Creative Catalyst Newsletter December 16, 2008
From Behind the Camera – Listen to Your Own Voice
When does someone know they are using their own artistic voice and not just echoing that of an admired teacher?
This is a question every student should take seriously. It’s a natural step in the learning process to emulate our teachers. In fact, sometimes outright copying is the only way to have a break through of understanding. However, it is to our detriment to stop our own thinking and rely on “what would teacher X do in this situation?”
Long ago, when we first started filming, Mary Todd Beam said to me that she did not really start to grow until she trusted her own judgment and took risks with her work. Her words have stuck with me.
To rely on our own judgment means we must think. Yes, think. At some point in the process, especially when we’ve got ourselves stuck, we need to put our brushes down, step back and evaluate what the heck is going on. I try to fall back on what I know about design. My solutions seem somehow more my own by doing that.
The perk of a good teacher is to see examples of their influence. The plight of a good teacher is to see their clones. Again, I’d encourage students to learn what they can, recognize what rings true for them, and move on to their own place of expression.
Happy Holidays to all you creatives!
Lynn Powers
Upcoming Live Workshops by Creative Catalyst Instructors
Below are upcoming workshops by some of our fabulous Creative Catalyst instructors:
• Cheng-Khee Chee
January 26-29, 2009 – Sanibel Island, FL – Contact: mdowling@bigarts.org
• Caroline Jasper
January 5-9, 2009 – Bonita Springs, FL – Contact: albs@naples.net
January 30-31, 2009 – Palm Desert, CA – Contact: theblueprinter@aol.com
• Janie Gildow
January 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2009 – Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute – Contact: www.desertmuseum.org/arts
• Pat Weaver
January 6-30, 2009 – Bradenton, FL – Contact: www.artcentermanatee.org
January 16-18, 2009 Dade City, FL – Contact: ivel2@aol.com
January 26-30, 2009, Palm Beach, FL – Contact: mcharland@fourarts.org
• Mark Mehaffey
January 26-30, Maderia Beach, FL – Contact: watercolorsem@yahoo.com
• Sue Archer
January 5-9, 2009, West Palm Beach, FL – Contact: www.armoryart.org
January 19-23, 2009, Fort Lauderdale, FL – Contact: swgfl@aol.com
• John Salminen
January 19-23, 2009, Bradenton, FL – Contact: diane@artcentermanatee.org
• Ratindra Das
January 25-31, 2009, Acapulco, Mexico – Contact: flyingcolorsart@mac.com
• Judy Morris
January 9-11, 2009, Medford, OR – Contact: holly@roguegallery.org
January 27-30, 2009, Medford, OR – Contact: judy@judymorris-art.com
• Taylor Ikin
January 8-10, 2009, Ocala, FL – Contact: 352-489-8588
• Dayle Doroshow
January 15 – February 12, 2009 – Contact: www.thatcreativeplace.com
• Lisa Engelbrecht
January 30 – February 1, 2009
North Hollywood, CA – Contact: www.carolparks.com
• Nick Simmons 2009
2-day workshop – VisArts – Rockville, Maryland. January 10-11. – Contact: Minna Philips 301-315-8200
2-day workshop – Potomac Valley Watercolorists – Alexandria, Virgina. January 24-25. – Contact: Marilyn Milici 703-941-4575
In This Issue
From Behind the Camera – Your Own Voice
Congratulations to Evelyn Ward of Missouri USA for being our winner of the Period 1 drawing (10/20-11/23/08).
CCongratulations to Marie Johnson of California USA for being our winner the Weekly drawing (12/1-7/08).
“The real subject of every work of art is the artist.”
~ Harold Osborne
“Painting requires organization by very conscious means.”
~ Henri Matisse
from The Artist’s Design: Probing the Hidden Order
by Marie MacDonnell Roberts
Sue Archer
Nicholas SimmonsCheck out the Watercolor Magazine, Winter 2009 for two wonderful articles on Nicholas Simmons and John Salminen.
The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives on time:
Dec. 20 First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 Priority Mail
Dec. 23 Express Mail
More USPS information here.
UPS Shipping
UPS – Based on shipping from Oregon:
UPS Ground – 5 Business Days to the East Coast (less the further west you go)
UPS 3 day – Three business days (not including ship day)
UPS 2 Day – Two business days (not including ship day)
UPS Overnight – Not to all locations … some locations may take two business days.
Send this email to a friend
Click here to unsubscribe or update your profile
Creative Catalyst Newsletter – December 9, 2008
From Behind the Camera – Listen to Your Own Voice
When does someone know they are using their own artistic voice and not just echoing that of an admired teacher?
This is a question every student should take seriously. It’s a natural step in the learning process to emulate our teachers. In fact, sometimes outright copying is the only way to have a break through of understanding. However, it is to our detriment to stop our own thinking and rely on “what would teacher X do in this situation?”
Long ago, when we first started filming, Mary Todd Beam said to me that she did not really start to grow until she trusted her own judgment and took risks with her work. Her words have stuck with me.
To rely on our own judgment means we must think. Yes, think. At some point in the process, especially when we’ve got ourselves stuck, we need to put our brushes down, step back and evaluate what the heck is going on. I try to fall back on what I know about design. My solutions seem somehow more my own by doing that.
The perk of a good teacher is to see examples of their influence. The plight of a good teacher is to see their clones. Again, I’d encourage students to learn what they can, recognize what rings true for them, and move on to their own place of expression.
Happy Holidays to all you creatives!
Lynn Powers
Upcoming Live Workshops by Creative Catalyst Instructors
Below are upcoming workshops by some of our fabulous Creative Catalyst instructors:
• Cheng-Khee Chee
January 26-29, 2009 – Sanibel Island, FL – Contact: mdowling@bigarts.org
• Caroline Jasper
January 5-9, 2009 – Bonita Springs, FL – Contact: albs@naples.net
January 30-31, 2009 – Palm Desert, CA – Contact: theblueprinter@aol.com
• Janie Gildow
January 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2009 – Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute – Contact: www.desertmuseum.org/arts
• Pat Weaver
January 6-30, 2009 – Bradenton, FL – Contact: www.artcentermanatee.org
January 16-18, 2009 Dade City, FL – Contact: ivel2@aol.com
January 26-30, 2009, Palm Beach, FL – Contact: mcharland@fourarts.org
• Mark Mehaffey
January 26-30, Maderia Beach, FL – Contact: watercolorsem@yahoo.com
• Sue Archer
January 5-9, 2009, West Palm Beach, FL – Contact: www.armoryart.org
January 19-23, 2009, Fort Lauderdale, FL – Contact: swgfl@aol.com
• John Salminen
January 19-23, 2009, Bradenton, FL – Contact: diane@artcentermanatee.org
• Ratindra Das
January 25-31, 2009, Acapulco, Mexico – Contact: flyingcolorsart@mac.com
• Judy Morris
January 9-11, 2009, Medford, OR – Contact: holly@roguegallery.org
January 27-30, 2009, Medford, OR – Contact: judy@judymorris-art.com
• Taylor Ikin
January 8-10, 2009, Ocala, FL – Contact: 352-489-8588
• Dayle Doroshow
January 15 – February 12, 2009 – Contact: www.thatcreativeplace.com
• Lisa Engelbrecht
January 30 – February 1, 2009
North Hollywood, CA – Contact: www.carolparks.com
• Nick Simmons 2009
2-day workshop – VisArts – Rockville, Maryland. January 10-11. – Contact: Minna Philips 301-315-8200
2-day workshop – Potomac Valley Watercolorists – Alexandria, Virgina. January 24-25. – Contact: Marilyn Milici 703-941-4575
In This Issue
From Behind the Camera – Your Own Voice
Congratulations to Evelyn Ward of Missouri USA for being our winner of the Period 1 drawing (10/20-11/23/08).
CCongratulations to Marie Johnson of California USA for being our winner the Weekly drawing (12/1-7/08).
“The real subject of every work of art is the artist.”
~ Harold Osborne
“Painting requires organization by very conscious means.”
