Painting Shadows and Light

Thursday at the Park by Sharon Weaver

The park, at first glance, wasn't too inspiring. No mountains, many of the trees were bare and the sky was hazy. But this was the meeting place, so the plein air group that meets on Thursday scattered around the park to paint.

I enjoy painting doorways, so I decided to paint the building across the street looking through the trees. It was a complicated composition and it took a lot of effort to achieve what I wanted. The color in the shade of this building was very tricky. I originally had it a tan color (see below) but found it to be too dull. Adding a blue-gray to the building really increased the depth and interest of the painting.

I also darkened the lawn and rock nearest me so the eye moves more easily to the doorway, which is the center of attention. I added the slightest bit of pink at the top of the sky and accents of orange to the steeple, steps, hand rail and large tree trunk.

When we all stopped to have lunch, I was surprised at the dozens of artist who were painting in the park. It was an impressive group of paintings. Here are two that I think are exceptional. Laura Wambsgans painted the palm trees and Richard Scott, a new participant in the group, painted the path.

To subscribe to my blog enter your email in the box at the right. You will then be notified when I post a new entry. You can purchase any of the paintings featured in my blog. Just click on the title and buy it online through PayPal or Contact Sharon. You can see more of my art at my website at SharonWeaver.com

The Saints Win the Super Bowl

Thursday Paintout Group

"The way to succeed is by increasing your failure rate." Karl Dempwolf

Despite the odds and Peyton Manning, the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl. Usually all my blog posts are art-related but the Saints' win over the favored Indianapolis Colts is noteworthy for several reasons.

The smart money was on the Colts. The key factor the smart money didn't take into account was the determination of the Saints. In mid-season, when the Saints were losing, I predicted a win by the Saints in the Super Bowl. I told a fellow sports fan that I thought the Saints were the real deal; they had a tough defense, their offense could run and pass and their ability to force turnovers was high. But ultimately what kept the Saints in the game was the willingness of the coach and the team to take a chance, to risk it all with determination and guts. If they had not tried the onside kick at the start of the second half, the outcome of the game may have been very different. The team knew it was risking great field position for the Colts, but I believe that even if the onside kick hadn't worked in the Saints' favor, they would not have given up and would have tried something else. The point is, they took a chance, they tried, and it worked.

So how does this relate to art and you? I am encouraging all the artists out there to take a chance and try something different. Whether it is risking rejection by entering that national contest, painting something completely out of your comfort zone or trying to paint outside on location. You must accept the possibility of failure in order to have the option of success.

SFVAC Demo: David Deyell

David Deyell Starting his Demo

The San Fernando Valley Art Club February meeting featured watercolor artist David Deyell. Using a large paper and brush, David paints with a free, spontaneous confidence. He emphasized the importance of values in any successful painting and passed around a red filter which he uses to evaluate how effective the values are in his work.

David at the Break

With only one large brush, David achieves fine lines and many different textures. His trick is to paint with every part of the brush, side, tip, face and hilt. He will roll the brush on the paper, punch it with the tip, use dry brush or lots of water. Variety is key and he always remembers to allow the brush strokes to show.

David Finished Painting of Half Dome

As a contemporary California Impressionist, David's work is simple, expressive and full of energy. He paints with an abandon that is inspiring. Often on location painting plein air, David conducts workshops in Yosemite and teaches. The SFVAC wants to thank David for a wonderful demo.

Michelle Nosco, SFVAC President, In Front of David's Paintings

To subscribe to my blog enter your email in the box at the right. You will then be notified when I post a new entry. You can purchase any of the paintings featured in my blog. Just click on the title and buy it online through PayPal or Contact Sharon. You can see more of my art at my website at SharonWeaver.com

Painting the Coast

Looking Toward Malibu

Just beyond the northern tip of Malibu, the coast is shaped by rocky jetties that plunge into the ocean. Small beaches have formed between these rock formations, their size depending on the chances of the tide.

This past Friday was a spectacular day as Marian Fortunati and I drove to Leo Carrillo to paint. Parking on the road, we walked to the cliff overlook. The lone lifeguard stand was the only sign of man. The colors of the ocean where a lovely contrast to the rocks and the sky had wispy clouds on the horizon.

I painted the receding mountains along the horizon as their softer color faded into the distance. The closer rocks were hit with the waves of high tide. The ocean was the last area to be painted but I took my time with the wave formations.

It was a great day of painting and the only mishap was when the seagulls stole Marian's sandwich right out of her bag. We watched as they ate it on the beach below.

FADA Los Angeles Art Show 2010

It is always a treat to see great art, so when FADA (Fine Art Dealers Association) comes once a year to Los Angeles, it is a must see show. This year was no exception. I have included a cross section of some of my favorites but with so many interesting works, it was difficult to narrow the field. Enjoy.

















The colors and thick texture of this portrait where astounding and in stark contrast to the monotone of the Japanese paint brush used for calligraphy art.













Malcolm T. Liepke's paintings seem to come from another time. The strong lines and composition hold the subject in a state of suspension. Brad Reuben Kunkle uses gold leaf in his moody, romantic subjects that give his work a supernatural quality.




Along with the contemporary artists where classic paintings. These two by William Bouguereau are lovely examples of his amazing skill with composition, texture and subject.




And, of course, there where wonderful landscapes. This tranquil scene seems an appropriate one to end my blog.

Figure Drawing: Lesson 1

Figure: Back View

On Tuesday nights, I have been going to the Art Directors Guild for a life drawing class. I haven't had the opportunity to do this since college so I was unsure if I would do well, enjoy it or whether it would influence my painting. After going for a number of months, I am happy to say the class has proved to be an invaluable asset to my life and my work. The fact that it is right around the corner from me and only costs $10 makes it almost impossible not to go, even when I don't "feel" like it.

The discipline needed to accurately draw the figure has translated into a noticeable improvement with my plein air painting. My observational skills have been heightened by this weekly practice. Patterns that I didn't see before are now revealed throughout the landscape, allowing me to paint with more confidence.

If you are an artist, I recommend drawing, drawing, drawing. It will force you to observe your subject on an elevated level of awareness. It will force you to be better.

To subscribe to my blog enter your email in the box at the right. You will then be notified when I post a new entry. You can purchase any of the paintings featured in my blog. Just click on the title and buy it online through PayPal or Contact Sharon. You can see more of my art at my website at SharonWeaver.com

Plein air Painting with Palette Knife

Along the Path

Just another gorgeous winter day in LA. Marian Fortunati joined me to paint with my Thursday plein air group at Eaton Canyon. With so many wonderful places to paint, I could return to Eaton Canyon every day and never run out of inspiration.

We got there a little later than I like, so I quickly set up and scrubbed in the background hills. The shrubs in the mid ground where a lovely combination of colors that I applied thickly with my palette knife. I let the background primer of burnt umber with yellow show as the sandy path and surrounding ground, adding a little contrast for texture. It was a bit of a challenge to vary the rocks that lined the path, in size, shape and color.

We all met on site for lunch and did a little show of all the wonderful paintings that were created that morning. I have only been painting with this group for about a year and have seen an improvement in everyone's work.

To subscribe to my blog enter your email in the box at the right. You will then be notified when I post a new entry. You can purchase any of the paintings featured in my blog. Just click on the title and buy it online through PayPal or Contact Sharon. You can see more of my art at my website at SharonWeaver.com