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INTRODUCTION
My 12th class in ‘Produce Paintings’ and ‘Produce Drawings’ (these being subjects that are part of ‘Certificate III in Visual Arts’) progressed as per usual with the exception of a personal interruption during my ‘Produce Drawings’ class. I’d received a telephone call from 774 ABC Melbourne Radio asking if I would do a telephone interview later that day in relation to the work that I do with Road Trauma Support Services Victoria. I agreed, but it through me a little off-kilter, hence my drawings during this class didn’t receive my uppermost attention unfortunately. I did though enjoy my ‘Produce Painting’ class where I ventured into completing a figurative painting during the class session. One other activity I really enjoy doing on these days is taking photos of and around Degraves Street, usually before I start my classes and during my lunch break. It is another form of creative outlet that provides me with a good sense of well-being!
1 of 18 – Class 12 ‘Produce Paintings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts. Set up ready to start my next painting. Photograph by Karen Robinson Oct 2016. NB All images are protected by copyright
NB: To view my previous blogs about these classes, please click here! For this week's classes No. 12 'Produce Paintings' & 'Produce Drawings' - please scroll down to view.
‘PRODUCE PAINTINGS’ CLASS
Our ‘Produce Paintings’ class commenced with our teacher, VIN RYAN, checking in with each of the students individually. During recent classes, Vin had been encouraging us to research particularly artists that we found inspirational; artists that could assist us in learning more about new techniques and painting styles. In other words, generally to look for ways we could stretch our creative endeavours!
- Source of my painting inspiration: During this session I decided I wanted to paint something that was inspired by a painting titled ‘Night Wind’. It was painted by Lisa Morgan, an Australian Artist and currently lives on the Sunshine Coast (Tusk Gallery 2016). Lisa’s paintings reflect a vibrancy which emanates from the environment she lives within, and is a “study of beauty, colour and light with birds, trees and figures of people situated within her paintings” (Tusk Gallery 2016).
‘Night-Wind’ on Linen 120 x 90cm April 2013 Acrylic, Oil and Charcoal (AGIO) Painted by Lisa Morgan and used as a source of inspiration for my painting in class this week.
MY ‘PRODUCE PAINTINGS’ CLASS PROJECT
- My Painting Palette: My colour palette was based on trying to achieve a colour story that would compliment each other, but also have some colours that would be in contrast to one another. I found myself needing to broaden my colour palette, but without having to make up the colour myself was a desirable thought and more convenient and easier for me. So this week I purchased some new colours being: (1) Old Holland – Ivory Black Extra, Old Holland – Cinnabar Green Light Extra, and Michael Harding’s – Indian Yellow.
5 of 18 – Class 12 ‘Produce Paintings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts. Oil Paint Colour Palette used for this week’s oil figurative painting. Photograph & Painting by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB. All images are protected by copyright
- A3 Canvas Paper: I prepared my canvas paper firstly with a thin coat of the Michael Harding’s oil paint – colour ‘Indian yellow’.
4 of 18 Class 12 ‘Produce Paintings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts – Preparation of A3 Canvas Paper with oil paint – colour Indian Yellow. Photograph & Painting by Karen Robinson Oct 2016. NB All images are protected by copyright
- My Painting Effort – Step by Step: Below shows the step by step approach I took to complete my figurative painting.
- Closeup Of Painting Effort: Here below are small closeup sections of my painting which helps show the texture and flow of the oil paint.
- My Completed Figurative Painting: Inspired by Lisa Morgan and no masterpiece of mine for sure, but I am continuing to enjoy using oil paints. The applying of the paint to the canvas paper is pleasurable, and how it looks on completion is worth the effort of persevering with this medium for me I feel. Very therapeutic – art for therapy!
9 of 18 Class 12 ‘Produce Paintings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts. Figurative Painting Titled: ‘Amber Dream’ in oil paint on A3 Canvas Paper. Photograph & Painting by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
- Work area at the end of my ‘Produce Painting’ class session
18 of 18 Class 12 ‘Produce Paintings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts – Photograph & Painting by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
17 of 18 Class 12 ‘Produce Paintings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts – Photograph & Painting by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
ABOUT MICHAEL HARDING’S OIL PAINT
Michael Harding uses a simple process which dates back to the days of old masters to create handmade oil paint that is vibrant, beautiful and durable with uncompromising quality (Michael Harding 2016).
- Artlines – Stockist of Michael Harding Oil Colours YouTube
- Michael Harding Paints, Comparing Browns demonstrated by Vicki Norman YouTube
ABOUT MIXING COLOR: PAINTING WITH A LIMITED PALETTE
In searching for a YouTube that would help me better understand about using a limited colour palette, I managed to find this one below. “Professional portrait painter Brian Neher demonstrates how to mix a variety of colours for painting portraits by using a limited palette of four colours plus white” (Brian Neher 2015). Brian also explains why he has opted to use a range of ready-made-oil-colours rather than just mixing from a limited palette, in order to save time each day when preparing for his painting activity for the day.
‘PRODUCE DRAWINGS’ CLASS
Our ‘Produce Drawings’ class commenced after our lunch break. This gave me a chance to recharge after the ‘Produce Paintings’ class. The teacher, VIN RYAN had each of us set up our work area in readiness to undertake another session of ‘Life Drawing’. Once again we were made aware of the processes we needed to undertake, which had been explained to us during a previous ‘Produce Drawings’ class session with Toby Dutton.
1 of 15 Class 12 ‘Produce Drawings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts – Photograph by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB images protected by copyright laws
MY ‘PRODUCE DRAWING’ CLASS PROJECT
- Here below is my easel set-up during the ‘life drawing’ class. Under instruction from our teacher, we completed a set of ‘life drawings’ done in quick succession; some being drawn within minutes and others being given up to 20 minutes to complete. As said above my ‘Produce Drawings’ class session was interrupted by a personal telephone call which put me off-kilter a little during this class and took time away from my efforts unfortunately.
5 of 15 Class 12 ‘Produce Drawings’ CAE Class – Certificate 111 in Visual Arts – Life Drawing & Photograph by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB images protected by copyright laws
MOBILE PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Each week before and between these classes I often take photographs, and just on my mobile phone. I have always been a keen ‘photo-taker’ and do enjoy trying to capture small moments of daily life around me. While these photos have been taken on my Samsung 6 mobile phone, I feel it is better than not taking them at all – as using my SLR camera would not be practical on these days. It has inspired me to think about doing more photography in the new year and blogging about it more fully – time will tell!
1 of 8 Flinders Street at Degraves Subway Entrance, Melbourne, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
4 of 8 Coffee at CAE Cafe on Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
5 of 8 Coffee at CAE Cafe on Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
CAE is located in one of Melbourne's iconic cafe/outdoor dining locations - DEGRAVES STREET as photographed above. Degraves Street's bluestone-cobbled lane way, its postcard Parisian atmosphere of outdoor dining under umbrellas, and its quaint retail shops, certainly makes attending CAE's art course each week just that much more of an enjoyable experience!
3 of 8 Degraves Street amongst the cafes early morning, Melbourne, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
6 of 8 Looking up Centre Places from Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
2 of 8 Looking up Degraves Street towards Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
7 of 8 Looking down Centre Places towards Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
8 of 8 Bride and Bridegroom on corner of Centre Places and Flinders Lane,, Australia – Photograph taken by Karen Robinson Oct 2016 NB All images are protected by copyright
CONCLUSION
Am always feeling very fortunate in being able to participate in these painting and drawing classes. My early morning train journey into the heart of the city of Melbourne via Flinders Street Station; and being able to soak up the ambiance of Degraves Street itself during my class break – very much adds to the overall pleasure of the day’s creative outcomes. Art for therapy at its best for sure….
© Karen Robinson – October 2016
While you are here – please check out my home page!
ido art karen robinson 
I am struck once again by how your work is progressing. I love your painting especially. And your enjoyment of the whole experience is obvious. Seems to me this course is s gift that keeps on giving! I enjoy your posts.
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Hi Claudia – thank you once more for such supportive words. While it is very challenging to work with oil paint and in a different genres to what I am used to – it gives me a chance to break free from existing methods and styles…good ‘art for therapy’ for sure!…sincerely Karen
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