Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Canvas on sale

Went to Michael's with Mommy and Delko. Teacher Fred told us there's a sale on 16"x20" canvases. 2 for $6. We bought the canvases, some acrylic paints, and brushes. Also bought some Loew-Cornell shanding and liner brushes. They were 50% off. Not a bad deal! The only bad thing was the service at Michael's. Not a friendly bunch I'm afraid.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Art Class - Week 5 Tuesday

Only Pat, Carmen, and an elderly gentleman were in class today. Mommy and Delko went to a buffet with their Tai Chi class, so I'm on my own. I brought my angel sketch on canvas to work on. But I didn't get much done today. Helped Carmen a bit with her picture, and chatted with Pat while I watched her paint. David arrived about half hour before I planned to leave. He's going to paint a picture of the 60 freeway. I like the canvas he was using. It had a thicker edge and it's 15" square. I'm not sure about the square shape, whether it would fit the type of painting I planned to do. But I like the thicker edge. He told me where to get it. The store is in Orange County. Hmmm.... That's far for me.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Art Class - Week 5 Monday

Mom made some chicken salad sandwiches for our art class today. We're celebrating a few people's birthdays, and people brought food and a cake. I had some chips with salsa and a small sandwich. That was fun. I tried to finish up my painting today, and I've been painting an hour or so last night. But I still can't finish! There's so much details to put in, and more highlights needed for Frida's turban. But I'm just about done with the picture. Teacher picked up the transparent oil paints for me. 9 bottles at $1.50 each. I can't wait to try them! Teacher is so nice! I also bought another canvas so I can start a new picture today. I decided to paint an angel with a violin like the one done by Pinta. She's in some weird position and we looking upwards to her face. I can tell this is going to be tough to sketch, but I'm going to challenge myself to do it anyway.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Art Class - Week 4 Tuesday

I'm still working on Frida's blouse today. Teacher told me I need to spray the picture when I'm done. He said it was very good. Many people are painting landscapes. Many Thomas Kincaid types of scenes. I still don't know what my next picture will be. But I certainly want to try a landscape picture before the end of this year! Teacher announced today that our Summer sessions has been cut by the city. Art class will resume in the Fall. However, he said he will continue to come in on Mondays on a volunteer basis so our art class can continue. What a fantastic teacher Fred is! Everyone was so disappointed when we heard we were getting cut. And then Pat said she will come in on Tuesday, and anyone is welcome to join her. So, I'm happy! 2 days of art again!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Art Class - Week 4 Monday

I've applied the base for the blouse and added some shadows and hightlights yesterday. Today, while in class, I did more shadings and not much else. I walked around the class to see everyone's work. And then stopped to help Carmen a bit with her picture. Fred was pleased with my picture and told me I should have him spray it once I'm done. Quite a few people stopped by to look at my Frida picture. They were very complimentary and encouraging to me. David brought a few pieces of his art work to show us. Apparently, he painted on cabinet doors. Very clever idea! His paintings went very well on the panels and overall effect is great. Richard was working on a unique picture. He said he painted over an old cavas. It's a women's face with lots of interesting things on her head. I love the brilliant and fun colors he used.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Art Class - Week 3 Tuesday

I was able to switch erhu lessons to Thursday once again, so I can make it to the Tuesday art class. I really enjoy coming to art class! Today I worked more on Frida's reboso (shawl). It's slowly coming along. I used some white for highlighting it at first, but it had a muddy look. So I repainted the red and started over. Fred (teacher) is airbrushing a beautiful Da Vinci painting. Later, he showed me how to use the airbrush and let me have a go at it. I am overjoyed to learn something new. Air brushing is great fun!

Well, I am truly humbled in the presence of all these artists! And I am so appreciative of teacher who is so encouraging and motivating. He told me to bring it to his friend's gallery, and that's where his works are also displayed, and bring my picture to show the owner. I think it will be great to get some feedback from the gallery, but, I'm not planning sell this painting since this is my first one. Richard made this fantastic desert painting yesterday. I'm so glad he brought it again today so I can see it and also take a picture of him with his painting. Wonderful bright colors! I love it. Here's Carmen, working on her architectural painting. Looking good! More students working on their paintings. Nellie is painting her daughter. What a lovely composition! And I love the red. Gus has airbrushed the car and the background, and now, adding the details. I can't wait to see the finished work. This is a wonderful place! I love seeing how each artist's painting evolves from the initial pencil sketch.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Art Class - Week 3 Monday

This is my 3rd time coming to art class. I love it here! There are so many talented artists, and everyone is so encouraging and friendly, and we have a really great teacher, Fred.

Today, I tried a translucent oil paint that is water soluble. I used that for shading the reboso, and it worked really well! I'm very pleased with the effects.
Mommy has started on her 3rd canvas. She's painting a Chinese lady playing the bamboo flute.
Delko is still working on her mini landscape. I think it's very good for her first painting!