MIMOSAS' SATURDAY - "Let's Paint With the Greats!"

I love my friend, Linda Bemis!  She allows me to experiment with her.  Today, on Mimosas Saturday, I decided to do something different. --- I made a pitcher of Bloody Mary's, or were they?  You decide.

Linda thought we were going to do a study and some art.  More like bible study.  When she arrived I said, "Let's paint with the Greats!"  Not knowing what was about to happen, Linda was ready to "go."

She checked out some of my art books while I prepared the refreshments.  I made some small sandwiches on Ezekiel bread and Genesis ......??? bread. 

We talked about "Rothko," one of the greatest "colorist" to create.  Then I introduced one of my favorite artists, Wolf Kahn.  Wolf Kahn is alive today.  Some of his work is displayed in a gallery in Naples.  I think his home and study is in the New York area.

One can go on to YouTube and watch videos of Wolf's work.  You can see his studio, and also an Art Show where he was  interviewed.  His two main medias are soft pastel and oil paints.  Wolf Kahn is also a colorist, who uses the "landscape" as his secondary model.  A colorist is one who uses "color as the main subject."

Not studying the "colorists" in great depth, I only know that I love color.  And I love the work of Wolf Kahn.  So, I decided, as I told Linda, " Today we will do a study of one of the paintings by Wolf Kahn.

I chose the painting, "Pines and Violets" because of the colors.  I knew Linda would like the colors.  Linda was game.  The first part of her painting looked like a small rendition of one of Rothko's .  His original works are huge.

We studied the painting of Wold Kahn from his book.  Even though his original painting is soft pastel, for our purposes, it didn't matter.  His work is a "Leaping off place."

Linda was off to a great start.  She quietly confessed, "I am out of my comfort zone."  She also told me there was no anxiety, and she felt "free."  To me that was the highest compliment.  And to Linda, she said it was "Victory!"  ---being she is a perfectionist.  She left that emotion at the door.

Making a few changes, to bring into balance the design, Linda is almost finished for today.

I am so proud of Linda's final painting.  It is beautiful!

The last painting is a picture from the book I have on Wolf Kuhn's paintings.  I think Linda did a wonder job of picking out the important points that make his work beautiful.  To me the lesson is accomplished.  Linda has learned from the "Greats."  Besides learning some of the technique he might apply to his work, Linda will remember who Wolf Kahn is.

Now a few thoughts about my approach and process:

I worked along with Linda.  In the beginning, she followed me, as I studied the painting by Wolf Kahn.  I tried to follow certain important points, mainly concerning the placement of dark colors and lights; and his design and placement of trees.

In the process, I explained to Linda that I think of the painting having three layers.  There are more layers, especially towards the end of a painting.  However, in the beginning, it helps to think of  three.

The first layer, I try to stay close to keeping with the original painting I am doing a study of.

Then, noticing the atmosphere of the middle part of the painting, I begin to layer with glaze.  I start to build the second layer.

Towards the end of the painting, I might let it dry some.  Then go back and highlight.

Acrylic paints always go flat when they dry.  This is usually when I become annoyed with my painting.  I want the original glimmer of color and depth of when I first apply the brush stroke.  At this point of annoyance,  is when I go back and try to recreate that depth.

And, so, as I was saying.....the painting dried and I wanted to do just a little more.......!

So, I reworked the work.

Something to think about.  When I use the Great Masters as a study, I do try, in the beginning to copy very closely the work of the artist.

When I was a younger student, it was important to copy fully the technique of the artist.  However, now, not so important.

If you want a copy of their work, I might not be the best choice of artists to bring you to that perfection of "copying."  I don't like to copy art work.  Whether it is a photograph or an original painting from some greater painter, I don't copy!  But, I take the honey!  I want to learn from the Greats.  I have always studied the "Greats."  And, I have tried to emulate to some degree their technique in order to learn and grow in my craft.  Once I can achieve what they do, in my measure, I leap away from them.

Remember, an artist creates.  An artist does not copy!

Later, after my painting dried, it became very dark.  I just had to do a few finishing strokes.  These strokes took it away from Kahn's final painting.  After all, that was the idea.

I hope you enjoyed this mini lesson.  It is the beginning of "More."  ----I do believe!

It is finished!

"Pines and Violets" - A Tribute to Wolf Kahn

Acrylic Paint - 15" x 20" Canvas

MIMOSAS SATURDAY-  "Let's Paint With the Greats!"

Rita Burton

Call Me to schedule:  321-567-5056

$25 and Appetizer

I will provide the Canvas and Paint.  ---And the Mimosas!

Join us.  Be free!