Van Gogh Auvers Street Scene Gesture, By Atlanta Artist, Jill Saur

Van Gogh Village Street In Auvers,  May 1890

Jill Saur Gesture of Van Gogh Village Street In Auvers, Februay 2014

So, I'm re-reading Van Gogh's letters to Theo and gaining more insight into my favorite artist's life.  His work deeply moves me and I'm pretty sure he is not only one of the most well-known artists, but probably one of the most misunderstood artists.

In my opinion, Van Gogh studied and mastered color theory like few other artists ever have, or possibly ever will.  His use of complimentary colors and their tones to convey his deepest thoughts and feelings, and his moving brushstrokes, were nothing short of genius.

Van Gogh's painting, "Village Street in Auvers" is the painting above.  Last night I took a 14"x17" newsprint pad and loosely gestured the scene with a soft willow stick.  My intention was to gesture my impression of his painting and not make an exact copy.  I gestured another drawing this morning and I'll do it one more time before putting the final gesture drawing on my canvas.  On Wednesday morning, my class is going to watch me paint, and then they're going to do their own interpretation.

It's highly probable that I'll render my interpretation of this painting with a palette knife rather than a brush.  Either way, I'm excited to see what the outcome will be!

My website:  CLICK HERE

Painting Class Roswell GA.

Understanding how to use tonal values in paintings and photography is paramount to a successful outcome.  This tonal value sphere is found in "Exploring Visual Design" by Joseph Gatto, Albert Porter, and Jack Selleck.  Davis Publications 2000.

The highlight is where the light hits the sphere.  Transitional light is the middle value between the light and dark.  The core of the shadow is the area on the sphere that is the furthest from the light.  The reflected light is the area that is reflecting the light from the table.  And, the cast shadow is the shadow that the sphere is casting onto the table.

Due to the importance of learning to see value changes in art, my students paint a value painting in black and white before they paint in color.  Also, something that a lot of people miss is adding that very dark line under an object.  I call it, "Sitting an object down".  Try putting an apple on a table and look directly at where the apple meets the table.  It's almost pitch black, then the shadow extends from there.  

I hope this helps you in your painting and photography journey! - Jill 

Painting Class Roswell Ga

 "If you hear a voice within you say that you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." - Vincent Van Gogh

It's been a great couple of weeks and several of my students have finished what they've been working on.  Please enjoy these wonderful works of art by my fabulous students.  All of my students bring me so much joy!

To inquire about taking art classes.  EMAIL ME
To see more of my students work please visit MY WEBSITE.

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Art Classes Roswell, GA

“Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it.” Salvador Dali  

Well, as I upload these photos, I am once again deeply impressed by the work of all my students!  Several of you have requested the quote that I read to you regarding perfectionism.  You will find that quote after the last photo.

To see more of my students work, please visit my website:  CLICK HERE

To inquire about taking classes:  CLICK HERE

Being a perfectionist is not about being the best we can be, it is actually going about to prove that nothing we ever do is ‘good enough’.  It is listening to the voice from within or (maybe a voice from the past) that says, “You’re doing it all wrong.  So, you do it over and over again until you ‘get it right’ and ultimately, you never do and thus you are never satisfied.  You have only proven that nothing you ever do is good enough. - author not sure

Striving for excellence is about putting our hand to something, with all our human limitations we press on, we grow.  Striving for excellence in art is about expressing yourself using your God given talent, having fun while doing it, and discovering how to be able to put the brush down after your last stroke, exhale, and smile while saying, “It is finished”. - Jill Saur

Art Classes Roswell, GA

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." - Aristotle

Happy New Year to all of my wonderful students, both former and new!  I found this quote interesting.  It seems as though when a person is learning to draw, the aim is to represent what they are seeing.  But, as time goes by and comfort with the pencil or brush settles in, the beauty of being able to represent the inner significance of what is being rendered begins to take over!  

Here is the first set of new photos of work that my students have recently completed.  I'll post the next set in a day or so.  

To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes.  Please visit my website: CLICK HERE.  Or, email me. CLICK HERE

Painting Class Roswell, Ga

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection."  -  Michelangelo

Please enjoy these beautiful works of art by my wonderful students!  To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE

Painting Class Roswell, Ga

©1990-2013 Flowers in Vase painting by Jill Saur, all rights reserved

I love Van Gogh.  The one thing that most people seem to know is that he painted feverishly until he completed his paintings.  Don't mistake painting feverishly with painting without knowledge.  New discoveries are being made about Van Gogh and his studio practices.  Through the use of x-ray equipment and new technologies, it is being purported that Van Gogh was a highly skilled artist and an expert in color theory.  

A few weeks ago I was inspired to paint this thickly textured palette knife painting in a demo for my students.  I used brilliant azure blues, effusive reds, and warm golds.  Though spontaneously painted,  I still apply color theory and the rest of the elements of principle and design.  After concentrating on using those elements for so many years, they just seem to come naturally to me now.  It's the price of years and years of study.  So, when someone asks me how long it takes me to complete a particular painting,  I'm tempted to say, "Oh, about thirty years or so."  However, I just smile and say, "Long enough".

This 16"x20" textured acrylic palette knife flower painting is titled, "Red on Blue".  I was just informed by my representing gallery that it sold over the weekend.  I'm extremely thankful to have folks who appreciate and love my work.  Thank you! - Jill Saur  

To inquire about taking art classes with me, please contact me through my website.

CLICK HERE

Helen Keller

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan

What inspires you to paint?  How do you learn to listen to that still small voice inside when applying your brushstrokes or pencil marks?  This is a personal matter, but one of great importance.

This week I watched a very old video of one of my favorite people of all time, Helen Keller.  I was moved deeply and related what I saw to my own experience of listening to God with my spirit and translating what I hear from him into words with my brush, palette knife and paint.

The younger students of mine may not know who Helen Keller.  Helen became deaf, blind, and mute as a very young toddler and lost touch with the outside world.  Her teacher, who you will see in the video, was Anne Sullivan.  She found a way to reach young Helen, and the rest is history.

Please enjoy this video.  I encourage you to place your own fingers in the same position in the video and and experience what Helen did.  Think of the intimacy that you would feel if you had to place your fingers on another persons lips, vocal chords, and nose, in order to understand what they were saying.  Think of having that same intimacy with God in all that you do.  - Jill Saur

VIDEO

Painting Class Roswell, GA

"No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination." - Edward Hopper

Please enjoy these new photos of my students with their new works of art.  Also, Pat had a great showing and sale of her work this past weekend.  The second and third photos are of her with her work.

Please send me an email if you are interested in taking drawing or painting classes with me. CLICK HERE.  If you would like to see more of my students work or learn about my art classes, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE.