Painting at Sheridan

Painting class if great at the beginning because you're working hard, blockin' your colour in like a boss, and then you step away from it and realize it's a big wet pile of boogers. And then you look around the room to see everyone else happily working away at their non-boogery paintings, and you begin to feel like a big wet pile of boogers yourself. Basically painting class is an emotional roller coaster.
However, improvement has occurred!
Some things I have learned from my painting instructor that I didn't know before (sorry if this is insulting to those of you who already know how to paint)
1. Begin with a quick sketch of the basic shapes in your composition (eg. a circle for an apple)
2. Block the approximate colour in quickly so there is no more white (it will help you compare colours when mixing later).
3. Squinting helps gauge colour. Do it often.
4. Go from larger areas of colour to more detailed bits of colour. Think about it like layering pieces of construction paper to get a final image, NOT like painting lines. Painting is not drawing (sadly, or I would be better at it) Adjust any areas that aren't proportioned correctly in the beginning, not when you're doing fiddly little details or else you will ruin all your work :(
5. Step back from your painting lots and lots. It helps you to see how badly you suck. Up close your painting looks like it has a higher contrast then it actually does. (And paintings look good with lots of contrast)
6. Paint what you actually see it. Don't paint what you think you see, or what seems right. And don't choose a prettier colour because you think it will look better (guilty).

What time is it? IMPROVEMENT TIME!

Week One:

Week Eight: