Assignment for Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Beach or Clouds – A Different Approach

Building on the last assignment (clouds or beach), this study takes it a step further by beginning with a cloth instead of a brush. Recommended that you start a new piece, or the same one a second time. These forms are ethereal, so painting them can sharpen your eye and your technique,

• Dampen a piece of cloth with Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits). Rub a small amount of paint into the cloth and apply it to the canvas with broad, confident strokes.
• Occasionally mix colors directly on the canvas, “borrowing” a tone from one area and spreading it to another—this creates harmony and speeds the process.
• Let each tone extend beyond its boundary, then pull it back in with the adjacent tone. This back-and-forth approach builds subtle transitions.
• After the block-in, switch to a bristle filbert brush. Use it to refine shapes, tones, and edges. Pay close attention to brush angle, pressure, and speed—make each stroke deliberate.
• In an overcast scene, light is soft and diffused. Keep contrasts subtle, edges softer, and colors slightly muted. Use the opposite approach for a brightly-lit scene.

Assignment for Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Choose either Clouds or Beach/Ocean Studies

Option 1 – Painting Clouds

• Start bold and simple, using plenty of body in the paint. Think broadly and establish form quickly.
• Finish with thinner, transparent paint, refining the edges and shapes as you go. This layering creates depth and atmosphere.
• Avoid “drawing” the contours—approach clouds as if you are sculpting form and volume with the brush.
• Let the clouds feel fully integrated into the sky. They should belong to the atmosphere, not float separately on top of it.

Option 2 – Beach or Ocean Studies

• Focus on depth and distance. Suggest the vastness of space by layering values and softening edges as forms recede.
• Use stronger, more chromatic colors in the foreground to suggest direct sunlight and intensity. Let colors soften and cool as they move back.
• Vary your brushstrokes—horizontal strokes can make the painting feel too rigid. Use directional variety to suggest motion, surf, or changing reflections.
• Keep the horizon line precise but not harsh. A clear yet softened horizon will both anchor the scene and suggest distance.

Whether you choose clouds or ocean, the goal is to balance structure and atmosphere—strong enough to feel real, yet soft enough to breathe.

Assignment for Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Assignment for Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Working Quickly

Complete 2 Quick Oil Studies.
Focus on simplicity and breadth rather than detail.

• Keep the paintings small and manageable: 8 × 10 inches maximum. Small scale encourages decisive marks and quick decisions.
• Limit yourself to no more than 45 minutes – 1 hour per study, completing each in a single session if possible. This encourages immediacy over perfection.
• Use a limited palette of 5 colors: white, ivory black, raw sienna, alizarin crimson, and a fifth color of your choice. Focus on values rather than a full spectrum.
• Start with a flat, abstract underpainting as demonstrated in class. Develop the form and add detail once the block-in is complete.
• Use bristle brushes and/or a palette knife. Avoid soft brushes at this stage to encourage confident, textural marks.

Remember: these studies are about speed and economy of handling. Forget accuracy for now. You’re building a foundation and loosening up.