Workshops at Oregon Society of Artists

Garden or Travel Journaling
March 23
10am - 4pm, at OSA    $95    Register

Make an accordion journal to celebrate your garden, record ideas for paintings or store treasured memories. Rene will offer an overview of  tools and techniques for drawing, painting and collage. Then it's "hands on" as you design and illustrate the pages. Combine drawings with poetry, found objects or thoughts. Create your own unique artistic expression, using color, texture and raw emotion. An attitude of playfulness is required, prior art experience is not needed. Watercolor paper (190lb) and other materials for making an accordion journal are included.

What to bring:
    Paint on the go or studio painting supplies:
        paper, paints, water pot, reference material, palette, brushes, pens, pencils
    Fond objects and images for collage
    Textural stamps
    Poetry or text you've written or collected
    Art papers
Optional:
    Reference materials
    Journals you've made

 

………………………………………………………………………………

Surfaces for Aqueous Media
April 27
10am - 4pm, at OSA    $95    Register

Each painting surface has unique characteristics that may change the way you apply paint or how your finished watercolor looks. Experimenting  with the different qualities of varying surfaces,  Aquabord. Paper on Panel. Tyvek. Watercolor Ground. Yupo, is one way to keep your work fresh or give it pizzaz. Here’s an opportunity to determine which appeal to you the most. Rene will introduce the surfaces by showing examples of her artwork and demonstrating their various characteristics. Then you'll try a few, painting a similar image (of your choice). Rene will work with you step-by-step! Samples are provided. All levels of experience welcome.

What to bring:
    Painting supplies for aqueous media:
        Watercolor or Acrylic paints, sketch paper, pencil, kneaded eraser, water pot, reference material, palette, brushes
Optional:
    Water soluble pencils or crayons
    Pens or ink
    Examples of your work

 

Strengthen your paintings with simple color theory, using value (dark vs light) and intensity (bright vs dull) to create mood. Learn to mix watercolor paint with confidence, to create pure luminous color instead of mud. Study pigment qualities; opacity, transparency, staining and granulating. to familiarize yourself with varying paint characteristics. Master colorful blacks and expressive neutral tones. Explore creative color palettes and how to increase color harmony and diversity in your work. Practice and Play combine in this lively color workshop. All levels of experience welcome.

What to bring:
    Painting supplies for watercolor:
        Paints, sketch paper, pencil, kneaded eraser, water pot, reference
Optional:
    Water soluble pencils or crayons
    Examples of your work

 

Botanical Watercolor 3-day
August 23, 24, 25
10am - 4pm, at OSA    $275    Register

Capture the fascinating beauty of plants. Learn techniques for painting plant portraits with botanical artist Rene Eisenbart. From the initial sketch to the finished painting, you'll develop skills for rendering detail that is both accurate and expressive. Learn tricks of the trade and paint handling tips. Study how value & composition influence your painting. Explore creative use of color.

Every class consists of instruction or demonstration of technique, plus working time. I also give lots of individual attention to students, to address issues or challenges voiced. My job, the way I see it, is to support the artist in creating their own expression. I want to work with each as an individual — recognizing and celebrating their strengths while looking for ways to grow or stretch their skills.

Photographs for art reference are provided. I also encourage students to bring their own. Maybe a potted plant, a few leaves or even several photos. While many in this class do paint botanicals, I suggest painting something you love — an image you respond to — whatever it is. In this way your art will be a personal expression and will have meaning for you. I offer assignments where you can work on a subject of your choosing — possibly a leaf, animal, stone or human.

If you are just beginning to explore artistic expression, you will find this class to be a supportive environment. I encourage you to enjoy the journey. Avoid comparing yourself to others, and instead look for what you do well. Give yourself some space to learn. Most of us tend to be hardest on ourselves. Visualizing beyond what we are capable of expressing is a common experience with artists. Our proficiency never outpaces our imagination. and that's what keeps us stretching beyond our comfort zone.

If you are coming to this class with a proficiency in place, you might be looking for inspiration, comradery, structure, or feedback on your work. Chances are, you will find that, and more. I really feel the basics are useful for us all — we hear what we need to hear when we are ready. It is not unusual for a student to take the class several times. I do not tire of the basic art principles, either!

New for 2012, this workshop is designed to make it easier to fit into the work week, offering the basic 5-week class curriculum, and more!

What to bring:
    Painting supplies for watercolor:
        Paints, sketch paper, pencil, kneaded eraser, water pot, reference
Optional:
    Water soluble pencils or crayons
    Examples of your work