Weekly Art Wisdom from the Masters

'Timeless Tides'        5x7         pastel       ©Karen Margulis
purchase in my Etsy shop $75

"The true artist is always the student"   Edgar Payne

Did you ever take an art book and just open it up to a random page?  And read just that page?  I do this when I am bored or seeking some inspiration. Sometimes it is helpful. Sometimes it is  totally unrelated to anything I am working on. But it always gives me food for thought.

So I thought it would be fun if I report on one of these random readings and make it a regular feature on the blog.  You just never know when you come across a pearl of art wisdom that you are ready to hear!

So today I chose to open up my copy of Edgar Payne's Composition of Outdoor Painting. Many readers wrote to me yesterday saying how much they love the book and many wish they could find it or afford to buy it. So I will share some random tidbits with you.

Today's Random page is page 20. Here is a quote from that page:

"The study of art is something that cannot be once completed and then set aside.  Knowledge is never complete. Research and meditation are always the source of new ideas. Aside from this, everyone, regardless of his degree of proficiency, needs occasionally to review and take stock lest he become stale, methodical or rests in smug complacency"  Edgar Payne

I find it interesting that I turned to this page. I took out this book in fact to help me review and take stock!   Of interest to all artist especially beginning artists, he goes on to say that practice is of equal importance to study or what he calls the mental approach. We have to learn the essentials as well as practice. He says that knowledge always precedes execution. I will leave you with this quote as food for thought:

"No one can paint better than he knows how" edgar payne

Why You Should Reread Your Art Books

'Autumn Comes'          5x7           pastel       ©Karen Margulis
sold

If it is an art book I want it.  I am always on the lookout for art books in my wanderings through thrift stores.  I don't care what the subject is. If is is related to art and under $5 I'll probably buy it and add it to my collection.

What do I do with all of these books? Some on topics that don't even seem to have anything to do with my mediums.  Well I usually manage to find some nugget of wisdom or inspiration in any book and that's a post for another day.  I do have my favorite art books....my 'go to' books that I like to read and reread. The ones I always seem to share with my students. These books never seem to get put away.

A peek at some of my art books

And then there are books that I read or tried to read at some point but didn't find them helpful. These do get filed away. You know these books....the ones that perhaps came highly recommended but when you got them you couldn't get through them?   If you have any books like this Now is the time to take them out and read them again!   Why you may ask?

YOU ARE A DIFFERENT ARTIST TODAY THAN YOU WERE YESTERDAY

My copy of Edgar Payne's classic book on composition

You have grown. You have learned things about painting. You will undoubtably know more about creating art than when you first read the book. It takes experience and practice for you to really start to understand art concepts.  So what you may have struggled to understand last year might now make perfect sense.

We are not always ready to understand everything about painting. Sometimes we need to process one concept before we are ready to understand another. But when we are ready......the moment when it all comes together is simply magic!

Take the book 'Composition of Outdoor Painting' by Edgar Payne. This is a classic must have book but I could never get past the first chapter. True the prose is old fashioned and a bit hard to read but when I first got the book a few years ago....I wasn't even ready to try to decipher the prose. So when I took it out last week I was pleasantly surprised to discover the pearls of wisdom in the book. I was able to slow down and understand what Payne was saying. I was finally ready to read this book!

So take out some of those dusty art books that you may have relegated to the shelf and re read them. It may be time!  And I will be sharing some of the pearls from Payne's book in a future post.

My Thoughts on Exploring a New Artistic Direction

'Wandering West'           6x12       pastel      ©Karen Margulis
purchase painting with Paypal $95

Something strange happened this summer.  One of my students told me they noticed that my pastels no longer whisper. I don't know if that is a bad thing or not. But she is right. It seems now that when I have a pastel in my hand I want to put down big bold marks. I don't seem to want to build up layer upon layer of pastel. I seem to want to choose a color, make a mark and leave it alone.  What happened to the whispering light touch that I advise my students to use?  Will it come back?

I remember exactly the day it went away. I was on my Southwest trip. We were in Springdale Utah. I was sitting on a bench outside of the coffee shop doing my daily painting. It was a view of the cliffs of Zion National Park. The light was perfect and the colors on the hillside were exciting.

I picked up a piece of 305 Nupastel and did a quick drawing. I wanted to capture the light and colors so I worked very quickly using big chunky marks and pressed down hard. Some of the dark lines were left in place.  After that day the rest of my daily paintings went in a similar direction.

The strange  thing was...I wasn't trying to do anything different. It was just happening. And I was excited about it. I wanted to do more to see what would happen.

drawing with compressed charcoal

dry underpainting with Nupastels

When I returned home from the trip. I got right to work painting from my photos.  I didn't really think about how I would paint but I noticed that I was painting differently....more like my last daily paintings. As my student noted...I wasn't whispering.  And now a month later I realize that I am really enjoying this new way of working.  But I have concerns.

Is this a natural progression in my journey as an artist or just a summer exploration?  Should I go back and try to paint like I did a month ago or should I just enjoy what I am doing?

I'd love to discuss this with other artists who have experienced this. But for now I believe that things happen for a reason. I stopped whispering for a reason and though it may not yet be clear to me. I need to keep exploring and see how it all fits. I think we learn something from everything we try. And maybe the things I am trying this summer will something that will help me grow. I will just enjoy the journey for now!

Pastel Demo...Great White Egret in the Marsh

'Long White is Watching'              12x12            pastel           ©Karen Margulis SOLD

"With quiet alabaster poise the great egret wades through the shoal waters of marsh creeks, ponds, sloughs and lagoons."  So writes Todd Ballantine in his wonderful book 'Tideland Treasures'. We are always on the look out for 'white birds' whenever we travel.  Often we are fooled by white plastic bags hung up in the grass that we call 'white bag birds'. 

But on Pawleys Island there were an abundance of white birds both the Snowy Egrets and the Great White Egrets commonly known as 'Long Whites'.  Today's painting is a portrait of one of the Long Whites that frequented the marsh behind the cottage. Enjoy the progress shots with my commentary. 

12x12 Uart paper. Drawing with compressed charcoal

Blocking in the darkest shapes. I am using all Terry Ludwig pastels

Blocking in the shadowed areas with medium value colors. Finishing the eye.

Adding color to the marsh background. Using the colors I used in the bird

Adding color to the beak

Adding the lights to the feathers with a warm pale yellow

Adding a brighter white to the feathers and finishing marks in the marsh. 

A note on this painting. I am working from a small 2x3 reference photo as I have been for all of the Lowcountry paintings in this series. I really like how not being able to see details allows me to add more of my own personal touch to the subject.

How to get Ideas for Blog Topics

'Where the Marsh Begins'             6x8          pastel       ©Karen Margulis
sold   

I am usually not at a loss for blog ideas.  I am often asked how I manage to post something every day.  It usually is pretty easy because my daily painting is what drives or inspires my post. And if I do get stuck for an idea usually it will come to me as I am puttering around the studio.  But every once on awhile I am stumped. Today I had the painting to post but no topic. But then I came across this great post by one of my favorite artists Casey Klahn on 101 Blog Topics.

Just what I needed! This great list of topics will inspire many more of my posts I am sure. And if you have been wanting to start an art blog....or revive yours....this list is just the thing for you.  I also have found that one topic inspires yet another topic and so on. And when readers comment or ask questions....even more topics are born.

So this list of 101 Blog Topics can inspire an infinite number of topics!  I shall never be at a loss again. So go ahead....visit Casey's wonderful blog The Colorist and pick a topic and start blogging. Feel free to link to your art blog in the comments!

Block In for today's painting using Nupastels

More about today's painting

Title: 'Where the Marsh Begins'

Size:  6x8

Medium: Pastel on white Wallis Professional paper using Nupastels, compressed charcoal and Terry Ludwig pastels.

10 Reasons Why You Should Try Terry Ludwig Pastels

'Walking Barefoot'          6x8          pastel  Terry Ludwig pastels on Wallis paper        ©Karen Margulis
purchase painting on Etsy $100

I have fallen in love all over again with my Terry Ludwig pastels. They have always made up the majority of my pastel collection but lately I have been using them exclusively. I am often asked by my students about choosing pastels and I always try to suggest that they invest in the best quality that they can afford. Many artists new to the medium don't like to spend too much money until they know if they like pastels or until they are good enough. That's another topic but let me just say:

You deserve some Terry Ludwig Pastels!  

