Thinking about taking a painting workshop?

This is a repost of one of my student's blogs about my recent Cannon Beach painting workshop. Posted here with permission, thank you Rick Jasper.

http://btweenblinks.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/michael-orwick-teaches-oil-painting-workshop/

Michael Orwick Teaches Oil Painting Workshop

Posted on April 1, 2011 by btweenblinks

The small coastal community of Cannon Beach, Oregon was the setting for an oil painting workshop instructed by Michael Orwick. Michael’s experience as a landscape painter, combined with his passion for painting, provided for a magical 3-day event.

The students were introduced to three distinct approaches to starting a new piece. Each one focused on developing a strong tonal quality, as well as a balanced composition.

Michael’s method of mixing colors from a limited palette, not only simplified the process, but also made it easy to create rich, dramatic and controlled colors.

By applying the solid practical principles laid out in class, each participant made great strides in artistic growth over the three day period.

Michael’s enthusiasm was contagious, and the atmosphere of encouragement made the class an added delight.

There was even an opportunity for some “plein air” practice. The bravest among the group set up their easels on the beach, and painted along side Michael, as they attempted to capture the sunset in real time.

During the afternoon session on Saturday, the owner of the Dragonfire Gallery talked to the students about art from the gallery’s perspective.

Later that evening, the gallery hosted a special reception for the group with appetizers and wine. This change of venue was a great chance to converse with fellow students on a more personal level. And with the framed paintings done by Michael and other artists hanging throughout the gallery, it was tempting to wonder if maybe one or two of those present might one day have their work hanging in galleries as well.

Sunday was the final day of the workshop. One by one, starting around mid-afternoon, students scrapped the colors from their palettes, said their goodbyes and departed. But no one left empty handed. Each took with them, a more complete understanding of the painting process, as well as a greater visual sensitivity. Students were now armed with a new arsenal of tools to take command of their work with.
http://michaelorwick.com/workshops

I was lucky enough to take part in this workshop. Below are some paintings I did during our sessions. Even though they need some work, I consider each a success, because I learned valuable lessons while working on them, which I can apply to future projects.

Hopefully, with practice, I will progress and improve. I will most likely never see any of my works hanging in a gallery, but I can certainly develop new skills and mature as a painter.

Michael Orwick refers to his painting style as “inspired expressionism”.  By his color choices and purposeful use of light, Michael creates an atmosphere that takes the viewer on a journey to a place somewhere between the familiar and the entrancing. The onlooker is drawn into the painting and is invited to bring it to life by providing details of the story that are left unsaid by brushstrokes. This approach engages the viewer in a way seldom achieved.

If you would like to know more about Michael’s paintings or check out future workshops, visit his website at: www.MichaelOrwick.com or stop by the DragonFire Gallery in Cannon Beach.
http://michaelorwick.com/workshops

Big News ...

This just in from flairCreativ Presents Artists To Watch ...  

Pinot & Palette
The Art of Michael Orwick
The Art of Pinot Noir

Art Elements Gallery, Newberg, Oregon

With Sokol Blosser, Anne Amie & Vista Hills Wineries 

May 26 – June 18, 2011

Well-known landscape and portrait artist from the Pacific Northwest, Michael Orwick, will be the centerpiece at Art Elements Gallery in Newberg, Oregon in May. His landscape paintings of regional vineyards will also be featured in satellite exhibits at three Willamette Valley wineries: Sokol Blosser, Anne Amie, and Vista Hills.

Wine-growing is a major player in the economic health of our region and reflects the health of the soil and our environment. Similarly, the arts are foundational to a thriving community. When the arts are flourishing, our culture and economy are also prospering.

Pinot & Palette is a celebration of prospering, terroir, and the cross-pollination of two of Oregon’s renowned art forms: painting and winemaking. With works that explore the beauty of the vine and viticulture, the Oregon landscape, and the romance and industry of Oregon’s wine producers, this multi-venue exhibit will be a celebration of the grape and all that we appreciate about life in the Willamette Valley.

Each of the wineries is contributing to Pinot & Palette Passport, a self-guided tour of the wineries ending at Art Elements Gallery, with gifts awarded in a drawing on June 16. Included in this generous prize package will be items from each winery, a one-night stay in resort lodging in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, complements of  Art Elements Gallery, and a signed print of a selected work by Michael Orwick.

------------------

Pinot & Palette | ART ELEMENTS GALLERY | May 26 – June 18, 2011

604 East First Street, Newberg, Oregon 97132 • 503.487.6141 

Artist’s reception: Art Elements Gallery, Wednesday 5|26|11, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Pinot & Palette| WINERIES EXHIBITS | May 20 – 30, 2011

Sokol-Blosser, 5000 Sokol Blosser Lane, Dundee, Oregon 97115 · 503.864.2282

Anne Amie Vineyards, 6580 NE Mineral Springs Road, Carlton, Oregon 97111 · 503.864.2991

Vista Hills Vineyard & Winery, 6475 Hilltop Lane, Dayton, Oregon 97114 · 503.864.3200

---------------------

For additional information on Michael Orwick and to see images of his work ...  www.MichaelOrwick.com

on Facebook ... http://www.facebook.com/MichaelOrwickArts

ART ELEMENTS ... www.artelementsgallery.com

FLAIRcreativ  on Facebook

hint: it's going to be a big party!

http://michaelorwick.com/email-newsletter

I'm getting my shiny new Newsletter all set up through my website and would like to invite any or all of you to sign up to keep up. 


I have some big art news coming very soon (hint: it's going to be a big party).

Painting Coastal Color and Light

Workshop Dates: 6/22/2011 - 6/24/2011
Location: Cannon Beach Oregon The Amazing Oregon Coast 97110
To sign up Contact Information:

www.dragonfirestudio.com 503 436 1533

503 693 7639

Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce 207 N Spruce St
Cannon Beach OregonThe Amazing Oregon Coast 97110
United States
www.MichaelOrwick.com
$300.00
June 22, 23, and 24
http://www.cbgallerygroup.com/old-docs/pem2011.htm





Join Michael Orwick in scenic Cannon Beach, Oregon, for 3 days of painting some truly spectacular scenery.


Put life and personality into your landscapes. We will focus on the fundamentals of landscape painting while exploring the beauty and atmosphere of the area.
10am-4pm (I like to paint the light of morning and evening best and my students are always welcome to join me for informal sunrise and sunset paint outs at no additional charge.)





You will learn the importance of observation rather than using formulas and recipes to paint what you actually see and feel. Through instruction, demonstrations, and critiques, this workshop explores composition and design, value and color harmony, and brushwork and edges. Students will also focus on recreating a some of the atmospheric situations the Oregon Coast offers.

Each day will include a demo and a group discussion about painting techniques, materials and philosophy, and individual easel time along with helpful critiques. I like to concentrate on the basic elements of painting and will include an exercise or two to reinforce some of the basics that we all need to brush up on from time to time. There will be at least one black & white exercise, and the chance to paint full color studies as well. At the end of the three days there will be time for a discussion about your work and for questions as a group.



The workshop is open to oil painters of any level.


Look forward to Lots of personal painting time and help every day. We'll all learn a lot and have a great time.


Bring photo references in case we have to paint inside due to extreme weather.


Demonstrations will be directed at oil painters, but concepts and principles will apply to all media.






Oil Painting Supply List


Canvas and Painting Surfaces
_ Sizes 8x10 and 11x14 for learning on cheap boards and canvas panels are fine. Use what you like and can afford easily. I Use Raymar.com Portrait canvas boards.


Paints
_ 1. Ivory Black — general mixing black with moderate tinting strength. I try not to use black very often, but we plan on doing some black and white studies, which are a great way to learn values.
_ 2. Titanium-Zinc White - best general mixing white
_ 3. Cadmium Lemon – cool color, great mixing yellow can go warm or cool. Option instead of Lemon yellow Hansa Yellow Lt.
_ 4. Cadmium Yellow Med. — warm opaque yellow
_ 5. Cadmium Red Medium –can go warm or cool
_ 6. Quinacridone Red (or Alizarin) — cool red replacement for Alizarin and makes high key tints
_ 7. Ultramarine Blue or French ultramarine — warm (toward red)
_ 8. Manganese Blue Hue — cool (toward green) transparent water blue this beautiful color that many people can use for sky and water.


My extra color I keep around in Gamblin’s Indian Yellow for warmth.
Media
_ 1. Gamblin Gamsol odorless mineral spirits for painting and cleaning.
_ 2. Winsor & Newton Liquin for detail and glazing, to unify shine.
Other Supplies
_ 3. I always have a roll of paper towels ready to wipe my brushes and canvas. I like Viva paper towels.
_ 4. A Round Point Painting/palette knife sometimes called a Spatula knife for mixing colors and occasionally for painting.
_ 5. I like to mix my paints on a glass surface, but most any palette can work. Try to stay away from the disposable paper type.
Brushes
I like Chungking Hog Bristle brushes for their strength and durability. I buy mostly flats and Filberts in sizes 6, 8, 10, and 12 with one smaller size like 2 for detail work. I use these brushes for the whole painting. I order mostly Utrecht.com series 209 White Hog Bristle.
_6. Standing Easel. I use The Easy-L


A few links to supplies that I use.
Feel free to get what you like from where ever you like.


http://www.artworkessentials.com/


http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_products.cfm?classID=1216&subclassID=121610&brandname=Artria


http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_products.cfm?classID=1210&subclassID=121010&brandname=Utrecht%20Series%20209


http://www.raymarart.com/


http://www.mgraham.com/ I love their Manganese Hue color


http://www.gamblincolors.com/ Love their Indian Yellow and Earth Red.

Title ideas for the vineyard show so far

Thank you all for so many great title ideas for the show.

1. feast of art, wine & land

2. The vine and the brushes

3. The Fruity Canvas

4. Art for Winos

5. Bottles and Brushes

6. feast of art, wine & land

7. Vintners' Visions

8. May Art and Wine Show
   
   
   
   Featuring Select Oregon Vineyards and the Art of Michael Orwick

9. Painting the Land of Pinot Noir and so much Moir

10. The Beauty of the Vine

11. An Artist Meets his Wine

12. Painting the Land of Pinot Noir

13. The May Vineyard Show

14. The Land of Pinot and Moir

15. Art and Wine Tour

16. Oregon Vineyards Art Show
    
    
    
    Featuring Orwick Arts

17. Wine and Design

18. Views of the Vines
    
    
    
    Unveiling Wine and Art in May Featuring Select Oregon Vineyards and the Art of Michael Orwick

19. Oregon Vineyards Art Show 2011

20. Wine, Light & Canvas

21. fruit of the vine captured in art

22. Perfect pairing

23. In the Realm of the Vine           

24. Blend

 So far I like a bunch of these but I'm leaning toward 

Perfect pairing

with the subtitle of

Michael Orwick 

Painting the Land of Pinot Noir and so much Moir

Part 3 -Painting the Land of Pinot Noir and so much Moir

This is part three 

Hopefully, you’ve jumped into my two previous blogs. Part 1  part 2

By now, a new paradigm, thank you Charlie, was transfixing me.  We had ordered a second glass by then; I think it was probably Oregon wine.

All our ideas, scribbled onto napkins, and tossed back and forth across the table, evolved into plans for one big Oregon vineyard show.   

Help your Bro, Name this Show…

I’ve been busy preparing for the Oregon vineyards art show.  As you recall, my talk with Charlie at the Oil Painters of America Show in Tucson catapulted me into this project.  I’ve lined up the three vineyards and one gallery for the show, which is scheduled for the last two weekends of May. 

 Now, how does a solitary artist go about organizing something that has become so big and feels so fabulous?  With help and hard work, I imagine.  So, here I sit today, looking for your help.

I’m playing with possible titles for the show.  Jump right in:  Should it be cute, classy, fruity-yet-earthy, straightforward …?  What do you think?  

Here, I’ll throw a couple quick ones at you.  These are my sleep-deprived working titles; I can’t tell if they are clever or stupidly cute...or just stupid.  It’s OK.  We’re friends; you can be honest.

1-                 1. May Art and Wine Show

                Featuring Select Oregon Vineyards and the Art of Michael Orwick

           2. Painting the Land of Pinot Noir

        and so much Moir

4-                3. The Beauty of the Vine

     4. An Artist Meets his Wine

     5.  Painting the Land of Pinot Noir

     6- The May Vineyard Show

     7-The Land of Pinot and Moir

     8-Art and Wine Tour

     9-Oregon Vineyards Art Show

            Featuring Orwick Arts

    10-Wine and Design

    11- Views of the Vines

             Unveiling Wine and Art in May

            Featuring Select Oregon Vineyards and the Art of Michael Orwick

Part 2 of Memorial Weekend wine and art tour

Part 2 of Memorial Weekend wine and art tour

a little part of how and what this show is about.

After discussing the vineyard scenes of the Oregon’s valleys, Charlie, of Primary Colors Consulting, pointed out that I had entered two national competitions and got into both, so why shouldn’t I submit more often on this scale?  The answer was easy:  as soon as I finish a painting, I send it off to the next gallery in line and I keep nothing back.  As the economy slumped, I’ve tended to paint smaller works, a safer bet to sell.  My strategy has been working, and I have been barely able to keep up with the galleries’ requests.  But here was my friend, Charlie, asking me to slow down and work on a collection of larger pieces, focusing on the magnificent, rolling vineyards of Oregon.  It was time to up the game and face the next big challenge.

