with Robert Bissett
Making Better Paintings" (click here)
Comments
about the
recent
Oil & Acrylic workshop:
I enjoyed the art lessons yesterday and have my work displayed across our couch in the living room. Who needs a place to sit when you can be viewing art instead? I am amazed that art is light and shadow, illusion, color, and technique. I have a much deeper appreciation for the work of artists now. Thank you. Signed: M.J.
Comments
about the
recent
watercolor workshop:
Hello Bob,
I participated in your workshop last Saturday at the Naples Gallery. I wanted to thank you for your encouragement and down-to-earth teaching style. I was the one with the cherries. While it was obvious that I lacked skill and perhaps any talent, you took the time to offer advice and direction. That really meant a lot to me.
On Sunday, still inspired by your teaching, I gave your second demonstration a try. I actually painted a woman's face that really looked like a woman's face! My husband was so impressed that he offered to cut me a mat so that I could frame it. (Which I didn't.)
I will keep my eyes opened for the possibility of another one of your watercolor classes.
Again, thank you for holding the workshop. But most of all, thank you for coming across as an artist who's genuinely interested in helping people learn. Signed: R. J.
Thank you Bob for the effort and for making TWO lives inspired. I appreciate your work and hope you will continue to work with Naples Gallery. Your are an inspiration to us all. Signed: S. L.
ALTERNATIVE TO SOLVENT USE
Instead of using solvents to thin your oil paints, use a combination of
purified or sun-thickened linseed oil (NOT UNREFINED LINSEED OIL) with stand
oil in a 3 to 1 or 2 to 1 ratio - depending on how thick you want your
medium.
Mix oil into your paint using 50% oil mixture with 50% paint OR 25% oil with 75% paint , depending on how stiff you want your paint to be.
This applies only to Winsor & Newton Artist Oil Colors (if using Winton oil paints- use no more than 25% oil to paint - less oil may be used - actually, Winton oil paints may even be used straight from the tube).
Sun-thickened linseed oil in place of purified linseed oil will allow your paintings to dry quicker but is more costly than purified linseed oil.
Use a non-toxic brush cleaner followed by soap and water for brushes, palette, and skin. However, it has been suggested that salad oil followed by soap and water will work just as well.
The only problem you may encounter is if your medium is too thin - then, as the paint dries it will migrate/move and cause some wrinkling - the same problem may occur with use of poppy seed oil because of the slow drying rate of the oil. Poppy seed oil may cause some yellowing of whites.
Use of linseed oil without the
combination of stand oil is not recommended. It is too thin to use will
cause your paints to drip if you dry your canvases upright.
http://www.budgetartmaterials.com/sofroilpa.html
PICTURE EXAMPLES
These are some photos taken recently. For timed paintings select simple compositions with simple shapes. Avoid subjects that are very complicated with a lot of detail. In about an hour with digital camera in hand, this is what I found in and around the house.
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This didn't start out to be a timed painting. But I took a photo at one hour and another about twenty minutes later when finished.
Here we are all set up on the deck. It's a
wonderful dayI'll be mixing paint on the upside-down butcher tray and using
acrylics.
Here's the subject, a sliced strawberry, under an
impromptu shadow box: the lid to my paint container propped up by an
old circuit breaker.
Here it is after one hour of casual painting.
And here finished at about one hour, twenty. Time
well spent.
Naples Gallery, Hwy 95, MP495.5
The workshop was a great success! See photos here.
Paint Better in Minutes
Limiting yourself to 25, 45 or 60 minutes for a completed painting focuses the mind like nothing else. Your picture-making ability will go to the next level. Recommended for beginner to advanced adults.
See demonstration here.
Check back often...I'm adding interesting items to this almost daily.
SCHEDULE
Morning: 10:30 am
Introduction
Demo by Robert Bissett - 25 minutes
Explanation of the process
Class paints
(2) 25 minute paintings
Lunch Break: 30 min.
Afternoon: 1:00 pm
Class paints
25 minutes
45 minutes
60 minutes
25-Minute Example
3 Minutes - Sketch
Composition
5 Minutes - Block in background & foreground
6 Minutes - Develop major forms, shadows
6 Minutes - Focus on lights, make corrections
5 Minutes - Highlights & dark accents, final corrections
45 and 60 minute studies are similar. Start with a large brush.
Materials
Reference material for six paintings
Your photos, or from magazines, internet, etc.
Optional for beginners - Photos of paintings
Bring things you normally work with...
Brushes
Painting knives
Paint
Medium - Liquin or other Alkyd medium recommended
for oils
-
water for Acrylics
Easel
French easel
Rags, paper towels, or facial tissue
Hair Dryer
Mister/Spray bottle
6 Canvas, Canvas board or paper plus board
and tape, or gessoed Masonite...
Suggested sizes:
3 - 8x10"
2 - 11x14"
1 - 12x16"
Normally the first step would be to apply a wash to your support with oil paint and thinner or acrylic and water.. To save time do this at home with an earth tone at least a day before class so it is dry. Optional: tinted gesso , e.g., acrylic Bt. Sienna for warm tone.
An example of an acrylic wash with Indian Red and water.
If you have never painted with oils or acrylics, give me a call...208 267 0685.
To purchase supplies use this
link, look for the "Enter search here" the box top left of page, enter "paint"
for example, and click "Go".
Dick Blick Art Materials
Critique
Bring one or two paintings for critique. Time permitting at the end we will discuss them: strong points and areas for improvement. Becoming your own best critic is essential.
Email me with any questions, comments or suggestions.
Recommended Books
These are the best books on my shelf. Some are
more advanced. No particular order. These links will take you to
Amazon.com, but you might check your local library...ask about interlibrary
loans, or a used book store.
Tom Lynch 100 Watercolor Workshop Lesson Charts
If you could only choose one
book this is it. His major theme is "think like an artist". He
makes that point from every angle imaginable in an entertaining way.
Great paintings, colorful, inspirational, clear. Intended for
watercolor, but very useful for any medium.
Painting More Than the Eye Can See
60 Minutes to Better Painting: Sharpen Your Skills in Oil and Acrylic
How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself: Experimental Techniques for Achieving Realistic Effects
Painting Techniques of the Masters
Composition: A Painter's Guide to Basic Problems and Solutions
Work Small, Learn Big: Sketching With Pen & Watercolor
Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist
The Pleasure of Painting: Three Mediums, Oil, Watercolor, Acrylic
Links
Take the Art & Personality test
Elements of Visual Design Explained
Watercolor Sunflowers on Yupo Paper a demo
The Elements of Art - good
Cybernetic art program - amazing
Dip 'n Daub - abstract art generator 358k
Cityscapes - artificial creativity, good one
Generative Art - program <300k
We made fifty-one paintings today and everybody learned a thing or two...beginners and more experienced painters. Below are a few scenes. A video of my demo, Basket and Flowers, will be available for $9.95 plus shipping.
24 minutes
Acrylic, 10x8"