Figure Painting at the North River Arts Society

I have to say, my students are very open minded in my figure painting class. We have not had the best weather on our group of Fridays and have had to paint indoors for the bulk of them, but they have done just about everything I have asked from them this session. Today we had torrential rains, so again we had to go indoors. I wanted to do something different, so I thought of a beach scene with the model at a low eye level. I don't want the student comfortable with the pose, so I wanted her lower than usual to make the student measure and not just paint what they are used to.
As always, I ask my students to do a thumbnail sketch or to just walk around the model to find the best view so that they will think about what they are planning on painting and to find the best composition instead of just jumping in and painting what is in front of them. I want them to think first. Much of what goes into a great painting is an idea, a thought process of what they want to capture. In today's case, no matter where you stood, it was a great painting.

I try to get the students to stand as close to the model as possible so that they can see the details, yet be able to also stand back and view her from a distance. It is a small class so this isn't a problem.

Once everyone has found their spots, I fit into one for myself and begin a demo. They are free to stand and watch or to paint and glance over from time to time. Because it is a small class, I am able to paint through the entire class while keeping an eye on them. This helps for two reasons. To keep me from making the students nervous from too much attention and to remind them of the process of painting that I am experiencing by me talking through the steps that I take. I try to exaggerate values, colors, harmonies, temperatures and paint handlings to show the students how to handle these for themselves.

Today was a great day for most of the students. I love seeing the lights come on in their heads as they start to realize things. It is such a slow process, but some days things seem to click a little easier than others. While some students aren't always happy with what they have done, the failures are just as important as the winners. And I try to stress that it's not always about going home with a great painting, but going home having to great lesson. Seeing a student frustrated only means they are trying to grasp something that is only a fraction ahead of them. I know they will get it. It just takes work and perseverance!

Here are some students paintings....

Here is my demo.

Painting in Boston

The recent bombings in Boston made me step back and think about how much I love this city. Even though I wasn't there or didn't know any of the people hurt, it affected me deeply. Last year, I painted the exact spot where the bomb went off. I walked those sidewalks many times. I grew up there.

 

Since then, I have been coming in and trying to make new memories and to inspire those that are around me. I painted in Copley Square as a memorial to the Marathon to enter into the Copley Society's 25th Annual Fresh Paint Auction.

Boston Strong  16 x 20  Oil

 

Two days after the bombings, the museums were all open. This made me come in to see the Zorn show at the Gardner Museum. After such inspiration, it was easy to go outdoors and paint something beautiful. It was eerie on Comm Ave. Many of the streets were blocked off. But the trees were blooming and people were out trying make sense of everything.

Painting in the Public Gardens I meet many people coming in to take back their city. Everyone seems to be in a great mood and so nice to talk to. I have never seen it so busy in there.

This week was the Walk For Hunger. Again, many of the streets were blocked off, but this time it was for a good reason. I managed to find a spot to park and painted all day in the Gardens. The tulips were in full bloom and amazing to see. It was fun seeing the people posing with the flowers all day.

I will continue to paint in the city, putting the tragedy in the back of my mind, moving forward with positive thoughts.

My best wishes goes out to those who were hurt at the Marathon for a speedy recovery and a normal life.

 

 

 

Academic Drawing Class

Today was the last day of our Academic Drawing Class at the North River Art Association.

 We spent 4 weeks on the face and 4 weeks on the figure. It was exciting to see the growth happening in the class throughout the sessions. We had many days off due to shows and snow days, but we got through.

Here is the last portrait demo I did in stages.

 

Here are some photos of some of the students who painted the whole figure instead of just the face. I think they are all spectacular!

In this class, I tried to get the students not to get a perfect likeness, but to go out of their comfort zones, using more paint, bigger brushes, going outside the lines to make an excellent painting.

New class starts next week. Go to www.northriverarts.org to join.

Take a class or group with Dianne!

Want to learn how to paint? Or just be in a fun group that paints together?

Want to paint interesting still lifes that excite you? Want to paint the beautiful scenery that you live near? Want to have great conversations about art and artists?

Take a class with Dianne at one of the art associations in your area

or ask me for details in joining a painting group!

The Duxbury Art Association, North River Arts Center and South Shore Art Center

all provide these fun classes you can join!

 

A Day Painting in Newport, Rhode Island

   I finally took a day and drove down to Newport, Rhode Island, one of my favorite places to visit and hang out in. I got a late start, since I am NOT a morning person, but managed to get three paintings in on this beautiful, low humidity day. Because of my lateness, I didn't get to paint with Jonathan McPhillips who was painting on the cliffwalk.
  I was happy to find some free parking right away and decided to paint near my car. I ended up at the boardwalk on Bannister Wharf in the heart of Newport Harbor. It wasn't too hot, but I didn't want to stand in the sun. After walking around for a half hour, I found a nice shady spot and started painting the charming Black Pearl Restaurant.

   I had lots of visiters checking out my work. I love talking to the people who are curious about my work. I hope you never feel afraid to approach me. It is my favorite part about painting "alla prima"! I think everyone was impressed with the piece. I had lots of interest. I am sure this painting will go fast at the Nancy Isherwood Gallery in Newport where I will bring it when it dries.

  From there I took and drive down Ocean Ave and because the day was flying by, I just stopped at my favorite vista and painted it from a different direction instead of wasting the day looking for something better. I was actually happy with the outcome of this piece. I loved the back lighting. Again, lots of people came by to see what I was doing. Being so close to the road is always a rush!

   I was going to go home after this feeling tired, but I pushed through and decided to just drive around and take pictures. I found the beautiful Fort Adams and drove in. I was awestruck by the beauty there and could have painted there all day. Plus the free parking and clean bathrooms, I decided to stay. I was pleased to see another artist there finishing up although I didn't know him.

   I didn't want to waste time since the sun was setting, so I took a quick look around and painted the bridge with the huge sailboats floating by. There was so much to see. There was some men dressed in old colonial outfits setting off canons...

 

I had a wonderful time. If I had brought dinner, I probably would have gotten one more in. The sun went down in a beautiful red ball and the full moon came out looking gorgeous too. The worst part of these painting days is driving home in the dark exhausted.

 

 

 

 

The Copley Society's Annual "Fresh Paint"

 Fresh Paint is the cornerstone event of the Copley Society of Art. First held in 1988, this two week-long event begins on Sunday, May 20th when more than 50 artists set out to the streets of Boston to paint scenes of the city.  By the end of the day, the artists arrived at the gallery having completed their "fresh" creations. Pieces be displayed in the gallery for two weeks, until the final gala event on June 2nd, when all of the pieces will be auctioned for sale.

 Here I am with Caroly Jundzilo who has been painting in the Fresh Paint as long as I have

(23 years!)

I am standing with the "Queen of Fresh Paint" Candace Lovely

Here is the link to my painting in the show.

http://www.copleysociety.org/exhibitions/current/upper.html

This is the link to the video made of some of us in action.

http://vimeo.com/43210296

The Annual Marblehead Paint Out

 

Nearly 20 of the finest artists from all over New England will be in Marblehead the week of May 21 as part of the 2012 Arnould Gallery “Plein-Air- Paint-Out.” Look for them at Little Harbor, on the Neck, at the Fort and throughout the streets of our beautiful town searching for just the right composition and just the right light.
These are “Plein Air” artists (French for “open air”) and they have been gathering in Marblehead every spring since 2006. But this year, Yves Parent will not be among them. Parent, one of the finest French marine artists living in the United States, and the man chiefly responsible for bringing his “friends” to Marblehead, died last July after a long battle with cancer.
“It’s not difficult to convince good artists to come to Marblehead,” Parent explained to Arts & More a few years back. “Marblehead is one of the most beautiful Harbors in New England and it even has its own ‘Eiffel Tower’!” he said (referring to the iconic Abbot Hall spire that features dominantly in many of his paintings). “Besides,” he added, “we all enjoy getting together to catch up on each other’s work and to socialize when the day’s painting is done.” This year much of that “catching up” will undoubtedly include remembering Yves.
These artists, whose professional memberships include such distinguished groups as the American Society of Marine Artists, The Copley Society, the International Society of Marine Artists, the Mystic Seaport Master Artists and the Salmagundi Club among many others, are following in the footsteps of Monet and Renoir when they move their easels out of the studio and into the natural light of day. Sergio Roffo, a native of San Donato, Italy, whose luminous work has been inspired by American painters like Inness and Bierstadt explains it this way: “Plein-air work is spontaneous. During the summer I work outdoors as much as I can.”
So, look for them around town. Rain or shine they’ll be here, maybe enjoying the sun on their faces, maybe tucked under a shelter if there’s rain. But they will be here. And they love an audience. So welcome them to the town, maybe direct them to your favorite spot. Ask your questions. Then come to the Arnould Gallery Friday evening, May 25, from 5-7:30 p.m. to meet them all and see for yourselves what beauty these masters have plucked from “Plein-Air” of Marblehead and present for us on their canvases.
“I’m very proud to have these great artists here for our 2012 “Paint Out,” says Arnould. “Their work is some of the finest on display anywhere in New England… and they are here to paint our beautiful town!”
Participating plein-air painters from across New England greet collectors at the Opening Reception. The exhibit remains on display through July 5, and the gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Gene Arnould at Arnould Gallery, 781-631-6366.

Brechin Morgan, Jim Magner, Patricia Warfield, Sandy Wakeen, Bob Noreika, Me, Mike Graves, Ted Charron, Al Barker! there were more and we couldn't fit them in!