May/June 2008 NEWSLETTER

Support the Arts - Hug an Artist

2008 ONLINE EXHIBITION

DESIGN

OPPORTUNITIES

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

ARTIST NEWS

WORKSHOPS

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WEBSITES OF INTEREST

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 ARTIST NEWS

MARIE CUMMINGS
To subscribe to Marie's Newsletter entitled "Creative Space,"  go to her website of www.mariecummings.net  or write to her at marieh2o@yahoo.com

DESIGN ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

As mentioned previously,  we will begin a more detailed analysis of each of the elements and principles.  Although many artists and educators have different names for some of the Elements and Principles of Design, there are still only 7 Elements and 8 Principles, albeit they may be stated differently by different art educators and writers.  Each month a new description will be added to the list, but the list will remain in the Newsletter until all have been referred to.

The seven (7) elements of Design are what artists, designers, artisans HAVE to work with:

SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.
The relationship of the size of objects helps imply depth.  Size can be used to produce drama or emphasize the importance of any element in a painting.  Some artists make sure there are three different sizes of a repetitive shape within the painting.

COLOR
Color Theory is a complex subject and requires a lot of study on your part if you are that interested.  We are all familiar with the primary colors of Red, yellow and blue (also known a Triad).  But there are other primaries that are equally effective in the creation of art.  Secondary colors are those primaries that are mixed together to make a secondary color -- such as yellow and red makes orange.  Tertiary colors are those colors which are obtained when secondary colors are mixed with one of the primaries to make a further variation.  Also, you know that the red, yellow and orange colors (whether primary, secondary or tertiary are known as the warm colors; while the blue, green and purple and variations of those are known as the cool colors.  Warm colors come forward and cool colors recede.  My personal favorite book on color is "Color Choices" by Stephen Quiller.  Nita Leland has also written an excellent book on the use of color in all forms of artwork. 

SHAPE
My favorite book on design is Tony Couch's Keys to Successful Painting.  Tony Couch demonstrates the principles of design and is the most comprehensive, readable and understandable book I have ever read on the design principles.  Mr. Couch states that a shape is a two-dimensional pattern such as a circle, square, rectangle, triangle--or a combination of these.  It may be a realistic rendering of an object (realism), a distorted but recognizable object (abstract art), or a shape unrecognizable as an object (nonobjective art.)  He further states that although the variety of shapes an artist might produce is infinite, all will fit into three broad categories:  angular, curved or rectangular.  It's important to remember that although each of these may be in a painting, only one of these types should be dominant.  If you don't have this book you may want to check your local library to see if they have one available for check-out.

VALUE
The lightness or darkness of a tone or color.  Although there are nine value steps (from white to black) available, it is best to plan with only four value steps.  For contrast's sake, make three sizes of value - large, mid-sized and small.  And for unity, make one the largest size of value. No two values of equal size should appear above one another or side by side -- their arrangement should be shifting and alternating.  Avoid having any value surrounded by the same value as the eye gets trapped there with eye circulation cut off.  When a value comes near another similar value a lost edge will make a bridge between the values. Large areas benefit from gradation.  Gradations are most energetic when they run in opposing directions.

LINE
Lines can have many qualities.  They can be curved or straight, vertical, horizontal or diagonal, thick or thin, smooth or fuzzy, light or dark, continuous or broken, real or implied. Vertical lines give a painting strength.  Horizontal lines convey calmness.  Diagonal lines lend action and energy.  Lines can lead your eye around a painting; they can be used to add decoration to a plain surface.  Repeated lines can form patterns and set rhythms.  Lines can create perspective.

TEXTURE
Texture is the quality of a surface - rough, smooth, sticky, soft, fuzzy, slick.
A real texture is one that can be felt.
Implied texture in a painting is created by the artist -- the surface only appears to be textured.

DIRECTION

Line and direction are closely related.  Here is how Tony Couch describes this design element:  "There are three possible directions:  vertical, horizontal and oblique.  Oblique is anything that isn't horizontal or vertical. We are more comfortable with a design that has a direction dominance than a design without one.   The directional dominance of a design is determed by the lines, the linear shapes and the dimension of the surface on which we paint in the case of a horitzontal or vertical dominance."
 

I highly recommend the book by Tony Couch entitled "Tony Couch's Keys to Successful Painting."  There was a VHS tape by him which describes all of the elements and principles of designs.  I don't know whether the VHS tape is still available for purchase.  If anyone is interested in purchasing one, let me know, and I'll make an effort to see if it is still available.

The eight (8) principles of design are what artists, designers, artisans DO with the elements:

DOMINANCE
VARIATION
BALANCE
ALTERNATION
CONTRAST
HARMONY
GRADATION
UNITY

Although it is possible for each of the principles to be applied to each of the elements in a design, it is not necessary or even practical, in most cases.  For instance, dominance applied to three or four of the elements will probably be enough for a successful design. 

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WORKSHOPS

FOR MORE LISTINGS OF AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS, VISIT THE CREATIVE PEOPLE MAY NEWSLETTER AT:

www.artistcolony.net/newsletter

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March/April 2008 Newsletter

Support the Arts - Hug an Artist

2008 ONLINE EXHIBITION

DESIGN

OPPORTUNITIES

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

ARTIST NEWS

WORKSHOPS

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WEBSITES OF INTEREST

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 ARTIST NEWS

MARIE CUMMINGS
To subscribe to Marie's Newsletter entitled "Creative Space,"  go to her website of www.mariecummings.net  or write to her at marieh2o@yahoo.com

DESIGN ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

As mentioned previously,  we will begin a more detailed analysis of each of the elements and principles.  Although many artists and educators have different names for some of the Elements and Principles of Design, there are still only 7 Elements and 8 Principles, albeit they may be stated differently by different art educators and writers.  Each month a new description will be added to the list, but the list will remain in the Newsletter until all have been referred to.

The seven (7) elements of Design are what artists, designers, artisans HAVE to work with:

SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.
The relationship of the size of objects helps imply depth.  Size can be used to produce drama or emphasize the importance of any element in a painting.  Some artists make sure there are three different sizes of a repetitive shape within the painting.

COLOR
Color Theory is a complex subject and requires a lot of study on your part if you are that interested.  We are all familiar with the primary colors of Red, yellow and blue (also known a Triad).  But there are other primaries that are equally effective in the creation of art.  Secondary colors are those primaries that are mixed together to make a secondary color -- such as yellow and red makes orange.  Tertiary colors are those colors which are obtained when secondary colors are mixed with one of the primaries to make a further variation.  Also, you know that the red, yellow and orange colors (whether primary, secondary or tertiary are known as the warm colors; while the blue, green and purple and variations of those are known as the cool colors.  Warm colors come forward and cool colors recede.  My personal favorite book on color is "Color Choices" by Stephen Quiller.  Nita Leland has also written an excellent book on the use of color in all forms of artwork. 

SHAPE
My favorite book on design is Tony Couch's Keys to Successful Painting.  Tony Couch demonstrates the principles of design and is the most comprehensive, readable and understandable book I have ever read on the design principles.  Mr. Couch states that a shape is a two-dimensional pattern such as a circle, square, rectangle, triangle--or a combination of these.  It may be a realistic rendering of an object (realism), a distorted but recognizable object (abstract art), or a shape unrecognizable as an object (nonobjective art.)  He further states that although the variety of shapes an artist might produce is infinite, all will fit into three broad categories:  angular, curved or rectangular.  It's important to remember that although each of these may be in a painting, only one of these types should be dominant.  If you don't have this book you may want to check your local library to see if they have one available for check-out.

