Wednesday, January 21, 2009

First day

So my first day of school was Tuesday. It was, to say the least, overwhelming. I had a 6 hr. long figure drawing class, which I have again tomorrow as well as an art history course. The students here are amazing. They're taught technique from day one. The school has 3 hr. long courses devoted to rendering, that's all they do, rendering. I've been getting painting and drawing lessons from my neighbor, who is not only a student, but he also teaches here. He has me using the Zorn palette. It's a limited palette that consists of ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, and cad. red light. It makes the most amazing colors; it's similar to the palette used by the old masters. I'm also being taught to draw with straight lines. It makes drawing so much easier. You use the straight lines to make points that when you connect them, they make your curves. It's easier to understand when it's done right in front of you. Anyhow, I've learned A LOT in just a couple days.

Here's a painting I've started with my new color palette


This is my studio


Same painting as above, just in its beginning stages

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

California!

Here are some pictures of Laguna Beach. It's beautiful out here. The weather has been great; it gets to about 50 or so at night and in the mornings, but as soon as the sun comes out, it warms up to about 75 or 80. People have been walking around in swimsuit tops. School starts next Tuesday and I have to go get an I.D. and all that good stuff tomorrow. I have a class that is 6 hours long and meets twice a week (a grand total of 12 hours just for one class! eek!) plus an art history class and my graduate studio work. I will be pretty busy. My 6 hour class sounds pretty exciting. It's called a "life block." It is part life drawing, part portraiture work, and part life painting. The student work here is absolutely incredible. The guy in the studio next to mine is one of the most amazing painters I've ever seen; I can't wait to meet him!


Kate


1. This is the view to the left outside my apartment

2. This is Main Beach downtown

3. This is downtown Laguna

4. Also downtown

5. And here's the "apartment" I'll be sharing with my new roomie Ann.