Darryl and I came to South Bend this summer and I was fortunate enough (thanks to my very generous husband) to be able to take 2 different art classes.
This post will focus on the Artist's Choice Class - Wednesdays from 1:00 - 4:00
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September 11, 2019
The instructor for this class was David Learn, an extremely talented and slightly unconventional teacher who leaves you on your own to create your art, but is always ready with advice and instruction if you need it.
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My first painting choice - Oil on canvas.
I have never painted people or movement before and felt I needed to try, so I used this photo I took of Emily and Lily in 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as my subject. I asked David "What do I use to draw or trace this photo onto the canvas"? His reply was "We're painters, we don't draw. Just use some paint and put in a rough outline and go from there".
Well... Okay then. That's what I did.
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David has encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and stretch myself, and when I felt like I might be doing it wrong he showed me how to improve, never changing my 'style' but teaching me how to look at my subject for light and shadow, tint and hue, and transfer what I see to the canvas.
September 18, 2019
It took me three, three hour class sessions to finish.
September 25, 2019
Thanks to David it is recognizable as two little girls in the water. I realize it's a long way from perfect, but for a first attempt, I am so happy with it!
October 2, 2019
My second oil painting was a landscape from a calendar picture. I loved the colors in this and there were many different elements in the photograph I wanted to try and capture.
I spent three weeks getting this painting to where I wanted it to be, constantly trying new techniques and being encouraged by David and the other artists in the class.
October 9, 2019
I used a paint brush on everything but the orange and purple flowers. To get more texture I used a palette knife on the blossoms.
October 16, 2019
I love the finished piece..
And so did Darryl. He didn't waste time finding a frame for it.
October 23, 2019
The course is only 8 weeks long and the first two paintings took 3 classes each to complete. For week seven I wanted to do something quick and familiar, so I covered my canvases in black gesso and did a 16 x 20 version of a Bill Alexander tutorial I had done before. It took me right at an hour to complete this painting and I only used 4 colors on my palette. Indian Yellow, Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow and Pthalo Blue.
October 23, 2019
My fellow classmates were impressed with how I did this painting. I was almost embarrassed, because to me it was fairly easy. Since I had time to spare, I did a black and white gesso forest scene with an oil wash over it. This is a painting I have done several times and I always enjoy doing them.
October 30, 2019
To be able to see the world not just as a glorious riot of colors, but also in variations of light and shadow, highlights and low lights, tints and hues, is like seeing the world anew or for the first time. This is what painting has done for me. For my final class painting I decided to use only the palette knife and to do an autumn painting with loads of color.
My inspiration came from a tutorial on YouTube, so I just watched it a couple of times then tried to do it on my own. I LOVED IT! This is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing oil paintings I have ever done and I can't wait to do more.
Following our final class we all went to our instructors home for a delicious German Dinner of knackwurst and sour kraut, new potatoes and more.
(David Learn, the instructor, is in the blue plaid shirt)
(L-R Tony, Michelle, Kay, Paul, Nektaria, Barb, Diane, Rosie, Dee, David, Jim and Katie.)
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How I have enjoyed being with these great people, watching them create beautiful art and learning from them.
As Darryl and I prepare to leave South Bend for a new work site I will take with me very fond memories of these good people.