VALUE
The lightness or darkness of a tone or color.  Although there are nine value steps (from white to black) available, it is best to plan with only four value steps.  For contrast's sake, make three sizes of value - large, mid-sized and small.  And for unity, make one the largest size of value. No two values of equal size should appear above one another or side by side -- their arrangement should be shifting and alternating.  Avoid having any value surrounded by the same value as the eye gets trapped there with eye circulation cut off.  When a value comes near another similar value a lost edge will make a bridge between the values. Large areas benefit from gradation.  Gradations are most energetic when they run in opposing directions.

LINE
Lines can have many qualities.  They can be curved or straight, vertical, horizontal or diagonal, thick or thin, smooth or fuzzy, light or dark, continuous or broken, real or implied. Vertical lines give a painting strength.  Horizontal lines convey calmness.  Diagonal lines lend action and energy.  Lines can lead your eye around a painting; they can be used to add decoration to a plain surface.  Repeated lines can form patterns and set rhythms.  Lines can create perspective.

TEXTURE
Texture is the quality of a surface - rough, smooth, sticky, soft, fuzzy, slick.
A real texture is one that can be felt.
Implied texture in a painting is created by the artist -- the surface only appears to be textured.

DIRECTION

The eight (8) principles of design are what artists, designers, artisans DO with the elements:

DOMINANCE
VARIATION
BALANCE
ALTERNATION
CONTRAST
HARMONY
GRADATION
UNITY

Although it is possible for each of the principles to be applied to each of the elements in a design, it is not necessary or even practical, in most cases.  For instance, dominance applied to three or four of the elements will probably be enough for a successful design. 

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WORKSHOPS

Painting in Italy.  You should have received the notice about this workshop in Venice and another city in Italy.  Daniel and Cherie Lesnick will be the guides and workshop presenter for this event.  They are from Birmingham, Alabama.  Daniel is a Professor at Samford University and speaks Italian fluently.  Should be a delightful experience.

Stephen Quiller workshop in Decatur, Alabama, to be held April 7-11, 2008.  Contact danabr@bellsouth.net for pricing and further information.

FOR MORE LISTINGS OF AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS, VISIT THE CREATIVE PEOPLE MARCH NEWSLETTER AT:

www.artistcolony.net/newsletter

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Artist Helping One Child At A Time

 DUES AND 2008 EXHIBITION

DESIGN

OPPORTUNITIES

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

ARTIST NEWS

WORKSHOPS

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WEBSITES OF INTEREST

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 ARTIST NEWS

MARIE CUMMINGS
To subscribe to Marie's Newsletter entitled "Creative Space,"  go to her website of www.mariecummings.net  or write to her at marieh2o@yahoo.com

DESIGN ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

As mentioned previously,  we will begin a more detailed analysis of each of the elements and principles.  Although many artists and educators have different names for some of the Elements and Principles of Design, there are still only 7 Elements and 8 Principles, albeit they may be stated differently by different art educators and writers.  Each month a new description will be added to the list, but the list will remain in the Newsletter until all have been referred to.

The seven (7) elements of Design are what artists, designers, artisans HAVE to work with:

SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.
The relationship of the size of objects helps imply depth.  Size can be used to produce drama or emphasize the importance of any element in a painting.  Some artists make sure there are three different sizes of a repetitive shape within the painting.

COLOR
Color Theory is a complex subject and requires a lot of study on your part if you are that interested.  We are all familiar with the primary colors of Red, yellow and blue (also known a Triad).  But there are other primaries that are equally effective in the creation of art.  Secondary colors are those primaries that are mixed together to make a secondary color -- such as yellow and red makes orange.  Tertiary colors are those colors which are obtained when secondary colors are mixed with one of the primaries to make a further variation.  Also, you know that the red, yellow and orange colors (whether primary, secondary or tertiary are known as the warm colors; while the blue, green and purple and variations of those are known as the cool colors.  Warm colors come forward and cool colors recede.  My personal favorite book on color is "Color Choices" by Stephen Quiller.  Nita Leland has also written an excellent book on the use of color in all forms of artwork. 

