Deal Saver in the News and Observer

I'm offering another Deal Saver to new customers? I want to introduce new prospective painters to the fun that we enjoy with our painting.

The deal started this week so if you are a new customer or have a friend that is interested in attending a painting class please pass the word.  Our classes are mainly for adults but any children 10yrs and up who can stay focused for 3 hrs are welcome to join us.

Those of you who enjoyed the deal saver painting class with me before are welcome, and invited, to attend the class also at the regular class rate of $40.  You can register on the class schedule page.  Come and bring a friend.

The schedule of classes includes day, evening, and Sat classes as posted. When you have purchased the deal give me a call (919-847-4101) on or after July 2 or email. Please schedule your class at least 1 week prior to the class so that I can have all the supplies ready for you. Class size is small for individual attention so be sure to reserve your seat soon.

I'll look forward to sharing our love of painting with you new painters.
Liz

Deal Saver:  Check the schedule.

Summer News at Artful Endeavors

Artful Endeavors Update

Happy Summer! Today we’ll say goodbye to Spring 2012, hot, wet spring.

 

Summer at least promises to start off hot, a good time to plan some indoor painting. And we have fun painting happening at Artful Endeavors this summer.

I wanted to remind all of you that I will be on vacation June 23-July 1.  I’ll be back for Tue classes on July 3 both at the studio and in Cary. Tue am is your chance to catch up on any painting that you need to finish or need help with.

On Tue evening in Cary we’ll start my design, Under The Maple, that was published in the last issue of the Decorative Painter. There’s still time to join us at Chamber’s Art starting July 3.

Since July 4^th lands on Wed this year there will be no classes that day; however, we have a special workshop planned for Fri, July 6^th.  We’ve been admiring Kathie George’s Outside Cat mixed media painting since she was here last Nov when some of us purchased the packet from her.  With permission from Kathie, now is the time to paint this terrific design just covered with exciting textures.  We’ll use Golden brand textures recommended by Kathie, that I will provide for the workshop, and watercolor paper. No prep.  You can just enjoy the 4^th.  Since we’ll need to let the textures dry during class, we’ll also have some fun creating a card or small work of art with a fun surprise technique. And, have lunch. I have prep ready for you. Please register before I leave for vacation if at all possible so that I can be prepared. I have ordered packets from Kathie and will have a price for they soon.

On July 11, Wed am we’ll begin another of my designs, Quilts.  I designed this with quilts that a friend wanted me to use, but you can use your own favorite quilt patterns. 

Class photos are on the web site as soon as I get them painted.

Wed evening classes will begin a series of Seasons Minis paintings by Dorothy Dent. I completed the Fall painting yesterday and love it. I’m looking forward to painting the rest of the series. The paintings can be done in any size but I am painting 5 x 5”s like Dorothy did.

Please tell your friends that there is another Deal Save coming out in the N&O on June 21, new customers only, that will apply to our 3 hr Art Workshops in July and Aug.  For those of you who have taken advantage of the Deal Saver in the past, you are invited to join us for the classes at the regular class fee.  I’d love to have you back painting with us. 

Yes, we have more 3 hr Art Workshops coming up this summer, a variety of fun designs. No experience is needed but always appreciated. All supplies and surface are included in the $40 fee.  We have day, evening, and Sat classes planned, so you plan to join us for some summer fun.

Speaking of summer fun, plan to join us for our Summer’s End ArtFling with Gail Schmidt and myself teaching a mixture of fun mixed media.  Art with Gail is so much fun and you learn all kinds of exciting techniques. You’ll find photos and lots of information on the web site.  Register Now!

In July I begin my travel teaching for the summer and fall 2012. If you can’t join us at Artful Endeavors, plan to join us at one of my seminars with NC, SC, and Fla chapters.  I’m also teaching my Butterfly Batik for Kathy Miller in Pinehurst on Mon, July 16. If you are interested, please contact Kathy.

Have you chosen your paintings to enter in the NC State Fair this year?  This is a terrific way for us to show our community what wonderful paintings we are creating.  It’s lots of fun to go see all the paintings, too.

Enjoy your vacations as I will and hurry back for more summer painting fun.

Liz

Ros Stallcup Seminar Update

Our seminar with Ros is nearly full but there are sill a few seats for Sun, Mon, Tue, and Sat.

Register Now!

A Few Artful Notes

These weeks seem to fly by and there is so much that I want to paint, see, teach, learn.....

Tomorrow is our CADANC chapter meeting at the studio and Cathy Cox is teaching a watercolor elephant. I'm looking forward to learning more about watercolors with Cathy.  You are welcome to visit our meeting any month and always welcome to join the chapter.

New Classes:  There are so many subjects and techniques that we want to explore and our July classes promise to be inspiring.  Since the 4th of July fall on a Wed this year, we have planned a special workshop for the 6th of July. I have a wonderful packet from Kathie George, Outside Cat, that several of us have wanted to paint. In it Kathie uses fascinating techniques with more texture products. When I get the painting done I'll post a photo. Also in July the morning class on Wed wants to paint my Quilts on the Line design.  I had designed this piece for a quilter friend who requested her favorite quilts. Students will have the opportunity to add their own favorites.  On Wed evenings we will start the first of Dorothy Dent's Seasons Minis. We'll paint on small canvases and begin with the colorful Autumn design. Love this whole series.
Our Cary painters are in the process of designing an orchid design to complement Willow Wolf's Orchids. What fun.  Their next adventure will be my Under the Maple, that was published in Issue 1 of the Decorative Painter this year. It was such an exciting design for me to explore.
We have lots of other exciting ideas so keep checking back.

Workshops:  July and Aug workshops are posted and we're looking forward to some exciting artwork.  You'll find information on the Outside Cat and our Summers End ArtFling.  Registration is open so plan to join Gail Schmidt and me for some excellent art fun and laughter.

Seminars:  We have a few seats left in our seminar with Ros Stallcup in July. The Winter Lake on Thurs and the Garden Gate on Fri are full, but the other days have 2 seats or more available. If you are able to join us register soon so that you don't miss your seat and you have time to prep. I still have some of the surfaces for some of the projects. If you need a wood or metal surface, order by next week to make sure one is available for you.

Students:  I hope you've been keeping up with the student's paintings that I been posting. They have done such excellent work in our classes

Trees: What do we really see?

It's rained enough around our area for lush foliage to develop on our trees. The street behind the studio is an excellent example of a lovely variety of trees.

As we paint our landscapes with trees it's important to understand how the foliage is shaped and shaded to create volume and interest.

Each species of tree has it's own shape, density, and height.  Knowing this about any specific tree will help in creating your painted vision.  In the large tree above notice the height of the tree as compared to the cars. The trunk is straight and large enough to support the branches and leaves above it.  Next notice that the leaves are clustered along branches that you may not be able to see. The leaves do not create a solid shape but have shadows and lights according to the limb to which they are attached. Next, we are able to see some of the branches through the leaves (see photo below), which helps our eye, and therefore brain, to realize that the tree has some leaves on the near side of the tree, some inside, and on the far side of the tree creating volume.  As we paint this tree's foliage we need to visualize and create with our brush the clustered leaves along each branch, the lights and darks that create volume and depth. Your tree will begin to emerge. You will either have started with the trunk or add it as you develop your tree.  After your leaves are painted you will then add some inside branches to create depth.  Then possible add lights and darks along the trunk, depending on your light source.

The barks of trees have different textures as do these trees outside the studio. 

 And we have a variety of textures in the foliage.

 As you are outside start really looking at the trees around you. Actually see the shape, volume, values, and textures as you study the trees.  Notice color variations and how the trees layer with each other.  Photos make great references. Start a photo reference library if you don't already have one.

While you are looking, start "seeing".

This is the beginning or our "See while you are looking" tutorials.
Enjoy,
Liz

Let me know if you found this tutorial helpful. Leave a comment.

DecoArt Helping Artist Web Site

DecoArt has a new helping artist web site where you can find information on all their helping artists including seminars that they are teaching around the country.  You'll also find terrific projects designed by helping artists for DecoArt.
Be sure to check out the site and look for me.