Month: November 2011

Burnt sienna plus white is the basic skin tone mix used in this portrait. To that I add varying amounts of permanent rose, a primary yellow, and touch of ultramarine blue. In a child’s portrait, I am careful not to use too much of the blue in order to keep that happy glow. Keeping edges and transitions soft also helps with a youthful feel. Can you feel the lovely gentle soul behind those blue eyes? Check out my art courses!   

This drawing was done with soft conte and watercolour on terraskin paper. Soft charcoal on any very smooth surfaced drawing paper will give similar results. This is a fun way to work – any unwanted lines can often be wiped away. Shading is fast and easy by scribbling some lines and then smearing them (minute 1:43). If you feel in the end that some colour would enhance the drawing, watercolour or fluid acrylic can be placed on top. Do this with a light touch and a minimal of stirring to avoid over graying of the colour as it mixes with the charcoal. Check out my art courses! 

The first part of the video shows the paint pouring happening in steps. In the last half of the video, I explain in more detail the process. Additional note: many of the gloss mediums when poured over top of a finished painting, make cracking a crazing effects as they dry. If you don’t mind the extra texture, this can be great. However, if you want a truly smooth shiny finish, it is better to put the final varnish on in layers with a brush. Be careful not to keep brushing it as it dries, or it may go cloudy. Check out my art courses! 

Collage means ‘to glue’. In this class the students got creative with texture, words, and so much more! Enjoy. Check out my art courses!   

This one week course really is  a creative stew of wet and wild. Paint pouring, spatter, collage, imprinting – just to mention a few of the fun effects that were explored. I’m sure you will love the paintings done by my students in this video. And you can join us for this week in July! Watch the “Local Art Courses” page on this website for more information, closer to summer. Check out my art courses! 

This painting began without any subject in mind. You can watch how early the center horse appeared (Minute 0:43), and I didn’t see it for a long time! I reached a point where the background was left to dry (1:35) The planets and stars were formed by painting dark blue around them and leaving the colours of the pour showing in circles. This painting took over a week to complete – it’s deceiving to watch the video because it is small snapshots of the process. Can you find the fourth horse? Check out my art courses! 

{mp4}cheryl_o_2012a{/mp4} This painting began without any subject in mind. You can watch how early the center horse appeared. Can you find the fourth horse?  

Learn how to develop a more creative attitude about your art. And here’s where you can sign up for one of my London art courses Check out my art courses! 

I’m sure you will share the delight in the colours and shapes of these organic subjects. Wonderful student paintings! Check out my art courses! 

Here’s part 1 of the video. And here’s part 2 … just click to start it.   Check out my art courses!