Nancy Franke Workshop

A few weeks ago Nancy Franke gave a one day Children's workshop.  It wasn't painting portraits, but painting children while they are doing some kind of activity.  A while back I took a still life workshop from Nancy so I knew I would enjoy this and learn a lot in a short amount of time.  With Nancy's energy she makes a workshop so informative and fun.  I highly recommend taking a workshop with her.  The workshop started with Nancy doing a demo painting her granddaughter.  When you are going to paint children you really need to spend a lot of time with the drawing getting the proportions correct.  Also, when working from a photo you don't have to use the background as it is shown in the photo.  You have the liberty to put the child on the beach instead or in a meadow etc.  Also, always look for the "S" shape in the human form and look for the angles.  Nancy uses a very limited palette, which uses primaries that are warm and cool with Lukas White.  I use a limited palette, but it has more colors then Nancy's so there was some adjustment.  In my painting I painted my sister-in-law Angela with my nephew Aidan.  I took the photo at the aquarium one day.  I was the only one that added another person in their painting, but for me I think the basic shapes were easier for me to start out with at the workshop.  I don't get a chance to paint people much so I wanted to try something more simple for that day. 

Nancy's sketch for demo.

Nancy's finished demo.

Angela and Aidan

I know I have so much to learn and practice in painting children and from photos.  I really enjoyed the workshop and for a start I think I did okay.

Qiang Huang Workshop

Finally I am posting my notes on the Qiang Huang (Chong Wong) workshop that I took back in May.  He is a wonderful teacher and if you love his style then by all means try and take a workshop with him.  Each morning he gave a presentation on his technique and then did a demo.  After lunch we started painting.  The first morning was a low key painting, meaning that the background is dark and the overall look is darker.  Then the second day he started out with the 2nd part of his presentation on his technique and then another demo.  This demo was in high key meaning the background and foreground are lighter and the objects dark.  Afterwards we painted.  The third day we started off painting and then Chong did a presentation on online marketing.  This was very helpful to everyone even if you already had a blog.  He also went into selling your paintings online and on the daily painters site.  During the workshop we worked in a group of 3 artists, setting up the still lifes and painting. 

After the workshop we put our names in a cup to see who would win the raffle on both of Chong's paintings to be able to buy them.  I won for the high key painting, which is now hanging in my bedroom.  My friend and wonderful artist Amanda Carder Lovett won the low key painting.  I think the other people thought it was fixed since 2 friends won the paintings, but it just happened.  I really wanted to win and even wore my t-shirt that says Lucky!  We were both so excited to be able to own one of Chong's paintings.  He is incredible and I would recommend taking a workshop with him!  The workshop was held thru Donna Thomas, The Art School in Sandy Springs.  In the picture I have such a scared look on my face.  I was afraid I was going to drop the wet painting.  lol

The low key painting that Chong painted.  It doesn't show up well in the picture above.

I ended up painting 3 still lifes, but I didn't finish any of them so I am not going to post them.

Petite Nest 5 x 7 Oil on Panel

I did this little bird's nest as a demo in class one day.  I have decided to keep it.

Sisters 9 x 12 Oil on Panel

I want to thank everyone that came out for the opening on Friday night.  It was a lot of fun to see friends and catch up with other artists.  The shows are overwhelming to me meeting new people and talking to so many different people.  Its hard to keep up, but always a lot of fun. 

Vase with Ivy 20 x 16 Oil On Panel

All of the paintings are at Anne Irwin Fine Art for the Women In Art Show that starts Friday, June 8th from 6-8pm.  I hope you all can make it and see the different styles of paintings.  It should be a fun time as usual.  See you then.