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Monday, December 25, 2017

Painting Classes - Roswell, GA.

"The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live." - Auguste Rodin

It's been a wonderful couple of weeks in our painting classes. Everyone is doing such amazing work! It's nice to see students having fun, learning, growing, and encouraging one another along the way.

Please enjoy these new works and a Van Gogh work in progress. There are lots more on the way!  

To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes,  Please  CLICK HERE


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This blog lives at www.DailyArtClass.blogspot.com

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Painting and Drawing Classes Roswell, Ga.

photo by jill saur
Photo By Jill Saur, Quote ByVincent Van Gogh 
"Exaggerate the essential, leave the obvious vague." Van Gogh

Information overload is rampant today.  It's easy to lose the focus of a painting by adding too many areas of interest.  I learned early on from the most influential painter in my life, Bud Biggs, that when you drop a jewel in a painting, let it shine!  If you add too many jewels, they'll lose their impact!

Please enjoy these current beautiful works of art by my wonderful students.  To receive this blog, please add your email on the right side of this page.

Interested in taking art classes?  Click on "Schedule and Information" on the top of this blog, or visit my website.  CLICK HERE  Thanks for viewing - Jill Saur







                                              

                                      



This blog lives at www.DailyArtClass.blogspot.com

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Van Gogh's Letter To Theo Regarding Life


Van Gogh's Heartfelt Words Regarding How To Live
(Written with a ray from on high and a finger of fire)
Amsterdam, April 1878

Van Gogh's Sunflowers, taken by Jill Saur, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Van Gogh was considered to be a literary genius.  Those who know me, know that Van Gogh is my favorite artist. His struggles caused him to dig down deep and draw from the profound well of inspiration derived from his faith in God.  His heartfelt letters often move me to tears. - Jill Saur

Dear Theo, 

I’ve been thinking about what we discussed, and I couldn’t help thinking of the words ‘we are today what we were yesterday’. This isn’t to say that one must stand still and ought not try to develop oneself; on the contrary, there are compelling reasons to do so and think so.

But in order to remain faithful to those words one may not retreat and, once one has started to see things with a clear and trusting eye, one ought not to abandon or deviate from that.

They who said ‘we are today what we were yesterday’, those were honnêtes homes, which is apparent from the constitution they drew up, which will remain for all time and of which it has rightly been said that it was written with a ray from on high and a finger of fire. It is good to be a ‘honnête home,’ and truly to endeavor to become one both almost and altogether, and one does well if one believes that being an ‘homme intérieur et spirituel’ is part of it.

If one only knew for certain that one belonged among them, one would always go one’s way, calmly and collectedly, never doubting that things would turn out well. There was once a man who went into a church one day and asked, can it be that my zeal has deceived me, that I have turned down the wrong path and have gone about things the wrong way, oh, if only I could rid myself of this uncertainty and have the firm conviction that I will eventually overcome and succeed. And then a voice answered him, and if you knew that for certain, what would you do? Act now as though you knew it for certain and thou shalt not be ashamed.  Then the man went on his way, not faithless but believing, and returned to his work, no longer doubting or wavering.

As far as being an homme intérieur et spirituel is concerned, couldn’t one develop that in oneself through knowledge of history in general and of certain people of all eras in particular, from biblical times to the Revolution and from The odyssey to the books of Dickens’ and Michelet? And couldn’t one learn something from the work of the likes of Rembrandt or from Weeds by Breton or The four times of the day by Millet or Saying grace by Degroix or, Brion or The conscript by Degroux, or his Apothecary, or The large oaks by Dupre’ or even the mills and sand flats by Michel?

It’s by persevering in those ideas and things that one at last becomes thoroughly leavened with a good leaven, that of sorrowful yet always rejoicing, and which will become apparent when the time of fruitfulness is come in our lives, the fruitfulness of good works.

The ray from on high doesn’t always shine on us, and is sometimes behind the clouds, and without that light a person cannot live and is worth nothing and can do nothing good, and anyone who maintains that one can live without faith in that higher light and doesn’t worry about attaining it will end up being disappointed.

We’ve talked quite a lot about what we feel to be our duty and how we should arrive at something good, and we rightly came to the conclusion that first of all our goal must be to find a certain position and a profession to which we can devote ourselves entirely.

And I think that we also agreed on this point, namely that one must pay special attention to the end, and that a victory achieved after lifelong work and effort is better than one achieved more quickly.

He who lives uprightly and experiences true difficulty and disappointment and is nonetheless undefeated by it is worth more than someone who prospers and knows nothing but relative good fortune. For who are they, those in whom one most clearly notices something higher? — It is those to whom the words ‘workers, your life is sad, workers, you suffer in life, workers, you are blessed’ are applicable, it is those who show the signs of ‘bearing a whole life of strife and work without giving way’. It is good to try and become thus.

So we go on our way ‘undefessi favente Deo’.

As far as I’m concerned, I must become a good minister, who has something to say that is good and can be useful in the world, and perhaps it’s good after all that I have a relatively long time of preparation and become secure in a firm conviction before I’m called upon to speak about it to others. It is wise, before one begins that work, to gather together a wealth of things that could benefit others.
Do let us go on quietly, examining all things and holding fast to that which is good, and trying always to learn more that is useful, and gaining more experience.

Woe-spiritedness is quite a good thing to have, if only one writes it as two words, woe is in all people, everyone has reason enough for it, but one must also have spirit, the more the better, and it is good to be someone who never despairs. 

If we but try to live uprightly, then we shall be all right, even though we shall inevitably experience true sorrow and genuine disappointments, and also probably make real mistakes and do wrong things, but it’s certainly true that it is better to be fervent in spirit, even if one accordingly makes more mistakes, than narrow-minded and overly cautious. It is good to love as much as one can, for therein lies true strength, and he who loves much does much and is capable of much, and that which is done with love is well done. If one is moved by some book or other, for instance, just to mention something, ‘The swallow, the lark, the nightingale’, The longing for autumn, ‘From here I see a lady’, ‘Never this unique little village’ by Michelet , it’s because it’s written from the heart in simplicity and with poverty of spirit.

If one were to say but few words, though ones with meaning, one would do better than to say many that were only empty sounds, and just as easy to utter as they were of little use.

Love is the best and most noble thing in the human heart, especially when it has been tried and tested in life like gold in the fire, happy is he and strong in himself who has loved much and, even if he has wavered and doubted, has kept that divine fire and has returned to that which was in the beginning and shall never die. If only one continues to love faithfully that which is verily worthy of love, and does not squander his love on truly trivial and insignificant and faint-hearted things, then one will gradually become more enlightened and stronger. The sooner one seeks to become competent in a certain position and in a certain profession, and adopts a fairly independent way of thinking and acting, and the more one observes fixed rules, the stronger one’s character becomes, and yet that doesn’t mean that one has to become narrow-minded.

It is wise to do that, for life is but short and time passes quickly. If one is competent in one thing and understands one thing well, one gains at the same time insight into and knowledge of many other things into the bargain.

It’s sometimes good to go about much in the world and to be among people, and at times one is actually obliged and called upon to do so, or it can be one way of ‘throwing oneself into one’s work unreservedly and with all one’s might’, but he who actually goes quietly about his work, alone, preferring to have but very few friends, goes the most safely among people and in the world. One should never trust it when one is without difficulties or some worry or obstacle, and one shouldn’t make things too easy for oneself. Even in the most cultured circles and the best surroundings and circumstances, one should retain something of the original nature of a Robinson Crusoe or a savage, for otherwise one hath not root in himself, and never let the fire in his soul go out but keep it going, there will always be a time when it will come in useful. And whosoever continues to hold fast to poverty for himself, and embraces it, possesses a great treasure and will always hear the voice of his conscience speaking clearly. Whosoever hears and follows the voice in his innermost being, which is God’s best gift, ultimately finds therein a friend and is never alone.

Happy is he who has faith in God, for he shall overcome all of life’s difficulties in the end, though it be not without pain and sorrow. One cannot do better than to hold fast to the thought of God and endeavor to learn more of Him, amidst everything, in all circumstances, in all places and at all times; one can do this with the Bible as with all other things. It is good to go on believing that everything is miraculous, more so than one can comprehend, for that is the truth, it is good to remain sensitive and lowly and meek in heart, even though one sometimes has to hide that feeling, because that is often necessary, it is good to be very knowledgeable about the things that are hidden from the wise and prudent of the world but that are revealed as though by nature to the poor and simple, to women and babes. For what can one learn that is better than that which God has put by nature into every human soul, that which in the depths of every soul lives and loves, hopes and believes, unless one should willfully destroy it? There, in that, is the need for nothing less than the boundless and miraculous, and a man does well if he is satisfied with nothing less and doesn’t feel at home until he has acquired it.

That is the avowal that all great men have expressed in their works, all who have thought a little more deeply and have sought and worked a little harder and have loved more than others, who have launched out into the deep of the sea of life. Launching out into the deep is what we too must do if we want to catch anything, and if it sometimes happens that we have to work the whole night and catch nothing, then it is good not to give up after all but to let down the nets again at dawn.

So let us simply go on quietly, each his own way, always following the light ‘sursum corda’, and as such who know that we are what others are and that others are what we are, and that it is good to have love one to another namely of the best kind, that believeth all things and hopes all things, endures all things and never fails.

And not troubling ourselves too much if we have shortcomings, for he who has none has a shortcoming nonetheless, namely that he has none, and he who thinks he is perfectly wise would do well to start over from the beginning and become a fool.

We are today what we were yesterday, namely ‘honnêtes hommes’, but ones who must be tried with the fire of life to be innerly strengthened and confirmed in that which they are by nature through the grace of God.

May it be so with us, old boy, and I wish you well on your way, and God be with you in all things, and make you succeed at that, that is what is wished you with a hearty handshake at your departure by

Your most loving brother,
Vincent

I hope you've enjoyed this beautiful letter by Vincent. - Jill Saur (www.JillSaur.com)


Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Painting Classes Roswell, GA.

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” ― Vincent Van Gogh

It's so much fun for me to see my students working on the subject matter of their choosing.  I always feel that if you work on something you love, you're going to love what you're working on, and you'll do great things with your work.

Continue to push yourself and challenge the boundaries of what you think you're capable of doing because you're capable of doing much more than you think!

You can sign up to receive this blog in your email.  The sign up box is on the right.

Interested in taking art classes?  Click on "Schedule and Information" on the top of this blog, or visit my website.  CLICK HERE  Thanks for viewing - Jill Saur








This blog lives at www.DailyArtClass.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 12, 2017

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” - Vincent Van Gogh

It's been another great week.  I love what everyone is working on and apparently my students do too.  After all, what is done in love, is well done.

To receive this blog in your email, please put your email address in the box on the right.

To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes with me, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE


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You know you're good when you can paint over your shoulder and with a blindfold on!  











Saturday, November 11, 2017

Color Theory - Painting Class - Roswell, GA.

Van Gogh Vase Flowers
Van Gogh Vase With Flowers Painting
   Van Gogh"s Use Of Complimentary Colors by Jill Saur


Title:  "Vase With Daisies And Anemones"
Painted In Paris In The Summer Of 1887



This oil on canvas by Van Gogh is rendered with stunning complementary colors (colors that are opposites on the color wheel).  In this case, the opposites are blue and orange, purple and yellow, and red and green.  In color theory, this combination of colors is known as a six tone chord (hexagon).

