Composing with Simplicity w/Shanna Kunz

This workshop will explore design and color composition in plein air and studio painting. Some experience with your medium is required, though all levels are welcome! Teacher will be working gin Oil with linen panels. We will simplify the process of design and create a dramatic landscape with emotional subtleties or contrast while maintaining the illusion of reality.

What you will learn:

Simplify and abstract your shapes and make sense out of all the information screaming for your attention.

Organize your composition into masses and value patterns for a more organized design, while creating the spatial relationships that create the three- dimensional illusion that helps you feel like you can walk into the painting.

Learn how to make a series of work to explore different emotions in each piece.

Choose a ground color and block-in that serve as a pattern to create an emotional composition with a bold statement and rhythm.

Create depth with the use of temperature shifts and a variety of edges, gently moving your audience through the painting while keeping their attention where you want it to be.

Work with brushes and palette knives to create variations of thick and thin textures.

Personal instruction and guidance will be provided. Shanna will guide you through the decision making process from the very beginning of your painting. She will help you choose and enhance your theme, and to identify palette choices that make your painting more engaging. You will use brushes, palette knives and glazes to develop your authentic style. She will also introduce the concept of dynamic symmetry and shape placement.