I aimed for a different feel with my second version of the same house: More colours and I thought of flowers amongst my splatters. I found it difficult to integrate the “flowers” into my landscape — had to wash off the bottom half of the painting but played around a bit more. There aren’t any details on the bottom half of the painting left as they did not look integrated at all. I think the house is too big for this landscape and the foreground and middle ground is a bit boring. Again, I’m rather pleased with the background trees, sky etc.

Love this. The spontaneity in the foreground especially is delicious!

I’ve planned to do two versions with the same house (pixaby photo by Klaus Hausmann). In this one, I could only find rocks and some vegetation in the initial splatters. I think the trees and background worked out rather well — not sure if the foreground is a bit disjointed from the house ect. A very informative and enjoyable lesson, thank you Steve!

Really excellent!

I think the beginning of my painting (it's the next post, I'm sorry I thought they would upload together...) looks more promising and better than the result. But that’s ok, that’s the point. I learned my lesson. By the end I was lifting the paint in places and almost drawing instead of using the shapes and it had stopped being fun. It wasn’t spontaneous anymore!

I love the shrubs, rocks and pond you have "picked out" from your spontaneous initial washes. You've developed incidental colour splashes into a recognisable, peaceful landscape. I think you should be delighted with this "result".

Thank you Susanne! I was afraid I was forcing the painting to become the landscape I "saw" but I guess that's also a way to do it :)

Very nice!

Thank you Steve Mitchell for taking me on another spontaneous painting jaunt. I had great fun to see pigments merge and mingle -- to discover shapes emerge from the splatter! I had to jiggle things a bit to connect the right and left side of my initial splatters -- but I think it all gelled ok in the end. I loved the playful process and will incorporate it into my regular painting practise. I’m also rather pleased with the landscape that materialised.

You're welcome. This is very nice. Love the rock walls.

This last workshop was great! thank you

Glad you enjoyed it. Love the treeline!

Orientation issues again. I like this one, though in the photo, I see a place. To fix.

Orientation issues again. I like this one, though in the photo, I see a place. To fix.

Neat foreground washes!

Hi there everyone. I've been really enjoying this lovely sensitive technique that Steve has been sharing with us. Mine is not quite so sensitive unfortunately :-( Anyway, my attempt started in landscape format with a wet in wet base layer using apple green mixes and cobalt blue. However, I saw this tree peeking out at me in portrait format so couldn't resist it :-) The paper I used was a Strathmore pad 400 series. It is quite lovely paper but I don't believe that it is cotton. Think it's the 500 series that is cotton. Maybe Steve can confirm. It worked reasonably ok anyway but I'll try some more on cotton paper. Thanks Steve for some wonderful videos. Sarah.

Hi there everyone. I've been really enjoying this lovely sensitive technique that Steve has been sharing with us. Mine is not quite so sensitive unfortunately :-( Anyway, my attempt started in landscape format with a wet in wet base layer using apple green mixes and cobalt blue. However, I saw this tree peeking out at me in portrait format so couldn't resist it :-) The paper I used was a Strathmore pad 400 series. It is quite lovely paper but I don't believe that it is cotton. Think it's the 500 series that is cotton. Maybe Steve can confirm. It worked reasonably ok anyway but I'll try some more on cotton paper. Thanks Steve for some wonderful videos. Sarah.

Hi there everyone. I've been really enjoying this lovely sensitive technique that Steve has been sharing with us. Mine is not quite so sensitive unfortunately :-( Anyway, my attempt started in landscape format with a wet in wet base layer using apple green mixes and cobalt blue. However, I saw this tree peeking out at me in portrait format so couldn't resist it :-) The paper I used was a Strathmore pad 400 series. It is quite lovely paper but I don't believe that it is cotton. Think it's the 500 series that is cotton. Maybe Steve can confirm. It worked reasonably ok anyway but I'll try some more on cotton paper. Thanks Steve for some wonderful videos. Sarah.

Hi there everyone. I've been really enjoying this lovely sensitive technique that Steve has been sharing with us. Mine is not quite so sensitive unfortunately :-( Anyway, my attempt started in landscape format with a wet in wet base layer using apple green mixes and cobalt blue. However, I saw this tree peeking out at me in portrait format so couldn't resist it :-) The paper I used was a Strathmore pad 400 series. It is quite lovely paper but I don't believe that it is cotton. Think it's the 500 series that is cotton. Maybe Steve can confirm. It worked reasonably ok anyway but I'll try some more on cotton paper. Thanks Steve for some wonderful videos. Sarah.

You're quite welcome. Very nice tree too!

Nice!

❤️

I can’t get the picture to turn right side up.

I can’t get the picture to turn right side up.

Thats ok. I turned my laptop over and took a look. 🤣 Nice work.

Still upside down

Upside down,

Nice feel to this one! I like how the back washes became tree canopies.

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

Thank you!! :)

This is my Lesson 3: Wet-on-Dry Spontaneous Landscape. I seriously need to work on painting my rocks & cliff sides better. I am really enjoying these techniques. I am also enjoying the process & progress of my painting results!

Looking good Colleen!

There, I think it looks more solid with something behind it

❤️❤️❤️

don't think this looks like anything in particular but it was interesting to push the light effects. I'm going to wait for it to dry and see if there's anything else.

Nice work. Excellent edges.

Started out with a few reddish-brown blobs and turned into a rose arbor... ok. I do like the effect of the layered trees and shrubs suggested in the background

❤️❤️❤️

👍

Well -- this was certainly a journey of discovery: suddenly all these waterfalls, rocks and shrubs appeared. Unfortunately it turned out a bit kitschy in the end but it was a fabulous tutorial and lots of fun.

Super nice! Great job on the water and subtlety of rock formations. Love this!

Oh wow that’s gorgeous!

My other painting was horrid, this one just proves negative painting is a skill I need a lot of work on.

Neat! I like the feel. Nice negative painting.

Original orientation for this one.

Nicely subtle and soft!

This is upside down from the original orientation and has different possibilities!

This is the orientation I used.

❤️

This one went much better staying with the water spattered on the paper.

ended up using this one turned 180°

Some great edges and contrast between sharp and soft forms. Love this!

Wow -- I love this! It looks like light bouncing off the foliage in this luscious green landscape.

Still from the same wash... I dicidid to go further. Yes it is over worked but I am more happy with it

Overworking is fine. It's a learning tool. Love the trees especially.

Good work! I like the nails.

I have done several of these this week and this is the one I like the most. Thanks Steve for these great classes, it has been a super helpful way to practice.

I have done several of these this week and this is the one I like the most. Thanks Steve for these great classes, it has been a super helpful way to practice.

I have done several of these this week and this is the one I like the most. Thanks Steve for these great classes, it has been a super helpful way to practice.

I have done several of these this week and this is the one I like the most. Thanks Steve for these great classes, it has been a super helpful way to practice.

You're welcome. Glad you've enjoyed the classes

This one is my favorite one I have finished. I guess third time is a charm as the saying goes. 😉💕

Looks nice Colleen. Restful and soft. Nice reflections.

Thanks Steve 😊 .

Well I tried a second time for fun! Pretty pleased.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I like this a lot.

I think I should have used fewer colours, I was very unsure which colour to pick for the details.

I think I should have used fewer colours, I was very unsure which colour to pick for the details.

I don't like the composition. i added birds to draw the eye into the painting.

It works. It's a nice little study. Sometimes that's all this needs to be. What did the media teach you though? Thats the ultimate goal.

I saw a castle in he middle with a bridge to it and different forests on either side, with a moat surrounding the castle. However I wanted to just go with whatever happens as I put paint to various edges. See end result in this gallery.

I’m not sure 🤔 what possessed me to put in the red color, but Yikes 😳! Other than that I love it!

The red's not so bad. You have some nice edges to work with here Colleen!

Very nice! Lovely composition.

couldn't find any landscape in there but I did see a ground-level group of flowers

couldn't find any landscape in there but I did see a ground-level group of flowers

Sure why not. Doesn't have to be landscape. Nice!

Love the reflection and waterline!

Really eye catching. I'm enjoying the colours you've used.

🥰

I don't like it... I like some parts of it : ) But that's part of the game ! One thing I realized was that I was too restricted by the shapes of the 1st wash (like for the 2 purple trees. Another thing is the fir in the middle wee too far away so I worked them over and they are not as nice as they were. And then I finished the foreground kind of quickly : )

but I learned a lot

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

I think it looks great! If I were to make any changes, I'd use a pen to texturize some of the rock shapes in the foreground to try and add depth. But I think this is beautiful and love how the colors blended.

hmmm...sorry about the multiple comments. lesson learned, don't click the comment button more than once, even when it seems like nothing is happening.

Thanks Anni

Really nice Martine!

Some nice tree rendering here!

Excellent contrast! This is very important!

Lovely! The contrast is good.

Nice colors. Introduce a few more sparks of contrast if you can. This has real finish possibilities though.

Great edges. This will give you some nice landscape elements as you go to details.

I really like this one : )

Lovely colors! I like the limited palette. Try for a few more darks in just a few spots maybe but your choice really. Those can always be added as you go.

Good start. Aim towards a center of interest and a few more darks. I see a wonderful treeline forming in the distance.

Pretty colors and a neat flow to the washes. Some good tree forms emerging here.

Looks like a cliff seen from below with some trees on top

Not sure why this rotated after uploading in the correct direction.

Not sure why this rotated after uploading in the correct direction.

Not sure why this rotated after uploading in the correct direction.

Nice starts Colleen. You have some excellent edges here for detailing and some nice contrast.

Lovely colors. Some nice land forms emerging. Lets get some dark accents in there somewhere.

Yes !

Ooo, yes! I love this. One of those, "it painted itself" moments! All you need now is to define a few edges and details.

Yes, one of ma favorite. I'm exited to work on it : )

I tried something for this one : 1. Spatter water 2. Big drops of paint by squeezing my round brush 3. Blow on the puddles 4. Splatter clean water

10”x14” Arches cold pressed block

Good start. Go for another wash layer maybe before you start details. This will allow you to ad some dark pops.

Great job - drawing your own hand!

Ooh she's so peaceful. Love it!

Colorful. Some great edges and contrast to play with.

Interesting pattern. Excellent contrast points.

oops sorry - duplicate and I don't see a way to remove it.

Nice colors. Wonderful contrast points and edges. Maybe try to merge and simplify some of the washes as you detail it.

oops sorry - duplicate and I don't see a way to remove it.

oops sorry - duplicate and I don't see a way to remove it.

Love the shapes and colors. Lots of possibilities here.

oups ! it's on the side

oups ! it's on the side

oups ! it's on the side

oups ! it's on the side

oups ! it's on the side

oups ! it's on the side

Cool textures. Love the colors!

Thank you !

Nice color palette, landforms and rhythms. The foreground composition is neat!

Thank you !

Nice contrast and colors! Be sure to leave plenty of highlight areas too!

Yes, thank you Steve : ) (too much dark everywhere according to me hehe

Yes, thank you Steve : ) (too much dark everywhere according to me hehe

This was my first go at wet in wet and lol it got a little wet!

This was my first go at wet in wet and lol it got a little wet!

This was my first go at wet in wet and lol it got a little wet!

It's a good base though. I like the back washes. Those can make for some interesting elements.

First wet on dry

Good start! Some good possibilities to develop here.

Wow, lots of color and darks. Leave some light areas too. I like the leafy bough shapes forming on the left and bottom.

Nice textures and contrast here.

Good starts both. Plug in a few more dark pops here and there if you can. Don't need many.

Good job, especially in capturing that downward facing plane of the nose!

I finished lesson 3. Kelly, I'll post this in the discussion forum as well for critique (though I understand that you might not be able to get to do it, since this course is over).

Lesson 2. I can already see that her head is too wide and flat. I'd love a critique, if you're able to get through all of the submissions. I'll post it in the discussion forum, as well.

Sheez I had no idea facial hair and cat hair were so hard to draw! I felt it was too busy to add any background stuff. Thank you so much Kelly for all of your insights and time! I really got a lot out of your class!

Really god hand drawings!

A most enjoyable Workshop, thank you.

Powerful drawing! I think the bird is smiling at the viewer! There’s a story…..

Thanks Vivian, they were laughing as I was working on my drawing:)

What an absolute perfection of a kookaburra! And so many different textures! Love it.

Thank you Magdalena, I am happy that you like it. All the best

“Drawing What you see and don’t see” This is my son lounging on a couch in Brooklyn NY. It took a week to think about where I wanted to “put” him, what would I enjoy drawing 🤣. I’m a big birder so that’s where I let my imagination take me. Way out of my usual “comfort zone”. Thanks for the shove!

Very interesting piece and I like the colours you have chosen. The water is great. I like the connection of the swan with your son using that single feather on its beak. Lovely imaginative drawing.

Thanks Lotus, the water was a challenge, I didn’t figure it out until I listened to the next lecture about background choices! Great class!

Wow, Vivian!!! It would take me forever to even begin this piece, and I would possibly never manage to finish. Wonderfully imaginative, very interesting, and non-obvious. And the single feather that Lotus mentioned! Wow again!

Thanks Magdalena! I was surprised myself that I “let my imagination run wild”, kinda like a kid in a toy store LOL. Thanks to this course!

Dear Kelly, thank you very much for your workshop! I learned a lot. Here, I didn't use my favorite Strathmore Toned Tan, but I did (hopefully) apply your advice: 1. line variety, 2. value range, 3. texture (not sure about that), 4. forced focus, and 5. (definitely) interest. Wishing you lots of success! p.s. No idea why the photo turned, but this happened in the past, too.

WOW very inspiring! Fantastic portrait!

Wow a very eye catching portrait. It really keeps my interest. I like it, it has captured a mood for sure, very good:)

Thank you so much for liking my portrait, Vivian and Lotus! It's been a great pleasure to study alongside such amazing, sensitive artists!

What a sweet portrait! Makes me wonder what yummy things he was licking off of his fingers! There’s a story there….

Adorable ! I like very much the strong lines in the hair, and the lines/texture in the shirt. You ave captured very well the emotion from the child. Nicely done Vivian.

James, I apologise for the mistaken identity, in my comment below. ( I wish we can edit our comments) Your drawing is nicely done, I really like the emotion from it:)

This is so good!

If you're still critiquing work from lesson one, I'd like to hear your feedback on my piece. I also posted it in the discussion forum, so you can reply there.

Great, Marcie! I'm working through the posts in order. Looking forward to reviewing yours in the discussion forum. :)

I love the bubbles! The loose white sparkles really make them “pop”!

I'm glad the bubbles gave you some cheer, Vivian. Thank you

I agree with Vivian!

I love your overlapping in your coloring, and especially the “glow” you put around her.

Beautifully rendered hair! Lots of patience!

Kelly, critique, pls (and everyone else!). I confess: I used a different tan paper, and used blue as well. Great fun and great instructions!

I like how you used the blue! And that tan paper works perfectly!

Wonderful! I'm working on your visual critique now. :) I'll post it in the discussion.

Wonderful! I'm working on your visual critique now. :) I'll post it in the discussion.

Wonderful! I'm working on your visual critique now. :) I'll post it in the discussion.

So good!

Perfection!

Thanks, I do love this St. Augustine lion (from Florida). Four of them guard the bridge into the city.

awesome!

Attempt #2

Beautiful rendering!

Drawn from life. Totally out of my comfort zone :)

Wow! Love the contrast! You're too talented!

Thank you so much @fantinepantine! It's you who is too kind!

Wow! I love the different background. Very strong.

Wow! I love the different background. Very strong.

Wow! I love the different background. Very strong.

Adore this

Thank you K f and Magdalena!

Great!

Very dramatic! Bravo!

Thanks Magdalena, I must say I’m a bit surprised at all my wrinkles LOL!!! Guess that’s the honor of getting to 64 and being willing to draw what I see.

SO good!

great veins! very 3-D

Nice!

Very subtle!

Wow!

So good!

excellent

just lovely

just lovely

Very delicate

Great work, Colleen! You'll see in the forum I did the visual critique you requested. :)

well done

Okay

Well done!

So good!

Thank you fantinepantine and Julie :)

Thank you fantinepantine and Julie :)

I love how the fingers are positioned! Very nice!

really nice

Thank you Magdalena Thank you pamela It is nice to see familiar students in the class.

Well done 😃

Well done 😃

Well done 😃

Well done 😃

Final version, please critique.

You used white far better than I did! Nice!

so realistic

My hand

Toned paper makes a big difference.

This hand looks almost alive!

First mini sketch

First mini sketch

First mini sketch

Love the 3-dimension effect you achieved!

oui

oui

I didn’t have all the supplies so used a mechanical pencil and a blender. I was shocked at how well I did. I’m a novice.

I didn’t have all the supplies so used a mechanical pencil and a blender. I was shocked at how well I did. I’m a novice.

I didn’t have all the supplies so used a mechanical pencil and a blender. I was shocked at how well I did. I’m a novice.

I didn’t have all the supplies so used a mechanical pencil and a blender. I was shocked at how well I did. I’m a novice. I’m encouraged to try more.

Great! Enjoy the learning process, especially with talented artists like Kelly!

Not a good photo. First rendering in red. Please feel free to crit ;)

I love that you were drawing from life! I'll post your requested critique in the forum :)

Think I am done. Hard to draw swollen knuckles... Please feel free to crit. :D

It's nice to virtually see you again! I'm sure our instructor will comment, but personally, I think you did a wonderful job, and your drawing is so subtle.

Beautiful

Thank you Magdalena ;)

Thank you Julie ;)

Great work @fantinepantine! It's nice to see your watercolor-loving self, do this lesson! I can't post a photo critique in the gallery, so I will do that in the forum! :)

Kornelia's attempt

Nice!

Thank you, @fantinepantine! She's my 14-year-old daughter.

WOW 14 and so good already?!

WOW 14 and so good already?!

Thank you very much, Vivian! You made her so happy with your comment.

Magdalena's attempt

Magdalena's attempt

Magdalena's attempt

Beautiful! Reminds me of the classics.

Beautiful! Reminds me of the classics.

Beautiful! Reminds me of the classics.

Thank you so much for your kind comment, @fantinepantine! <3

This is a stunning hand drawing!

Thank you kindly, @Vivian!

Magdalena's and Kornelia's reference

Thanks to strathmore 300 series Bristol in this peace!

Tap or click to see all three

Tap or click to see all three

Tap or click to see all three

I like the way the road continues from one page to the next

I like the way the road continues from one page to the next

I had never used gouache before - fun to experiment! Thanks! I got a less expensive set so I could play a bit too.

Thoroughly enjoyed Lesson 1, feel like a child in a toy box. Can’t wait to start Lesson 2!

Thoroughly enjoyed Lesson 1, feel like a child in a toy box. Can’t wait to start Lesson 2!

Thoroughly enjoyed Lesson 1, feel like a child in a toy box. Can’t wait to start Lesson 2!

Hello from Chicago! Let's get this party started! I have sets of polychromos in Faber-Castell, but went ahead and purchased the LYRA Rembrandt Aquarell pencil set for this workshop. Excited to be here, and looking forward to learning more.

I really like these Lyra watercolor pencils, they seem to blend better than my Derwent pencils.

Wow! This is my first experience with gouache. Although this set is quite expensive, I'm very impressed with its quality. Having a lot of fun working with it.

Brandon I started this drawing trying to do straight lines, but then as I progressed, it morphed, and emerged into this final result. I had some struggles but did enjoy how the drawing "emerged". Thank you very much for your useful workshop.

Love the eyes! In my opinion, you did a very good sketch ;)

Thank you fantinepantine I appreciate your comment.

Thank you Fantinepantine I appreciate your comment.

My daughter worked on this task as well. :) Wasn't quite happy with the outcome, though...

Aww I'm sorry to hear that Magdalena. I'll be honest, this was definitely a tough subject to approach and I put it in here because I thought this could be something everyone could strive to work towards. I still struggle with portraits myself these days too. It's always difficult. Tell her not to give up and to keep drawing other things as well. She will improve over time. This is really a great effort and there's a lot of good things about it :) Just focus on having fun and drawing what you enjoy and the rest will come. Just be patient and learn from these kinds of things. Portraits are one of the most difficult things to draw so, for now I would stick to something more simple and then try a portrait again in the near future. Keep striving and don't give up :) Thank you for sharing!

Sorry for reuploading the sketch. Couldn't locate the delete function and wanted to redo the hair a bit. The sketch took me an hour. Once again, thanks a lot for the workshop!

No worries Magdalena and great effort here for sure. I love the moodiness of this one, really captured the lighting and look in his eyes. Great features too! Thank you for sharing. I really hope you and your daughter enjoyed these lessons! Take care

Love your sketch! You have a lot more contrast than I have - looks so much better! when not 'bland'. Good job!

Thank you for the awesome workshop, Brandon. My daughter and I loved your instruction and your calm voice. Wish you many wonderful journeys and a lot of success in all your endeavors, Magdalena

Thank you so much Magdalena, wishing the same for you both as well! Don't give up and just have fun with it :) Your daughter has a lot of skill, she will do well. Mistakes and bad drawings are always inevitable - I still do bad ones all the time haha. Just stick with it and keep going :)

Really great light in these little sketches :)

Thank you Brandon ;)

So cool! Love it!

Really nice sketch! Love the character of it and the eyes and facial features. Well done! Really simplified the values and made them connect. Love it.

Thank you for your kind comments ;)

Nice sketches! Well done :) Thank you for sharing.

Great shading work :) Really nice subtle values and shapes. Thanks for sharing!

I really enjoyed drawing the spheres. Thank you.

hmm need to scroll to see lesson 3 week 3

Great work Lotus, I can definitely see an improvement! Thanks for sharing :)

Yes Thank you. It is nice to see and feel improvements.

This time sharing my daughter's Week 3 exercise. Dear Brandon, if you drop by, could you please share some tips on how to see/create effective values? I have a problem with the middle ones... Thanks!

Hi Magdalena. This is great work from your daughter :) Really excellent! Great details and shading. As far as creating effective values, I can possible share a few things which might be useful for you. I would focus on simplifying the values when possible. So try to imagine your object or scene having only 3-4 main values. Maybe 2 values in the light, and 2 values in the shadow. I would first start your drawing also by separating light from shadow. Determine where shadow ends and light begins. This will also help to create more separation in the values. You can always add more values (like a middle value) later on in the drawing process. But first focus on separating the values and keeping them simple - like 2 in the light, and 2 in the shadow. I hope that helps in some way. You might also have to modify the reference your working with or try a different one. Use one with really obvious light and shadow at first. So that the separation is easy to see. I find these kinds of scenes to be the best for using to create drawings and art :) Looking forward to seeing what else you and your daughter create. Thank you for sharing!

Hi Brandon, you don't know how much your appreciation meant for my 13-year-old daughter, who is very self-conscious and has quite a low self-esteem. Thank you! Also, thanks a lot for the detailed advice. I will try to focus on the simple values (2+2), then. I love drawing portraits (mostly from photo reference) in graphite and white coal/pastel, on Strathmore Toned Tan paper (surprise surprise =) ), and I often find it difficult to translate colors into hues of gray. Apart from the middle values, I feel my darks are not dark enough. I will try to work on the separation that you mentioned. Thanks a lot for the videos, the kind and detailed comments, and for stressing the fact that art should give one joy.

Wow! She's only 13 years old? This is really great work for a 13 year old, no doubt! Very wonderful :) And I'm glad to hear that. I hope it will go well for you. Something else you can also do, is to turn your photo references into black and white if you have the ability. I'm sure there's a site online that will do it for free, or even an app on your phone. I do that from time to time. Also, it depends on your goals for your drawings - but try not to copy the image value for value - what I mean is the photo may overall be darker than your drawing and that's okay. Don't try to match the exact values, but try to create a relationship in your drawing which will make the values look realistic. Hope that makes sense :) Thanks again for sharing and I hope your daughter will keep drawing and pursuing art. She has a lot of skill for that age and has a bright future ahead of her. Keep up the great work!

Wow! She's only 13 years old? This is really great work for a 13 year old, no doubt! Very wonderful :) And I'm glad to hear that. I hope it will go well for you. Something else you can also do, is to turn your photo references into black and white if you have the ability. I'm sure there's a site online that will do it for free, or even an app on your phone. I do that from time to time. Also, it depends on your goals for your drawings - but try not to copy the image value for value - what I mean is the photo may overall be darker than your drawing and that's okay. Don't try to match the exact values, but try to create a relationship in your drawing which will make the values look realistic. Hope that makes sense :) Thanks again for sharing and I hope your daughter will keep drawing and pursuing art. She has a lot of skill for that age and has a bright future ahead of her. Keep up the great work!

You're so kind, Brandon! Thank you! I do feel she's breathing down my neck. :) I just hope she believes this one day. In the past, I did turn some of my references into B&W, but most of the time I like it the hard way. :) Thanks a lot for putting my mind at ease as to the darks. It's good to know that my drawing doesn't need to be as dark as the reference as long as a proper relationship is established. I tried to follow your advice on the 2+2 values. I'm not sure if external links work here, but just in case: https://www.instagram.com/p/ChjwpZusPp9/ . I didn't want to post it here, as it wasn't strictly related to the class. Once again, thanks a lot for your patience, empathy, and expert advice. They're much appreciated!

