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

Upcoming Classes

Tuesday Evening Painting Studio

Dec 1 - 15 , 6:15 - 9:30

http://mkt.com/dawn-art/mini-open-studio

Techniques For All Levels  

Jan 20 - Feb 24, Wed 10:00 am - 1:00pm

http://mkt.com/dawn-art/joy-of-painting

Tuesday Painting Studio

  Jan 12 - March 1,  6:15 - 9:30

http://mkt.com/dawn-art/week-tuesday-painting-studio

Painting Classes Start Back in Dec

Holiday Fix Tuesday Studio 6:30 - 9:30  from DawnArt Studios LLC


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Plein week: Elizabeth City

Painting through all these rainy days in  GA,  really prepared me for the plein air week in Elizabeth City. We can't pick the weather! Oddly enough I've really started to enjoy tackling these grays.

First day, I decided to tackle the harbor from across the boat yard.  "Harbor Hangout" 12x12 oil on panel.

Took a lot of editing, but I'm happy with the results. Someone else appreciated my efforts as well, this one sold the first night of the opening! 

When I found this spot, I fell in love with the scene. "Hard Days Work" 12 x 16 oil on panel

I started this one after a day of painting in the rain, and got a pretty good start on it before the sun went down. Came back to finish it in the morning. This one I turned in for the plein air competition and I'm happy to announce, I won a sponsor award for my efforts. A big thank you to Elizabeth City and the plein air event. I look forward to the next one.

~ Dawn

Day 2 E City Plien Air

Today started off a little rainy, so I was glad I found a covered spot with such a great view. Straight ahead I have this cool pink house on the water, turn to my right and there are these great cypress trees.

Where's the delete button!?!

Photo courtesy of Kevin McPeake of
Haagse Fiets Chic

First attempt - way to busy.
Who even knows if there's a focal point.

 Recently I have been trying to capture busy city life, bikes in particular. Left is the photo I was working from. This is by friend and photographer in The Hague, Kevin McPeake. In the original photo, I love the cyclist in the busy city street with lots of people about with their umbrellas. But when I tried to put all that information in the painting, my main character was lost.

City Livin' 10 x 10 oil on panel. Palette knife - Sold

I made several attempt to edit, simply, and bring her forward. Eventually, I had to admit that I just wasn't going to capture the bustling town scene and I just need to reconcile my painting. Hello delete button. I ended up taking all of the back ground out, and simplified to color palette. Although,  disappointed that I didn't achieve my original goal, I have a painting I'm happy with.

There is always next time!!!

Happy painting, Dawn

Upcoming Classes

Nov 11 - Dec 9, Wed 10am - 1 pm Painting Techniques

November 14 - 15, Sat & Sun 10 - 3  2 Day Color Confidence  Workshop

Dec 1 - Dec 15,  6:15 pm - 9:30pm Tues Painting Studio 

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

Check out all classes available online click Classes and Workshops and choose the Classes and Workshop heading. 

A perfect painting spot

A wonderful fall day to get out and paint. I think it was up to 75º, so I packed up my gear and hit the river! This was todays effort at the Old Roswell Mill.  ~ Dawn

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Art Adventures & classes

Dawn Kinney Martin    www.dawnart.com    Fall is a great time to get outdoors to paint. The cooler temps are pleasant and the fall leaves are beautiful. But we have had so much rain lately, it has really pushed me as an artist to try to capture all that color in low light. I love that there is always a new challenge! I'll be headed to Coastal Carolina for a week of Plein Air the first week of November. Despite the exciting challenge of painting on gray days, I hope the rain stays away!           Classes and Workshops                 Color Workshop    Color Confidence 2 Day Workshop Nov 14 - 15, Sat & Sun 10:00 - 3  This will begin with demos and exercises followed by working on a painting. - 175.00 More Info Weekly Classes  Nov 11 - Dec 9, Wed 10am - 1 pm,  4 weeks  No Class  Nov 25 3 hour Painting Techniques class - 150.00 Dec 1 - Dec 15,  6:15 pm - 9:30pm  3 weeks  Tues Painting Studio  -  95.00 Classes held at DawnArt Studios 180 A 11th St NE, Atlanta GA 30309 Check out all classes available online: click Classes and Workshops,  Other News - Plein Air Awards  I recently took 2nd place and received a Purchase Award at the September Plein Air event in Stone Mountain. A big thank you to the Art Station, who presented the event; I am honored to have my work as part of your permanent collection! Hope to see you out there. Happy Fall, Dawn   Questions? Get in touch dawn@dawnart.com

Great weekend for and art show!!!

The weather was perfect this weekend and people came out to see the art and listen to great music. It was just hard to be in bad spirits this weekend at the Brookhaven Art Festival. I haven't done this show in several years, and I am glad I came back.

 A few of my favorite paintings found new homes this past weekend.
Flowers from a Friend, 20 x 20 oil on panel. This painting is based on flowers from my friend  Stuart's garden in my favorite vase. Talulah River, 16 x 20 plein air painting on canvas. This is my favorite painting spot when up at Parker Ranch.  Red Maple, 12 x 16 oil on panel. This was from the Olmsted plein air paint out, and I was pleased with the dappled light in this one.

