Page 11 - DPM3_Fall_2021_Flipbook

When you add white to an intense color, you will lower the intensity, but you are also changing the value and cooling the hue. Intensity, like value, is relative to what is surrounding it. For example, a yellow-orange pumpkin will appear more intense next to blue-violet plums. You must experiment with intensity to make an educated choice when deciding how to neutralize a color. Intensity studies are great practice too.
Blending
Good blending skills should produce a gradation of values from light to dark which is smooth in appearance without blotches or visible value lines. Over-blending creates a loss of contrast and color clarity (muddy). Under-blending creates areas that appear as stripes or lines instead of a smooth gradation of color and value from light to dark.
Learning good blending skills takes time, good brushes and a keen eye. I like to squint to see the values and blending edges. Many times I use a reducing glass or you can hold the painting in the mirror or turn it upside down to view it. You can also look through a piece of red or green acetate to determine under-blended areas. But blending is really a technical skill and nothing takes the place of practice, practice and more practice!
Linework and Detail
The linework and detail can add sparkle to your painting if handled in the right manner. Sloppy or thick lines and dots can ruin a beautiful work of art. The most detail should be in the center of interest area. The supporting areas of the painting should have detail that is less demanding in attention. The sky is the limit as to what you can add in detail but remember, in submitting for Certification, what you add will be judged.
Background and Frame
The background should support and enhance the overall composition. Although I’ve left this section to the end, the background should be one of the first aspects considered in planning your conceptual idea. In the case of the Certification Still Life, the background and frame must be stained. The floral must be painted and the addition of leafing must be executed. The stroke design must be painted.
Finish
The finish should be skillfully applied and protect the painting. When I first entered Certification, the entries were overly varnished and almost had a decoupage type finish. Thank goodness that is no longer the case because the painting can discolor in time with so much applied varnish. A good application of varnish which sufficiently covers the painting and contains no impurities is important.
FROM THE CERTIFICATION CHAIR
by Marian Jackson mda
As I write this, the first Basics Strokework Clinic is underway. It sold out quickly and we have a waiting list much longer than the seats available. We’ll try to offer it again at a later date. I have a feeling some of the students in this class will sign up for the few spaces available in the Advanced class. I am so pleased to be able to offer these focused classes and hope to have some more short, targeted classes soon.
I’m hoping you will dig out those old, unused SDP official kits you’ve got lying around and enter this year. There’s still time to purchase a 2021 portfolio. Remember, if you have any questions, please contact me directly.
The deadline for your board to be received in Wichita is October 14, 2021.
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