Painting for relaxation (June workshop), watercolour

Whoops…I  have not put my next workshop on my blog yet and I have promised blog visitors I would keep workshops listed. This is almost full but I may run it twice in June (or one early July) if the need is there. Please phone to book in.

PAINTING for RELAXATION WORKSHOP    23rd JUNE 2012

Due to the success of my workshop  Watercolour with a Zen Influence ( see works on my blog… look in archives under watercolour and scroll down….… some were by absolute beginners) I will run a similar workshop, but not  the same scene, in June. The approach is relaxing and meditative if the painters allow themselves to become absorbed in the process and go with the flow. The session will incorporate a basic understanding of Zen principles or approaches to meditation to assist with this.  

Full day 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.                                                                                                                  Forth Art Studio, 51 George St, Forth                                                                                                 ph 64282675 mob 0419282673                                                                                                          $45 includes half sheet Saunders Waterford 300gsm watercolour paper, use of paints , brushes etc. (but bring your own gear if preferred)                                                 (tea/coffee provided, BYO lunch or purchase at local shop)

EVELYN ANTONYSEN (B. Ed, Grad Dip Sp Ed, Dip Art Craft & Design)

Poppies for Maureen

Current paintings of poppies. But digital files are tricky as the two different images of one of the silk paintings shows. Photographs don’t really show the slight lustre, luminosity and sensuous nature of silk painting

I do have another poppy painting in stock but do not have an image of that work (portable hard drive with saved photos “died” last year and I lost a lot of images)

I also have  some sumi e style works unphotographed. The two silk ones here are framed in a round profile gold frame, The small acrylic is not framed.

I love painting poppies of all varieties especially in watercolour and on silk but also in pastel and am always happy to paint a new one on commission. The person commissioning is not compelled to purchase if it does not suit but ot usually does as the commissioner gets to set the  colour scheme, medium, size, format etc.

Ink and wash images

The slideshow here contains works from my recent ink and watercolour wash workshop. In the morning we looked at types of ink , from solid ink stick to liquid acrylics, shellac based liquid ink and biros and pens of various types. Next we considered applicators…. pens, firm brushes, rigger brush, soft brush, brush pen, bamboo or reed pen and ruling or nib pens. The properties of the mark depend on the materials used (especially the applicator and the surface). Three different papers were used to explore line versus tone and methods of application of the ink. Finally we looked at watercolours including useful ones for travelling with maximum benefit and little bulk. A light print of a pencil sketch was  worked on in two diffeent manners. In the afternoon we did not venture outdoors due to weather conditions but instead chose A4 print photos as references for quick sketches rather than carefully rendered watercolours. Most worked small as would usually be the case when travelling. There was a lot to take in…. now it is up to participants to enjoy playing with the techniques. With practise comes confidence. They each were given a sheet of suitable watercolour paper and a pigment ink pen to encourage continuation.  

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Artwork in Material Girl

You may by now be sick of seeing my glass sculpture on my blog but this should be the last time. Just letting you know it has been accepted in this year’s Material Girl Exhibition to open at Moonah Arts Centre on Friday night. It’s a pity I can’t get to that but have to be in my studio  for a workshop on Saty a.m. At least, as my entry was accepted, I know my digdtal image was OK.

If you are in Hobart Friday do go to the opening… it is always a most creative selection of works in Material Girl and the staements relating to the theme… this year “speak to me”… are always varied and interesting. My work, titled    “I will Listen”  has the following artist’s statement addressing the theme

Speaking honestly and openly  is one side of the communication equation. It is completed with the addition of an attentive and sympathetic listener.

The mother and child in this artwork reflect this balance.

Painted simply in Sumi E style with no distractions the whole represents a natural harmony.

Palette Knife painting (workshop… buildings in landscape)

I do so enjoy my times at Meander Valley Arts and am so pleased they asked me to do another workshop on acrylic painting with a palette knife. This  time landscape with buildings following on from the earlier one on flowers. Working with the palette knife is very challenging so some approached it with a bit more flexibility and used brush/sponge/hands/finger tips to blend a little more subtly or add variety in mark making in places. One lady used only brushes which was fine by me. The idea of being out of one’s comfort zone to meet challenges and re-invigorate your work is fine as long as one is not so far out of the comfort zone that it creates undue stress.

Why then use a palette knife? For me it is because of the textures and the vitality and liveliness of the resultant artwork. A bit of unpredictability much like with wet watercolour techniques or encaustic art. This all makes for exciting picture making rather than the primary concern being for a polished finish. PAINTING WITH PALETTE KNIFE

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Make a silk brooch for mum

Mothers day workshop at the Makers Workshop in Burnie this Saturday 5 May. Phone 64305885 to book. Click next title to view the Advocate article.

mothers day workshop

Digital files of artwork

I re-photographed my glass sculpture (shown in my  previous post) using my DSLR rather than mobile phone  and taking the photo outdoors rather than inside. The image is much different…… almost a different artwork. With many selective art competitions entered  by digital file these days one wonders how legitimate the selection is. My two photos have not been adjusted but even so they are very different. With a bit of permitted tweeking the variations are almost limitless. I know this topic has been brought up before ….. it really is tricky. There are so many pluses to entry by selection from digital images of works as far as ease of entry, transport etc but I do wonder about the credibility of assuring the “best” works are chosen. It seems it is not just about the artwork now it is also about the photograph of the item. One must question how true many are to the reality.

Kiln Formed Glass Sculpture

This free standing sculptural piece incorporates a sumi E style image on kiln formed glass. The brush strokes were painted with water based paints suitable for firing to 850 degrees Celsius. Using a soft chinese goat hair brush, in this style of painting economy of stroke is important. The figures are formed using only sufficient marks to express the posture and relationship between the mother and child.

All materials are found/recycled (except the paint) using tin float, broken glass and a base of driftwood. (height approx 30 cm)

Palette knife painting: building in a landscape

I will be taking a workshop this Friday April 20 with a wonderful group of friends at Meander Valley arts in Deloraine. Previously we have enjoyed the broad, vibrant application of paint using palette knives to do flowers. Exciting results. This time, continuing with the use of a palette knife which I like to use to add textural effects and to avoid a fiddly look  we will be painting a landscape incorporating buildings. I have enjoyed doing this small sample work in preparation. (Atelier Interactive Acrylics on canvas board).

Ink and watercolour wash workshop

Ink and Watercolour Wash Workshop

Planning a holiday and want to record your experience in a personal way?…. or just like getting outdoors to paint? This workshop will show you what materials are useful (bring what you have and use some provided to see if they suit you). We will also do small ink and watercolour wash sketches outdoors to show you how you might record your impression. Combining ink with watercolour in larger works is also a great way to add strength to your watercolours if you are a delicate painter and find your paintings sometimes lacking in impact. Materials provided.                                                                                                                                     Refillable cuppa but bring you own lunch (sorry,  this is about art not a gourmet event)… short distance to Forth Shop to purchase lunch or I can give you a sandwich and fruit from our trees.

FORTH ART STUDIO,                                                                                                                                                    51 George St,  Forth

Saty. May 12th. 10 till 4.     Cost $45 for full day (includes materials)

Maximum 10 people