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!

Behind the Scenes Part ONE!

A LOT has been going on since we had this retreat last year!

I took a very involved course on how to create an on-line class.
I wanted to offer a course, not just a lesson.
And I am currently developing this class.

How to Build Scenery For YOUR Painted Story

If you were like I was when I first began using acrylics, I didn't use everything to gain the best results in my paintings.
The paintings were well executed, just the painting with the products (or lack of product) part was not all it could be.
Why?
I wasn't utilizing the mediums.

These lessons help with this as well as help you gain better range, or give you some practice without having to "think" about what you want to practice.

We ...build scenery.
There will be ongoing course segments, the first is the approach for trees, grass and rocks.
Later I will introduce "skies" and the "water features"...elements of nature is what this course will address.

After several lessons we pull it all together for a final approach.

Each lesson gives you PDF's to study and videos with me directing your through the lesson.
Videos you access when you wish and as often as you wish.

I offer a one on one approach and email accessibility for any questions you might need addressing.

If you need some one-on-one advice, we can approach this live!, through a google hangout!
Isn't that the coolest!!

This is by appointment, emails offer a answer for your question in a timely manner and we have a group on line where we share our lesson results and conversation questions and approaches to painting, in a group environment.

Class is due to launch in JUNE!

PARRRTTYYYY First of the Season!

Let's share the party experience!

First of all there is no experience required.  No pre-requisites.  The ONLY requirement, is you want to have a good time and maybe, just maybe be open to a whole new avenue of habit.

These ladies have never picked up a brush before. 

Never dabbled in paint. 

Never did they think they would come away from the experience with a painting, a really good painting!

They are working the brushes and have a great time teasing each other, but they did a really good job!!
They are learning how to work in acrylic.

Let me refocus...~THEIR FIRST EVER PAINTING~

They accomplished this project in just 2 hours, that is a give or take magic time...

This is just one class offered at the Stagecoach...so come on by and see what other options have already become listed, or have a plan customized to you! or your group.
A lot of new this year!

Platte, SD

Lets have a round of applause for these ladies they did a fabulous job!

Thank you for being brave and overcoming your fears about painting...:)

Have a great day!

Preparation for Student's Session This Week

I spent today preparing for this weeks class with Shayla..we each prepared a background to use to paint this horse profile...(i decided i need practice as well and not just for the painting exercise but to create a PDF)..so I took step by step pictures along the way...I have more to place in the PDF
but these are highlights for each segment..




Here is the background...both Shayla and I did one
i sent her home to do the drafting in with pencil...


here is my draft





and here is my draft done enough for me to begin painting washes









I begin laying some undertones...








i used magenta and Jenkins green







several washes of light burnt umber with gloss acrylic glazing
and some hints of raw umber
with a final wash of raw umber with water







and here is the finished head

all products are golden and the substrate is
Cranson Acrylic paper
(a watercolor paper variation..but it is thicker)

ornaments

These ornaments are beautiful. If a person thinks... oh just squirting some paint into the ornament and you get these fabulous results.

Think again!

There is more to thisthan meets the eye.

Process

1. Squirt the paint into the ornament. A couple of different colors, somewhat separated.

(A good quality glass ornament will give you the best results)

(The better the quality of paint line you use will determine the hue of the colorful results. I used Golden and they are expensive!)

2. Tip the ornament side to side, to get the paint going then place it back into a cradle.

(The box it came in is perfect)

3. Turn the ornament every 20-30 minutes or so...and keep that up until it has the swirled effect you want.

Babysitting the ornament is the time consuming part.

4. Take an old paper towel center and place it into the garbage, then turn the ornament upside down onto the center opening and let the excess paint drip out.

5. Then I placed the ornament into a ceramic dish, but I had another dish ready with a paper towel.

With a heat gun or hair dryer, work the heat over the ornament. Do not get carried away heating the ornament. If you get the glass too hot it will crack or break, and if you get the paint too hot it will separate from the glass.

This is a gentle heating process and takes a lot of time.

After each heat cycle place the ornament open end to the paper towel, and let the heated paint drip out until the ornament is cool, then place it back onto the paper towel center in the garbage, and let rest there awhile.

Repeat this process until it isn't dripping any more.

It still is not dry, It needs to rest awhile, while you do other ornaments...come back to doing the process on the done ornaments until you think they ARE dry.

(This process is not quick, but the results are stunning.)

I hope you enjoy the effects as much as I do.