Mixing Colors by Ed Kane

 

  

Those of us that work in color are familiar with the Primary, secondary & tertiary colors all starting with the basics of red, yellow & blue. How many of us paint only using the primary colors? How many have considered it, but felt that it would lack something?

 



All work is the property of the Artist Ed Kane

Well I've been using only yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and Prussian blue over the years as part of a field sketch kit when I was re-enacting on weekends and had some down time from the battle scenarios, and duties in camp. For the past year I've been painting with these three colors on a daily basis doing demonstrations as a colonial artist.

 



I've come to appreciate the way in which the value of the color is affected by the amount of water used to dilute it and how one wash affects another. Also the amount of a certain color mixed with another will either be too light or too dark. Adjusting the mixture as I paint can be very interesting. Studying period manuscripts (via the internet) have been very helpful and informative.

 

It can be frightening, but after awhile, one learns from one's own mistakes and you begin to get comfortable. However, I'm demonstrating for five hours and generate several small works of which some are framed and others will go to my recycle pile or be used as a seedling for a larger piece and a full palette.  Not every piece is a success, I'll be the first to admit that. But creating the piece is not the goal of the exercise, learning what I can and can not do with the limited palette is the true goal. Experiencing the changes that take place with water and paint is wonderful. Also consider painting with water first then add a drop of the color you intend to use in a area. Watch how the color swirls and tries to escape the boundary you set with the water you previously brushed onto the paper.

 

As artists one of our jobs is to learn, we learn by doing and experimenting. So take the plunge and just use the three primary colors and mix as you paint. While you are doing it have some fun.

Lat Nights Meeting: The Human Figure

Last night was the monthly meeting of the North Penn Arts Alliance and what a great time.

The subject was the human figure and we are grateful that one of our members works with models for his illustrations. A model dressed in Egyptian attire posed for 15 minute segments and allowed us to do croquis or quick sketches. This was done for an hour and a half while Dan Fione facilitated the session and monitored our progress. As he walked the room he provided helpful tips and spoke about the need to sketch and draw each day.

He mentioned that each drawing is a building block to the next "finished" piece. As an illustrator he draws the figure to continue to learn and at the same time work out the way a figure would be when foreshortened. That is how a figure would be seen in perspective.  

In addition several books were mentioned to help artists to understand and learn anatomy to make your drawings or paintings more lifelike. Some of these books can be found in local libraries. Here are some of the titles:

"A Handbook of Anatomy for Art Students"  by Arthur Thomson, this book has been around since 1896 and is still used today. The copy that was shown last night was a reprint of the 5th edition published in 1929. Several copies can be found at Amazon also search in Google Books for a pdf.

Another one is "Anatomy for Artists" by Reginald Marsh, this is primarily prints and diagrams showing the human figure in many different positions but is helpful when you don't have a model.

Also "The Figure - The Classic Approach to Drawing & Construction" by Walt Reed, this book add additional information on the construction of the head and the hand. Showing each in different positions.

Measuring and proportions were mentioned several times throughout the evening. But most of all everyone learned and at the same time had fun doing it. Even those that did not bring art supplies, there were pencils and paper provided.  The main theme mentioned was that you need to observe and sketch or draw every day but have fun doing it.

Hope to see you at a meeting in the future.

For more about the North Penn Arts Alliance please visit us at www.northpennarts.org

 

Encouraging Artists and Arts Enthusiasts to Learn, Grow, Network, and Create in a Supportive Environment.

 

To see more of Dan Fione's work please visit:  www.danfione.com
 

 

This Holiday Support the Arts

This Holiday Support the Arts

The Holidays have arrived and everyone wants something. Did you ever consider

a piece of art or supporting a local Arts organization? Local Arts organizations such as the North Pen

"Carousel Horse" by NPAA Member Ed Kane

n Arts Alliance network with artists from all disciplines and provide outlets for them to display their gifts of artwork. Purchasing a piece of art through the North Penn Arts Alliance supports both the Artist and the Alliance. By doing so you have a piece of art that you enjoy and will enjoy for a long time to come. You support the artist with your purchase as the price includes the artist's time, talent, and energy to create the piece you enjoy so much. Finally a small portion supports the North Penn Arts Alliance to continue encouraging Artists and Arts Enthusiasts to Learn, Grow, Network and Create in a supportive environment.  At the same time you are supporting a local non-profit organization and a local business.

If you do not find a piece that you really enjoy, contact the North Penn Arts Alliance at 215-393-9110 and ask if the artist is a member and ask to make contact. Or, you can just make a donation to the North Penn Arts Alliance so that they can further the art education programs that they provide in cooperation with the North Penn School District and the Lansdale Borough Parks and Recreation Department. If you would rather learn to create art or know someone that is looking for lessons, our spring semester of classes will be starting in February sign up for a class or register a loved one. A list of classes are found on our website at http://www.northpennarts.org/images/CEPSpring2015.pdf and online registration with the North Penn School district will be starting sometime soon at http://www.northpenncep.org

"Holiday Lights" by NPAA Member Ed Kane

The Arts have and will always be in need of supporters, not just the artists, but those that enjoy the arts and want to learn how to create something beautiful. Supporting

the Arts within a community have shown that artists tend to stay within a community that supports them. Exhibitions and Arts events draw people to it. Visual arts are not the only Art form that requires support. Performing Arts either Dance, Music or Theatre require support.

Without support the play doesn't go on, the dance ceases, the music doesn't play, and that painting, drawing or sculpture isn't created. So this Holiday Season, please consider supporting the Arts some way some how.

All of us at the North Penn Arts Alliance wish you all the Happiness of the Holiday season and hopes for a Very Artful New Year.

Summer allows for many opportunities to be artistic.

So what are you doing this summer? Well many of us will be doing our day jobs, then there are chores and such when we get home. That is true but there is always time to create art.
 When you are at work, during your lunch break, take a sketch book and use it to make doodles or rough sketches of ideas floating in your head. Then when you are at home, review the sketches and plan for a bigger piece. Or visit a museum if there is one near you. On the weekends get out in the early morning or late afternoon and look at the sky and your surroundings. Look at the marvelous sky and the way the rising sun
lights the sky in all of its splendor. If you don't have time to sketch or you say you can't draw, take a photograph. With digital cameras today, you can shoot as many pictures as you like and then print only the ones that really appeal to you.

Then there are the many art festivals that take place throughout the region. Just because we don't have a meeting in July or August, doesn't mean you have to do without art. Make it, or visit a museum, see a show or a concert.

This blogger will be doing something that combines the passion of history and art. I will be demonstrating on Independence Mall, in Philadelphia, on July 3rd. I will be using the three primary colors and creating small landscapes and such, using some of the tools that were used by 18th Century Limners.  I will be posting some of these in the future.

Whatever you will be doing this summer, remember.....

What does it take to put on a Local Art Show?

Besides the Artists and their Artwork. It takes a small army of dedicated volunteers. It takes gathering sponsorship's for prizes, printing, advertising and promoting the show. As always we are very thankful for our volunteers and welcome new ones to the fold. We are always thankful for our Sponsors, especially "Elm Terrace Gardens" for allowing us to use their auditorium and Garden room to display all of the artwork received.
We thank the following long time sponsors;
 "The Law Firm of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullen, Maxwell & Lupin,PC", "Harleysville Savings Bank", "Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Inc.", "Romeo's Fine Arts", "Sports Clips of Collegeville", and "North Penn Art & Custom Framing" for all of their support throughout the years.
This year we welcome "Discover Lansdale" as sponsors for our "Best of Show" Award.
and "Rosiak Images, LLC" as one of our first prize sponsors.  As we continue to promote and work on this our 20th Annual Spring Member's Exhibition we will list additional business sponsors on the blog and facebook. We always are seeking and welcoming new businesses to help sponsor the arts by sponsoring one of several prizes in this annual show.

Why do we do the show? We do the show as part of our mission to encourage artists and arts enthusiasts to create, earn, network, and grow in a supportive environment. The show allows the members of the North Penn Arts Alliance to display their talents in visual art as paintings or drawings, three dimensional art or sculptures, and photography either traditional or digitally enhanced, and finally in mixed media. We also feature our student/junior members so that you can see the future of art as it grows in the community.

Art and art shows are very important to a community. An art show draws in new residents or new business owners to see what is out there in the community and by supporting the arts in a community it has been discovered that artists will stay within the community. Thereby supporting a local show you are also supporting the local artists. Local artists participate in the show with the intent to sell their work at the show. A purchase of a piece of work for your home or office will support both the artist and the North Penn Arts Alliance.

Finally we do the show so that the North Penn Community can come and see what fabulous artists live in the North Penn Community. Please join us from April 24 to 26 to view the Art of the North Penn Arts Alliance. Join us on Friday evening as we hold the Artists Reception, come and meet the artists in the community, that evening we will award the prize winning Artists and junior Artists for their efforts. While there purchase a raffle ticket for one of the many prizes submitted by the local artists and businesses. Then join us again on Saturday evening as we pull the raffle tickets. There will be refreshments and musical entertainment on both nights.

For more information on the North Penn Arts Alliance please visit us at www.northpennarts.org

To be a sponsor for our show please contact us at 215-393-9110 or
e-mail us at info@northpennarts.org

We're Having a Show!