The idea of one big solo show grabbed me.  I recalled my three large landscapes, each 48” by 72,” which were recently installed in my hometown’s new library.  Producing a unified body of work had been invigorating, and I’ve been wanting to create more large scale paintings since then.  So…

Part 3

Funny how things start

This is part 1 of how the big four venue art and wine tour show has come to be.

Fruity and Earthy

Her questions raced about my mind.  Charlie Boguz, my friend and the owner of Primary Colors Consulting, had met me at the Legacy Gallery during the opening for the Oil Painters of America show in Tucson, Arizona. We had a chance to break away for a bite to eat and a glass of  wine.  So, here we were at lunch, on the premise of talking about my career.  It was a shockingly short discussion, but Charlie was smart and knew how to lead me by asking many what ifs, have you thought abouts, or would it be possible type queries.  Her questions were going to lead to something big. 

We’re on to Something Here

Soon she was asking about my next series of images, and I told her I realized the irony that my paintings were often inspired by far off locations, as if I felt I should travel to find beautiful scenery.  I live in the Pacific Northwest! It’s one of the most diverse, mysterious places I know, and I recalled the adage that we can mine for diamonds in our own backyard.  And my back yard is spilling over with mountains, streams, moody weather, towering evergreens, and seas that reach to the orient.  Another sip of wine, and we were seriously talking about Oregon’s famed vineyards.  I told her how popular my occasional paintings of Oregon vineyards had been, and Charlie knew we were onto something.

Part 2 of Memorial Weekend wine and art tour

A chance to paint learn from my instructor and friend

Essential Oil Techniques with Thomas Jefferson Kitts Classes held at Oregon Society of Artists. 2185 SW Park Place Portland, Or 97205 (15 blocks from Art Media)

Essential Oil Techniques Thomas Kitts Feb 4, 2011 10-4 $95.00 plus small materials list CRN#: 6M Learn how to craft sound oil paintings using basic materials and methods. Increase your skill and confidence with a simple and direct approach. This practical hands-on class will focus on the issues the artist must resolve when working in oil. Oil is one of the oldest and most venerated artistic mediums of all. Find out why it has stood the test of time, and how your work can do the same! All supplies available at Art Media (Ask about our frequent buyer program) Please bring: Three flat hog bristle brushes, sizes #2, #4, and #6. One round #2 and #4 hog bristle brush. Palette for mixing paint Bent handle palette knife Roll of soft paper towels Lunch and snack Thomas Jefferson Kitts is a Northwest artist living in the Portland area. He has over 25 years of experience painting and teaching art. Widely known for his West Coast landscapes, Thomas also paints the figure and still life from direct observation. This summer, Thomas has been juried into three prestigious plein air competitions, and is offering two 5-day regional workshops in August. He is also a member of Oil Painters of America. To view his work visit www.thomaskitts.com

Cannon Beach Oil Painting Workshop 2011

Strengthen your Visual Sensitivity and Creative Visual Language 
This workshop is designed to explore the fundamental reasons behind a painting's success as you create your own masterpiece - Class is March 25, 26 and 27 - 10 AM to 4 PM daily at the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce in the beautiful Chamber Hall - 207 N Spruce St Cannon Beach, OR 97110

Contact Information:

folks at Dragonfire Gallery

www.dragonfirestudio.com

503 436 1533

Think of walking into a gallery and instantly being grabbed by a painting from clear across the room. What is it that reaches out to you and pulls you to get a better look? Learn what it is that first draws you in and how the painting continues to cast such a spell that you have to get within sniffing distance to learn all you can.
Through informative conversations and step-by-step demonstrations, students will gain an understanding of the interrelated components of painting- including value, shape, color, and edge relationship. You'll be painting right alongside artist Michael Orwick. Each of you will be given personal attention and friendly critiques.
Take home your own light filled masterpiece along with improved painting methods and theory.

To sign up for the workshop please contact the fantastic folks at Dragonfire Gallery
123 SOUTH HEMLOCK ST Cannon Beach, OR 97110 www.dragonfirestudio.com 503 436 1533
Tuition is just $250 for all three days and the special reception, for those in town for less time there is an open option of $100 per day.

Bonus: On Saturday after class (4:30-5:30) a special reception with appetizers and wine is being offered free of charge at Dragonfire Gallery for this group.
Bonus: Get ready for painting outdoors with a Plein-air equipment overview and suggestions list and weather permitting I invite you join me before and after class to paint the magic of Haystack rock in plein air.

Oil Painting Supply List and handouts Please email Michael at orwickillustration@comcast.net 503 693 7639 or contact Dragonfire gallery 503 436 1533. and to learn more www.MichaelOrwick.com

Cannon Beach Oil Painting Workshop 2011

$250.00

Workshop Dates: 3/25/2011 - 3/27/2011

Location: Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce

207 N Spruce St

Cannon Beach OregonThe Amazing Oregon Coast 97110

United States

www.MichaelOrwick.com

Michael will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of photo references. He will provide some reference material for you, but you are encouraged to bring your own landscape photos to paint. Michael will emphasize emotion, color, composition, and ways to turn a photo into a spirited painting.

Starting with composition, emphasis will be placed on editing and selection skills as well as clarifying light effects for strong, personal design. You’ll study the power and importance of balance, unity, variety, interest and contrast through the tonal and color aspects of your paintings.

As a student, you will also learn about mixing colors from a limited palette while still achieving dynamic light and shadow effects with lively color. You’ll discover how values and temperature work to keep your paintings in harmony

To learn more about this fantastic art town and lodging options please visit
http://www.cannonbeach.org/


Oil Painting Supply List

Canvas and Painting Surfaces
_ Sizes 8x10 and 11x14 for learning on cheap boards and canvas panels are fine. Use what you like and can afford easily. I Use Raymar.com Portrait canvas boards.

Paints
_ 1. Ivory Black — general mixing black with moderate tinting strength. I try not to use black very often, but we plan on doing some black and white studies, which are a great way to learn values.
_ 2. Titanium-Zinc White - best general mixing white
_ 3. Cadmium Lemon – cool color, great mixing yellow can go warm or cool. Option instead of Lemon yellow Hansa Yellow Lt.
_ 4. Cadmium Yellow Med. — warm opaque yellow
_ 5. Cadmium Red Medium –can go warm or cool
_ 6. Quinacridone Red (or Alizarin) — cool red replacement for Alizarin and makes high key tints
_ 7. Ultramarine Blue or French ultramarine — warm (toward red)
_ 8. Manganese Blue Hue — cool (toward green) transparent water blue this beautiful color that many people can use for sky and water. 

My extra color I keep around in Gamblin’s Indian Yellow for warmth.
Media
_ 1. Gamblin Gamsol odorless mineral spirits for painting and cleaning.
_ 2. Winsor & Newton Liquin for detail and glazing, to unify shine.
Other Supplies
_ 3. I always have a roll of paper towels ready to wipe my brushes and canvas. I like Viva paper towels.
_ 4. A Round Point Painting/palette knife sometimes called a Spatula knife for mixing colors and occasionally for painting.
_ 5. I like to mix my paints on a glass surface, but most any palette can work. Try to stay away from the disposable paper type.
Brushes
I like Chungking Hog Bristle brushes for their strength and durability. I buy mostly flats and Filberts in sizes 6, 8, 10, and 12 with one smaller size like 2 for detail work. I use these brushes for the whole painting. I order mostly Utrecht.com series 209 White Hog Bristle.
_6. Easel, table top or standing, many can be either.

My good Friend Elio's Workshops for 2011 Around Portland Oregon

Art Scam Database

FASO Launches Free Searchable Art Scam Database

by Brian Sherwin on 11/2/2010 10:06:26 AM1 Comment

We are pleased to announce a feature that will help protect all artists from being scammed online.

If a person randomly contacts you about buying your art you may want to use this FASO feature to find out if the person is a suspected or known art scammer. This searchable database of suspected art scammers is made available to all artists (including non-FASO members) as a public service. It is free for anyone to use.

We at FASO keep tabs on known or suspected art scammers in order to protect the thousands of artists who have personal websites hosted by us. If art scammers are contacting our customers there is a huge chance they might be contacting other artists as well. That is why we decided to offer this search feature as a public service to all artists worldwide.

As mentioned, artists can search the database of known art scammers at no cost. Thus, you may want to do a search if you receive a message from a potential art buyer that appears suspicious. Due to the ever-increasing wave of art scams online it is very important to utilize a free service such as this. It will give you some idea of who exactly you are dealing with.

See, http://www.fineartstudioonline.com/art-scam/

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin