Category: Newsletter

BisonT

Change

Cheryl
As the latest “Toward Abstract” class draws to a close (final class today), I find myself pondering what encourages a painter to get inspired to paint. If you have been painting for awhile, sometimes a small or large change in approach does the trick. This course was full of ideas that might change how a painting is approached. Here is just a sampling. Texture was one suggestion. Collaging sand or other items onto a canvas makes the paint behave differently and can inspire a creative response. Changing the key you paint in was another. If you usually paint with lighter colours (high key), try planning a painting all in darker colours (low key). Playing with geometric shapes that are cut out can be fun when searching for a composition. The ability to physically move these around sparks new responses as the creative mode kicks in. Lots of creative work happened in this course, and I commend each student for their sense of adventure. It will be interesting today during our review to learn which of the many techniques that were presented the students found most helpful. New classes start tomorrow and Thursday. Happy painting all! 
Iris3T

Brushes

Cheryl 1 Comment
Just posted a new video about taking care of your brushes. The tips given here can help your brushes to last for months longer. Check it out here: Cheryl O’s Free Art Videos – Brush Care. Square brushes are my personal favourite. I love the generous amount of paint that you can load onto them, and the variety of marks from wide to thin, depending if you use the full width or pull it along the chisel tip for a thinner line. There are lots of other shapes in brushes out there and I can’t tell you which will be your favourites. The marks that you want to make on paper may be different than the ones I want to make – so you will just need to explore and see which ones suit you the best. Whatever shape you choose, it is a good idea to try to pick up the largest brush you can work with while painting. Load it well with paint so that you can make an expressive line or shape with it and don’t spend all your energy reloading a niggly amount of paint on the tip of the brush. Happy painting! 
Mountain Painting

Finding Your Unique Voice

Cheryl 2 Comments
There are 2 basic challenges with discovering your own unique voice in paint. The first is technical. If you haven’t mastered the techniques, from basics to more complex in both colour mixing and composition, it’s hard to speak clearly. Like a child with a very limited vocabulary, you may get really excited about what you want to say, but just can’t find the best way to say it. Practicing is the cure for this. The second problem is more of a challenge. You have a wide range of techniques under your belt, but exactly how to combine them to express yourself clearly in painting can be a real challenge. It helps a lot if you feel passionate about your subject. It also can help if you continue to hold a playful attitude to your work. Hoping that every piece will be a masterpiece is a lot of unnecessary pressure. Knowing that it’s alright for some paintings to be practice and play, can actually make you more prone to producing some unique expressive masterpieces. The joy of art is primarily the journey rather than the destination, the creative act rather than the end product. Whatever stage you are at, if you are enjoying the journey, it will show in your art. 
Begonia Painting

Squint

Cheryl
Here’s a simple tip that can greatly improve your art. When trying to assess a photo reference or your painting to see if the large shapes within the composition are pleasing, squint. If your eyes are only open a tiny slit, it will eliminate a lot of detail and allow you to see the main shapes. It is also an effective way to analyse the dark and light pathways of your image. Moving far away from the painting can have a similar effect, but squinting is very useful, and faster. Try it with the painting shown here – a detail from one of my oil paintings. Can you see how it makes it easier to identify light, medium and dark areas and how they relate to each other? 
Still Life Painting

Paint Ontario

Cheryl
Last weekend I went to see the Paint Ontario art show in Grand Bend. It is an amazing display – so many wonderful paintings! If you haven’t been yet, I think you would find it worthwhile. The show ends March 31st – so not much time left! Also, if you go down Greenway Road, which is almost right beside the Lambton Heritage Museum which hosts the show, the flocks of tundra swans may still be there. A special thanks to Barry Richmond for all the work he puts into organizing this show every year. And congratulations to my students who have work there – some have red dots too! Veggie Shapes – Original Oil by Cheryl O – currently showing at Paint Ontario. Here’s the link for more information: “Paint Ontario”