The Urban Scene in Art

Learn how to paint lively, expressive paintings with a focus on colour accuracy, mark making and the interconnection of all elements. Value, colour mixing, edges, principles of design and composition, as well as concepts of light and shadow are all part of this workshop and considered part of a solid foundation in painting. In this workshop you'll learn Alla Prima/ wet on wet style techniques which will help bring your painting skills to the next level! Frank's classes reach beyond technique, observing the elusive balance of forces that create beauty in painting.He has 15 years of teaching experience around the USA and Europe.

Portfolio: www.frankeber.com

Small class settings only. Please sign up early!

$350 for members, $375 for non members

Join Doris Lance, renowned wildflower photographer, author and speaker as you explore how to observe with all your senses while trekking around our local natural environs to capture photographs with depth and creativity. 

Throughout the day, tap into that deep place inside to see how the inner world and outer world connect. The feelings, the insights, the sparks that are ignited.  In the morning we will meet at the CCA for a talk based on Doris’ slideshow of photographs titled “Botanical in the Wild.”  After a lunch break, we will take a photography walk around Fiscallini Ranch Preserve photographing the beautiful wildflowers, utilizing the skills that were discussed and gaining experience and additional guidance along the way. Next regrouping at CCA,  for the journaling and art expression part of the day that utilizes Doris’ book, “Botanical Reflections” which is provided to you as part of this workshop. Bring that heightened awareness back with you as you explore the exercises in her book. Botanical Reflections is not just a book, it’s an invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing, by using the five senses and observation. The exercises also help to boost memory, promote motor skills, and reduce anxiety.

Artist Bio:

In a world filled with hustle and bustle, finding moments of connection and tranquility with nature can seem impossible.  However, Doris Lance, avid hiker, wildflower photographer and author of “Botanical Reflections,” claims that nature has always been more than a backdrop-it’s been a sanctuary, a source of inspiration, and a healer. Lance’s journey began at a very young age in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.  This early experience began building memories that now includes worldwide mountain ranges, such as Mount Fuji, Japan/Patagonia, Chile/the Appalachian Train and the Pacific Crest Trail in California. It has become her “second nature.” 

The Urban Scene in Art

Learn how to paint lively, expressive paintings with a focus on colour accuracy, mark making and the interconnection of all elements. Value, colour mixing, edges, principles of design and composition, as well as concepts of light and shadow are all part of this workshop and considered part of a solid foundation in painting. In this workshop you'll learn Alla Prima/ wet on wet style techniques which will help bring your painting skills to the next level! Frank's classes reach beyond technique, observing the elusive balance of forces that create beauty in painting.  He has 15 years of teaching experience around the USA and Europe.

Portfolio: www.frankeber.com

Small class settings only. Please sign up early!

$350 for members, $375 for non members

Two Day Workshop 

Photos are a terrific tool for a painter. They provide reference and angles that would be difficult to get, including action. 

The key is to know how to work from a photo and the FOCUS of this workshop.

This two day workshop is divided into THREE parts. 

PART ONE. I’ll talk about what type of camera equipment I use, including cell phones, still and video cameras and some things to look out for including taking photographs at night. One tip - most cell phones tend to shoot images that are slightly distorted, very wide angled, creating distortion in your painting if you’re trying to copy it exactly.

PART TWO. In the second part of the workshop I'll be talking about how to prepare the photo, either as a print or working from a computer image. In the workshop we’ll be working from printed still images that I’ll provide. (If you have an image you’d like to paint from that’s fine). I encourage you to try and work from a photo with strong lights and dark values and sufficient color information. Most photographs tend to wash out the color and the dark areas tend to go overly dark. For example, shadow areas in an image have a lot more color in them (from reflected light) than the photographs reveal.

PART THREE. I’ll focus on the actual process of painting from the photograph including tips on transferring the image to your canvas. I’ll also cover probably the biggest problem working from a photo - Focus. Unlike a photograph, which is generally all in focus, the human eye sees roughly 20% in focus and the rest is peripheral vision and slightly blurred so the key is to paint like your eyes see and not what the photograph is telling you.

It’s also best to work from your own photographs. Not only do you own the rights to the image but since you’ve taken the picture, you’ve already pre-composed the image.

I’ll begin the workshop with a short slideshow and a simple demonstration painting from a photo. To see more of George Scribner's work visit: scribnerart.com