Saturday, January 30, 2010

Lesson 59 - Designing with Value Shapes

The challenge in this lesson was to simplify a design down to a basic value shape, either a light shape or a dark shape on a mid value field. We also added an accent of the opposite light or dark value in the focal area. We worked on a landscape problem, first as a collage laying black and white paper on a gray background. After this was completed we painted a small version of the scene trying to keep the value relationships we had designed. Here are a few of the results.

Nancy worked with white shapes and a dark accent area.



LaVonne worked with dardk shapes and a light accent near the top.


Susan chose curvy light shapes and used cows for the dark accents.


Bev used a sunlight area and the light accent in her dark design shapes.


Sunday, January 17, 2010

Lesson 58 - Designing with color shapes

This lesson was inspired by silk scarves. Sometimes it is easier to think of pleasing color schemes when visualizing something to wear or use in home decorating. The challenge here was to design a scarf or fabric with a tropical fish motif. We first reviewed some color theory and then worked out a design leaving a white edge around shapes. This allowed us to color in shapes without waiting for paint to dry and the white lines also served to unify the work. Here are four of the exercises.

Lois built a design around yellow orange and yellow green with blue violet accents.

Kazuyo began with an orange background, used analogous colors for the sea weed shapes, and used the complement for the fish.

Jan began with a bright blue and contrasted this with a range of yellows to orange to red.

Emily started with a bright yellow green. She used a variety of analogous colors for most of the shapes except for the red/orange accent fish.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Winter Class Schedule Online Now

This winter's watercolor class schedule is now online. My Monday class is already full but I still have some spaces left in the Friday classes. You can sign up online through the Los Altos Parks and Rec.

The Friday 9 to 12 class is course reference: 330508-01
The Friday 12:30 to 3:30 class is course reference: 330508-02

The course schedule for Friday's students is available here.
The course schedule for Monday's students is available here.

I hope to see you all there!