Here are 10 reasons why you should try them (in no particular order)

• The colors.  Over 500 beautiful luscious vibrant colors. Some not available in other pastel lines. From beautiful lights to the richest darkest darks and everything in between. You can beat these colors.

• The Feel. They are soft. They are velvety. But not oily feeling. They don't explode or crumble. They are just the perfect amount of softness.

• The shape.  They are square. And a perfect size. It is a generous size pastel that fits my hand perfectly not too big and not stingy. The square size doesn't roll of your table.

• The flexibility.  The shape and size allows for you to make wide chunky strokes or fine lines. Use the edges for detail. The tip for smaller marks. perfect.

• The man behind the pastel....Terry Ludwig is just a great guy! His entire family and staff are wonderful. Dealing with Terry is a joy. 

• The consistency. They are consistently great. I have been using them for 8 years and every pastel I get has been reliably soft and consistent. I can always rely on a great product. 

• The Box. What can I say. I love a good box and Terry's simple black box is the perfect design for the pastels. The boxes look good and protect the pastels well. And even though I take most of my pastels out of the box...I save every TL pastel box!

• Great for travel.  The square size allows me to pack more pastels in my travel boxes. Of course I have been stopped may a time by TSA for my box of 'ammunition'

• Everyone loves them. I don't think I have ever met an artist who doesn't like using Terr Ludwig pastels. That is reason enough to give them a try!

• A great value. Even when they aren't on sale they are worth the price. My TL's last me a long time. They are well worth the money for all of the above reasons!

Convinced yet?  If you haven't tried them or just want more then check out Terry's MYSTERY BOX SALE. It ends on July 27th so order right now! Get a box of 14 assorted pastels for just $30

Which is Better White or Belgian Mist Wallis Pastel Paper?

'Good Bye to the Day'               9x12            pastel  on white Wallis     ©Karen Margulis
purchase painting on Etsy $150

I have lots of pastel papers.  All kinds. My favorites and some not so favorites. I never get rid of any paper because I just never know what I will be in the mood for. What is a favorite one month may be put on the bottom shelf the next.  My usual 'go to' paper is Uart but I decided to take out some white Wallis sanded paper for today's painting.  Why white?  Why not the Belgian Mist color?

The color of your paper does have an effect on your painting. And I have a story about choosing which color Wallis I use.

'Sunset Beach Walk'       5x7      pastel  on Belgian Mist Wallis   $45 click here

For starters, Wallis sanded paper is a wonderful paper from Kitty Wallis. It takes a lot of pastel and abuse. It is one of my favorite papers. It comes in white and a medium gray called Belgian Mist. It also comes in both a Professional and Museum grade.

When I was new to pastel I started using the Belgian Mist paper. I had been painting for about a year when I attended a workshop with Albert Handell. In the workshop I was using the Belgian Mist Wallis and one of the things Albert told me was to try using the white paper instead. They gray paper was making my colors dull he said. The white would help them be more luminous.  So I stopped using gray. I used white paper exclusively for a few years.

Then I took a workshop with Stan Sperlak. He was using the Belgian Mist at the time. And his paintings were gorgeous. So from that point on I didn't hesitate to use the Belgian Mist....or any other color for that matter.

I realized that I could use any color paper I wanted but I just needed to understand how the color would impact my painting. And it took many paintings on many different colors to start to understand.

Color Swatches Samples...all Terry Ludwig pastels

I discovered that the medium gray color of the Belgian Mist tends to make my colors look a bit darker. So if I want a really bright and luminous picture I will choose white or a lighter color. Also, under paintings such as watercolor look duller and darker on the Belgian Mist.  I love the Belgian Mist for studies and for plein air. I like how the warm gray of the paper peeks through and helps unify a painting. (white peeking through can be a distraction) Look at the two paintings and the swatches to see what you think. Conclusion: I love both white and Belgian Mist! It is just know when I want to use them.