Van Gogh was a master of color, drawing, and composition.  He knew how to use just the right amount of a colors compliment to enhance the original hue.  

I've always been intrigued by color and have experimented with it, but it wasn't until about fifteen years ago, stumbling onto an amazing source, that the secrets of those hues began opening up to me.  I spent many long hours and months studying and making color charts and complex color wheels.  Learning the difference between warm blues and cool blues, warm reds and cool reds, warm yellows and cool yellows, made all the difference in the world! 

I teach my students how to make their own color wheel.  I love to see when the light goes on and they understand what it's all about.  Realizing how to mix color without having it turn to mud, knowing how to tone down a color without using black, and knowing how to choose the right colors for a painting, is a game changer!  - Jill Saur - Jill Saur Fine Art

If you're interested in taking a painting class in Roswell, GA., please send me an email. CLICK HERE



To see my work and my students work, please visit my website.  WEBSITE

Monday, October 30, 2017

Painting Classes Roswell, GA.

"Often the most unique, compelling work comes not from a concept or an idea but from a deep, wordless place inside the artist." - Juliette Aristides

I love that quote by Juliette Aristides.  As an artist, I relate to those words.  I suppose that's why I feel like I'm expressing my innermost self when I'm painting and why painting is so therapeutic and personal.

Please enjoy these beautiful works by my awesome, creative, and fabulous students.  I love watching the growth and excitement displayed in each and every one of my classes.

To receive this blog in your email, please put your email address in the box in the right.

To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes with me, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE



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This blog lives at www.DailyArtClass.blogspot.com

Monday, October 23, 2017

Choosing A Canvas Size That's In Proportion To Your Photograph

CHOOSING A CANVAS SIZE THAT'S IN 
PROPORTION TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPH


If I'm working from a photograph, I show my students how I figure what size canvas I need to make the image much larger and still be in proportion to my photo.

I put my photo in Photoshop and click on "image size".  Photoshop will tell me the current size of the image.  I'll change one of the ratio's to see what the new proportion would be, and so on.

However, most of my students don't have Photoshop.  So, I'm going to share a link with you that will help you determine the canvas size that you'll need.  This link goes to a Giclee maker.  All you need to do is key in the original size of your photo on top and then click on "Calculate".  You'll see the closest whole sizes that your photo will work on if you want to make the image larger.

I hope this helps those of you who don't have a photo program on your computer.  CLICK HERE

Happy Painting! - Jill Saur Fine Art LLC

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Art Class - Roswell - GA. (COMPOSITION)

Below, is a painting by Winslow Homer, one of my favorite artists.  He was a master of composition.


COMPOSITION

In a work of art, composition is the arrangement of visual elements.

Compositional formula's are guidelines to help you arrange the elements of design to create eye-catching paintings.  The following are the most frequently used formats:

1.  The L Format
2.  The S Curve
3.  The Rule Of Thirds
4.  The Golden Triangle
5.  The Circle Format
6.  The Cross Format
7.  The Three-Spot Formula

If you learn these compositional formula's and experiment with them enough, you'll find that your intuitive eye will take over and you won't have to consciously think about them as a formula.

To my students:  Please feel free to ask me about any of these formats.  I'm happy to show you examples. - Jill Saur








Tuesday, October 10, 2017

TODAY'S QUOTE



When I'm painting, it's a time for me to silence the part of my mind that gets in the way of me being who God intended.  When I paint, I'm transformed to another world, a better world, a place where creativity and peace flow like a sparkling clear river.  

If you find yourself sitting down to paint and worrisome thoughts want to take over, don't give up.  Stay with it and you'll find yourself slipping into a very wonderful place.  Art truly is therapy for the soul! - Jill Saur

Please enjoy these wonderful finished works, and works in progress, by my awesome students.  To inquire about taking art classes with me, please CLICK HERE.  On my website, you can click on art classes and contact me.















This blog lives at www.DailyArtClass.blogspot.com