 36 oil on canvas Dawn Kinney Martin

The inspiration

Hope to see you out there,

Dawn

One of my favorite plein air paintings

Wow, I won a sponsorship  award !!

I was almost too embarrassed to

turn mine in. Turn out it's really stressful

 painting in a competition!

The final painting, "Hard Days Work " 12 x 16 oil on panel Sold

The inspiration!!! I've learned a lot out there painting this year,

I look forward to getting out that more in 2016 and see what

 happens.

Cheers, Dawn

 

Happy New Year! Dawn Art Update

Happy New Year from Dawn Art

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Happy 2016!! It's  hard to believe it's already here. Before you know it, It will be April and time for the Atlanta Dogwood festival!

This past year was a good one! I was able to travel to so many wonderful place to paint, make new friends  and even enter a few competitions. And I couldn't be happier with my new studio and classes. I look forward to see what adventures 2016 will bring.  I hope the new year is as good for you as well!

          Classes and Workshops                

Check out all classes available online: click 

Classes and Workshops   

Questions? Get in touch

 

 dawn@dawnart.com

"Rainy Days and Bourbon"

Plein air in VA- Highlands. I have been trying to catch a few local spots in between the rain storms.

Street scenes are a struggle for me, so I'm going to work on them and see if I can make a little progress .  

To be clear, I'm not drinking Bourbon - Just painting a colorful Bourbon bar across the street! : )

Click

here

for purchase info

http://mkt.com/dawn-art/rainy-days-bourbon

Cheers,

Dawn

 

Capture rushing water

 Returning to Nature 12 x 16 oil on panel

With all the rains, it's a good time to try to capture the force of a fast moving water fall. This is the finished plein air painting from Victory park train. This is the ruins of an old factory. The water has cut a path through it, so I call this one " Returning to Nature" I have to admit, I like the way this one turned out. I have been working on city scenes here of late, and they not my strong point, so it's nice to get back in my comfort zone for a little bit.

Cheers,

Dawn

Check out my classes and workshops here https://squareup.com/market/dawn-art

Painting with Carol at Victory Creek

Let's get back to painting!

Happy 2016!! It's is hard to believe it's already here. I was able to take a little  time off. Now, I'm looking forward to getting back the studio and classes. I have weekly classes and workshops starting soon. ***Keep an eye out for a new Abstract Workshop, with Lauren Adams, details soon.

WEEKLY CLASSES

Jan - March 1  6:15 pm - 9:30pm, 4 or 8  weeks 

Tuesday Night Painting Studio  -  140.00- 4 weeks, 240.00 - 8 weeks

Jan 20 - Feb 24  Wed 10am - 1 pm,  6 weeks 

Painting Techniques class - 225.00

Check out all classes available online: click 

Classes and Workshops

, choose the Classes and Workshop heading.

WORKSHOPS

Palette Knife One Day Workshops 95.00

Sunflowers - 

 Jan 30, Sat  10:00 - 3:00

Boats -  

Feb 27, Sat  10:00 - 3:00

Plein Air One Day Workshop 

No stress introduction to painting plein air. 75.00

April 16, Sat 10:00 - 3:00

May 7, 

Sat 10:00 - 3:00

Weekend workshop at Parker Ranch

May 20 - 22  

More Info

T

hese will begin with demos and exercises followed by working on a painting.

Coming soon - Abstract Workshop with Lauren Adams

. 

Hope to see you out there.

Happy Painting, Dawn

Classes held at DawnArt Studios 180 A 11th St NE, Atlanta GA 30309.

Check out all classes available online: click 

Classes and Workshops

,

Questions? Get in touch

dawn@dawnart.com 

Palette knife boats - getting started

I talked about painting starts and working with the palette knife last week in class and a few folks wanted to see how the painting progressed. This is where we left off after class.I know these are not the best photos, but I stopped to take photos of this 24 x 48 painting while it was up on the easel. I didn't take the time the set up a good shot, but I hope you get the idea.

After laying out my composition, I started making color notes.

Decided to change the boats a little bit. so I pulled out left over paint to adjust my drawing.

Still trying to decided my color palette and blocking in areas.

A little more progress, starting defining my horizon line and adding color to my boats.

That's all for know. I think I have a good idea of the direction to take it and hope to finish soon. I'll keep ya' posted

Sorry for the horrible photos and  have a great time over the holiday season - Dawn

Time to finish!

All of us get so excited about the next painting or next project. I love to get started! But as the days go by and so many things need attention, it can be hard to keep that energy going......and finish the painting! So, over the holiday break from classes, I am going to tackle my homework pile. This 30" x 40" painting is the first on my list. Time to revisit Vernazza and see if I can finish it. This poor thing has been sitting in the studio for years, just waiting on 


Painting With Color!!

Last weekend I taught a two day workshop on my favorite subject - color! The first day we worked with color mixing, specifically, using the color wheel to make your colors lighter or darker. Working with the color wheel will keep you colors, vibrant and fresh. The next day we tackled making neutrals by working with compliments, and make them recede in space in your paintings.

It was a lot to tackle in a weekend, but everyone did a great job and left the class with a lot more knowledge about paint mixing.  It's easier than you think!!

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving,

Dawn