Final Arts Academy day @ ACAD

We ended off the Arts Academy class with using our drawing skills on a fun game, but before we did the students created their final pieces with an open choice of media after a course overview and review.

Recently at Atelier Artista

The start of the school year has me incredibly busy. I haven't forgotten about you dear readers of my blog. I have been drawing, painting, cleaning and teaching everyday as well. everyday. No days off, no rest for the wicked. Unless of course the wicked gets sick, which happened last weekend during Thanksgiving so that was my break, in bed then volunteering at the QAS Log drivers Waltz.  Heres a peek into a bit of what I've got going on.

At my last figure sessions I first did a painting I didn't like so I scraped it down, the following week I decided I was better off studying the form through darks and lights rather than sticky colour. Heres a few of the steps in drawing Neema last session on Wednesday night.

My classes are running every day of the week at Atelier Artista (atelierartista.com) Its not too late to join in if you'd like to take the remaining classes until the holidays let me know and come on down.

On Tuesday afternoons I have Colour in Theory and Practice. We finished values, temperature and colour mixing and are now venturing into understanding and using colour harmonies. 

On Wednesdays we do portrait drawing and painting and have begun the first stages of blocking in our self portraits.

Its all about the light and dark and beginning with a good likeness. Next comes colour and form enhancements.

On Thursdays We have classical drawing in the morning and are currently studying some of Bargues method.

In the afternoon on Thursdays, I give a lecture and demo in my "painting secrets of the masters" class.

On Fridays we study Anatomy and more in Full figure.  Ive worked out some theories on how to be both effective and efficient. After this class,  I head on up to Waldorf to teach teens. On the week-ends I have two classes at ACAD and on Sundays I often have samplers at Swintons. 

But wait.......there is more.... there is always more...

so keep your eyes on the prize  =:D

Portrait drawing - Ryan Gosling

In portrait class I demonstrated the head lay at extreme angles in with a new teaching tool I made with a styrofoam ball and some spackle. I figured in a class of ladies it would be so bad to stare at this handsome Canadian all class, no I don't mean me, we used a picture of Ryan Gosling as a reference for getting in the features in place in proportion. If you can believe it some of these students have only taken classes with me, one told me it was the best portrait she has ever drawn, right on! Terrific job!

If you are interested in taking a class or want to learn more visit http://atelierartista.com and sign up for the newsletter!

Still life studies

We sat down for a lecture about warm up protocol at the Atelier before beginning a look at light and the study of still life. A video crew came in to capture some shots for the new cSPACE King Edward website. I look forward to seeing what they do with it. Below are some snaps from my cellphone during the day session. I am so proud of this class, if you'd like to join in the fun visit my website Atelierartista.com.

I also subbed a teen still life class at ACAAD and drew this mannequin hand as my demo.

Another "sampler", this time in oil

I prefer oil, and in this sampler I really let my knowledge shine. Its a far tougher medium, because so much history goes along with its use, but its rich creamy texture make is so worth the effort. This sampler went great as you can see below.......with so little time sample the medium for the first time.

Im refining my explanation with these whiteboard notes to accompany my handouts.

These samplers at Swinton's sell out quickly so sign up today on their website if you want to get in the next one!

Go figure!!!

I teach figure drawing at ACAD. This week my lectures and demos centered around  proportion, proper measuring methods as well looking at idealized references like Hale and Loomis. These are some of the drawings at the end of class.

If you are interested in learning how to figure draw better, I will be opening up figure drawing sessions and long poses at my Atelier. It is instructed and It's a great opportunity to put in the necessary time and practice to get good it'll be cheap!

Go to my new website and join the emailing list on the contact form at the bottom to keep updated!

Atelierartista.com

PS: new episode is up on my you tube below: