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Artful Spring

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What a beautiful day with the sun shining and a nice breeze. I’ve been taking reference photo of the flowers beginning to bloom in our yard…. painting inspiration…..

We’ve been busy at the studio. This past weekend CADANC chapter of SDP had a seminar with Patty Stouffer and what fun they had. I painted a loose daffodil with them on Friday and enjoyed exercising my loose self. I was so glad to meet Patty and now have another painting friend! Love having these travel teachers visit to teach for us.

We’ve been working on the schedules and have new, exciting classes planned. Now I just need to get busy on painting samples so that you can see what’s coming.web-rose

Notes:
* Tue am class: We have not had the attendance for the Tue am class so I am going to take a break on Tue am. No class on Tue am May, June, July, and Aug. I’ll reevaluate at the end of the summer. This way I can schedule workshops on Tue am or use the time to paint.

▪ Right now our Wed classes are small enough that anyone wanting to make up a class or work on an individual project can join us on Wed. Just let me know when you want to come. You can come 10-12:30p, 1-3:30, or 4p-6p.
▪ I have updated the class schedules on the web site so be sure to check. I plan to post a newsy letter about once a month and try to not take up so much time on the computer. Watch the web site and Face Book for photos and updates.
▪ I still have seats in our seminars with Ros Stallcup and Mark Polomchak. Details are on the web site. I just sent out the Mark Polomchak info. again.
▪ Check out my on line classes at Creative Workshops. Cat’s Eyes and Sunning Turtles are new this year. I you can’t come to the studio to paint with me, this in a great option
▪ Our seminar with Susan Crouch is next week! All participants should have received an email from me and one from Susan with a pattern. Let me know if you didn’t receive it. Be sure to check you spam folder first.
▪ We have more watercolor classes coming up. Come join us. Check the web site for our schedules.
▪ We have a portrait workshop with me scheduled for May 19 and 20th. If you would like to join us, find a photo that you would like to use and contact me by May 2. I’ll work with you on any level of experience, beginning portrait artist are welcome. It’s fun!
▪ We have the John Gutcher Santa scheduled for May 26 and 27. And hope that the weather is good and we are all well and can finally have this class. Let me know if you can join us.

Class Schedule:
Tue 6:15p-8:15p Cary
Wed 10 – 2p. Raleigh
Wed 4-6p. Raleigh

Workshops and Seminars as scheduled.
DSC 0051

I have the new DecoArt paint colors and some of the new products at the studio!
Beautiful colors!

No classes Wed Apr 27, that next week. We’ll be getting ready for our seminar with Susan!

No Tue am class Apr 26th. No Tue am classes May – Aug.

Hope to see you painting with us soon.

Liz

Fantasy Flower Patricia Reichenbach design

Fantasy Flower
Patricia Reichenbach design

I Can’t See It!

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When you are painting from a photo, especially for a portrait or pet portrait, you want to be able to see good detail.  Your painting is only as good as your photographic detail. We don’t want you to struggle to see detail as you paint.  And I can’t just make it up for you no matter how talented you think I am.

Sharp detail.

Sharp detail.

Most cameras are set to deliver sharp photos. If your photo is blurred it may be operator error. I see many snapshots that are less than clear. These may be terrific for capturing a special moment but they are not adequate for a painting reference.  Make sure you get a sharp, clear photo.

Not clear when enlarged. Won't be able to get a good pattern or see detail for painting.

Not clear when enlarged. Won’t be able to get a good pattern or see detail for painting.

If you are using a photo from a mobile phone or tablet make sure your camera is set to the highest resolution. You need photos with good detail for reference.

Photos need to be at least 240 dpi at a size that you can use for your design. Or at least high enough resolution you can enlarge in a print to use for a pattern.  If when you print your photo the size is not large enough to see detail for your pattern you are in trouble from the start. Newer mobile phones, especially Samsung, make wonderful photos at the high resolution setting.

When we are painting portraits from a photo I will ask to approve your photo to make sure you are not struggling as you paint. We want the painting to be fun.

New Beginnings

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I’m offering new Basics Classes starting March 1!

Basic Techniques Yellow Daisy clock Session 1

Basic Techniques
Yellow Daisy clock
Session 1

It’s time to get some more of our potential painters started on their art journey.  Pass the word, let everyone know, and we’ll take them step by step through the basic techniques. You’ll find more details here: details.

Classes start:

Tue am, 10a-12:30p, March 8, 15, 22, and 29. 

Register now! Tue am, $130 (4 wks), supplies $75    Basics in Decorative Painting  $130 

Basic supplies. $75

 

Wed pm, 6p-8:30p, March 9, 16, 23, and 30

Register now!  Wed pm, $130 (4 wks), supplies $75    Basics in Decorative Painting  $130 

Basic supplies. $75

 

Push, Cross Over, and 20 Times.