~ Henri Matisse
from The Artist’s Design: Probing the Hidden Order
by Marie MacDonnell Roberts
Sue Archer
Nicholas Simmons
Check out the Watercolor Magazine, Winter 2009 for two wonderful articles on Nicholas Simmons and John Salminen.
The Postal Service recommends the following mail-by dates to ensure your gift arrives on time:
Dec. 20 First-Class Mail
Dec. 20 Priority Mail
Dec. 23 Express Mail
More USPS information here.
UPS Shipping
UPS – Based on shipping from Oregon:
UPS Ground – 5 Business Days to the East Coast (less the further west you go)
UPS 3 day – Three business days (not including ship day)
UPS 2 Day – Two business days (not including ship day)
UPS Overnight – Not to all locations … some locations may take two business days.
Send this email to a friend
Click here to unsubscribe or update your profile
Kwan Jung Greetings
Dec. 2008
Dear Friends &
SEASON GREETINGS
2008 has been an artistic year for the Jungs. We have been busy doing paintings and engaged in many art activities like: attending friends’ exhibitions, being a helping hand in painting workshops and the art class.
We have also got our names in prints. In art book publishing of 2008, Kwan’s landscape painting “ Engagement in the Park “ is included in the book “Splash 10, the passionate brushstrokes“, edited by Rachel Wolf of the North Light Books this year. In her book, Editor Ms. Rachel Wolf asked all artist who is contributing his or her artworks to tell how to passionate those brushstrokes. Everyone had his or her thought written. In page 19th of “ Splash 10, the passionate brushstrokes “ Kwan wrote “ It is a lifetime goal to create something special” as his answer.
Early January 2008, Yee Wah and Kwan both participated in the invitational small group exhibition of “ Celebrating Tradition” in San Francisco State University. The exhibition was sponsored by the San Francisco State University, supported by the Yale -China Association and collaborated with the New Asia College Alumni Association in Northern California. “ Celebrating Traditions “ included 60 pieces of diverse artworks created by the renowned masters who had taught at New Asia College, a founding member of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Alumni artists who are living in California. The Exhibition was held at the SFSU Downtown Campus from February 8 to July 31, 2008. We were able to show our artworks together with our teacher Professors Ting Yen Yung (1902-1978), Tseng Ke Duan (1900-1975) and Principal Mr. Chien Mu (1895-1990). So, we drove up north twice. Each time, we took the opportunities to visit our daughter Kathy who is living in Livermore and friends who are living near San Francisco area. First, we went to deliver paintings for the exhibition and secondly for the Opening Ceremony which was scheduled on the the 8th of February and the demonstration of Chinese brush painting . Kwan took up the task for the New Asia College Alumni Association and did the demonstration on the 9th. It was a part of the lecture series related to Chinese art and culture to be offered to the general public at SFSU during the six month exhibition period. Kwan made twenty small Chinese paintings in two hours during the demonstration. In both trips, we visited friends and had small gatherings or informal College Reunion . Together, we had several delicious dinners in China Town. It was like the good old days when we were college kids. A 36 pages Exhibition Catalog was printed by the SFSU to accompany the Exhibition. All artists (11)who were in the exhibition are in one page print with photo, resume’ and painting occupying the Catalog. Kwan and Yee Wah have their pictures printed in pages 22 & 23 of the catalog.
Mrs. Blue of the General Atomics of San Diego purchased six more landscape paintings from Kwan for keep this year. In addition to the thirteen previous purchases, the total number of Kwan paintings in the General Atomics’ permanent collection now has reached 19. All paintings are on display daily in the facility there. The new paintings are “ “ Blue Grass Country” 26” x 36”, “Moon” 28” x 38”, “Purple Cloud” 30” x 33”,“Waterfall”19” x 58”, “Metallic Tree” 27” x 54”,and “Golden Hill” 33” x 60”. ” After the new collections were framed and hung, we made appointments and visited the General Atomics Gallery in two occasions. First, we went with our friends Janet and Minching Lam, Kwan’s high school friend. Secondly, we went with artist Kitty and Danny Tow, Danny was employed and worked there many years ago. We were so impressed with the enormous scale of the gallery and the various art collections displayed. The Gallery is in the middle of the offices. Their employees are actually working in an artistic and cultural environment so designed by the Blues.
