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.

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

https://squareup.com/market/dawn-art

http://www.dawnart.com/

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

Share Tweet Forward Pin

Summer teaching schedule

I am wrapping classes until the fall and packing my van for a 3 week painting trip, YAY! After looking at my schedule, I decided that I do have time to run a 4 week painting studio class on our usual Tuesday evenings.  Take a look at your summer plans, and if you have time, join me in the Studio! 
Classes begin June 30.  
Happy summer! Dawn

2015 Classes and Workshops

Tuesday Night Painting Studio 6:30 - 9:30    June 30 - July 21

DawnArt Studios

180 11th St Ne, Atlanta GA

404 399 0853

dawn@dawnart.com

Full Class Description

Supply list

Directions

Click on the link below to register

4  Week Studio Classes

 Joy of Painting - Painting Techniques / Beginning Painting Wed 10 - 12:45

Classes will start back in  September

  

DawnArt Studios

180 11th St Ne, Atlanta GA

404 399 0853

dawn@dawnart.com

Directions

Supply list 
6 week 225.00
Register

                                               This is a techniques class to design to give you the tools needed

 to solve problems in your paintings.  Have you struggled with knowing how to get your creative ideas on the canvas? Than this is the class for your. Each class will show a specific painting technique with demos and examples.   Followed by a painting assignment to reinforce the technique. The class will cover composition, value, color . and finishing techniques. You can use my example for your projects or bring in your own photos. All levels are welcome  - appropriate for beginners. 

Class size is limited to 6.

Kick off for the Olmsted Plein Air Invitational

Join me Wed, April 22, for plein air demonstrations at Callanwolde. Callanwolde has partnered with the Olmsted Plein Air Invitational and will be hosting plein air artist for their first home school festival. I'll be out there painting from 10 - 2 on Wed, and you can find me at the Olmsted Parks the rest of the week. This is going to be a great event! 30 professional artist from across the US and over seas will be out at the Olmsted Parks for the painting competition. If you'd like to try your hand at plein air, there is an event on Sunday for all artists. It's the Paint Quick Event. It's 20.00 to enter and there will be awards and an opportunity to sell you painting as well.

Hope to see you out there.

Dawn 

Annual Spring Home School Festival! This brand new event at Callanwolde promises to be a wonderful start to a tradition for families with Home Schooled children.  Come celebrate the power of learning outside of a classroom setting with our expert faculty in the beautiful setting of the Callanwolde estate. Spring is also a time to celebrate the wonders of nature, so Think Green! All activities will enrich the lives of children by teaching them about the environment and nature.  Olmstead Plein Air Invitational Painting competitions, artworkfor sale, performances by Callanwolde's Prime Movers. The perfect spring celebration!   Join Us! Spring Pottery Show and Sale Come see and purchase work that's both functional and decorative by Callanwolde's renown pottery instructors and students.  More Info! A Wolf's Tale: CDE Spring Show Saturday, April 18, 2015, 2 PM and 7PM. Three classic fairy tales interwoven to create an innovative and enchanting ballet. Buy Tickets!

Come Paint with me in Callaway Gardens !

April 17 - 19 No Stress Intro to Plein Air.  

Deadline to Registar is April 14

This is a plein air workshop for everybody.  I try to create a relaxed and fun environment for you to learn in. The class will be taught in oils and use palette knife and brush techniques.  I use a limited palette that helps control and harmonize the color and  If you've never tried plein air  and want to give it a try, come on! I even have a few extra plein air easels that you can use if need. I will discus topics ranging from tips on setting up, how to narrow down the scene to dealing with the elements to  flying with your supplies and wet paintings. Each morning will begin with a talk and a demo. Then, I'll help everyone get started and keep working with each student one on one and with group demos. We'll paint at Callaway Gardens, (the azaleas should be in full bloom), and the charming towns in the area, Warm Springs and Pine Mountain. Everything is within a few miles. You'll be surprised how much this area has to offer.
I love to get outside and really try to capture the essence of the landscape.   All levels welcome, even complete beginners. Let me know if you will need an easel as I only have a few. 

We'll paint from 10 - 5 each day.
$255.00   Max 10 Students
100.00 deposit to hold your spot
Pay online here 
By check
DawnArt Studios LLC
180 11th ST NE
Atlanta GA 30309
Deadline to Registar is April 14
Any questions? Email me at dawn@dawnart.com or 404 399 0853


Class includes  entrance fee to Callaway Gardens, daily instruction and demos, maps of the area, and a wine and cheese social.

Not included are lodging and meals.
You will need to bring all your painting supplies. 

Supply list 

I will have a limited number of easels for rent for $10. Let me know ahead of time if you need an easel, as I have a limited number.
I have family in the area, so I have a list of great restaurants to try. I'll have those links up soon.

Lodging suggestions

Callaway Gardens - This is a great option if you'd like to bring the family.  Free access to the park and many of the amenities****If many of you'd like to stay at Callaway, let me know and I'll try to get a group discount.

Pine Mountain  http://www.pinemountain.org/accommodations

LaGrange  http://www.priceline.com/

WarmSpring http://www.warmspringsga.com/lodgingwarmsprings.htm


Camping / RV

Pine Mountain  RV Park http://www.rvcoutdoors.com/pine-mountain/
FDR State Park    http://www.pinemountain.org/accommodations/f.d.-roosevelt-state-park/

Spring Schedule

March 28 Tues Painting Studio at DawnArt Studios 

3 day workshops

April 17 - 19 Callaway Gardens/ Warm Springs  - Plein Air Retreat - Azaleas in full bloom!

May 15 - 17 Parker Ranch -  No Stress plein air workshop