Turn On The Light
Autumn and Indian Summer in the mountains are exciting times for an artist. The sunlight is gorgeous as it comes through the trees and lights up the fall colors. This painting was done in Steamboat Springs and I am heading up there this week to teach a plein air workshop. I lived there for ten years and it is always exciting to go home again. The aspen trees which appear white at first are actually full of color and I used yellow ochre, cobalt violet, and raw sienna for the lighter areas and burnt sienna mixed with ultramarine blue for the darker bark. The color scheme is predominately warm and the deep greens in the evergreen trees are used as accents to counter balance the Autumn colors. The larger aspen trees touch the bottom and top borders and overlap the foreground, middle ground, and background thus adding depth to the composition. As an artist I always think of Autumn and Indian Summer as a time of change and new opportunities. I encourage you to consider my Art Students League of Denver classes below:
The Puzzle of Painting Landscapes in Watercolor Ability: All
Tuesdays, Sep 10 - Oct 22 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Do you think of your painting as a puzzle in the box? Geared for beginners to intermediate skill-levels, discover how to assemble the interlocking pieces to create strong landscape compositions. Find visual clues as Dennis demonstrates lessons on painting trees, foliage, clouds, skies, buildings, mountains and water surfaces. Reference material will be provided or use your own. Basic watercolor knowledge needed.
Go Figure: Painting People in Watercolor Ability: All
Wednesdays, Sep 11 - Oct 23 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Get down to the bare bones of figure painting. Learn to measure proportions and organize the figure using light and shadow. Study skin tones, gestures, values and edges putting it all together painting live models. Fall head over heels as your skills develop. Basic watercolor knowledge needed.
The Power of Color for the Watercolorist Ability: All
Tuesdays, Oct 29 - Dec 17 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Working with the color wheel as a guide, improve your painting by mastering different color schemes. Dennis will teach and demonstrate color relationships as you paint monochromatic, complementary, analogous, and triad color combinations. Learn meaningful color choices that make dynamic and harmonious works of art. Reference material will be provided. Basic watercolor knowledge needed.
Models in Costume for the Watercolorist Ability: Intermediate, Advanced
Mondays, Oct 28 - Dec 16 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Varying kinds of dress determine the character or persona of the figure. With a different costume and stage set each week such as a Gatsby flapper, a tavern wench, and the Audrey Hepburn outfit from "Breakfast at Tiffany's", you will learn how to paint fabric, gesture and facial expression. Don't miss this opportunity to let your figure paintings tell stories.
Introduction to Painting in Watercolor Ability: Beginner
Session A: Wednesdays, Sep 11 - Oct 23 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Session B: Mondays, Oct 28 - Dec 16 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Get started with the fundamentals of watercolor painting, learning how to choose the right papers, paints and brushes. Study the color wheel, practice mixing colors and learn about value as you explore techniques in direct painting, wet-on-wet, dry brush and washes. You will be painting still lifes by the end of the class.
To register for classes, contact the Art Students League of Denver at 303-778-6990 or online at asld.org.
Happy Painting! Dennis Pendleton