Last Year's "Best Of Show"
Louise Peardon's photograph titled: "Baby with Red Bowl"

As Spring comes around so does the Annual Spring Members Exhibition of the North Penn Arts Alliance. This year it will be our 20th annual show and once again it will be held at the Elm Terrace Gardens. All proceeds from the show go towards the mission of encouraging artists and arts enthusiast with opportunities to create, learn, network and grow in a supportive environment.

2013 Artists Reception

This annual show features the talents of our adult & junior members by displaying pieces of art ranging from; paintings in oil, acrylic, or watercolor, drawings in charcoal, pencil, pastel, or ink, mixed media, photography, and three dimensional. We invite you to come and see the roses as you view the many works on display. Most of the works will be for sale, along with raffle tickets for prizes supplied by many of the local businesses and several of our artists too.

For three days the auditorium of the Elm Terrace Gardens and the Garden room are turned into an Art Gallery. The doors are open each day at 10:00 am and will close at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday & Friday evenings. Come and see the art and if you wish, join us on Friday evening at 6:30 for the Artists Reception, meet the artists and enjoy some refreshment & entertainment. That evening the Artists will be awarded their prizes at 7:30. While there, purchase your raffle tickets and join us again on Saturday evening as we draw the tickets starting at 7:00 p.m. and conclude the show at 7:30. We will even have a scavenger hunt.The hunt will involve looking for the items within the pieces of art.

Junior Artists and class work. 

For more information on the North Penn Arts Alliance, please visit us at www.northpennarts.org or call us at 215-393-9110.

For those interested in becoming a member and participating in the show please visit http://www.northpennarts.org/images/20thSpring-Prospectus.pdf for the prospectus and information concerning entry into the show.

So You Want to Paint Water Colors: Meet the Instructor - Barbara Moss Buscher

If you want to learn about Watercolor Painting we offer an adult class on Monday evening and a kids class on Saturdays. Watercolors are not always the tin pans that we grew up with when we were kids in school. In Barbara's classes you will learn the basics and if anyone attended her classes in the past you will learn more about technique and creating textures. In these classes you will get to express yourself through your work and learning. In addition you will all have a lot of fun.

Barbara was born and raised in Philadelphia. Upon graduating from Hussian School of Art in 1973 she worked in advertising, graphic arts and illustration, but always continued to paint. During this time she also taught art at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in the play therapy department.

In 1984 she relocated to North Wales with her husband and daughter. Looking for art related outlets she became involved with the Art Goes to School program, which brings art appreciation to school age children.

In 1987, Barbara became a member of the newly forming North Penn Arts Alliance, taking an active part in its activities. In 1991 she was elected Vice President of both the membership and the Board of Directors, and in 1992 became President of Membership a position she held until 2004, when she gave it up to become President of the Board until 2006. Barbara still holds a seat on the Board of Directors. In 1995 she became Chairperson of the Show Committee and created an Annual Members’ Exhibit held every spring as well as an Anniversary Exhibit held each fall. She has taught a variety of classes for the NPAA and eventually became the class coordinator. Besides teaching for the NPAA, Barbara has also taught at the Greater Norristown Art League and Hedwig House in Lansdale, and has always taught both adults and children privately.

Barbara has been winning awards for her work since childhood and has also been invited to judge many exhibits for both adults and children.

While most of her works are on paper or canvas, Barbara also paints murals and dabbles in 3-dimensional works of art.

Education:

Philadelphia High School for Girls, Philadelphia, PA - Art Major

Adult Classes/ Saturday Children's’ Classes Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

Hussian School of Art, Philadelphia, PA - Graduated 1973

Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA - Printmaking

Artist Statement:

By using color, texture, and line, I create a space for the viewer to enter and travel through. I invite my viewers to share in my emotions and experiences, while encouraging them to bring their own feelings to my work.

Having spent a great deal of time in the Pocono Mountains, I often use nature as a theme for my work adapting it to suit my mood.

While Painting has always been my passion I have found a new found love of printmaking and mixed media and combine several disciplines, media and techniques into one piece.

I find that teaching and working with other people, both adults and children, to help them to enjoy and appreciate art also enriches me as an artist.

Watercolor Classes

These classes are geared to both the novice and more advanced artist.

By using a limited pallet comprised of primary colors, students will learn how to mix colors, create tonal values and work in various color harmonies. Composition will be discussed and a variety of subject matter will be used. Classroom projects will be a series of exercises to help student to learn about the medium.  Depending on experience of each student, a completed piece may or may not be achieved by end of session.

More advanced or returning students will have more advanced lessons including how to create textures in your painting.

Bring pencil and paper to each class.

For more information about the watercolor classes or any of the classes we have to offer please visit

http://www.northpennarts.org/images/spring2014.pdf

To register for any of our classes please visit http://www.northpenncep.org