Still making progress. I’m learning a lot from Ovanes, such a generous teacher.
Today I focused on the area he asked me to work on: “raw color” (include more sophisticated grays, I need to build up to the color). I was able to create the strings of pure color and grays on my palette, but I think less successful doing the same on my canvas. He does mix a fair bit on the canvas, whereas I tend to like to place a stroke down and leave it, to avoid creating mud. Somehow he’s able to mix on the canvas without creating a muddy mess. He commented that he generally doesn’t mix a third/forth color in that process, and so avoids this problem. In any case, he pointed out in his first demo how you need neutral grays to provide a dim stage for the pure colors to really “pop” as the star attraction.
When he got to my canvas at the end of the day, he saw improvement in color, but found my brushwork disjoint, broken. I realized I wasn’t mixing enough on the canvas, so will focus on this tomorrow, when we move from his orchard to paint on the Snake River, just down the road from his studio.
Hopefully, more progress then. Speaking of hope, Kumquat called to let me know my painting of Angel Island Harbour sold today! I’m on my way 🙂 and Mike gave me the okay to buy an Ovanes painting. I have my eye on a couple, one sunset, the other of a series of hilltop villages in what is probably Provence, but could be Italy. Cheers!
Wow i love your flowers the colors are great
I am taking a workshop with Ovanes Berberian this weekend. I have had limited experience in oil (I work mostly with watercolor and pastels). I am wondering if I am going to be too much of a neophite to get use out of his workshop
It’s true that Ovanes’ techniques are very focused on oil. For example, his use of transparent underpaintings, color mixing, etc. Nevertheless, you can’t go wrong by watching and listening to this master. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot.
Ed = Thank you so much for sharing all this cool information with us all! Do you know how I can find out about any future workshops Ovanes might be giving??
I would really appreciate it if you could let me know.
Many thanks again.
Hope Reis
See this blog post for the 2006 schedule:
https://www.edterpening.com/blog/?p=331