More sketches ..practicing using the straight lines and angles

Thanks for sharing Lotus! These are great. I can tell it is really benefiting your sketches. I know it might be the camera or photo, just be careful with the darkness of the lines. Try to keep them light when possible and you can clean up the unnecessary lines with eraser. Have fun :)

Thank you for the feedback. Yes my lines are heavy. (not photo ..haha) I was concentrating so much on the straight-line angles, I got a bit heavy handed. I needed to relax. I also left some of the construction lines so that it can be seen how i tried to do the sketches. I am enjoying seeing the improvements in my sketching.

Glad to hear that! Hope it is going well for you :)

I used straight angled lines and some imaginary straight line angles for this sketch.

It's wonderful how subtle your lines are!

This is great exercise Lotus and I recommend doing this one many times with different objects - maybe around your house if possible too. Cups, bowls, vases, etc. You did really well with the symmetry too which is usually quite a difficult thing. I agree with Magdalena too! Very nice linework and subtlety.

Okay, so once again the platform turned my pic sideways, and I cannot edit it. :) Whatever. :) Thank you for the class, Brandon! My daughter and I are studying together. All the best to you and all the fellow students, Magdalena

lovely work, even on it's side

Thank you, dear Pamela! Your kind words warmed my heart.

Wow Magdalena, thank you for sharing, this is really wonderful :) Great work so far haha!

Very good, Magdalena.

It was my pleasure, Brandon! Your harmonious face is such an inspiration. But I promise my daughter and I do the required exercises, too! :)

Thank you, Lotus!

Haha no worries Magdalena, as long you are enjoying yourself and having fun, that's the most important thing I think :) I always try to encourage that.

i always press too hard and break the mechanical pencils-you have a better touch.

No worries Pamela, just takes some time and practice to develop the pressure sensitivity. Don't stress over it too much. Just enjoy the process and have fun! :) Thanks for sharing!

Playing with my supplies. Nancy Johnson

Playing with my supplies. Nancy Johnson

play is good.

Thank you for sharing Nancy, this is some great play. I hope you will continue to explore as the series progresses :)

Nice job!

Love that teapot!

love it!

love it!

love it!

love it!

Finally got a tolerable take on that candy bar!

The thang in the upper left is supposed to be a half eaten candy bar in its wrapper, so you know. :D

will try the color thang later, I am shakier than I thought this morning

nice

nice

Nice! I like these a lot.

Myra on the left, Sam on the right... WHY did one upload sideways?! Tilt your head to the left... LOL!

cool

oops wrong gallery! Sorry!

Anyone have thoughts as to why these images rotate ninety degrees? Thx

Nice color gradation in the sky.

Thank you.

gorgeous

I like the addition of the seagulls. It really adds to the atmosphere!

I appreciate your comments.

Love this one

nice movement and atmosphere

Found this one tough. I really thought I botched this through over-blending. Glad it could be salvaged into something nice. 3 cheers for acrylics!!!

really nice

Nice sparkle on the water.

really nice, love the water surface

I wish I could realign my submissions. They were right when I hit Send

It seems that vertical photos get tipped into a horizontal format.

thanks for sharing. nice

Nice movement in the water!

like this

love all the surf/spray

I love this series of workshops! I've never really tried painting water before, and these lessons are really inspiring.

i like your colours and the smoothness of the water

Thank you!

lovely

scary

fantastic

fantastic

fantastic

fantastic

Good job making the spray look airy and foamy. Beautiful color transitions in the background.

Thank you. I had fun painting this one and thought it would be easier than the last one, but it was not.

Thank you. I had fun painting this one and thought it would be easier than the last one, but it was not.

love it

Well done! Love the fish.

Thank you.

Beautiful!

lovely

Great job!

I think it looks more like an alien abduction 🤣

I think mine looks more like an alien abduction 🤣

I think mine looks more like an alien abduction 🤣

Sorry. Did not realize that comment posted 3 times.

Very nice- lots of movement.

lovely

This is my first attempt ever to paint. I am a paper crafter and musician. I did it on paper because I felt I needed to practice at least once. Next i will try it on the canvas.

It really has the feel of moving water. I especially like all the nice texture on the sandy bottom as well. Excellent first painting!

Nice range and transition of values. This is a very pleasing painting.

Nice Job!

Beautiful work!

wet!

wet!

Nice brushwork. It really looks like bright sun reaching for the dark depths.

Well Done