How Limited Isn't Limiting

Or, Pushing The Limits.

What is a limited palette and why would you use it?

To me a "very" limited palette is:

White

Ultramarine blue

Burnt sienna 

That's pretty limited.

Now on to the why.

It helps you see and learn to paint the form or shape.

I follow a number of artist blogs and have been watching a number of artists recently working in a limited palette.  I teach art concept classes in River Run Gallery and this month we were working on using color to create form or shape and we played with lots of different brushes just to see how they effected the paint.  I called on one of the artists I follow to use one of her paintings as an example because the composition was simple yet so effective in telling the story of a coastline and making you ask questions about what is beyond the shoreline, morning or evening, before or after a storm

and do those trees on the right have a secret?

The painting had interesting sky, water, reflections and distant trees.

Charleen Martin's blog provided the inspiration and I'm providing you a link to check her out.

Thank you so much Charleen for your inspiration.

 

Her painting Murmurs and Whispers was our inspiration and you need to follow the link to see it and why she named it that.  Very clever.

 We started the class working with lots of different brushes and learning what you could do with them.

The big ribbon thing on the left was just loading up a wide bristle brush and moving it around to see what happened if. . . 

On the right is a palette knife tree.  

Here's a palette knife bush.

This was loads of fun.

This blue tree was with a fan brush.  

Lots of fun there.
 

  This tree used several brushes and all three colors allowed and seven shades using the three colors.  

More fun.

Here's what my practice sheet looked like when we were finished with that exercise.

Then we switched gears and did a study of Charleen Martin's Murmurs and Whispers.

We were trying to SEE and paint form and shape using only the three colors.

This was my finished painting for the night.

We painted with acrylic paint on canvas paper, which I love.

It has lots of tooth, but even though it comes on a pad, like paper,

it feels and acts like canvas.

This was so fun to use only three colors and try to get the depth and feel of the painting of Charleen Martin using only three colors.  

Thank you so much Charleen for your inspiration.

These weren't intended to be finished paintings,

this was another exercise in achieving depth, shape and form.

These classes don't complete a painting as my other classes do.

These classes are meant to teach concepts and practice methods to learn how to see better and execute what we see.

Thanks for stopping by today,

and I'd love for you to join us in class.

What's Art and How Can I Do It.

Art Badges for Cub Scouts

 The Webelo's Den of Pack 418 came to visit 

tonight to learn about careers from art.

They didn't paint,

but we learned about art and careers in art.

These boys were so well behaved and we had a great time.

We talked about the artists in the gallery,

and how you learn things,

one practice session at a time.

One creation at a time.

Repetition!

Put miles on the brush.

I think they are going to come back to paint sometime.

Can't wait to show you that session.

 

 

Rooster Paintin

Farmyard Painting

There's lots to be learned painting roosters,

with those great big tail feathers.

Little bitty short video of the paintings in progress.

Here's what everyone says when they come to a class.

Look how different they all are!

This class was no different.

I'll say it for you.

Look how different they look!

Hopefully you'll join us sometime in painting something too.  

Painting and Grinnin

Relaxing and Painting

These women came together to paint 

as they bonded together as friends.

They work together as insurance agents with

Mark and D'Anne Smith's agencies.  

Painting as a group really helps the members bond together.

Things Learned in a Painting Class:

 

Creativity 

Thinking outside the box 

Concentration

Relaxation

Supporting Each Other

Seeing leaders outside their comfort zone.

and SO much more.

 

Thanks ladies.

So glad you came.

Hope you had a great time.

Hope to paint again, SOON!

 

 

Four Yeal Old Art

Thanks Emma

Emma and her mom Kala came in to paint an owl.

  Didn't she do a super job.

Now let me just add,

Emma is 4 years old.

She is an independent artist and didn't really want too much help.

She pushed that paint into the canvas, she didn't over mix her paint

and she held her brush back on the handle.

Those are all things I have to help people remember usually.

I was very proud of her spirit and her ability.

Thanks Emma for coming in and painting with me.

No Guts - No Glory

No Guts - No Glory

Student art has been coming into River Run Gallery all week.

Students that have painted in the gallery are stepping up,

taking that great leap of faith,

getting their brave one

and several other sayings I won't mention

and are ready to raise some money for a local charity.

 It is one thing to come to a class with a few people you may or may not know,

and paint and show them,

but it's entirely different to walk your art into a gallery and hang it on the wall.

It is: unnerving,

scary

terrifying,

make ya sick at your stomach nervous

But they did it to help raise money.

We are raising funds for Carroll County Animal Support (CCAS)

a local support group here in the county that takes care of animals as they try to find homes for dogs and cats, 

pays vet bills for some animals

offer snip clinics,

and buy food.

They need lots of pet food.

  So there you have it folks!

You're invited to our opening,

Thursday, March 12, 6-8 p.m.

to vote for your favorite artist or art hanging in the gallery.

You vote by putting your cold hard cash in a cup with the corresponding number with your favorite painting.

All the money goes to CCAS and the highest money raisers in the adult and the childrens categories will each receive 5 tubes of acrylic paint.

Second place winners will each receive a gift certificate for a free class.

You don't want to miss this gala event

Benny's Barkery will be here giving away samples and information of his soon to be world famous dog biscuits, 

and I'm sure there will be something given away,

Cause I just can't help myself.  

Please join us!

March Classes

March Class Calendar

 I'll be teaching all these classes in River Run Gallery Fun Art Studio in March.

That big hydrangea painting in the middle has to be rescheduled,

and I'll get back to you on that,

but click HERE to go to the calendar of classes and events page where you can

 sign up and pay for a class.

It really is just that simple.

Will It Ever Stop Snowing?

 

I do not know Sam I am,

But I'm praying it does.

 

We are on the brink of 3" of rain followed by 6-10" of snow on Wednesday.

 

We are surrounded by snow out here in the hills of Kentucky.

And we now are supposed to get more.  

 

So what is the purpose of this post you ask?

 

Well, if you can't come to the gallery,

the gallery will come to you.

 

Click HERE to go immediately to our gallery website 

and then you can go to any of several different galleries for:

Fiber Art

 Jewelry

 

2D Art (also known as paintings).

 

Click HERE to see what art classes are currently being offered.  

 

Social Butterfly Info:

 

We're on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RiverRunGallery

We're on pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/finenatureart/river-run-gallery-and-fun-art-studio/

I go by the handle kypaintster on instagram. 

We appreciate your support in River Run Gallery Fun Art Studio.

 

Like us on facebook!

We try to make it easy for you to get a hold of us and to show you what we're creating NOW!

Have a great day,

Shovel,

Salt,

Drink Hot Chocolate

Watch a Movie.

Let It Snow!

Because it will anyway!.

 

Macyn's Birthday Party

Painting a Birthday

Macyn is turning 7 and she began her celebration in River Run Gallery.

She and her brother Jake came to the gallery 

and painted owls. 

It's always fun to see how siblings approach the same painting.

  After finishing their paintings,

they were off to a swim party and then

a fabulous artist cake.

Happy Birthday Macyn.