Drawing in Color

I will be teaching "Drawing in Color" at Washtenaw Community College this fall. Registration, dates, times and more information available when you click on this link:  Drawing in Color

 Underpainting with complementary colors
© Barbara Goodsitt

Improve drawing techniques and stimulate creativity in ths engaging class! Using professonal grade colored pencils, water-soluble color pencils, graphite, pastels and other media, we will explore color theory and its application. A combination of demonstration, one on one guidance and individual studio time will help to improve participant technique and stimulate creativity. An optional class critique will be available for learners who wish to participate.

Student Work

One of my students, Travis, is a very talented artist. He learned some new techniques using odorless mineral solvents with colored pencil, and produced a beautiful winter landscape. The colors were lovely and he was very successful in producing a soft, mystical looking landscape.

Creative Colored Pencil Projects

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Here is a project from my class, Creative Drawing with Colored Pencils.  I ask my students to select an image that is significant to them personally, and have them render it in colored pencil using different hues and values.  The coffee cups were inspired by Andy Warhol and the trees are a variation of a previous colored pencil exercise in blending colors.

Creating a still life in colored pencil

Final 

Still life, colored pencil on 11" x 14" Stonehenge
(click on pictures to enlarge)

Here is a sample of the first steps in a still life demonstration presented to my Saturday morning class. 

Colored pencil is a slow process, but very enjoyable.  The artist mixes colors by layering them over each other. By keeping the point of the pencil very sharp and using a light touch, you can preserve the tooth of the paper. The more colors and layers used will help the artist produce a picture that has a rich blend of color.

Benefits of Participating in Creative Arts

I wanted to share some of the work my WCC students are doing this session.  It is exciting to see how each person explores art in their own way. These students come from diverse backgrounds.  Many people discover a talent they did not know that they possesed. Some of my students studied art many years ago, but left it behind to pursue a more lucrative career or raise a family. People who participate in creative arts benefit both emotionally and physically.  

You can be creative with visual arts, music, dancing, cooking, and the list goes on... I hope you all find a way to add creativity to the things you do.  Life is good!

Mandala

ⓒ Barbara Goodsitt

Peace & Happiness

One of the exercises I give my class is to design a personal mandala. I urge them to work spontaneously, letting their subconscious guide their design and color choices. 
Drawing and painting mandalas can help you to harmonize your harsh emotions, ease your pain, regain your trust in yourself and believe in your life again.  As one who absorbs thoughts and feelings from others, I find creating a mandala as a way of becoming empowered with my own values and common sense.


We also incorporate some color blending techniques into the piece. 
Here are some meanings of color choices:

Red – strength, enthusiasm, passion, willpower, authority, survival.

Yellow – intelligence, curiosity, vigilance, new goals, arrogance.


Orange – vitality, ambition, self-respect, optimism, joy.

Green – change, fertility, rejuvenation, healing, freedom, carefulness

Blue – harmony, contentment, calmness, trust, communication, loyalty

Pink – sensibility, vulnerability, protection, care, unconditional love, melancholy.


Brown – "roots”, stagnation, safety, self-doubt, solidity, suppressed energies.


White – relief, innocence, clarity, timeless. 

Purple – humane, idealistic, spirituality, meditation, passivity, estranged.


Black – loss, depression, fear, secrets, rebirth. 

Impressed Line Technique

It is fall, so drawing leaves seems appropriate.  

We will start working on using the impressed line technique in some classes.

New Class Exercise

Rainbow of Peppers
© Barbara Goodsitt

Here is a preview of our first project in Colored Pencil Drawing 1.  

We will be learning some color theory and how to transfer an image from a photo reference.

Fall Colored Pencil Classes

Fall is approaching and the temperatures will be more comfortable very soon.

I will be teaching two Colored Pencil classes.  One during the day with Ann Arbor Community Education, and an evening class with Washtenaw Community College's Life Long Learning Department.  These classes are geared toward being fun, relaxing and informative. All skill levels are welcome.  We will cover drawing techniques including tonal layering, transferring images, burnishing, using solvents and more!  Some mixed media work too.  Supply lists are available online.  To register see these webpages:

Washtenaw Community College Life Long Learning Classes
Wednesdays starting Oct 6 from 7:00- 8:55PM
THIS CLASS IS NOW FILLED

Ann Arbor Community Education
Tuesdays starting Oct 12 from 1:30 - 3:30 Oct 12 - Nov. 16 THIS CLASS IS NOW FILLED