"Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one's sensations." - Paul Cezanne

Cezanne's quote exemplifies how most artists feel.  This past week, my husband and I went hiking in a secluded area along the Chattahoochee River.  The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the colors reflecting off the waters were simply stunning.  

In our modern culture of rushing from one activity to another, it's important to have a place to go to be refreshed by God's beautiful nature.  As Cezanne implies, it helps us to realize our own sensations.  Feeling stuck with what to paint next?  Take a walk down by the river or your favorite park, it just might come to you!

Please enjoy this glimpse into the past of some finished works and works in progress by my awesome students.  To see more of my students work, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE. 

.  

If you've experienced the fun of a painting party and you'd like to join a class to learn more about how to draw and paint, please consider signing up for one of my weekly classes.

Fine Art Classes Roswel, GA.

"Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness.  It trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind.  As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life." - John Lubbock

I'm so impressed with the work that my students are doing.  Week after week, I'm seeing paintings that are visually stunning. 

If you've experienced the fun of a painting party and you'd like to join a class to learn more about how to draw and paint, please consider signing up for one of my weekly classes.  See my website to read what my students have to say about painting with me.   CLICK HERE

Acrylic Painting Classes Roswell, GA.

Tonalism - Julian Alden Weir

Julian Alden Weir (1852-1919) was a master at depicting the everyday environment around us.  He was a Tonalist who used impressionism for his technique.  The tonalist style emphasizes atmosphere and shadow.  Tonalist paintings are usually a visual delight just inviting you to wander around, enjoying everything equally.  There isn't always an apparent are of interest, as the tones are very similar.

I teach the use of tonal values to my students. In this style of painting, the artist only uses the middle values of each color.  The secret to the success of this type of work is capturing the emotion of the piece and using light and shadow to create a beautiful dance.

These works of art are usually created with muted colors of browns, yellows, greens and soft blues.  I recommend trying one of these paintings, you just may find a new style that you love to paint!  

If you've experienced the fun of a painting party and you'd like to join a class to learn more about how to draw and paint, please consider signing up for one of my weekly classes.  See my website to read what my students have to say about painting with me. 

To find information about art classes, or to see more of my students work,  CLICK HERE.

Julian Alden Weir (1852-1919)

Fine Art Painting Classes Roswell, GA.

"Anyone who says you can't see a thought simply doesn't know art." ~Wynetka Ann Reynolds

Please enjoy these beautiful expressive thoughts by my talented and wonderful students.  These photos are a blast from the past.

If you've experienced the fun of a painting party and you'd like to join a class to learn how to draw and paint, please consider signing up for one of my weekly classes.  Please see my website to read what my students have to say about painting with me. 

To find information about art classes, or to see more of my students work,  CLICK HERE.

Painting Classes Roswell, GA.

"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU LOOK AT THAT MATTERS, IT'S WHAT YOU SEE."

Henry David Thoreau Quote

FOR MY STUDENTS

I thought you might enjoy this quote by Henry David Thoreau.  I know it resonates with me in a profound way.  When I draw and paint, I want to render what I 'see', not necessarily what I'm looking at.

When we take the time to look beyond the obvious and get in touch with what we 'see", our art has the potential to become a visually stunning reflection of our souls! - Jill Saur

LEARN TO DRAW AND PAINT

If you've experienced the fun of a painting party and you'd like to dig deeper in learning how to draw and paint, please consider signing up for one of my weekly classes.  Please see my website to read what my students have to say about painting with me. 

To find information about art classes, or to see more of my students work,  CLICK HERE.

Painting Classes in Roswell, GA.

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius

I believe this applies to any state of being.  Van Gogh and countless other artists painted when their hearts were happy, sad, and even broken.  They continued to work in their  current state of mind and emotions, with all their heart, and they created masterpieces!  Oftentimes, creating artwork can be very therapeutic.  

Please enjoy these current works of art and works in progress by my awesome students.  

If you've experienced the fun of a painting party and you'd like to dig deeper in learning how to draw and paint, please consider signing up for one of my weekly classes. 

To find information about art classes, or to see more of my students work,  CLICK HERE.

Weekly painting classes in Roswell, GA.

Learn how to paint in Roswell, GA.

Painting Groups in Roswell, GA.

Drawing classes in Roswell, GA.

Painting Class in 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".  Put an apple on a table and look underneath where the apple sits.  It's pitch black, then the dark to light shadow extends from there.  

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

If you've taken a painting party class and you're interested in digging deeper into learning the fundamentals of drawing and painting, please consider signing up for one of my weekly classes.  My students are awesome people and I'll teach you how to be the artist that you're individually meant to be.  My website: CLICK HERE

Painting Classes in Roswell, GA.

"While talent or genius must exist, at best they are merely embryonic factors and no one can guide these into productive artistry without the initiative, perseverance and determination of the student.  To say that the artist is born and not made, is only partly true.  Actually, while it is an important qualification, there is no proof of real worth in talent until it has been developed and expanded by a tremendous amount of serious study and plain hard work." - Edgar Payne

Please enjoy these present and past wonderful works by my creative, and awesome students! It's so rewarding to watch everyone grow and do such beautiful renderings of what they love!  It's evident their hard work, combined with talent, paid off.

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

To sign up to receive this blog, please add your email in the box on the right side.  

                                               

This blog lives at www.DailyArtClass.blogspot.com

Learn To Draw And Paint

Reasons To Learn To Draw And Paint By Jill Saur

 My Studio

When I attended art school, I was in awe of the students from Russia.  They had extensive training in art from the time they were young children.  They were incredible! Their country, and others like them, placed a tremendous emphasis on the importance of learning to draw and paint.  

Learning to draw and paint compliments learning in any other field such as technology, medicine, and any endeavor that requires problem solving and creativity. These benefits apply to individuals of all ages. 

 1.   Painting stimulates the brain and helps develop problem-solving skills.

 2.   Painting builds a keener sense of perception, helping you to make better decisions.  

 3.   Learning to paint engages the senses.

 4.   Painting helps you relax.

 5.   Painting stimulates creativity.

 6.   Painting helps develop individuality and independence.

 7.   Painting helps to build self-esteem.

 8.   Painting gives you a sense of well-being.

 9.   Painting generates enjoyment.

 10.  Painting promotes self-expression.

 11.  Painting promotes abstract thinking.

 12.  Painting gives you a feeling of accomplishment.

 13.  Painting promotes non-verbal communication skills.

 14.  Painting is exhilarating.

 15.  Painting teaches us more about ourselves than we imagined.

Interested in art classes? Please visit my website to learn more and see me schedule.   

www.JillSaurFineArt.com

© 2009 - Jill Saur, Jill Saur Fine Art LLC. 

Painting Classes Roswell, GA.

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 complimentary 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 experimented with it. I've spent long hours and many 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'm deeply inspired by the illustrious and profound work of Van Gogh.  I recently had a student (who knows I think Van Gogh hung the moon) return from a business trip to New York City.  While there, she visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was totally blown away by seeing Van Gogh's work in person.  She told me that before her trip, she really didn't get my deep affection for his paintings.  Now she's a convert and believer in his mastery and use of color!

I teach my students a more complicated, but accurate, color wheel.  I love to see when the light goes on and they 'get' 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!  


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

Art Classes Roswell, GA

In order to create a work of art, you must first believe that you can.  Of course, you need the right tools and the knowledge, but you also need to allow yourself space to learn, and that includes failures along the way.  

I remember when I was a beginning art student.  Every failure on the paper stared back at me revealing my inadequacies.  However, every success strengthened and encouraged me. I chose to let the successes spur me on because I realized that I could express my thoughts and feelings through the intoxicating medium of paint.  Without perseverance, I would have never gotten through those beginning years.  The best lesson  you can learn from me is to never give up! - Jill Saur

Please enjoy these beautiful works and works in progress by my wonderful students to whom I am eternally grateful for the joy they bring into my life!
To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking art classes with me, please visit my website and go to the "Art Classes" link.  CLICK HERE

Painting and Drawing classes in Roswell, GA.

Painting Classes Roswell, GA.

"Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known." - Oscar Wilde

I've been looking back at some of the work by my wonderful art students.  Thanks to all of my students, past and present, for giving me the opportunity to watch you grow and flourish!

If you're thinking about taking an art class to see what's involved and if it's right for you, please give me a call.  I'd love to speak with you.  To see more of my students work, or to inquire about taking an art classes with me, please visit my website.  CLICK HERE