July 14, 2018 Join in this FULL day!

An amazing information packed day!

 

I was once VERY intimidated using Lightroom and Photoshop.

Are you in this place?

 

 

Here is an example of a finished version of the 'Old Barn'. 

One of the planned projects for Photoshop today.

In this version, the Horses are larger and in the foreground, yet the whole perspective remains true.

We are going to become familiar with the Transform key.

This key helps enlarge or shrink proportionately with the image theme, and keeps the perspective correct.

A most useful tool when you want to change the story of the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a second version of the 'Old Barn'.

As you can see I pushed the Horses into the background.

Changing the entire feel of the story board.

Yet it keeps to perspective.

The Transform key is the bomb!!!

 

 

This image of the horses and the next of the old barn, are what comprises the project.

 

This is the old barn. 
When I took the picture it was really washed out.  I didn't check the setting on my camera and I took a extremely poor image.  But, I was able to bring it back to life in Lightroom.
We are going to go over Lightroom so you can begin your Photoshop projects with the best images.

A LOT you can do in Lightroom!!  Bring the image back to life all the way through to changing the entire appeal of the image, with some pretty spiffy pre-sets.
I am going to show you where to find them and then load them.
I am amazed with Pre-sets!! Truly !!!
They are the semi-automatic foolproof shortcut, that begins the process of editing your image. 

Layering images, using brushes, FX features, blur are to name just a few of the things we cover in this class. 
This class is jam packed with a LOT of information.
We are going to work through a LOT of images and at least 2 projects. 
 Allowing time for working up your images.  Making them tell the story you imagine different, from the single image your camera shot!

I have notes from when I took classes that are going home with you as references.  If you experience a snag, do not hesitate to contact me, we can work through any issue on google chat, using screen share.
I am not just 'leaving' you to figure out what you might miss. 

Photoshop and Lightroom are super amazing tools.  !!!
I was once hugely intimidated working in them and knew just the barest of the barest to get a fair image.  Looking back, this was silly of me, the programs are so worth getting to know.  As I was, you are going to be so glad you have moved forward to using them!

I wouldn't want to miss this workshop!  The opportunity to learn in a small class.  Being able to have my questions answered.  Answered until I understood!  To me a hands on approach is a better way of learning.

This is that opportunity!

See you there! 

Due to BAD WEATHER...Change for Open House Event

 

 

 

 

 

Last night Brenda DeHaan (our visiting artist), called to alert me to the newest update weather report!

SNOW!

 

Saturday..with a gazillion mile per hour winds...!!

 

These conditions are not spring like in the least!  

 

Her calendar was open to re-plan, to attend April 21.

 

So,

We rescheduled the event to April 21, 2018  Beginning at 11!!!

 

Please change your planners to reflect our reschedule date and PLAN to attend!

 

It is also my Birthday, so do come in and have a piece of cake!

 

See you THEN!

R and R 155th Guard event Canvas Paint

January 29th I was invited to guide the family members of the 155th Guard from SD in a canvas painting during their R and R day.

There was a lot going on!
Drawings for donated items!
A massage table set up for massages!
Children care with games and movies.
Lunch had just been served when I arrived.

After we cleaned up from a delicious feast, I set up.

Our inspiration piece was to be a patriotic theme,  Combined a eagle over a flag.

a group of participants diligently working on their projects.

 Another table of ladies working on their projects!

A few of the children participated too and they have skills!

 

20 participants today!!!

 

A few of them left before I could get a finished photo but here are a few of the  finished projects.  They ALL did amazing!

Learned how relaxing the process is and learned they CAN do this!

 

 

(and she didn't think she could do this!)

 

 

I had a fantastic time encouraging and guiding this group of warriors.

Thank you for having me!

 

Ever Changing

As an artist I am always challenging myself to grow my range.

To do this I take classes.  I go to workshops, I take on-line classes with Artists whose style I like, techniques I admire or want to know more about.

One thing artists do to grow is constantly look to change.

I have a bazillion interests.
Some I have mastered but, never to the extent that I won't still find growth.  Even in mastered genres I look to grow my range.

EVERY instructor, or fellow artists has a twist to offer.  A special something to learn.

Currently, I am exploring interesting mark making to draw a viewer into the subject I am expressing.
To help me in this interesting process I am taking an on-line course with Gillian Cox.

She is an amazing instructor whose technical applications can grow your range across the board.
Be you painter or sketcher, her skills are thrilling to watch then incorporate into your own unique approach.

I have much more practice to undergo to get softer and lose more of my image to gain a more expressive painting but, that is part of the lovely process of growing.

Here is one of my practice pieces.

A bee in flight.

Still strong in my execution but I learned so much about offering expression.

Check out Ms. Gillian Cox on Pinterest or her blog you will enjoy her work.

 

Thank you for coming by.

Finishing Fencepost Building Layers

Blending is a key component when painting. 
Blending well, transitions the level of the painting seamlessly.

Sometimes blending is not the technique to grab and use but, knifing the paint in is better desired.  Especially for building up the texture, depending on the subject that is being defined.

When knifing paint, typically the tool of choice is a palette knife.  Consider using a brush as well.

Using a brush will gain a spotty hit or miss application less dense than using a palette knife, with similar results.

Lets go and view this little clip that is going to gradually show how the post is build up with layers of old look, using a brush for a palette knife.

Thank you for coming in today.

This demo has been built for a paint party at the Platte Nursing Home.  A senior activity that will include the family members and anyone else who wishes to join in the fun.

Our senior participants requested a subject they could relate to and not take down seasonally.  Since most of the Seniors in Platte were involved in farm and ranching operations, many as their career business, I felt they could relate to the pasture fence post.

Enjoy!

More for Painting the Pasture Fence Post

Let's continue building the painting I am going to teach with the Seniors at the Nursing Home next week.
I don't show everything because I have to keep a video to 3 minutes.
You can sure have a paint party of your own though and get a lot more from an In Real Life lesson.

Moving forward, fence posts have a gazillion colors in them.  You can't pick any wrong one so, pick colors you like.  It will work.

This post is kept to greens and browns and white.
NOTHING is solid color it is all layers.

Enjoy this clip as you watch the post grow.

Thank you for looking.

Lets Have a Paint Party...Okay, what do I do?

This is my THIRD attempt to bring a video into a blog post.  I HOPE I am successful with it this time!

So, you want to have a Painting Party, a wine and canvas, a girls event, a special birthday event...etc.

What do I do? 
1.)  First you contact Mary! :)
2.)  You give me the date I check the calendar. 
(IF a special day is very very important, DO NOT wait until the week before to book the event.  The chance that date is taken is high)
3.)  We discuss subject to paint.  (I get a little background about the group to get a feel for what they may like to paint)
4.)  After I ponder the subject a little bit I do a Demo to present to the initiator of the event.  They can show the group or leave that as a surprise, or use it for advertising purposes if a public event, such as a wine tasting event at a local pub.

I am going to go through a little series showing the process of a painting, one I am using as a Demo.

Video one is giving the painting a background.  I use acrylics.  For many they have never used acrylic paints.  So not only do they go home with a finished painting.  They learn a little about using unfamiliar materials.  Therefor, the party doubles as a lesson.  A sneaky happy aftermath.

I hope you enjoy my little series and follow along.

More I hope the video actually arrives this time :).  Thank you for stopping in!