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If you know what that means then you have learned about side loading your brush from me either at one of my studio classes or one of my online classes.

And, you have improved your side loading and floating. Once you have the hang of side loading correctly it’s such an easy and convenient technique for adding volume and depth to your designs.  And quick.

So many painters moan and groan when you mention side loading that I realized that it was just not being taught in a logical manner so that they understood the technique.

My students asked such good questions about why my SL technique was successful that I had to really think about what I was doing that worked. And I did. When my students use the technique correctly they are successful also. That doesn’t mean that we don’t get lazy some times and get sloppy. But cleaning up the technique will bring us right back.

Here is an example of floating glazes with a SL that I painted from a beautiful Gretchen Cagle design.

From a beautifull Gretchen Cagle design.

From a beautiful Gretchen Cagle design.

If you would like to find out about my technique for SL to learn or improve your technique, you’ll find my Mastering Decorative Painting Basics #2 video class on Creative Workshops where I break it down in a step by step manner for you.  I’ll be glad to demonstrate as many times as you would like. And then it’s just practice.

Remember push, cross over, and blend 20 times.

Good SL to you!

Liz

To-Do List

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The first of the year is a time for me to check my to-do list to see what ideas first  inspire me for my upcoming art work.  Some ideas sit on the list for awhile until the time comes when it just seems to stand out and say “it’s my turn now”.  It’s so much fun to look back at my lists. Some ideas are instantly inspiring and some ideas make me wonder what I meant by that.  I’m dragging out my list this month so stay tuned to see what’s coming up.

Our classes have their to-do lists also. Some ideas stay exciting and some fall by the way side. Here are a few ideas on our list for this winter:
more batik, I have lots of Kathie George’s patterns to chose from

Tjap

Tjap

more Tjaps

Sherri Nelson wren

another skyscape

Pet portraits

My Annie

My Annie

more watercolor!!!

playing with colored pencils

paint your own landscape from your photo

Landscape reference photo

Landscape reference photo

Kathie George’s rooster with pastel pencil over watercolor, or maybe another subject, same technique

Rooster Liz MIller CDA

Rooster Liz MIller CDA

Portraits!

Tom's Mom

Tom’s Mom

 

 

 

 

Wow, I’m excited with all the possibilities for this year. Plan to join us.

How’s Your Side Loading?

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2016 is here and we are getting back to our painting now that the festivities are enjoyed for another year.  I don’t usually make resolutions at the beginning of the year but I do have some goals that I work toward. These usually include refreshing my creative techniques and learning something new.

One of my goals for this year is to work on creating more painting videos. I teach weekly classes and workshops in my studio in Raleigh and also in Cary, but with the internet and social media available there is the opportunity to teach beyond my local area. So if you can’t come to me, let me come to you.

Mastering Decorative Painting Basics part 3

Mastering Decorative Painting Basics side loading

How is your side loading? On Creative Workshops I have the Mastering Decorative Painting series.  The second video in the series is all about side loading.  It is an excellent, stand alone guide for those of you who want to improve your side loading or have had difficulty with side loading. You will learn easy to follow steps that lead to successful side loading. I’ll teach my step by step method for side loading your flat brush to smoothly and effectively shade or highlight the elements of your design. We’ll also explore the art theory for creating volume within the elements of your design. Follow the above link to register.

Summer Romance

Summer Romance

 

 

Also, Session 3 of the Acrylic Painting Club is getting ready to start. You can still get in on the beginning and paint my Summer Romance.  Just use my link to Register now! and give me credit for your interest.

You have a full year from the time the video posts to enjoy and review the classes.

And the best thing about the videos are, you can have me repeat anything on the video as many time as you would like just by rewinding.

And the best thing about the videos are, you can have me repeat anything on the video as many time as you would like just by rewinding.

And the best thing about the videos are, you can have me repeat anything on the video as many time as you would like just by rewinding.

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Liz

Get Ready for More Exciting Classes

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Have you been noticing the amazing winter clouds. Some of our students have been sharing some wonderful cloud formation photos on face book. That was their homework (good students). We’re ready for our first cloudscape and hope you are ready to join us. Wed am and Cary, Tue evening, will start off the new year painting a winter cloudscape. I’m in love with this painting. Can’t wait to paint more clouds with you. Follow the links for more details and to register.

Winter Clouds from a William Powell design

Winter Clouds from a William Powell design

Wed pm at the studio is starting off with a watercolor abstract. This is my abstract that I painted with Mark Polomchak. We’ll use similar techniques but each painting will be different. We’ll let the fun happen!

Abstract Liz Miller CDA

Abstract Liz Miller CDA