A Study in Complementary Colors

Hi all, just wanted to post this study from last week's class. I did a demo for the beginning oil painting class at the School of Light and Color in Fair Oaks, California.

Oh! It was such a beautiful day today and yesterday was quite nice. Finally some good weather here. Yesterday I finally took our two little doggies on a walk. It just about killed me to stay in the studio but I had to work on some paintings for a gallery drop off tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Keep Your Brushes Like New!

I use a product I found through my lovely plein air teacher, Brigitte Curt. This product is amazing. The best part is that it is ecologically safe and harmless to your brushes. It even gets out dried oil paint in your brushes and clothes. This means I don't have to make all my clothes into paint clothes, ha! I will tell you how to use it on your clothes and dried up brushes that you thought you'd have to throw away at the bottom of this post. But first, let's go through my procedure for regular brush cleaning.

I have a little bucket that I put a small amount of Brush Flush into.

Now I take my first brush that I've been using all week, just cleaning off between paintings in the odorless mineral spirits. This means it is NOT clean. It is only a little cleaned off from the mineral spirits. Then it usually will sit around until I make time to do the real cleaning.

Now, dip your brush into the Brush Flush and get it saturated well.

Next, take a leftover kitchen sponge and wipe your brush into it, back and forth. You will be amazed how much paint is still in your brush.

Rinse, and repeat until the brush and suds are paint free.

I will put the brush and sponge right under the warm running water to rinse.

Then wipe to make sure all the paint is removed.

Now your brush is clean. It might be stained, but the paint has been removed and your brush will last you! Wipe it dry, gently.

Lie flat on an absorbent surface.

After you have cleaned all your brushes, dip your fingers into the Brush Flush. Now wipe your brush with your fingers, shaping it.

Squeeze the tip, and the hairs will stick together and dry correctly.

Give them a day to dry in a sunny place if your can. If the paint is dry because you forgot to clean it at all, just saturate the brush hairs with the Brush Flush and let is set for a day, dip again, loosen into the soap and let it set again. When the hairs are nice and soft, follow the above directions.

If you have dried paint on your clothes, pour a little Brush Flush into the paint, scrub, and let set. Repeat until the paint loosens up. Then wash as unusual.

I am a Brush Flush distributor and sell it to my students for $12.95 for the 32 oz size. This will last a long time and save your brushes. If you want to order from the company it is $9.95 plus tax and shipping. About the same price in the end.

Happy painting!

i love this....

New Years Resolution

Nick

by Randy Blasquez

I am posting this blog from Fine Art Views, a wonderful newsletter for artists, hosted by my website provider, Fine Art Views Online. I relate to what Keith Bond wrote in a huge way, and this year I want to actually submit some entries - fear of rejection or not. Keith is a great artist and you can view his work at
http://keithbond.com/blog
It's worth the read.......and I'll keep you posted as to my progress, but I want to commit to entering at least 4 shows....


I Have a Problem

by Keith Bond

This article is by Keith Bond, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.
I have a problem. I’m sure none of you have this same condition. But let me warn you just in case…

You see, there are a bunch of shows that I have wanted to submit to for several years. Most of the deadlines pass me by, though, without having entered. Year after year, I plan to, but never do. There are several reasons, but mostly they are just excuses.

Let me try to explain.

Let’s say show “A” has a submission date of January 1 each year. I always think that I will set aside my best work to submit to the show. If I do a better work during the year, then I will set it aside instead and do something else with the previous painting. Inevitably, though, I need a painting for something else and steal the one I was saving. Before you know it, mid December rolls around and I don’t have much to choose from. I have a few paintings, but nothing spectacular. So I try to rush something for the show. Sometimes I get a good one, but often I don’t – because it was forced. So, another year passes and I didn’t submit for the show.

Other shows only require a portfolio. I don’t even have to keep the paintings around. I just have to get them photographed. But, again, I keep thinking that I’ll get something better with the next painting. Then I get busy doing other work for other things. Before you know it, the due date has passed and I didn’t submit anything.

So, I’ve identified a couple problems with my method.

1. I am not very organized.
2. I procrastinate.
3. I suffer from “The Next Painting Will Be Better Syndrome”.

Like I said, none of you have this problem. But in the unlikely case you contract this rare condition, what can be done?

Well, the first thing is to get organized. Whether you use an index card system, file system, computer software for artists [1], spreadsheet software, a dry erase board, a clipboard, or an array of post-it notes on your easel; find something that works for you. If your current method is not working, try something else. If it’s bad enough, consider getting some help. I probably should, but I always think “later.” [2]

Getting organized will help with the next problem. With an organized system in place, procrastination can be attacked head on. But how could you try to conquer procrastination if you are so unorganized that you don’t even know what you’re missing? Hmmm…sounds way too familiar. But, I am getting better. It helps to have the upcoming deadlines in a place where they can easily and often be seen.

But, then there is the dreaded “The Next Painting Will Be Better Syndrome”. I think most artists suffer from this to one degree or another. If we didn’t think the next one will be better, then why would we try? The trick, though, is to recognize the ones that are good. Choose the best and then submit those. Sometimes they are good enough, sometimes not. But if you always wait for the next one, you’ll never submit anything.

So, in short:

Get Organized.
Quit Procrastinating.
Choose from the Best Works.

Best Wishes,
Keith

[1] If any of you have used software for artists, please share your experience. I have never used any, but many (including myself) would like to know how well these programs suit your needs (or don’t).

[2] In my own defense, though, I am not this unorganized when I have made a commitment. In those cases, I make sure to deliver on my promises. It’s only for these opportunities where it doesn’t matter to anyone but me whether I get it done. Maybe there is a 4th reason. Fear?
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http://fineartviews.com/blog/25341/i-have-a-problem
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FUN WITH BETSY

Fun with Betsy   Oil on Linen Board   20x16"

Available

NEW CLASSES starting at SCHOOL OF LIGHT AND COLOR

January, February, March 2011

Weekly Classes in Fair Oaks

Light & Color Classes with Susan Sarback:

Monday evening: 7:00 – 9:30pm begins Jan. 10, Mar. 7

Thursday afternoon: 2:00 – 4:30pm begins Jan. 13, Mar. 10

Monday afternoon: 1:00 – 3:30pm Ongoing




New! Beginning Oil Painting Classes with Randy Blasquez:

Learn the basic techniques of oil painting, from start to finish. Learn to paint values, color,

edges, shape, drawing, and the use of light and shadow. You will learn the vocabulary of

painting, how to mix your colors, how to use your tools and materials, and how to avoid the

most common pit falls an artist will encounter. No experience necessary.

"Rouge un Parapluies" by Randy Blasquez 12x16”

Tuesday Evenings: 6:00 – 9:00pm begins Jan. 11, Feb. 22

Wednesday Mornings: 9:30am – 12:30pm begins Jan. 12, Feb. 23



Figure Painting Classes (live model) with Terry Miura:

Wednesday Afternoons: 1:00 pm – 4:00pm Ongoing




Landscape Painting I: The Essential Concepts with Terry Miura

Thursday Evenings Jan. 13 thru Feb. 17 6:30pm – 9:00pm




Landscape Painting II with Terry Miura

Thursday Evenings Mar. 3 thru Apr. 7 6:30pm – 9:00pm



Drawing – The Foundation of Art with Bill Monaghan:

Thursday Mornings: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm begins Jan. 13, Mar. 10




Portrait Painting Classes (live model) with Debbie Gualco:

Wednesday Evenings: 6:00 pm – 9:00pm Ongoing




Pastel Classes with Irene Lester:

Tuesday Mornings: 9:30 – Noon begins Jan. 4 (ongoing from this date)



Watercolor Classes with Jeannie Vodden:

Tuesday Afternoon: 2:00 - 4:30 pm begins Jan. 18, Mar. 15





OPEN STUDIO with Live Model (Nude and/or clothed)

No Instruction

$10 per session

Fridays 10:00am to 1:00pm Fair Oaks



Susan Sarback


To register call: (916) 966-7517 or

Email: sarback@lightandcolor.com

The School of Light & Color

10030 Fair Oaks Blvd.

Fair Oaks, CA 95628



www.lightandcolor.com

Paris Cafe with Red Umbrellas

untitled - Oil on Panel   12 x 16"

by Randy Blasquez

I haven't settled on a title yet, but I think it's done. The snow started coming down again up here and I'm sure we got at least another 6". Beautiful. I must go out and get my snow shoes on! We have a great little trail for that here.
The painting went well I think. I loved working in all that color, but I was careful to think in "values". Two values really. I tried to keep the color spots within the large value masses within the correct value, using color. I like the pattern and rhythm of the painting. Well, it's too cold and windy to paint outside and this is the day I would have a chance, so I'll have to decide on anther photo. I hope you are enjoying your holiday as much as me!

Christmas Week in Truckee

Every year my family spends the week between Christmas and New Years day up in our family cabin in Truckee California. It is usually a quick drive from Folsom. This year a little longer with the recent snowfall. It is amazingly beautiful up here. Last night we got at least 2 feet of new snow. It has been a wonderful few days so far, and I've been catching up with my twin sister Candy and her daughter Ashley.
Last night I was ready to paint. It has been too long.

It was late in the afternoon yesterday when I got started on this scene in France from a photo. The lighting in the cabin is not good at night so I wanted to just lay in the under painting. It started snowing last night and stormed until this morning. I couldn't believe the amount of snow we got overnight.

It looks like a good day to stay in and finish my painting!

Open For Dinner

A new one from yesterday. I love it when I start and finish a painting in one sitting. It doesn't happen often. I wanted to paint another bistro scene for our little show at Gonul's on Thursday night. I am showing with some of my students some new works from our class. We are having a little reception from 4 to 7 and anyone is invited to stay for dinner at 7. Our class will be celebrating Christmas.

Open for Dinner   Oil on Panel    10x12"

(will be available at Gonul's Thursday night, framed $495.)

Blessings..........

A Celebration of Fine Art & Fine Food

That Time of Day, Venice original oil on canvas 30x40”

by artist Randy Blasquez

Fusion Fest!

A Celebration of Fine Art & Fine Food

Thursday December 16th

4:00 – 7:00 pm

Gonul’s Restaurant * 3839 J Street, Sacramento

Please join us for a special showing of new works by emerging & established artists. This may be the perfect opportunity to get that treasured gift for someone you love at a very affordable price. Gonul will be serving the finest and freshest Mediterranean-inspired horse d’ oeuvres and a 20% is offered to you if you decide to stay for dinner.

We are looking forward to seeing you there……

NEW CLASS at SCHOOL OF LIGHT AND COLOR

NEW CLASSES AT THE SCHOOL OF LIGHT AND COLOR

I am mostly excited about a new opportunity to teach. As you probably know by now – I found myself teaching oil painting a few years back and it has turned into something of a passion. I have been teaching in downtown Sacramento for some time and have decided to move my classes to The School of Light and Color – in Fair Oaks.

Once again I did not plan this, but it fell in my lap in a way- but I have had a desire to teach there for a little while and the next thing you know….?

While teaching my very first artists workshop up in Truckee last September I found that a few of my new friends who were taking the workshop wanted to continue classes, but they worked during the day. After some consideration I decided to call the School of Light and Color. I have known Susan Sarback for a few years and took some classes there with my Son some years ago. Susan is the founder of the school and is a renowned teacher and artist worldwide.

Susan was happy to hear that I wanted to teach at the school, and needed a beginning instructor to teach during the day. I was planning to start an evening class and long story…..I ended up signing on for both. I will be starting this coming January on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. The good news is I will be learning so much because I will be working with some wonderful teachers and great artists. And I love working with students who have discovered that painting is a gift and that we can use this gift to joyfully create.

See the attached brochure for more information. They are taking sign ups now for 6 week sessions, but you are welcome to sign up for one class at a time.



School website: http://lightandcolor.com

Class schedule: http://lightandcolor.com/2011jan.pdf

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration today.......

TODAY'S PAINTING

Today I took my small piece that Ovanes worked on the first day at the workshop in Pacific Grove last weekend. I re-painted it using similar colors. I tried to keep it simple and create the same kind of light. I think it is still a little dark. It looked the same up in my studio, but when I brought it downstairs and put the two side by side, the little one was quite a bit lighter. Oh well, back to the easel as they say.... if I do decide to lighten it up I will post it again.
Have a nice weekend......

Ovanes Continued

It's nice to be home today. I get to paint in between my chores of course. I'm working on a special Christmas project with an actual deadline, but also I'm starting with some seascapes from last weekend. Just practice while I can remember something.
On Day two at the workshop Ovanes was kind enough to do another demo and then continue to paint 5 paintings in a matter of about 2 hours. Amazing. He didn't talk about his process as much as the day before and used a little different approach, with no under painting this time.

I painted a little larger and bit off a little more than I could chew....Now when I see his paintings and see mine, he uses even more grays than I thought. I need to use more mixed grays. (mental note to self)

This is his palette set up in the studio

The best part came that evening. We were invited to his Carmel-by-the-Sea home where he set up his studio in what would otherwise be a living room. He had prepared a beautiful table of vegetables roasted and European cheeses, crackers and flat bread, fruit and wine. He set up a large canvas, what looked to me to be about 48x60. He set up an amazingly beautiful table of vases, fruit, silver trays, a silver sugar bowl, a beautiful throw, etc. He put the music on and at about 9pm he started to paint. When he does a demo like this he does not talk at all. The room is quiet. With the exception of one short break he painted till midnight.

OVANES WORKSHOP DAY TWO

before Ovanes painted on it...



and after!

 Well, I got home on Monday evening and have been catching up here. I had to give myself a day at home on Tuesday and had one of those headaches - so I got somewhat unpacked, did some laundry and had to do some preparations for yesterday's class at Capital Art Center.
I've been dying to paint my studies in a larger format, or just repaint them while the lessons I learned with Ovanes are still fresh in my head. But, well - life just gets in the way. This morning it was a dental appointment, grocery shopping and so on....you know what I mean. Perhaps tonight? If only I had a live in cook and housekeeper!
I can't really call this day two because I did not finish with that post, so maybe I should do that first.
Pacific Grove was the most beautiful place, I could not get enough of it. The weather on Friday was cool, cloudy in the morning with the sun peeking through in the afternoon.
Ovanes arrived and walked up to me, as I was freezing and said, "It's a beautiful day to paint!" Okay. And it turned out that he was right. The colors in the water and the sky were amazing and as he painted his demo I could see more and more. It took some time for me to adjust to just staring out at the ocean. It's not something I get to do and I have never painted plein air at the sea.
I froze up some when it was time to paint. I am showing the before and after painting when Ovanes made some adjustments. I quit working on my piece and began to follow Ovanes around as he coached the other students. It is a great way to get the most out of a workshop or class. He looked at my piece and said it was a little busy and needed warm shadows, contrasts of cool and warm. He asked if he could paint on it and I said of course!
I will continue with a demo that Ovanes did that first day.

 



He started with a very thin wash using warm colors.

  

He gave it a few minutes to dry and then started with lots of paint and plenty of color - juicy paint.

  

You want a fairly absorbent surface so the paint will adhere.  Your under painting is very important
Preparation is very important. I think he stresses this because people don't understand that painting is hard enough without having a wobbly unstable set up. He wants your easel and table to be stable and clear of clutter so it will be comfortable. Otherwise it will get in the way of creating....

 

Take your white paper towel and hold it up to the canvas so you don't get the value of the foam too light. Compare it!Remember to consider the "key."

 



Don't think "too much" about local color. Create harmony, "Make it sing."
Compare the value of the water to the rock in the foreground and then compare the water to the rock in the distance. It is  much lighter in value. Value comes first and color comes second...


www.ovanesberberian.com

OVANES WORKSHOP DAY ONE

It was a beatiful day. We parked across from the bathroom on the beach in Asilomar, CA. Ovanes set up and started paintng. I'm so glad I'm here.

I'll try to post tonight or tomorrow so stay tuned.......

OVANES BERBERIAN

I'm going to Monterey tomorrow for a three day workshop with Ovanes Berberian, one of my favorite painters. I've been studying with Brigitte Curt for some time and she studied and continues to study with Ovanes. I had the opportunity to study with him myself in Idaho back in 06 for two weeks. It was amazing. We painted outside in his apple orchard, still life's set up under each tree. It was a wonderful and difficult experience. It was difficult because I was stifled by what I learned for a while, until I began to absorb it weeks later. In the end it was soooo beneficial. I can't wait to find out what happens this weekend. I feel that I am much more prepared to hear and see what he is teaching.
I'll let you know when I get back!


Born and raised in Russian Armenia, Ovanes Berberian received his first academic training from his father, a college art professor and designer of theater sets. Shortly after immigrating to the United States in 1977, he met Sergei Bongart, a philosopher and painter who taught in Los Angeles and gave summer workshops at his Idaho studio. Ovanes was immediately drawn to Bongart’s art, whose sense of values and colors were Russian in spirit. It was Bongart who convinced him to paint directly from nature and fully experience his subjects while painting them. Ovanes notes in a South West Art interview, “Painting from nature is honest and by being honest my intuitive character and style are translated to the canvas.”



Although working from his outdoor field sketches, Ovanes paints his larger studio landscapes and still-life's primarily from memory, incorporating abstract aspects as the painting develops. Citing color harmony as the most important element of his work, he creates a variety of textures, using short, thick strokes of paint in the foreground and longer, dryer ones in the distance, thus creating the illusion of rhythm in the painting.

Ovanes Berberian lives on a six-acre homestead in Eastern Idaho, his studio built in the form of an American church. He also has a studio in Carpinteria, California where he is in much demand for his painting workshops.

Just What I Needed This Morning

A Beautiful & Inspirational Song by Chaya