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Saturday, October 22, 2011

CLASSES, CLASSes, CLAsses, classes.........


I  admit  it---I'm  addicted  to  them.   Currently,  I'm in  5 (well,  actually,  one  of  them  doesn't  start  until  January),  and  one  is  an  on-going  workshop,  but  still.......And  I  am  what  you  all  know  as  "the  lurker".    But.....I   am  still  learning.   Basically  what  I've  been  doing  while  I've  been  getting  ready  for  my  shows,  is  watch  the  videos  while  I'm  working  on  my  art  pieces.   I  like  to  listen  to  the  teachers  talk,  and  I'm  always  picking  up  some  good  tips.

Now  that  I  have  a  little  bit  of  time  until  my  next  show,  I  had  to  have  some  fun  in  Jane  Davenport's  Supplies  Me  Class  with  my  prismacolor  colored  pencils  to  start--

I  was  never  really  crazy  about  working  with  these  pencils,  but  the  way  she  shows  her  method  of  using  them  is  a  lot  easier  for  me --very  liberal  and  lots  of  color,  and  then  when  you  blend  the  colors  together,  they  become  very  creamy......but  yet  still  not  completely  blended  which  is  the  look  I  really  like.  

Plus,  I've  also  been  playing  with  watercolors  and  pastels  (prismacolor  nupastel  color  sticks)--





People  will  ask  me  if  I've  ever  had  formal  training,  and  I'll  tell  them  that  I'm  self-taught,  but  that  I've  learned  so  much  from  taking online classes.
   Two  years  ago  I  was  afraid  to  even  sketch  a  face,  let  alone  use  all  of  these  different  mediums.   And  I   tell  them  that  anyone  can  learn  this  as  long  as  they  have  the  passion  for  it.

Plus,  as  much  as  I  love  making  art  for  other  people,  I  don't  have  to  tell  any  of  you,  that  there's  nothing  like  making  art  just  for  yourself!


 Okay....so....I  have yet  another  class  that  I'll  be  starting  in  November--Christy  Tomlinson's  She Art 2  Class.   I  couldn't  possibly  have  said  no  to  this  class--my  she  art  girls  were  a  big  hit  at  my  shows.   All  of  them  have  found  homes.    And  yes,  there's  one other  class  too  that's  offered  by  another  Tomlinson  lady--Sharon.   She  hasn't  even  opened  up  registration  yet,  but  when  I  saw  it  on  her  blog,  I  knew  that  this  one  was  for  me  also.   It's  called  Faces  in  Collage,  and  it's  coming  soon.   Sharon  is  one  of  my  favorite  artists.   Every  time  I  visit  her  blog,  I  am  just  amazed  at  her  talent.

So  as  you  can  see,  I'm  going  to  have  a  lot  to  keep  me  busy  this  winter.   Winters  can  be  brutal  here,  but  I  don't  mind  them  that   much  anymore    : )


35 comments:

  1. I'm really bummed out I can't take any new classes. I hear Jane's class is all the rave now and rightfully so. :) Your lady is magnificent! I always love how you decorate the background around the girls.

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  2. Well now you got me wanting to take some classes! LOL. Love your journal page,especially her hair and the flowers all around her. Beautiful.

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  3. Diane, You are a doll! Thanks for the shout out about all the classes. And for sharing your girl with different mediums. I also always like how you paint your backgrounds around the girls. It is such a part of your style. I think.

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  4. This is just beautiful. I need to learn how to use some of my stash of new art supplies in new ways...and better ways. I love your background as well as the girl with layered flowers! Gorgeous colors...striking. Kathy

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  5. All I can say is you speak many truths, except I don't have a lot of classes going, I will have one soon tho.

    Such good examples of a face with the different mediums, it is fun and I had been doing that also .
    I did some fast things because lately time has been short.

    Maybe I will get to sit by you in class sometime.

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  6. Very nice! I love the picture!:)

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  7. Oh Diane we are so alike - I'm a total class addict too! Only I never quite seem to finish any of them before I'm starting the next!
    You are so right about passion though. With passion we can achieve anything we want. Your art is incredible and it looks like you've painting for years. What an inspiration you are!

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  8. OMG girl, that is SOOOOO beautiful. Loved watching it transform! Lila

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  9. love what you did here , diane.... i had to chuckle when i read your classes, classes, classes......i know the feeling.....i, too, am waiting for sharon's class.....and she art2.... ;-0

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  10. Thank you for this post, Diane! Maybe this encouragement will stop me procrastinating about classes. They always look like fun but I talk myself out of it for lack of time but you are right. We SHOULD take time for making art for ourselves, just for the joy of it!

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  11. Hi Diane,

    I am still playing catchup in blogland at the mo, I have enjoyed taking a look round your blog at all that I have missed since I have been on my hols.

    This is such a fabulous page!!

    Hugs Juls

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  12. Your work is always amazing to me and you're right...it's all about having a passion for the work. I was reading about the faces class on Sharon's blog yesterday and I'm definitely intrigued! Right now I'm doing the hot wax class with Judy Wise and loving it!
    Happy Weekend Diane, :)
    ♥Jenny

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  13. What about Life Book? Are you doing that in January? I LOVE seeing what you're up to, and loved seeing the different mediums and they way they change the look of the same face - thanks too for the links - there's lot's for me to investigate now ;0 xoxo

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  14. Diane I love what you did with this girl!! And you already know I too am quite addicted to online classes! lol I signed up for She Art 2 because as you said "how could I not"! And I also saw Sharon's new one which looks great. The first online class I ever took was with Sharon!!

    I am so behind with them all but I feel like I always take something great from each one!

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  15. It is always a treat to see how you "Dianify" (real word ;P) different techniques and mediums!

    Your results are always a delight to the eyes!

    ...and btw....I painted the crow and your owl at the same time...so, perhaps, just maybe, they might be reunited....we'll have to see what the fates say :D

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  16. I like how the whole portrait came together. I love your color choices. I love Christy Tomlinson classes. Did you see her new shows at My Craft Channel, it is very good.

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  17. I love your artwork today, you are so talented with faces, amazing you have really only been painting faces for two years. thank you for inspiring me to pick up my brushes today. good luck with all your classes.

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  18. Hi Diane, I wished I had done Jane's class now but like you I am already doing so many. I have learned so much and it has helped me with my confidence! I may do Sharon's as I love collage but often can't make myself paint over things, maybe she can give me a push!
    ManonX

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  19. You are one very lucky lady to be able to take all those classes. I have never had a desire to draw a face, so that doesn't really interest me. However, I love seeing what you are making and that hair is just incredible.

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  20. Gorgeous...I've had a hard time with prismacolors in the past but viewing your photos makes me want to give them another shot! Your art is amazing!
    ~Scarlett

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  21. She is a beauty, Diane! I love how she progressed. Hope you got to watch Ghost Adventures Friday - one of my favorites and I have stayed at the Lizzie Bed and Breakfast. I thought this show was done so differently from their others. I was impressed. Hugs!

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  22. Ooo faces in collage that sounds really intriguing! This page is lovely. I'm not good with pencils - even the prisma ones - I tend to be too heavy handed I think - but I love the effect you have created in this face and the hair is GREAT! Then the gorgeous background and decorations just completes a wonderful piece of art.

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  23. Dear Diane,
    This makes me just open my eyeas wide up, she is the most beautiful face you have ever made, --I think-- the colourering is fantastic, and she looks right into my heart- I love her hairdo- and what you added for background is fabolous.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  24. oh good grief..this sounds like me! oh how i love classes and we shall never be set on a "stop learning" drive. your new endeavors are so terrific and sooo diane...they resemble you in fact :). and i may be right there along side of you with sharon's class, i love her style with faces! much love and fun to you on this fine sunday my friend! xo

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  25. Diane, this is a beautiful portrait, and I love the background and butterflies you added. I'm so excited to hear about Sharon's class. I hope I can participate! I am learning so much from artists online. When will you be holding your own workshop? I will be the first to sign up! LOL

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  26. Oh my goodness, Diane! This is absolutely lovely!!!! I love the leaves and butterflies and the dreamy background. Jut gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the info on the classes!

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  27. this journal page of yours looks alive. heart beaty. real. & so, of course, beautiful.
    i love how you play. jump in. splash. be.
    lovelove to you! xox

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  28. This piece is so lovely! And I know that fear of faces... I fear drawing them too!

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  29. love your portrait.. I agree that we are always learning all the time. I am currently having at got at watercolours which is a steep learning curve for me but I like to challenge myself as like yourself we are always learning

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  30. Hi Diane...I haven't been by in awhile. I see you are very busy making art. I'm addicted to classes, although; I can say I am in no classes right now...I'm looking at Sharon's class coming up. This face is wonderful...all your faces always look great!!
    Cheers,
    Mary

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  31. Hi Diane,
    Gosh, I love seeing the steps on how this gorgeous piece came about.
    Hm, I'm a bit like you when it comes to pencils.
    Give me a brush anyday!
    Really good to hear you've had so much fun and learnt heaps with these online classes.
    Good on you!
    Creative hugs,
    Anna

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  32. I love online classes, but I'm TRYing not to take any right now. We'll see how long that lasts, lol! Gorgeous journal page!

    xoEsther

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  33. You know I always love your faces, she is beautiful, and the background work is amazing!

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  34. This is a golden post...so many helpful links...thank you for sharing. I love faces too and I am going to look into the colored pencil class because I too have been a little puzzled as to how to use them effectively. Your girl art is so beautiful!

    Have a great day!

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  35. I find pencils hard to work with but your piece turned out magical. It's so rich looking. I think the wording adds so much to it as well.

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