LEARNING TO USE A NEW MEDIUM

STILL LIFE IN ACRYLIC

ADVANCED 3-D ART

acrylic paint in tubes, brushes & water on canvas

My first experience with acrylic was not good.

It was in junior college and we were told what to buy,

then left on our own to figure out how to use it.

The teacher would disappear for the entire class.

There were no demonstrations,

no discussions, no critiques.

It was a big fail.

And of course I thought it was me.

So before I have the students work in acrylic,

I have them paint realistically in Tempera first in the 4th Quarter of the Beginning 2-D class.

Even though the paint binders are completely different,

the drying time is similar,

FAST!

You must work quickly.

So it's a pretty natural transition to acrylic by the time the kids reach the 3rd year level.

Both media clean up with water,

the only difference is is that if you wait too long to rinse the acrylic paint from your brush,

the Polymer base (glue) will dry in the brush,

leaving it a dead solider.

This is the work of senior Samantha Tun.

She was my sole 3rd year 20-d student last year.

I had Sam do several small samplers first,

3" by 3"

all in different styles,

large stokes versus small,

points versus hatchure strokes,

and different shading techniques:

Monochromatic, Analogous and Complimentary. 

When she felt comfortable I asked her to set up her own Still Life.

Sam took to the acrylic like a duck to water and this was her result.

I was really impressed with her skill level and craftsmanship

 and everyone enjoyed her Still Life she had set up with her sketchbook,

 diary nail polish and alarm clock.

The life of an art student.

Congrats to Senior Belinda Wu

For your acceptance to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Belinda just found out last week of her acceptance.  Her parents, both artists in their own right, must be so very proud.

We all knew here at Whitney that you'd get in with your remarkable skills and crazy wonderful designs.

We are your Biggest FANS!!!!!!!  And We Love You!!!!

I would have taken you just based on this one oil painting here.  LOL  Good Luck Sweet Girl, you worked so hard for this!

Laura Ramirez - Guest Artist and Teacher

My students and I have had the pleasure of 2002 Alum Laura Ramirez coming every Friday at lunch to teach some oil painting basics to four of my art students who wanted to explore this medium a little more. Laura took at least 5 of my art classes when she was here at Whitney, then after graduation went off to Cerritos College to study drawing and painting there. She teaches my students on a volunteer basis and funds much of it with her own money. We are truly very lucky to have her come. Here are from left to right: juniors Jullian Kho and Hannah Park with Laura in the middle, and then seniors Steffi Wong and Kevin Lam. This pix was taken as they were doing some acrylic under paintings of a still life Laura had set up.

The finished acrylic under paintings waiting for color glazes in oil to be painted over top.

Laura is working with Steffi as she demonstrates the over glazing technique.

Jullian painting glazes of color over top her black acrylic under painting. Looking gorgeous Jullian :) Open House wall art in the background.