Florida Workshop Wrap Up

So, here is a shot of the workshop group on our last day (photo credit: Tony De Furio). It was a great group and I think we all worked hard and had fun. Photo credits below: Karen Rose, Mallory Marshall.

Me- holding forth

Teaching indirect painting techniques is always a challenge in such a short period of time. I also wanted to make sure that I encouraged the class to work from life and especially to use drawing and observation as tools for studio work. We went out to sketch several different times and students returned to certain spots on their own when they felt they needed additional information for the work we were doing in the studio. This method of working in the field, training visual memory and using drawing as a primary field sketching tool was new to some. Those who had studied with me before in either online classes or workshops were more familiar with it and encouraged the others to embrace this way of working.

Little Everglades Ranch provided an endless source of inspiration- huge trees, ponds and lakes, beautiful morning mist, clouds and big skies, cows, horses, and all sorts of wildlife

And there was time for a little fishing. Steve had a great time!

Spring Break

Spring's Promise

20 x 20

I'm taking a short break from the Lennox Woods project. Tomorrow we head for Florida where I will be teaching a workshop next week at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Steve and I lived in this part of Florida for many years, and of course, I was born and raised in Florida, so we are coming home. It will be a good group of 14 students, some who have taken classes or workshops before and several who haven't. We'll have fun and work hard.

My next workshop is this summer, in the beautiful San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. As long time readers know, I have participated in the Telluride Plein Air show for the last seven years which is held over the July 4th holiday. This year I'll be teaching right after the show at the Aha Haa School of Art. This is a gorgeous location and the school will provide great facilities for the class. Here's the link for more information and to register.

Little Everglades Ranch Workshop

I have just one spot left in this workshop which begins on March 26. Little Everglades Ranch is a beautiful pristine slice of "Old Florida" and a wonderful location for this class.

This five day class will focus on both work in the field and studio time, using sketches and studies to produce paintings in the studio. We will learn about indirect painting techniques like glazing , scumbles and velaturas which create luminosity and atmosphere in your works, study the works of past masters, learn about how to design more compelling finished works, and how a limited palette and and close value ranges can create a strong mood in your work.

Just one spot left. Join us for a fantastic week in Florida!

Here is the link for information and registration.

http://deborahparisonlineclasses.blogspot.com/p/workshops.html

Finding A Balance

In the Pines
24 x 20
detail

I like to think that mystery plays a big part in my work- like a character in a novel. Not surprisingly, my painting process reflects this. The layers of glazes and scumbles obscure some the initial information in the underpainting and create areas of visual uncertainty. But I have also found that I crave some beauty in the surface itself- areas of deep dark mystery surrounded by suggestive passages of paint. Enough form to satisfy our lizard brain's powers of recognition but not enough to destroy the playground of imagination. It is a difficult balance, and I am always veering off one side of the road or the other.

I have had a wonderful response to the announcement of the Little Everglades Ranch Florida workshop next spring, with many taking advantage of the Early Bird Special for those who register this month! Also, just in time for summer, the online course The Painted Sky returns next month. Details here.

Exciting News!

photo courtesy bluecentaur.com

From the Field to the Studio: A Slice of Heaven in Old Florida

I am excited to announce a five day workshop to be held at Little Everglades Ranch, Dade City, Florida, March 26-30, 2012. Little Everglades Ranch is a pristine 2000 + acre working ranch located in Dade City, Florida (about 45 miles northeast of Tampa). It is a beautiful location- a true slice of "Old Florida" with gorgeous huge live oaks, cypress, tall pines, wild life, ponds, lakes and streams, cattle and horses. Be sure to check out the Ranch website here- there are lots of photos and a great video about the ranch which will give you an idea of what a special place it is. Ranch owner Sharon Blanchard and Ranch Manager Katie Carris are old friends of mine and I have had the privilege of painting on the ranch over the years. I can truly say as both an artist and native Floridian, it is one of the most beautiful pieces of natural landscape in Florida.

For more information or to register, please visit the page listed at the top of the sidebar or click here.