Balancing Opposites

 Tuesday, July 29 9 - 4:30   $145  
  Jane Davies        


Student Level: Intermediate
Type of Workshop: Project-based, students can expect to complete several pieces
Prerequisite: Students should have some experience with acrylic paints

 
     

    Composition means the arrangements of elements and their relationships to one another within the framework of your painting or collage (or any art form). You can have all the drawing or painting skill in the world, great subject matter and a fantastic sense of color, but a piece lacking in compositional integrity falls short of its full potential. Yet the concept of composition is elusive. There are so many factors all working together at once - color, line, shape, contrast, focal area, movement, etc. How do you keep track of them all? Approaching composition from the standpoint of Balancing Opposites can be an enlightening way to tackle the subject. In teaching, I find myself repeatedly saying things like: “All of your colors are saturated. How about balancing that out with some neutrals?” or “Your values seem to be all mid-range. How about including very dark and/or very light values?” or “Your piece is very busy; how about some quiet space?”

    In this one-day intensive we will explore the elements and principles of composition in terms of pairs of opposites: bright/dull; large/small; textured/smooth; busy/quiet, and so forth. You will come away with the tools to create dynamic compositions, and a deeper understanding of how to balance the Yin and Yang of composition!

    Materials fee of $5 payable to Instructor at class time includes:
  • Printmaking paper for substrate
  • Some collage papers
  • Various drawing tools
Students should bring:
  • Acrylic paints: bring some artist grade acrylics as well as craft paints
  • Brushes – bring a variety
  • Acrylic matte medium – one small jar
  • Acrylic glazing medium – one small jar (optional – for diluting your paints and keeping them wet longer)
  • Collage papers (your own painted papers as well as others)
  • Scissors
  • Disposable palette (pad of paper style)

    Optional:
  • Drawing materials, such as pens, markers, pencils, crayons, etc.
  • Stamps and stencils

    Place an advance order for your supplies & tools and pick it up when you arrive at AU:
    Mixed Media: The Occasional Artist - Email your order to: theoccasionalartist@cox.net or call 623-847-2215
    Jewelry: The Urban Beader - Order at theurbanbeader.com, then send email to sales@theurbanbeader.com stating that this is a pre-order for Art Unraveled. Once the email is received the shipping will be reimbursed.

    Questions? Email Jane at jane@janedaviesstudios.com
    Website: janedaviesstudios.com