We wish all of you a Joyous holiday season, Merry X’mas and a Prosperous Healthy Happy New Year 2009 !
Kwan & Yee Wah Jung
Creative Catalyst Newsletter November 11, 2008
SAVE $5 on Sketching in Perspective, Drawing and Composition
If you’ve ever had trouble with perspective, this is the workshop for you.
Carl Dalio presents eight lessons on perspective and composition, each featuring an easy-to-follow exercise. Carl establishes the basic principles with a sketch of a country house. He explains how to recognize vanishing points, a skill that forms the foundation for the rest of the workshop. He then demonstrates one, two and three-point perspective, illustrating the advantages and pitfalls of each. Using a simple, one-story building, he establishes a system that can be used for equal spacing of any set of objects: fence posts, cars, clouds or people. Next, Carl demonstrates how to draw proportional figures from eye-level and an elevated vantage point. He introduces time-saving methods for populating landscapes and applies his techniques to larger landscapes. Carl concludes with principles for composing sketches for paintings. He selects intriguing shapes from his reference material, determines dominant values, and edits major elements to suit his design sensibilities.
This video includes bonus features on painting figures in landscape and selecting colors.
Valid on Online or Mail-In orders only … Retail price is $39.95 – Sale Price is $34.95 + S/H – Sale ends Tuesday, 11/18/08.
Learn more about Drawing in Perspective
SHERRI HAAB has done the research so you can release your creative spirit to work with precious metal clay. Sherri takes you through the processes required for correct construction and firing to insure success. Learn how to smooth seams, strengthen wires, set stones, personalize charms and correctly size rings. You learn to make your own molds from family heirlooms and create fantastic, one-of-a-kind gifts. One block of silver metal clay can make a family full of keepsakes. Check it out!
Valid on Online or Mail-In orders only … Retail price is $32.95 – Sale Price is $27.95 + S/H – Sale ends Tuesday, 11/18/08.
A surprising benefit of seeing my paintings reduced to thumbnail size in the gallery has been to realize that there are some things I like to do in my poster work that has not carried over into the portraits. I guess that should come as no great surprise in that the posters are hard edged mouth atomizer pieces and the portraits are more traditional watercolor. Anyway, the thing of which I speak is the use of negative space as an active design element. Specifically, it is where the white background cuts into the subject matter and becomes part of it without any defining line. This might be the next thing I play with in portraits.
This brings me to an observation. I think the human body is so familiar to viewers that a surprising amount can be left out of a painting and it is automatically filled in by the observer. A simple curve can become a breast, a dot can be an eye. The trick is to bring personality to the curve or dot that reflects the individual being painted. This is one of the reasons I love the work of Amedio Modigliani. He has abstracted the portrait to the essence of the sitter. It appears he felt very little compulsion to document the exterior likeness, even to the point of eliminating the whites of the eyes in his later work.
Personal artistic direction is a process of freeing ourselves to our own set of standards. Years of struggle help us distinguish, for ourselves, what is important and what is not. In the mean time, I’ll move on to incorporating more implied edges into the portraits and try to ignore the frustration with my own work.
Cheers,
Lynn Powers
Congratulations to Clara DeMott, Oregon, USA for being the winner last week (11/02-11/9/08).
First, let me tell you, I am an oil painter, and would not normally sit down to watch a video on watercolor.
Since I had met Sue (Archer) sometime in the past, and seen her very strong work. I assumed her video must be as good as her work, so the idea of watching it intrigued me.
I thought the video was excellent. Really excellent.
Most videos are just a little more than a demonstration. Sue’s video was packed full of very important technical information. I loved the way she explained her use of color, her use of grays, and her really rich darks, in such a way, that a beginner could easily understand it, and an advanced painter would enjoy the excellent review, and think to themselves: “Oh, yes, I had forgotten that.” This video is definitely very well suited for the both the beginner as well as the advanced painter.
