10/20/2017 9:57:03 AM
As an art teacher, I have the privilege of hearing the most complaints about things that are hard to paint or draw. The understanding and nature of ellipses is a constant struggle.
Here are some tips to help in you improve.
1. Draw a line where the center should be
2. Every ellipse is a mirror if cut in half. (if you could fold it in half, it should match perfectly)
3. Where is your perspective? There should be a point of perspective that each side of the elipse goes to, as if a cylinder
4. Keep your wrist stiff, and your arm straight
5. Draw it several times over and over without touching the paper or canvas.
6. Draw it FAST, (thinking too much never got you very far did it?)
7. Practice, practice, practice
Here is a referral, and I have a link below to see if this helps in your perfection of the ellipse.
Bigger image of ELLIPSES
Drawing the Elipse
Elipse in LIFE
10/3/2017 11:06:03 AM
Impressionism was started in the 19th century by a group of four great young artists Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley and Frédéric Bazille. They met together and ventured into the countryside to paint from life (plein air), and show the sunlight, with small brushstrokes and brighter colors than their other contemporaries that were still painting the dark realistic myths and stories.
They worked at obtaining visual effects instead of details by painting broken small brush strokes of mixed and unmixed color, no blending as was custom, and creating a vibration of colors, by putting opposite color hues side by side. It started as a hostile disagreement among artists and art collectors as to whether it was art or "worthy art". Gradually this form of art was appreciated and loved. It was thought of as a fresh way to see the world.
Impressionism was a precursor to various painting styles, including Neo-Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Cubism.
Monet and Renoir were painting on the traditional red-brown or dark grey toned canvases as was custom, but later the use of a "middle toned" canvas underpainting or imprimatura moved toward a beige or light grey tone. I just saw many of their works in Europe, toured Renoir's house and studio, and Van Gogh's museum as well as the Rijks Museum. The passion to create lively artwork was obvious, and full of energy. I do not see their purpose being held true today in what people are identifying as "impressionism".
I love impressionism as I use it in my own works. I start with a pinkish undertoned canvas and then use a large brush creating energetic brushstrokes of the actual color notes, then move towards my version or style by adding smaller brushstrokes, some mixed color strokes, as well as a palette knife scraping through the entire canvas of wet paint, adding color notes all throughout the painting. I believe that the entire canvas should be colored with multiple layers of interest. I add my own energy and the energy of the moment into a painting and create what I like to call "eye candy". Making your eye dart around, seeing movement, life and color.
Today I see impressionism moving away from the original purpose of the group that started this movement. I see more realism and less impressionism. Contemporary painters are becoming homogenous, and it is hard to distinguish between artists. My intention is to stand out and create something beautiful, staying true to the flavor of "impressionism". I too love to see a great realist painter! But I also love a great impressionist painter. Let us keep with the idea that paintings can have as many flavors as ice-cream! What is your taste?
Happy Creating!
