“Mother Nature in Watercolors” is a new class I’ve created for beginners who have had some experience mixing colors and want to learn some simple techniques for painting seascapes, trees, sunsets, stormy and clear skies, puffy white coluds, watery reflections, foliage, and other natural elements. Saturday, June 25th, 10:00-3:00, register at ART WORKS in Pine Mountain, 706-663-7778. $65. includes all supplies.
"Half a brain is good, but a whole brain is better", Betty Edwards, author of "Drawing of the Right Side of the Brain"
Brenda Stevens’ “Drawing Crash Course!”….coming to CSU on June 18. This one day workshop promises to sharpen your powers of observation, give you a peaceful right brain experience and surprise your left brain with your natural ability to draw. http://columbusstate.edu/ce 706-507-8070. All supplies included.
My birthday was spent in Savannah and on Tybee Island; two of my favorite places on earth. The fog was so thick on New Year’s Eve, the crowd gathered along Savannah’s Historic Riverwalk could not see the blasting fireworks directly overhead. After midnight, it began to rain and it rained all night. New Year’s Day was cold, yet sunny, and we spent hours that afternoon walking on Tybee Island Beach. Just before sundown, we drove out to the lighthouse, our last stop for the day. An approaching thunderstorm whipped up enormous clouds that reflected the colors of the setting sun. The weather was extreme and the skies were incredible.
Magnolia
One hot afternoon, I was walking in my neighborhood and heard loud buzzing coming from a row of giant Magnolias. I walked closer to investigate, looked down into the curled petals of large, white blossoms and was surprised to see so many bees in the flower. Their industrious attitude inspired this painting.
This is one of the subjects from my “Watercolor Crash Course!”. My students learn that a white flower is not really white and they can make a multitude of greens with french ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow pale and alizarin crimson. Only three colors are used in this painting. Class held May 14, 9:30-2:30, $65.
Lucky, is an imaginary dog I painted to illustrate one of my stories. I write fictional stories, Leffel’s Tales, to entertain my family. These stories are based on my father’s life as a young boy growing up in Marion County. He had an amazing dog that could catch cows, kill snakes and fight raccoons.
Watercolor Crash Course! at Auburn University on Saturday, March 5th. 12:30-4:30.
I will teach this one day workshop, “Watercolor Crash Course!” at Auburn University on Saturday, November 20, 12:30-4:30 Central Time.
Next week, I will teach a one day, watercolor workshop at the Britt David Cultural Arts Studio in Columbus. It will be my first class at that location and I’m excited about the new opportunity. We will be painting “Prunifolia Azalea”. As with all of my “Watercolor Crash Courses!”, no drawing or painting experience is required. Adults that have always wanted to try their hand at watercolor will get right to work, mixing colors and using basic watercolor painting techniques. The class is scheduled for Tuesday, September 7, 9:15-2:45, tuition is $65 and all of the supplies are included in that price. Call 706-653-4196 to register.
Prunifolia Azalea, Tuesday 9/7/10, Britt David Art Studio
The results of my first and recent survey sent to my 145 students through Survey Monkey gave me very useful feedback. First of all, my unique approach to teaching watercolor (“Watercolor Crash Course!”) was validated as being both fun and educational, and many would like for me to add a seascape to the list of subjects I teach. I was also encouraged to offer a few new classes in a more traditional vein. I have been thinking of doing this for quite some time. A high percentage of my students want to learn how to create their own paintings and would like to take a workshop involving drawing and composition. It seems Saturday is the best day of the week for my watercolor workshops and almost everyone prefers a one day or weekend workshop as opposed to a six week course. My September- November class schedule has already been planned and published, but it is time to start thinking of January through May classes. This information really helps me to give my students what they want. Thanks to everyone who participated.
brendaswatercolors.com 