Shapes and colours! I started each class on Tuesday saying that I wasn’t interested in reflections or transparencies or ‘realistic’ depictions of glass. I wanted everyone to enjoy the shapes and colours and encouraged zooming in and close cropping in order to accentuate the shapes as much as possible.
There was just one other thing I suggested. If you at my demonstration sheet below, you’ll see that I’ve kept the shapes in the background very simple. I’ve even allowed them to run into each other in places. Our eyes are not able to focus on more than one area at a time so why should every object in the still-life be depicted with equal clarity?
Almost everyone did two small paintings. It’s been a very productive and exciting start to our Fall term. In general, more risks have been taken and lots of painting experience has been gained. And, despite my advice not to ‘render’ glass, some pretty convincing bottles emerged from the exercise.
Tuesday AM Critique
Tuesday PM Critique
Tags: Barry Coombs, Canada, Ontario, still-life painting, Studio Classes, Toronto, watercolor, watercolor lesson, watercolour classes, watercolour demonstration, watercolour painting
Barry Coombs Art Workshops 
02/10/2012 at 6:34 pm |
I have missed your spectacular color. Glad I’m back. seeing this post made my day better.
03/10/2012 at 11:31 am |
I’m glad you’re back, too. Thanks for the thoughts. Some of the students have been with me for several years, a few for about ten years and one for almost twenty years.
29/10/2012 at 8:47 am |
Great blog you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find
high quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate people like you!
Take care!!