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Interested in a workshop in your area? I can conduct a workshop that you or your local art center coordinates.
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Due to the snowstorm, the Image Transfer Workshop was rescheduled to Saturday February 23 - see below
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This newsletter describes popular painting techniques, tips, tricks and technical information on acrylics and hands-on workshops. I am a Certified Golden Working Artist, trained extensively by Golden Artist Colors to teach artists how to use their vast array of paints, gels and pastes in new artistic ways. I'm also an exhibiting fine artist, daily painter/blogger and author.
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Color Theory - knowledge is power
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I recently authored a book named "Color Theory: an essential guide to color - from basic principles to practical applications." Included here are excerpts and illustrations from the book.
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The great colorists of the world did not arrive there by chance - they realized that color must be understood rationally and logically in order to harness its power. Although it is very enjoyable and freeing to play with color in a random and impulsive manner, this can often lead to choices that are unharmonious, which may defeat the goal of what an artist wants to communicate. It is important to listen closely to both your artistic voice which wants to express freely, and at the same time be mindful of the orderly relationship of colors.
The best way to balance this fine line is to learn and understand these relationships so that when it is time to create, you will spring from an informed platform and make the best choices intuitively. Understanding color is like any other goal achieved in life - knowledge is power. The more one knows about the logical organization and approaches to color mixing and color combining, the more empowered they are to utilize the concepts - or choose not to. As the Dalai Lama says, "Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively."
Over time, there have been certain established color combinations that are considered especially agreeable. They consist of two or more colors with a fixed relation in the color wheel. These color schemes are simply a system of using the color wheel to put colors together.
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Left: "Orange on Pink", Acrylic, using an Analogous color scheme |
 
Left: "Daffydill", Acrylic, using a Complementary color scheme |
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Left: "Moonshine Mama", Acrylic, using a Split Complementary color scheme
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Mixing colors - know your pigments
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When mixing colors, you need to know how to achieve the color saturation, opacity, and tinting strength you desire. Having knowledge of the origins of the pigments you are using can save hours of mixing time. There are two basic classifications of pigment origins that are technically known as "organic and inorganic" but we will refer to them as mineral and modern.
Mineral pigments are either derived from the earth, decomposed plant or animal matter and have earthy sounding names like sienna, ochre, cadmium, cobalt, umber, etc. They are generally characterized by:
* high opacity * low chroma * low tinting strength * a matte finish
Modern pigments are man-made and created synthetically in a chemistry laboratory. They have very different characteristics from mineral colors and have names that allude to their synthetic origins, such as, dioxazine, anthraquinone, quinacridone, phthalocyanine, hansa, naphthol, etc. They are characterized by:
* translucency * high chroma * high tinting strength * a glossy finish
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Color Wheels: (L) using Mineral pigments, (R) using Modern pigments 
Artwork created from mineral (L) and modern (R) pigments
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When using oil or acrylics, use mineral colors if you want to completely cover the surface or color beneath; use modern colors if you want to layer or glaze and allow the color(s) beneath to show through. Mineral colors will yield lower chroma mixtures, Modern colors yield intense, vibrant hues. You are not limited to choosing one or the other - mix them in the appropriate proportions together to achieve greater color subtleties and delicate nuances.
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Take your understanding of color to a new level
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As an artist, is there a topic more relevant than color? Convincing or appealing color is one of the most important elements for a painting to succeed. Understanding the building blocks of color is a must for any artist who wants to learn how to harness its power.
You are invited to learn these color essentials in an intensive one day hands-on workshop this Saturday, February 19. All levels are welcome. Here are some of the topics that will be covered in an easy to understand format - geared to all levels:
* Understanding and using the color wheel * Understanding color temperature * Understanding relativity in warm/cool colors * Balancing warms and cools in a painting * Understanding values as they relate to hues * Exploring tints, tones and shades * Lowering and raising color saturation * Balancing primary colors * Mixing vibrant secondary and tertiary colors * Avoiding muddy color mixtures
* Analogous lightening and darkening of colors
* Mixing and Neurtralizing Colors * The importance of greys * and more...
Join us on Saturday to learn the information essential in making dynamic, harmonious and meaningful color choices in your artwork. |
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Saturday, February 16, 10-4 PM $100 p/person
(Orangeburg is one town South of Nyack NY)
Phone: 845-405-1768
 The Image Transfer Workshop was cancelled due to the snow storm. It has been re-scheduled for Saturday, February 23. Two people had to drop out, so two spaces are now available. If you would like to attend, please register today.
Image Transfer Workshop
Saturday, February 23, 10-4 PM $100 p/person
Location: Nice Pak Lane, Orangeburg, NY 10962
(Orangeburg is one town South of Nyack NY)
Phone: 845-405-1768
Class size is limited, registration is on a first-come basis. Please review registration policy below. All paints are provided free of charge. A supply list and directions to studio will be provided upon registration. Free paints and hand-painted color charts and product materials will be given to all registered students.
Class Policies: Please read carefully.
Pre-payment is necessary to secure your space in the workshop. Payments are non-refundable. If you must miss a workshop or class you may send someone in your place. If I must cancel a workshop I will refund your entire payment in full.You should receive a Paypal confirmation if you register online. If you do not, please email me.
Interested in other painting techniques workshops? Click here. |
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