Katie's Yard, 14x18" oil, Diane Mannion
Russian Technique
Worked on Russian oil painting technique this weekend during Katie Dobson Cundiff's two day backyard floral workshop. Katie demonstrated by painting and showing some of her floral paintings done under the influence of working with Ovanes Berberian. Even though Katie's work was already amazing, her results of studying with this Russian artist were spectacular!
Artists painted floral still lifes set up on tables under trees and next to a pond. First day weather was challenging with the sunlight going in and out. Heavy storms on the second day caused me to stay home, but Katie reported that all went well anyway. Artists painted under overhangs by the pool and watched her demo in the studio.
Even with only one day in this workshop, I learned a lot:
Palette setup, paint mixing, wash underpaintings, brushwork (using larger brushes... yikes, missed my #2s), brushwork strokes (no scrubbing or petting!), medium recipes. And all with the emphasis on color creating values. COLOR CREATING VALUES, while leaving white out until last. Ouch.
Katie Dobson Cundiff's workshop was a joy and well worth taking! I treasure all I've learned.
Artists painted floral still lifes set up on tables under trees and next to a pond. First day weather was challenging with the sunlight going in and out. Heavy storms on the second day caused me to stay home, but Katie reported that all went well anyway. Artists painted under overhangs by the pool and watched her demo in the studio.
Even with only one day in this workshop, I learned a lot:
Palette setup, paint mixing, wash underpaintings, brushwork (using larger brushes... yikes, missed my #2s), brushwork strokes (no scrubbing or petting!), medium recipes. And all with the emphasis on color creating values. COLOR CREATING VALUES, while leaving white out until last. Ouch.
Stage of painting when I left Katie's first day. Spent most of my time hovering in the background painting the landscape which is where I'm most comfortable, too much of a chicken to tackle the flowers with this new technique.
Spent many hours more in the studio trying to adhere to the Russian method which is SO unlike how I usually paint. That little blue and white vase was tough...almost caused nosebleeds to get it right. I know a lot of this new information will eventually trickle into my own style and help it grow. Artists have to keep growing, if we stop learning and experimenting... we're finished.
2 comments:
Nosebleeds!! - I choked laughing on that one.
You ended up with Ovanis's number one rule - he keeps saying...think beautiful color. Your colors and light are beautiful.
Ovanis workshop is not for the weak. I remember hauling around the huge patio umbrella and pounding it into the ground. rain or shine.
Its always encouraging to know artists of your caliber still take workshops.
Not an easy still for sure! Whole thing was also on a slight slant on a little hill. Sun constantly changing and of course lots of fun interruptions from fellow painters. Difficult to paint in dabbled light with sun going in and out behind clouds. So next day, decided to stay in studio instead of traveling through heavy weather. Workshops are a place to learn, not create masterpieces. I understood the new techniques and ideas. Some I'll use, some not...
Thanks again for your kind comments, Julie Ford Oliver (who REALLY knows how to use color!)
Post a Comment