The Princess and the Pea

(Working Title) "The Princess and the Pea," 12" x 14", yet another painting inspired by Mona Lisa, very much in process, and from last night's live demonstration at the Anchor Bay Artist's Guild. My reference photo is included at the left.

I brought my panel (a Raymar one, in case anyone's interested) already primed a saturated and lilting Manganese Blue, and began laying this composition down as I shared some ideas about painting.

As you can see, my mouth did more work than my brushes, but that's the beauty of watching an artist work. You can pick their brains and share their processes while the piece is coming to life.

So what did we talk about? all sorts of things!

the difference between what a photograph will tell you and what your eyes really see
how to work with a color wheel to choose colors best suited to your subject/composition
the benefits of working with a limited palette
particulars about the types of tools I use (panels, paints, palette, computer) and how/why they work
value vs local color
layering marks to achieve impressionistic design

And it was decided that I will be returning to New Baltimore and leading an evening painting workshop on January 15th. Take a peek at the sidebar if you are interested, and let me know because the class is nearly full already.

It was a great time - many thanks go out to the members of the Anchor Bay Artist Guild! I appreciate your time and energy and am really looking forward to working with you again!

Oh - and please stay warm and safe if you are in the path of this nasty weather!

Thanks, as always, for supporting my artwork!

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

PS You haven't forgotten about the 10% off newly booked commissions, have you ?? the project has to be booked during this January, but can happen any time during 2011. Shoot me an email if you are interested!

Painting Santini-Style, Mixing Color, NOT Mud!

Monday, January 31st, 6:45-9:45

Lighthouse Elementary School

New Baltimore, MI

Come spend an evening learning how to paint colorful, personality packed animal portraits in acrylics, with moi and some other uber fun and talented artists.

This class will focus on:

selecting photo references, using the camera as a tool vs a crutch
determining the best color for your underpainting and color scheme
loose, carefree brushwork that sculpts form

I will bring selected titles from my personal library for attendee's perusal during class. Students will also receive a packet of materials to further encourage exploration and experimentation with the techniques covered.

This workshop is graciously hosted by the Anchor Bay Artists Guild. Many, many thanks to them for making it possible!

Any questions? By all means, let me know!

“Katie’s Moustache,” 6x12, pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, $90. Inquiries to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . One glimpse of Katie’s face, and I was hooked. Not only did she fall into my beloved “black & white” category, but she came with a full moustache and doe-like eyes. I first covered the canvas with a variety of blues and purples, using a (mixed) light green and pink for the highlights. (Right now my palette has been expanded to include the following: pthalo blue red, azurite hue, cad red dark, alizarine crimson, cad yellow dark, and then for graying/hazing out I use light green yellow and ultramarine purple.) I lighten with titanium white and darken with one of the blues and a touch of one of the reds. As a side note, at this time last year I was really struggling with my limited palette (I went from about 60 pots of paint to 3), but I have lived the benefits – I am so much more familiar with what I can mix given just this handful of colors. My paintings are also m...

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Dear Copyright Thieves, Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's free for the taking. So let's just stop pretending the internet is a free-for-all. Don't play the card that you didn't know - that's insulting. And don't also tell me that you meant to follow up and get permission but never got a chance to. That's insulting too. And by the way, don't you have a copyright protection notice on your own site? And don't even try and point the finger at a third party who commissioned you to make a copy of my painting - again, an insult - you and I both know the difference between a reference photo and a painting. And don't tell me that I asked for it because I share my artwork on the internet. I share my paintings and ideas and the stories behind them so as to encourage others to pursue their own passions . I do not share so that those lacking integrity and morals can copy and market the images as their own...

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