facebook twitteryoutube

Water colour mixing in a Portrait

Judy Alexander 09.03.2022 art Demonstrations 0
0 Likes

Our instructor Caroline Marsland started her demo on how to use colour mixing in painting a portrait with the following

Colour mixing -portrait

Paint colours used
Crimson
Yellow ochre
Ultramarine
Burnt Sienna
Verdin Green

Draw & then check for shadows & then wash drawing with water
Use largish brush
Let dry
When paper wet possible to get soft or gentle blend
If paint dries add fresh covering of water which can soften lines

Start with shadow to establish structure
The sharper edges of paint can be softened with water
To cool down shadows use blue
Slowly build up the tonal values

Detail such as eyes, mouth and nose come later
Eyes are usually the first thing the viewer looks at
Use deep red and blue for definition
When the details added this will make the shadowed areas ‘fall back’

Paint can be mixed on wet paper but caution that paper doesn’t lift or separate better to initially let dry and put on additional water.

Better to use mixture of colours to make black. More subtle.
Areas left white or low tonal values stand forward.#

Read More

Tonal Values in Portraiture

Judy Alexander 28.02.2022 art Demonstrations, News 0
0 Likes

The demonstration started with a spectrum from white to black – many variations
Using pencils 7b and 8b Mars Lumugraph – Caroline found no shine but sticky
Going from light to dark adds drama
In portraiture tonal values offer impact especially around the eyes with paper left white (see example drawing)
Examples:  Monet and Caravaggio
Also if drawing a street lamp a dot of light in centre of lamplight adds drama
Always start faint and work towards dark
This particularly the case when Hatching and round hatching can define contours of face or object (see example drawing)
Look for shapes and where shadows lie
Tonal values give drawing perspective
In photo Caroline left white area down nose
Changing direction of the hatching can give movement
Squinting is good – as you can see white and darker areas more clearly appear in “blocks”
The darker areas will make the white stand out
Shadow can change expression and structure of face
“Shadows never completed until tonal values established”
There is always the danger of it looking “over worked” – but this is part of the learning experience
Tonal values give the face 3 dimensional
Work slowly from light to dark
Rubbing out can smudge
The aim in portraiture is to get the expression or the feel of the person
Not aiming for a photo as such rather capturing the essence of the person
In example the hair line draws the eye down the face
Find the shape and structure of face by “measuring” distance with pencil

Read More

Drawing, The basic skill for good art.

Judy Alexander 10.01.2022 Art, art Demonstrations 0
0 Likes
Our first demonstration in 2022 was about drawing. This skill is essential to make good art. The more you look at an object the more you get to know it so it is very good to sketch first before proceeding with the finished piece.
Draw what you see not what you think is there. Squinting will help you to do this. You should start drawing the main shape and ignore the details. Start in the middle of the object and work out. You start this by lightly sketching the shape with pencil. Once you are happy with the accuracy, darker lines can be applied. You can estimate the angles of your object using your pencil. By drawing a line down the middle of your drawing you can paste dots on the outer edges of the object . To ensure that it is vertical place the pencil along the edge of both sides of your paper to ensure that your drawing is vertical.
Once you have your drawing underway look at the shapes in between your lines which are referred to as  negative shapes. This can help with the accuracy.
When you draw still life, draw the nearest object first and then follow with what is behind.
Continue to draw in order to improve your drawing skills and enjoy. .Practice, practice, practice!
Sketching from light to dark with center line.
pencil strokes from light to dark
Read More

Dupont Art Club Starts 2022 in January!

Judy Alexander 02.01.2022 News 0
0 Likes

Dupont art Club will begin the 2022 season on January 5th (1:30pm) and January 6th (10:00 am). Caroline will be starting the Wednesday class with a Drawing Skills demo. Drawing with a live model will start on the Thursday.

New members are welcome. Just come along to Ventnor Hall on Blatchington Road and George Street, Hove. Everyone must wear a mask

Hope to see you in 2022!!

Read More

Geli Pad Workshop

Judy Alexander 21.11.2021 Art, art Demonstrations, Events, News 0
1 Like

On November 18th twelve Dupont members attended a Dupont Art Club workshop taught by Seana Mallen on Geli Pad Art.

She introduced the supplies being used including two sizes of geli pads, acrylic paints, rollers, and many types of papers including old maps, music, and tissues. She also showed us how to make a concertina book for our work.

We were told to bring various leaves and objects to make makes on the pads.

The art was approached with enthusiasm and soon produced a variety of small pictures. A number of members were excited about following up this type of art  printing and painting in the future.

The deli pads are available at many art stores and I found that Lawrences Art in Hove had discounted many of their geli pads for those interested in following up with this delightful way of painting.

Read More