My advice:  Take anyone's suggestions for what paper you should use as a suggestion only. Don't use it because they tell you you should! Understand why and don't be afraid to try other papers. This way you will learn what type/color of paper works best for YOU.

A Good Tip For Naming a Painting

'Listen to the Music of the Marsh'                8x10          pastel         ©Karen Margulis SOLD

I think I'm going to like this series.  I was asked how many painting will I plan to do in this series of Pawleys Island paintings.  Well I printed out 24 photos so why not 24!  I have a variety of things to paint from marshes to the beach to the birds and some wonderful sunsets. I think it will keep my interest.

The problem always is what to name the painting?  I could spend way too much time deciding on a name. I really enjoy trying to find the perfect most meaningful name.  But I usually don't have time so I settle on something not so inspired like 'Morning Marsh' or 'Afternoon Marsh'.  Then I run into trouble when I am not paying attention and use the name again. How many 'Afternoon Marshes' can one artist have!

So I have an idea for naming the paintings in this series. I have two books on my shelf on the Lowcountry. I decided to flip through the book and pull out phrases or words that fit the subject I am painting. I started writing them down on a piece of scrap paper and then I realized that I would lose it. So I started a mini notebook that I can leave out on my desk.

Now when I come across some words or phrases that might make a good painting title....I'll have a handy place to write them down.  It is really a lot of fun to read a paragraph written about your subject and find ways to extract and put together words that make the perfect title.  This is a fun way to use your downtime yet still be productive!

Introducing My First Pastel Lesson Download....How to Paint Animals

'Siamese Beauty'      5x7          pastel         ©Karen Margulis  SOLD

I finally did it!  I have put together a complete pastel lesson and demo in booklet form.  I do post mini demos on the blog but I have been wanting to find a way to share a more in depth lesson. When I saw that Etsy had a category to share Digital Downloads I thought it would be a perfect way to share my lessons.  It was just a matter of finding the time to put the lesson together.  Here it is!  

Download the PDF lesson $6 in my Etsy shop

I chose 'Painting Animals' as my first lesson. It is based on a class I teach on my approach to painting animals with pastels. I posted an abbreviated version of the demo on the blog but I have expanded my descriptions and added some extra thoughts and details. The demo photos are in full color.  The lesson is available in PDF format in my Etsy shop for $6.  You can download the file and view it on your computer or print it out and staple it to make a booklet. 

 The subject of the demo is my Siamese Cat Toblerone. Tobi makes a great subject to illustrate my approach.  I use the same approach for any animal I paint. I even use the same steps when painting an animal in oil or acrylic. So you don't have to be a pastelist to follow along.

If you aren't familiar with Etsy....it is a wonderful online venue for fine art and crafts as well as vintage items. It is clean and easy to navigate and is a wonderful place to browse for unique items. I have been selling some of my small paintings on Etsy . A couple of weeks ago I came across a digital download of knitting patterns and I thought hmmmmm now this is how I can share my lessons!

If you enjoy my blog demos think of this booklet as an expanded blog post that you can print out and save. If you know of anyone that might be interested please share this post. AND I welcome your suggestions for future lessons!

Finding a Way To Stay Focused

'Morning Comes'            8x10         pastel         ©Karen Margulis
click here to purchase $125

 It must be my organized studio. Or maybe I am still recovering from my month out west. I don't know what it is but I can't seem to get focused. I want to paint everything!  I want to work in oils and acrylic more but I also want my pastels.  I have so many ideas and subjects I want to paint that it is hard to know where to start. But I'm not really worried.

 It is liberating to paint whatever I want for no reason other than I feel like it. I think it is important do let go and just go where the muse takes you. It means that you probably need this time. Sometimes we study and push ourself so hard to get better or take our painting to the next level that we forget to paint just for the joy of it.  I think this is when we can allow the breakthroughs to happen. When we finally can relax and just paint intuitively.

But.....a little bit of focus can help guide this 'playtime'.  Today I had to find a way to give my studio time a bit of focus. I am going to play....but the paintings will all involve one subject. It will be a series of sorts. (I still can't seem to get interested in my sunflowers so that has been abandoned)  This time my paintings will be inspired by a trip to Pawleys Island South Carolina.

a pile of reference photos of Pawleys Island

Using my new way of working with photos....I printed out 24 tiny photos of Pawleys Island. I chose a wide variety of landscapes, seascapes and birds from my visit last Fall. They all excite me and I can't wait to work with them.

• Having a single subject will help me maintain some focus and will allow me to experiment with other media and more easily apply things I discover to each new painting.  I am not putting a time limit on the series but just let it happen.  

I will be sharing the evolution of this series with you. The exciting thing is that there are so many ways to explore this subject and now at least I have some direction for my explorations!  Today's painting is a pastel on Uart paper with no underpainting. This is the view of the marsh across the street from the cottage where we were staying. This was sunrise just as the sun hit the tops of the trees. The marsh went from cool to glowing with warmth.

Dealing with the Greens of Summer ...Pastel Demo

'Summer Green'            8x10        pastel        ©Karen Margulis
SOLD

It's been raining in Georgia just about everyday this summer. So everything is very lush and green. My weeds are out of control. But it's raining so I spent the day inside painting instead of pulling weeds.  I decided to paint a summer landscape from a tiny photo I took of a roadside mountain stream.  I took some progress photos so follow along and see how I tried to make a very green landscape interesting.

I started the painting on a piece of Uart 600 grit paper with a loose charcoal drawing. I then underpaint the shapes with some orange and red NuPastels. I blend in the Nupastel with a piece of pipe insulation foam.  I chose the reds and orange because I knew I would be adding a lot of green. So in using the compliment of the greens I would make the greens more exciting.

I started blocking in the dark shapes. I am now using soft pastels. This painting was done only using Terry Ludwig pastels. Next I put in the bright yellows in the sunlit areas of the grass. One of the things I liked about this scene was the strong light and shadow patterns so I wanted to be sure to get them in place early on.

I am using a variety of greens from Terry Ludwig's green set. I have some dark cool greens in the distance and shaded areas.  I then put in the sky using a very pale blue green. I also use the same colors in the water.  I try to break up the shape of the trees with sky color.

I now introduce some purple in the tree trunks and along the banks. One of my favorite quotes from Richard McKinley is about the secret of green. He says the secret of green is orange and violet is the friend.  I like to keep this thought in mind when I am dealing with a lot of green in the landscape. In this painting the orange is the underpainting and the violet is the little touches I put in as I finish the painting.

I continue building up the layers of green. I am using bold strokes. I want to let some of the orange peek through and the bold stokes keep me from overblending the green and orange which could make the greens look muddy. I add the final punctuation marks such as the orange in the tree trunks and little purple marks in the grass.

The Benefits of Painting What You Love

'Nesting I'        6x6       acrylic  and ink     ©Karen Margulis
sold

 I have a few subjects that always inspire me to paint. Things that get my attention and make me want to get out my supplies and paint. Landscapes mostly....wide open spaces and meadows in particular. But there are also a few more intimate subjects that get my fingers itchy to paint.....wildflowers and bird nests are at the top of my list.

Yesterday I needed to paint some nests. Yes needed to. I had a busy and stressful morning dealing with the glitch in my blog. I needed to unwind and get my mind off technology. I needed to paint. But I didn't want to think to hard or stretch myself. It was the kind of day that I wanted to paint something that was comfortable. Something I loved to paint. So I chose some nest photos and set up my acrylics.

Why paint what you love?

'Nesting II'     6x6   acrylic sold

'Nesting III'      6x6       acrylic sold

• Painting a subject that is close to your heart allows you to paint in a personal and meaningful way. It is easier to interpret a subject you love with your emotion and paint how you feel and not just copy a photo.

• Painting what you love allows you to slip more readily into the sweet place we call 'the Zone' because we are painting something we know intimately. It is like being with an old friend. We can be ourselves, relax and paint more intuitively.

• Painting what you love usually leads to more successful paintings. It is important to make time to go outside of your comfort zone and learn new things...but it is also important to come back to what you know and love. Have success. relax and have fun.  And when you have a stressful day....time spent painting what you love is the perfect release.