Creating a Studio or Artist Space
The first question to ask yourself – is a dedicated, separate studio necessary? While a separate building or room may not be necessary or even possible, if you are taking your art seriously you at least need a dedicated artist space. You need a personal space that...
Colour
Isaac Newton in the 17th/18th century deduced that sunlight is made up of the ‘spectrum’, a term referring to the components of white light. The components of sunlight can be seen when its wave length is separated (through refraction) by a glass prism. The result is a rainbow with ‘seven’ colours, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet
Portraiture
The announcement of the 2013 winner of the Archibald Prize led me to ask the question – what is portraiture? The artworks making up the finalists for that year seemed to differ quite dramatically, so what defines a portrait? Taking things back to basics, portraiture...
Colour Preferences – where do they come from?
Overall our colour preferences are deeply engrained, emotional responses that appear to lack a rational basis, but where do our preferences come from? Evolution or learned behaviour?
Through the Looking Glass – the Prism – Breaking the Pattern – Igniting Curiosity for a new vision.
The Technology of Enchantment The aim of this blog is to give you, as the artist or the spectator an understanding of the technology of enchantment, in the production of Art. To illustrate how the technology is developed I will use an anthropological three phase...
My painting teacher should moonlight as a management consultant. Here’s why…
Here is an insightful article written by my student, Kirsty Crowly. Ellen Michel Indulging in my passion Recently I took a well-earned break from work and spent time indulging in a few passions that had received scant attention over the 6 years since my first son was...
Hillside in Provence 1886-1890 by Paul Cezanne
Finally, we grasp the true feeling Cezanne wants us to take from the statement he makes. It is a fusion of nature and the self. It is a steady ordeal, search and meditation to grow as an artist, examining how marks on a canvas can reflect something more than the naked eye can see at first glance
What is Impressionism? The Basics
If like me you struggle to make sense of all the different styles of painting, let's take things back to basics. Starting with Impressionism, what is it and what sets it apart from other styles? Impressionism, is an art movement that began with a group of Paris...
2017 and another year with the Ellen Michel Art School
There is a certain clarity revealed when artists put their work in the public arena . In this case displaying to peers. And Sunday was no exception. The variety and scope of the paintings was dramatic. From landscape (urban and country) to portraiture, still life, floral and figure work. The variation of style also was quite diverse and took me by surprise.
Can You Throw Something Away You Have Never Had?
My daughter said to me recently, ‘Mum technique in painting is not considered important these days, so throw them away they do not help painting today. Techniques were the foundation and of all painting of the past, technique is obsolete, it is time to let go’.
An Ongoing Commentary on the Importance of Observation of Nature to Painting
The world loves Monet and his peers - bringing colour and light into the world - an optic sensation. Like all great movements, the French impressionist painters of the late 1800's did not receive overnight acclaim when they first exhibited in Paris in 1874. Today,...
Observation of Nature as a Basis for a Painters Training
Over the coming weeks I will explore the strong case for the observation of nature as a basis for a painters training. From Giotto to Pollock we will explore the implications of the observation of nature, its rendering and distillation. As a way of defining what...
The Importance of Under Painting
With all my years of teaching and painting experience, there still remains a fascination for the use of under painting. By under painting I mean the initial ‘wash’ of oil paint ( paint thinned to a watery consistency with pure turpentine) over the whole surface of the...
Tips on how to choose a subject for your artwork.
Are you having trouble deciding on the subject for your next work of art? Feeling lost and uninspired? You’re not alone, it happens to every artist (even the professional) from time to time, but we have a few tips to help you through it. "The faculty of creating is...
Photorealism
A few weeks ago we discussed Realism, as a style of art and now we take a look at a sub-branch of realism; photorealism. The term photorealism applies to paintings from the US, beginning in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Photorealism is the style of painting...
Nature the Foundation for Painting
Nature the Foundation for Painting Continuing our lesson from last month we explore the strong case for the observation of nature as a basis for a painters training. From Giotto to Pollock we are exploring the implications of the observation of nature, its rendering...
Cubism
Cubism is the first Abstract Art style that began between 1907 and 1911 and is said to have been invented by Pablo Picasso. Cubist paintings are not meant to be realistic or life like in any way. Far removed from traditional art styles of the time, cubists created a...
Abstract Art
Of all the genres and styles of art, I must admit to being the most confused by abstract art. Sometimes, I really am at a loss to see the difference between abstract artwork hanging on a gallery wall and that of a scrawling created by my daughter back in her kindergarten days (and a few of those do still hang, framed upon my walls).
Realism
Continuing on our quest to unravel and demystify the different styles of art we come to Realism. Generally defined, Realism is the attempt to represent a subject truthfully and without artificiality all the while avoiding the constrictions of art convention, as well...
The health benefits of getting involved in painting
Painting can have a positive effect on your mind, body and spirit. The participation and involvement increases your focus and attention, on both the work you are creating and the beauty around you and from there the benefits flow. Many painters find that...