It is so rewarding when your work in appreciated. A big thank you to my new collectors!!

Dawn

Oct 3 Sat 10:00 - 3:00 Intro to Plein Air  Oct 9-11, Fri - Sun Painting Retreat at the Parker Ranch Clayton, GA Holiday Classes** Nov 11 - Dec 9, Wed 10am - 1 pm Painting Techniques November 14 - 15, Sat & Sun 10 - 3  2 Day Color Confidence  Workshop Dec 1 - Dec 15,  6:15 pm - 9:30pm Tues Painting Studio  **classes held at DawnArt Studios, 180 A 11th St NE, Atlanta GA 30309, unless noted. Check out all classes available online click Classes and Workshops and choose the Classes and Workshop heading.

Brookhaven Arts Festival - this weekend!!!

Still trying to capture color in low light.

"Misty Morning on Lake Clair Meer"
9 x 12 oil on panel, Plein air

This weekend, despite the rain, I taught a really fun plein air workshop. This was an introduction class geared to helping beginners get out there for the first time.  We started in the studio, covering how to get started and then hit Piedmont Park to practice. We found a covered spot over looking Lake Clair Meer and got started.  We got about 2 hours of painting in before heading back to beat the next round of rain storms.  This turned out to be perfect practice for me. I have really been struggling with how to paint color without the help of the sun.  Above is today effort. Seeing progress from last weekend, but still room for improvement.

A couple of the painters below, they really had a nice time. Even with the rain, we where covered and the temperature was great. 

Our inspiration for the day.
You can see what I mean by a gray day

Until next time, Dawn

Upcoming Classes  http://dawnart.blogspot.com/p/2015-winter-spring-classes-workshops.html

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Despite the rain - it was a great plein air event!

The Stone Mountain Plein Air Event was a success. Over 50 artists turned out to compete on this rainy day. I admit, I really struggled trying to capture the grays. What a challenge, it really shows me this is an area I really need to work on. Well, after struggling all day a rushing backt o the art center - with only 2 minuets to spare, I was happy to be awarded 2nd place and a purchase award! My painting is now in the permanent collection of the Art Station!

 Above is a photo of me with my painting, " A Day in the Park" 12 x 16 and my two awards. What wonderful conclusion to a rainy day.

My inspiration for the paint out. It was so rainy, I had to find a covered spot to paint from.

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

Fall class schedule

Oct 3 Sat 10:00 - 3:00 Intro to Plein Air  Oct 9-11, Fri - Sun Painting Retreat at the Parker Ranch Clayton, GA Holiday Classes** Nov 11 - Dec 9, Wed 10am - 1 pm Painting Techniques November 14 - 15, Sat & Sun 10 - 3  2 Day Color Confidence  Workshop Dec 1 - Dec 15,  6:15 pm - 9:30pm Tues Painting Studio  **classes held at DawnArt Studios, 180 A 11th St NE, Atlanta GA 30309, unless noted. Check out all classes available online click Classes and Workshops and choose the Classes and Workshop heading.  Hope to see you out there. Happy fall, Dawn

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Summer travels and fall shows

My painting has taken a new direction this year and I'm happy to say, it was well received at my art shows. Above are a few of my favorites that found new homes. It's always a rewarding experience, but these, I'll miss. Time to get back in the studio! SUMMER ON THE ROAD -   after spending much of the summer traveling, it's great to get back home and regroup. I had a wonderful time painting, learning,  making new friends and catching up with friends I only see once a year. I hit the upper Adirondacks in June and then Mystic CT, Mount Gretna PA, then on to Cary NC - and can you believe the weather was perfect?

UPCOMING EVENTS

Judges Choice award at the Mount Gretna Art Festival Show Schedule Aug 29  3 - 6 Painting demo and sale Whole Foods Briar Cliff , Atlanta GA Sept 26  8 - 6 Stone Mountain Plein Air Paint Out,  Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta GA Sept 19 - 20 Alexander Art Festival, Alexandria,VA  Oct 10 - 11 Brookhaven Art Festival , Brookhaven  Oct 24 -25 Atlanta art Festival , Piedmont Park, Atlanta GA  More info Sept dates or Oct dates

Class Schedule ** Sept 15 - Nov 10  6:15 - 9:30 Tues Painting Studio  Sept 16 - Oct 21 Wed 10:00 am - 1:00pm  Joy of Painting, Techniques class Oct 3 Sat 10:00 - 3:00 Intro to Plein Air  Oct 9-11, Fri - Sun Painting Retreat at the Parker Ranch Clayton, GA Holiday Classes** Nov 11 - Dec 9, Wed 10am - 1 pm Painting Techniques November 14 - 15, Sat & Sun 10 - 3  2 Day Color Confidence  Workshop Dec 1 - Dec 15,  6:15 pm - 9:30pm Tues Painting Studio  **classes held at DawnArt Studios, 180 A 11th St NE, Atlanta GA 30309, unless noted. Check out all classes available online click Classes and Workshops and choose the Classes and Workshop heading.  Hope to see you out there. Happy fall, Dawn Share Tweet Forward Pin