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

Hope to see you out there.

Happy fall, Dawn

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.

Class party and new projects

Can't believe spring quarter is coming to an end! 

Rob made his savory gumbo for the last class. He makes it all from scratch and it's a real treat. It ended up turning into a real party and we all had a great time! I know it doesn't look like any painting is getting done, but there was a little progress tonight before the food came out.

Part of the fun in taking an ongoing class is getting to know everyone and having a little fun!

This is the first or my shabby-sheik painting racks.

It should hold at least 10 canvases up to 2" high.

I've limited my self to just one building project a quarter. Otherwise I'd never get any painting done! 

Over this  break I'm going to build storage / drying racks for the class. These will go in the kitchen and I'm hoping these will add enough storage space to accommodate everyone. And...well, if I get enough time, I'd really like to build a few more of my second generation studio tables. They've been a big hit in the classes and they save a lot of space as well.

It's come a long way since this summer. Now that the class rooms are finished, time to tackle the kitchen.

Joy of Painting - Painting Techniques / Beginning Painting March 25 -May 13

Joy of Painting - Painting Techniques 

/ Beginning Painting 

6 weeks

****DATE CHANGE****

April 29 - June  3 

Wed 10:00 am - 12:45pm

DawnArt Studios

180 11th St Ne, Atlanta GA

404 399 0853

dawn@dawnart.com

Directions

Supply list

/dawnart/p/supply-lists.html

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 you. Each class will show a specific painting technique, with demos and examples and then have a painting assignment to reinforce the techniques.  The class will cover composition, value, color and finishing techniques. You can use my examples for your projects or bring in your own photo. All levels welcome - appropriate for beginners. You will we able to  leave your wet canvas and supplies in class. Class size limited to 6 students. Street and pay lot parking.

This 6 week session will focus on composition, different ways to begin your paintings and, how to work from photos.

Contact Dawn with any questions

dawn@dawnart.com

3 day workshops

April 17 - 19

Callaway Gardens

/ Warm Springs - Plein Air Retreat - Azaleas in full bloom!

May 14 - 17

Parker Ranch -

No Stress plein air workshop in the beautiful North GA Mountains

Contact Dawn with any questions dawn@dawnart.com or

404-399-0853

Supply lists

http://dawnart.blogspot.com/p/supply-lists.html

See more paintings at 

www.dawnart.com

Check out the class FB page 

Dawnart 

Classes at The Artist Materials Expo!

I am very excited to be teaching two workshops at the upcoming Artist Materials Expo Feb 21!

Summer Fun 12x12 oil on panel, palette knife painting. - Dawn Kinney Martin

Saturday, Feb 21, 9:00 - 12:00

Palette Knife Workshop

Room 4B

#AME1527

65.00

Registration

Supply List

Directions

Ampersand

 will be supplying the panels for the class!

I love to be on 

the

 water and boats are one of my favorite 

things to paint. This 3 hour

s course will cover issues like different way to handle the knife,blocking in design, color mixing , and capturing reflected light. Students

 should expect to 

loosen up and 

 create expressive paintings with a palette. Working with a palette knife allows a broad range of textures.  Students learn the nuances of value, working wet in wet and layering in order to keep colors rich and vibrant.  There will be an emphasis on color mixing and keep you colors clean (no muddy colors) This course will begin with a demo to cover the basic approach.  Demonstrations will continue as well as working one on one with the students as you work on your paintings. All levels welcome. Appropriate for beginners. The class will be taught using oils. Please contact instructor at 

dawn@dawnart.com

 with any questions.

The class will be taught using oils. Can use Acrylics with a slow drying medium.

Supply List