Alphabe -Thursday "C" is for CLASS at Art and Soul Retreat

Returned from Hampton, VA's Art and Soul Retreat yesterday....pheWWwww!!!  Crammed alot of wonderful stuff in my brain, in my truck, under my fingernails (there's still paint to be removed).  I can't wait until next year to return!  So many awesome opportunities for learning from the "rock stars" of this art niche.  I've included the link above and here it is again so you can check for future retreats:  ART & SOUL

Today, I'm sharing class #1with Serena Barton "The Forgiving Medium"
How serendipitous that I received my Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine right before departing for this trip, which featured, guess who?...Serena Barton!  Well, of course I had to get her autograph:)

These beautiful portraits were our "class samples".  Very cool seeing them up close and personal.  But first we started with a still life...
I never do still lifes (note to self :  never say never)

Serena demonstrated her technique using an apple.  Sorry - I got no pics, but can tell you it was SO interesting watching her use of color (BTW - all acrylics and mediums in this class) and glazing/layering techniques impasto style and old world style...all with NO initial drawing.  Just plop the paint on your paper in the general shape and build it up from there  really paying attention to highlights and shadows...
Here's my apple outcome

Serena supplied canvas paper and had lots of paints to share.  We painted our apples first and the background after which is the opposite of what I normally do.  It's easier to refine the shapes with the background color as there is NO pre-drawing.  One of the best "tips" I learned from Serena is using the background to make the focal point POP!  I have a tendency to have the background and focal point competing and never really used dark backgrounds...so pleased to learn what a huge difference this makes.

Sadly, I still have not finished my "portrait" part of the class, but here she is in the works:

We followed the technique described in her article.  Serena starts with color for portraits - violets, blues or greens...and builds layers upon layers from there.  Pencil work does not come in until later in her portraits which was challenging, but what fun!  It really forces you to STUDY the subject you are creating.

I could go on and on, but I have a bazillion art supplies to unpack and a portrait or two to finish up before I forget what I learned...

Linking up to JENNY's Letter "C" Day - it's been awhile! - and must explore other alpha posts that you can find

 

Next post will be on Sally Jean Alexander's soldering class...mama mia!!!