Color Intensive Workshop, Days 3 Through 5

Tonight I have that pleasant, contented kind of fatigue. I'm glad my Color Intensive Workshop is over because I am soooo tired - but I'm sorry it's over because it was such a wonderful experience.  Susan Sarback did a stellar job of teaching, my co-students were a great group, & I feel I made some forward strides in my painting goals.


Day 3 -  I "hit the wall".  For 2 days I was riding on such a high & I dreamed of working out painting problems both nights.  Come the 3rd day & I was exhausted.  By mid-afternoon I couldn't think straight.  When I got home (around 5:30) I just wanted to crawl into bed!  I forced myself to stay up until 10:00 just so I wouldn't be up at 2:00 AM.


Day 3 Susan did a 2 1/2 hour demo.  She explained everything she was doing through each step & why she was doing it.  It's one of the best demos I've seen & I feel I learned so much from it.

Spotting for value & Temperature

Still Life

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Finished Painting

I got a really good night's sleep at the end of day 3 & on day 4 I felt so much better!  I needed that rest, too, because day 4 we painted ALL DAY.  Then today (day 5) we painted from 9:00-11:30, broke everything down & went to lunch.  From 1:00-3:00 Susan did a critique.  I finished my 2nd study by about 10:45, so I just kicked back & "vegged" until 11:30.  This is Study #2:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Finished Study

I really pushed myself on this 2nd study because I'm drawn to the warm color range of yellow, orange, & red.  In this study I forced myself to attempt rose, magenta, & blue. 

The critique was very good.  Susan asked all of us to participate. The point was to evaluate value range, temperature range, & chroma range.  Whether or not we liked the color or the painting wasn't relevant.  Then she wanted us to give our opinion of the overall feeling conveyed by the individual's paintings.  This indicates an artist's true style & Susan said we shouldn't fight our style because it's with us forever.  The group felt my paintings were "strong" & "interesting".  One person said they had an "other worldly" feel.  So I guess I've got a "style" & didn't even know it, although I'm not quite sure I know what "interesting" means!  Now it's back to a "normal" life & I'm soooo glad I don't have to get up early tomorrow!!