Together, you have produced a video that was a treat to watch. I learned a lot. It was excellent. I would recommend it to anyone.
Did I use the word “excellent” to many times? That’s because it was excellent.
M. Baynes, FL
Sue Archer’s workshop is COMMANDING COLOR
“Industry in art is a necessity – not a virtue – and any evidence of the same, in the production, is a blemish, not a quality; a proof, not of achievement, but of absolutely insufficient work, for work alone will efface the footsteps of work.”
~James Abbot McNiell Whistler
1834-1903
From ARTIST TO ARTIST compiled by Clint Brown
Ann Baldwin
Carrie Brown
Carla O’Connor
A Way to See Yourself Improve
by Lynn Powers
Craig Nelson says in order to improve your painting; you simply need to put in the brush miles. In his first workshop, Quick Studies, he demonstrates how, if you narrow your focus on specific issues, you can speed up your progress. Additionally, you can see one thing improve. His suggestion applies to other media as well.
To focus on specific issues requires some objectivity about our work. If you lack the confidence to pick an issue, I suggest you simply pick a specific subject and attack one part of it at a time. For example, I enjoy painting faces. I’ve focused on one feature at a time. For a while I studied mouths, then noses, then eyes. With each additional feature, I’ve gained confidence and became braver. The process has become more and more rewarding. If I were interested in still life florals, I might choose foliage, petals, crystal, etc. Then I might choose backgrounds, table tops, etc. You get the drift.
Part of the fun is the investigation on how other artists paint the same thing. You will find that when you narrow your attention, you will see and retain more because it will have more meaning to you.
Next, hands. Yikes!
Cheers, Lynn
What People are Saying
I saw the Carla O’Connor video at art school and liked it so much (I) decided to purchase one for myself.
B. Brands, Australia
I may be hooked on these DVD’s …Penelope
It’s always a pleasure to get one of your excellent videos! Thank you very much for your kind service and efforts!
Lots of greetings from Germany, Yours Ute
I have learned so much from the videos/dvds that you offer. They’re of great quality and the length of instruction is well worth the price. Keep producing them. They are better than taking a workshop.
C. Furman, N.J.
Lynn Powers Gallery
Lynn Powers Gallery
Creative Catalyst’s very own Lynn Powers has finally posted a few of her watercolors and posters in our website gallery. Does this mean she’s coming out from behind the camera?
-Jim-
Creative Catalyst Newsletter November 4, 2008
SAVE $5 on DESIGN WITH THE FIGURE
No matter your medium or subject, Polly Hammett offers ways to think about design that will expand your horizons. She uses the figure to explain her multifaceted and open ended approach that assures strong cohesive paintings.
Polly begins by describing what she looks for with her model and how placement and proximity impact the direction of the painting’s content. You see how she assesses value patterns, designs backgrounds, manipulate texture and include mixed media. You also learn how to find direction and strength in your own work when evaluating your paintings. No matter your media, you will gain confidence and learn ways to strengthen your paintings with Polly Hammett’s Design with the Figure.
Valid on Online or Mail-In orders only … Retail price is $39.95 – Sale Price is $34.95 + S/H – Sale ends Tuesday, 11/09/08.
Learn more about Design with the Figure.
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE ON SALMINEN
Learn the process John Salminen uses to shape his complex imagery into a world class painting. He hits the streets of New York to gather candid reference shots for his urban scene. He shoots with a designer’s eye. When he returns to the studio, he modifies the color and composition of his reference materials. John teaches a simple system for accurately transferring his complex image to watercolor paper.
John lays a foundation with careful masking and vivid washes of hard-to-define colors. He concentrates on value relationships as he fills his landscape with shimmering streets and glowing neon. He uses mesmerizing reflective effects as an entry point to the composition and directs attention with white paper. John tones down conflicting passages with a mouth atomizer. He continually solves design problems, modifying colors in his foreground figure and lifting to enhance lines. The workshop includes exercises in perspective drawing and extensive discussions of design and reference photography.
This is the final week to receive the pre-order discount … the DVD arrives in our warehouse this week!
Retail Price will be $52.95, Pre-Order Price is $47.95 until the DVD arrives in our warehouse.
Learn more about this DVD workshop
Sometimes I receive phone calls from someone who wants to know more about a particular workshop and I am delighted to supply all the information I can. However, during the course of the conversation, I sometimes learn that the thing the caller wants to learn can be found in a workshop done in a style or media in which they are not interested. Polly Hammett’s workshop is a good example. A realistic painter of boats may think that Polly’s stylistic presentation of a woman holds no value for them. In reality, Polly’s workshop talks about issues inherent in any painting: the viewer’s relationship to the subject, importance of edge quality, expressive contours, value pattern appropriate to the subject and the list goes on. All one needs to do is exchange the word figure with boat.
Artists bring much more to their art than how they put paint to paper or canvas. They bring a way of thinking. They bring an approach to their work that has set them on a course that suits them. Sometimes it will impact us more when we learn how an artist thinks than how they handle their materials.
Most artists remain open to new influences. By staying receptive and curious, it permits continued growth and energy in our work. Self satisfaction, coupled with fear of change can stagnate creativity.
I’ve found that many of our CCP artists have altered the way I think about painting. Exposure to their ideas has been one of the best parts of being part of Creative Catalyst.
As a side note, let’s rejoice one and all! The elections will be over today… maybe
Cheers,
Lynn Powers
More from Lynn in the CCP BLOG
Creative Catalyst’s very own Lynn Powers has finally posted a few of her watercolors and posters in our website gallery. Does this mean she’s coming out from behind the camera?
-Jim-
In This Issue
SAVE $5 on Design with the Figure
Last Chance to save on Salminen’s New DVD
From Behind the Camera: Look Outside the Box
Congratulations to Harry Shields of Texas USA or being the winner last week (10/27-11/2/08).
I saw the Carla O’Connor video at art school and liked it so much (I) decided to purchase one for myself.
B. Brands, Australia
I may be hooked on these DVD’s …Penelope
It’s always a pleasure to get one of your excellent videos! Thank you very much for your kind service and efforts!
Lots of greetings from Germany, Yours Ute
I have learned so much from the videos/DVDs that you offer. They’re of great quality and the length of instruction is well worth the price. Keep producing them. They are better than taking a workshop.
C. Furman, N.J.
“All paintings start out of a mood, out of a relationship with things or people, out of a complete visual impression. . . a painter is bound to reflect himself and his times.”
~Richard Diebenkorn
1922-1993
from Artist to Artist compiled by Clint Brown
Ann Baldwin
Carrie Brown
Carla O’Connor
LOOK OUTSIDE THE BOX
by Lynn Powers
Sometimes I receive phone calls from someone who wants to know more about a particular workshop and I am delighted to supply all the information I can. However, during the course of the conversation, I sometimes learn that the thing the caller wants to learn can be found in a workshop done in a style or media in which they are not interested. Polly Hammett’s workshop is a good example. A realistic painter of boats may think that Polly’s stylistic presentation of a woman holds no value for them. In reality, Polly’s workshop talks about issues inherent in any painting: the viewer’s relationship to the subject, importance of edge quality, expressive contours, value pattern appropriate to the subject and the list goes on. All one needs to do is exchange the word figure with boat.
Artists bring much more to their art than how they put paint to paper or canvas. They bring a way of thinking. They bring an approach to their work that has set them on a course that suits them. Sometimes it will impact us more when we learn how an artist thinks than how they handle their materials.
Most artists remain open to new influences. By staying receptive and curious, it permits continued growth and energy in our work. Self satisfaction, coupled with fear of change can stagnate creativity.
I’ve found that many of our CCP artists have altered the way I think about painting. Exposure to their ideas has been one of the best parts of being part of Creative Catalyst.
As a side note, let’s rejoice one and all! The elections will be over today… maybe
Cheers,
Lynn Powers
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE ON SALMINEN
Learn the process John Salminen uses to shape his complex imagery into a world class painting. He hits the streets of New York to gather candid reference shots for his urban scene. He shoots with a designer’s eye. When he returns to the studio, he modifies the color and composition of his reference materials. John teaches a simple system for accurately transferring his complex image to watercolor paper.
John lays a foundation with careful masking and vivid washes of hard-to-define colors. He concentrates on value relationships as he fills his landscape with shimmering streets and glowing neon. He uses mesmerizing reflective effects as an entry point to the composition and directs attention with white paper. John tones down conflicting passages with a mouth atomizer. He continually solves design problems, modifying colors in his foreground figure and lifting to enhance lines. The workshop includes exercises in perspective drawing and extensive discussions of design and reference photography.
This is the final week to receive the pre-order discount … the DVD arrives in our warehouse this week!
Retail Price will be $52.95, Pre-Order Price is $47.95 until the DVD arrives in our warehouse.
DESIGN WITH THE FIGURE
No matter your medium or subject, Polly Hammett offers ways to think about design that will expand your horizons. She uses the figure to explain her multifaceted and open ended approach that assures strong cohesive paintings.
Polly begins by describing what she looks for with her model and how placement and proximity impact the direction of the painting’s content. You see how she assesses value patterns, designs backgrounds, manipulate texture and include mixed media. You also learn how to find direction and strength in your own work when evaluating your paintings. No matter your media, you will gain confidence and learn ways to strengthen your paintings with Polly Hammett’s Design with the Figure.
Valid on Online or Mail-In orders only … Retail price is $39.95 – Sale Price is $34.95 + S/H – Sale ends Tuesday, 11/09/08.
Creative Catalyst Newsletter October 28, 2008
John Salminen Urban Landscape Pre-Order Begins
Overwhelmed by complex subject matter? Learn how one of the nation’s most award-winning artists unifies design in his intricate scenes.
Join John Salminen AWS DF, NWS as he hits the streets of New York City to gather candid reference shots for his urban scene. He shoots with a designer’s eye. When he returns to the studio, he modifies the color and composition of his reference materials. John teaches a simple system for accurately transferring his complex image to watercolor paper. He lays a foundation with careful masking and vivid washes of hard-to-define colors. He concentrates on value relationships as he fills his landscape with shimmering streets and glowing neon. He uses mesmerizing reflective effects as an entry point to the composition and directs attention with white paper. John tones down conflicting passages with a mouth atomizer. He continually solves design problems, modifying colors in his foreground figure and lifting to enhance lines.
This workshop includes exercises in perspective drawing and extensive discussions of design and reference photography.
Get the Pre-Order special price until the DVD arrives in our warehouse.
Retail Price will be $52.95, Pre-Order Price is $47.95 until the DVD arrives in our warehouse.
Learn more and view a workshop preview
If creativity is a fire, then George James may well be the blow torch of ignition!
As a pioneer of YUPO (synthetic paper) James generously reveals his techniques to achieve dependable results in his first workshop, Mastering Yupo. It is a library of information.
In workshop two, The Artistic Process on Yupo, James shares his design considerations, use of symbolism and patterning to create a cohesive composition.
In his third workshop, Designing for Content (part of the CCP Masters’ Series) James focuses on how to develop a personal memory into a meaningful visual statement. He introduces a few new techniques, but the main thrust of the workshop is about one artist’s inner dialog with shape, color, rhythm, form and imagery. It’s a powerful collection from a wonderful teacher.
Valid on Online or Mail-In orders only … GJ1d/GJ2d Retail price is $39.95 – Sale Price is $34.95 and GJ3d Retail Price $59.95 – Sale Price $49.95 + S/H – Sale ends Tuesday, November 4, 08.
Learn more about George James workshops here
Enter to win our weekly and 2nd chance Winter DVD Giveaways! The more you order, the more chances you have to win.
Each week, starting Monday (October 20th), your name automatically goes into a hat for each DVD you order that week. At the end of the week, we will draw one name and announce the winner in our E-Newsletter (winner will also be notified by e-mail). Winners receive one free Creative Catalyst produced DVD of their choice.
But wait, you have a 2nd chance if your name is not drawn that week. The names not drawn that week will move to the 2nd Chance Hat for another drawing held at the end of the period. Then it starts all over again!
Periods Run:
• Begins October 20 & ends November 23, 2008.
• Begins December 1 & ends December 21, 2008.
• Begins January 1 & ends January 31, 2009.
• Begins February 1 & ends February 28, 2009.
(Note: Maximum one free DVD per person, per month)
Craig Nelson says in order to improve your painting; you simply need to put in the brush miles. In his first workshop, Quick Studies, he demonstrates how, if you narrow your focus on specific issues, you can speed up your progress. Additionally, you can see one thing improve. His suggestion applies to other media as well.
To focus on specific issues requires some objectivity about our work. If you lack the confidence to pick an issue, I suggest you simply pick a specific subject and attack one part of it at a time. For example, I enjoy painting faces. I’ve focused on one feature at a time. For a while I studied mouths, then noses, then eyes. With each additional feature, I’ve gained confidence and became braver. The process has become more and more rewarding. If I were interested in still life florals, I might choose foliage, petals, crystal, etc. Then I might choose backgrounds, table tops, etc. You get the drift.
Part of the fun is the investigation on how other artists paint the same thing. You will find that when you narrow your attention, you will see and retain more because it will have more meaning to you.
Next, hands. Yikes!
Cheers, Lynn Powers
More from Lynn in the CCP BLOG
In This Issue
Salminen PRE-ORDER Savings Begin
Behind the Camera: A way to See Yourself Improve
Congratulations to Rebecca Wrenn of Wisconsin, USA for being the winner last week (10/20-26/08).
“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.”
~Pablo Picasso
1881-1973
“In painting, as in the other arts, there’s not a single process, no matter how insignificant, which can be reasonably make into a formula.”
~Pierre Auguste Renoir
1841-1919
From ARTIST TO ARTIST, compiled by Clint Brown
Our next new release is John Salminen’s second DVD workshop Urban Landscapes in Watercolor.
We then shift our attention to beginning oil painting with Craig Nelson’s Solid Foundation in Oil Painting: Still Life. It is everything you need to know to get started in oils. Nelson spends a little extra time describing the importance and use of each material including the various paint qualities, mediums and thinners.
The next new release will be watermedia with Pat Weaver’s delightful workshop on painting animals. Pet lovers everywhere will rejoice with her energetic, loose rendition of our four legged companions. We expect to release this DVD workshop around the first of next year (2009).
George James Workshops
If creativity is a fire, then George James may well be the blow torch of ignition!
As a pioneer of YUPO (synthetic paper) James generously reveals his techniques to achieve dependable results in his first workshop, Mastering Yupo. It is a library of information.
In workshop two, The Artistic Process on Yupo, James shares his design considerations, use of symbolism and patterning to create a cohesive composition.
In his third workshop, Designing for Content (part of the CCP Masters’ Series) James focuses on how to develop a personal memory into a meaningful visual statement. He introduces a few new techniques, but the main thrust of the workshop is about one artist’s inner dialog with shape, color, rhythm, form and imagery. It’s a powerful collection from a wonderful teacher.
Sale ends Tuesday, November 4, 08.
John Salminen Urban Landscape
Overwhelmed by complex subject matter? Learn how one of the nation’s most award-winning artists unifies design in his intricate scenes.
Join John Salminen AWS DF, NWS as he hits the streets of New York City to gather candid reference shots for his urban scene. He shoots with a designer’s eye.
When he returns to the studio, he modifies the color and composition of his reference materials. John teaches a simple system for accurately transferring his complex image to watercolor paper. He lays a foundation with careful masking and vivid washes of hard-to-define colors. He concentrates on value relationships as he fills his landscape with shimmering streets and glowing neon. He uses mesmerizing reflective effects as an entry point to the composition and directs attention with white paper. John tones down conflicting passages with a mouth atomizer. He continually solves design problems, modifying colors in his foreground figure and lifting to enhance lines.
This workshop includes exercises in perspective drawing and extensive discussions of design and reference photography.
Get the Pre-Order special price until the DVD arrives in our warehouse.
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