Art 1023 January 21, 2010

Step 5
We continued adding paint to our work using the darkest to lightest technique learned in earlier classes. Although one object at a time is not usually painted, Ms. Aycock demonstrated techniques on the pitcher. She reminded us We were encouraged to step back from our paintings to check the composition and shape of objects. We used our cloths to wipe off strokes of wrong color holding the cloth in one hand and our brush in the other.
First we needed to wet the paint on our canvas where we would be working today. Mixing white, both colors of blue, and a little orange to match the grey color used to paint the shadows on the pitcher. Using a smaller number 6 brush the shadows areas were made wet again. White paint is never applied without adding another color to it. Using a large amount of white paint we mixed in a small amount of yellow to create the white on the pitcher. From this pool of paint we pulled off smaller pools mixing in colors to create the colors needed for the lighter and brighter areas of the pitcher. The light (color of paint) on the shadow side cannot be as light as the light side of the object. We were encouraged to paint with different brushes rather than continually cleaning the same brush as different hues of white were used to fill in the pitcher.
Ms. Aycock demonstrated different painting strokes one of which was to make x's with the side of the brush, alternating the angle of the brush, and crossing the strokes as you moved over an area. The brush was held on the side and not like a pencil. She also demonstrated how to hold and move the brush to soften stokes and to blend areas of different shades of color. Applying the paint with the brush flat allows the paint underneath to show through. Another strategy she demonstrated and reminded us to use was squinting when we looked at the still life objects and to not think about what we were painting.
Ms. Aycock provided the names of a number of art organizations and upcoming art shows for students to consider. One of these was the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition.