Dawn Art Featured in Rent. Magazine

I was named as an expert in a Rent. article. Check out the featured article here.

https://www.rent.com/blog/summer-things-to-do-in-atlanta/

“Atlanta residents should check out painting classes at DawnArt Studios in the heart of Midtown,” recommends Dawn Martin with DawnArt Studios. “With group classes and private lessons available, you can find the right fit to get you started painting, get back into your art after a hiatus, or take your painting to the next level. DawnArt Studios is a relaxed learning environment for ages 16 and over.”

Also, check out my latest painting. Now for sale on the gallery page. https://www.dawnart.com/shop

Menu Shopping in Provence 24” x 24”

Sharing Dawnartstudios on Instagram!

View fullsize Think I’m finally making some progress on this one. It’s time to finish these paintings I set aside and then forget about! It’s a photo from our Nice trip.
View fullsize It’s that time of year….d ecorate the tree. Always nice to have such great helpers 😀🎄🎄🍍. These beautiful ornaments were a gift from the super talented artist #thorsenart
View fullsize I’m going to lose my 4 adult camellias when we repair the retaining wall. I want to donate these to any organization or individual that can use them. I planted these as babies about 24 years ago and would love if they found a good home. Let me
View fullsize With all this rain and flooding , our retaining wall came down and hit our neighbors SUV. With the help of the workers next-door, we were able to ratchet the wall up and get the car out without any additional damage.Luckily the damage doesn’t s
View fullsize
View fullsize Warm color for a cool day. 20x24
View fullsize Slowly but surely I’ll pull this one together. Restaurant Row in Nice.
View fullsize Where’s Waldo?😻 Naughty kitty doesn’t think I can see him. Working on another 12x12 box kitty series.

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

DIY Palette Box and Wet Panel Carrier

As I am getting ready for the 3 day painting retreat at The Parker Ranch in Clayton, I thought I would share this earlier post on how to build a palette box. If you are handy, it's nice to make your own! - Dawn

In a recent Plein air workshop, one of the students asked me to share how I made my palette box and wet panel carrier. Of course I've had that on my to do list for months, but that was the motivation I needed to get my to sit down and work on it.

A portable palette box and wet panel carrier for plein air

I typical paint 12 x 16 when working plein air, so I made the bottom of the box large enough to hold that size once I put the sides on. 13x 17 plus the handles.  Once I had the back cut out, I cut out the space that will go around my tripod. I used the jigsaw and drill with a spade bit to make this cut.

Now I have base of the palette box, I made the sides. I used  1/2 inch oak for this and cut them to size using the miter saw. Next I cut a block to bring the handle up to the same height as the sides. Now I put an adjustable bracket on the handle that will hold it on to the tripod.

This is a close up of the handle.  I mitered the top piece so that it can easily slide on to the tripod and the tension will hold the box in place. Also, it can be adjusted if I ever change tripods. 

Time for the folding shelves. I made two sides for the shelves first to make sure I had the measurements right, then cut the panels to make the tops. Glueing and nailing them to the frames

Okay ready for the hinges. I ran four small hinges down each side. 

Here's the completed box. I put blocks on the back as well with enough open space for me to guide the panels in. I have clips on the sides that will hold the panels in place.  It will hold 2 panels facing each other with plenty of space between them to keep them from touching. 

I also stapled elastic to the sides, that holds my palette knives, brushes and small tubes of paint. Then put mirror hangers on the sides and attach a shoulder strap and voila!!

Okay, there you have it. I hope it's helpful  

Thanks Megan for motivating me to actually do this. Let me know if you have any question!