This is a portrait I needed for a friend. The rag board soaks up the wc and I had to use dry pencil to hold the whites.
Watercolor with inktense dry pencil
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Tag Archives: art classes in lehigh valley
Thumbnails
Thumbnails they are called. It is important to sketch [on any scale] small drawings as research compositions before you start a new drawing or painting. Use your favorite graphite pencil or charcoal. The main objective is to figure out composition and what works the best in your artwork. First figure out what the main focus will be; what do you want the viewers to see as the subject. Remember how color will affect main focus as well as lighting. Then taking into consideration the light source. Each thumbnail is meant to be different; change the light source, move the main subject within the small sketch to see how the composition changes by moving the objects within the small sketches. You may find you like for example the main subject matter not in the middle but the left side. Very importantly not to copy someone’s artwork. You may look at photographs of the subject matter but do not copy. Copying destroys the integrity of your artwork; plus you are not learning at a pace you could be advancing. The artist you are looking at has figured it all out for you. The reward comes from the honest beginning.
Remember line direction, movement with line within the composition; the way your eye follows line and how it moves throughout the piece. The gesture of lines and how they are hard or soft flowing lines or gesture lines.
Here are a few sketches Tom is working on for insight to his next painting. 
The Unsent Letter..
This is how far I have been able to paint to. This is a large oil painting that I am not in a hurry to finish. It is better to produce quality vs, quantity. Some students say to me, “You’re still working on this?” and my answer is I would rather like what I painted then never be satisfied or question my work at a later date. I have been very busy outside my studio and haven’t had the time window that I need to paint, so eventually there will be the time. My photography here isn’t as focused as I think it could be or my glasses aren’t strong enough! Anyway, the light I am now starting to put in is beautiful. Whom ever views this once hanging and takes the time to read the letter the painting will have so much more depth then just the title explanation.
Remember the Light source in every composition in any medium you work with. Complete flesh tones through out with consistency is key. Looking at where the light is coming from and how the light changes and affects tones. If you are not sure then set up a Still Life to help aid you. mannequins are wonderful for this purpose; if that isn’t an option for you then ask a friend or family member to sit for a little time. Take pictures as reference to help guide you in the process.
Graphite Drawing
Graphite drawing by Jordan. Learning to draw is not as hard as some make it. You need a good teacher; someone who understands realism and wants to teach you foundation. I can’t express enough how important Foundation learning is. You must learn to understand form and how to create it with warm and cool tones in graphite. Starting to draw with a “Hill and Valley” concept { which I created in my teaching experience } is key to understand more complex skill sets.
I guarantee I can teach you!!!
Starting to add tones and set form with values.
Copyright laws
An Artist does not copy another artist’s artwork. It is an unspoken law and respect between follow artist. You are doing yourself a disservice in speaking as far as your own artistically growth.
If you are going to “Look” at other artwork for inspiration is one thing; taking the concept of another artist’s artwork but then making it your own depends on how you approach your artwork. Don’t be afraid to work and rely on your own abilities as an artist. In the end you will grow in skill as well as character.
Lehigh Valley art lessons
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PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. I WORK WITH EVERYONE’S SCHEDULE, BEING A BUSY MOM OF THREE I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY HOW TIME IS NOT ALWAYS OUR OWN. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF IS TAKE AN ART LESSON OR TWO IF ART IS WHAT YOU USE TO DO OR WANT TO RESTART. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF.
Oil painting, portrait painting
I painted to this point. The hands are wrong and letter, but it will be okay!
Oil painting
I painted to this point. There are several areas if not all areas that need attention. At this point of realism I need to set the weight of the object or person, correct perspective, and form first before I fine tune the details. I like it so far. The think next I will paint the hands and letter in and then regroup, reevaluate and then details. The background will be damask in contrast eventually.
Intense pencils
Inktense pencils is an involved medium. It takes dedication and passion to learn the capabilities of the medium itself. I added a few pictures of a few different colors. Their value ranges are endless of creditability. Notice how the color can be watered thin for a very pale hue or value. 
When drawing with Inktense pencils you do not have to use water, leave the color as though a color pencil effect. You can draw over the wet surface; wet and dried. In the picture below Olivia started an Impressionistic painting.
The concept is after Artist Reed.
One very important fact; the colors Are Not always the color on the top of the pencils!!!! The color may be surprising when wet versus dry. So, check before you add a color to make sure that is what you want.
Roxanne 