SHAPE
My favorite book on design is Tony Couch's Keys to Successful Painting.  Tony Couch demonstrates the principles of design and is the most comprehensive, readable and understandable book I have ever read on the design principles.  Mr. Couch states that a shape is a two-dimensional pattern such as a circle, square, rectangle, triangle--or a combination of these.  It may be a realistic rendering of an object (realism), a distorted but recognizable object (abstract art), or a shape unrecognizable as an object (nonobjective art.)  He further states that although the variety of shapes an artist might produce is infinite, all will fit into three broad categories:  angular, curved or rectangular.  It's important to remember that although each of these may be in a painting, only one of these types should be dominant.  If you don't have this book you may want to check your local library to see if they have one available for check-out.

VALUE
The lightness or darkness of a tone or color.  Although there are nine value steps (from white to black) available, it is best to plan with only four value steps.  For contrast's sake, make three sizes of value - large, mid-sized and small.  And for unity, make one the largest size of value. No two values of equal size should appear above one another or side by side -- their arrangement should be shifting and alternating.  Avoid having any value surrounded by the same value as the eye gets trapped there with eye circulation cut off.  When a value comes near another similar value a lost edge will make a bridge between the values. Large areas benefit from gradation.  Gradations are most energetic when they run in opposing directions.

LINE
Lines can have many qualities.  They can be curved or straight, vertical, horizontal or diagonal, thick or thin, smooth or fuzzy, light or dark, continuous or broken, real or implied. Vertical lines give a painting strength.  Horizontal lines convey calmness.  Diagonal lines lend action and energy.  Lines can lead your eye around a painting; they can be used to add decoration to a plain surface.  Repeated lines can form patterns and set rhythms.  Lines can create perspective.

TEXTURE
DIRECTION

The eight (8) principles of design are what artists, designers, artisans DO with the elements:

DOMINANCE
VARIATION
BALANCE
ALTERNATION
CONTRAST
HARMONY
GRADATION
UNITY

Although it is possible for each of the principles to be applied to each of the elements in a design, it is not necessary or even practical, in most cases.  For instance, dominance applied to three or four of the elements will probably be enough for a successful design. 

RETURN TO TOP

WORKSHOPS

You should have received a notice about the 3 day work being held in February of 2008 featuring Sherry O'Neill in Pointe Vedra, Florida, which is about 22 miles south of Jacksonville.  The notice is lengthy, so I won't include it here.  I sent it to EAA members, but if you didn't receive a copy of it, let me know.

Painting in Italy.  You should have received the notice about this workshop in Venice and another city in Italy.  Daniel and Cherie Lesnick will be the guides and workshop presenter for this event.  They are from Birmingham, Alabama.  Daniel is a Professor at Samford University and speaks Italian fluently.  Should be a delightful experience.

Stephen Quiller workshop in Decatur, Alabama, to be held April 7-11, 2008.  Contact danabr@bellsouth.net for pricing and further information.

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Support the Arts - Hug an Artist

 BITS AND PIECES

DESIGN

OPPORTUNITIES

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

ARTIST NEWS

WORKSHOPS

Beachside Mall

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WEBSITES OF INTEREST

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 ARTIST NEWS

MARIE CUMMINGS
To subscribe to Marie's Newsletter entitled "Creative Space,"  go to her website of www.mariecummings.net  or write to her at marieh2o@yahoo.com

DESIGN ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES

As mentioned previously,  we will begin a more detailed analysis of each of the elements and principles.  Although many artists and educators have different names for some of the Elements and Principles of Design, there are still only 7 Elements and 8 Principles, albeit they may be stated differently by different art educators and writers.  Each month a new description will be added to the list, but the list will remain in the Newsletter until all have been referred to.

The seven (7) elements of Design are what artists, designers, artisans HAVE to work with:

SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.
The relationship of the size of objects helps imply depth.  Size can be used to produce drama or emphasize the importance of any element in a painting.  Some artists make sure there are three different sizes of a repetitive shape within the painting.

COLOR
Color Theory is a complex subject and requires a lot of study on your part if you are that interested.  We are all familiar with the primary colors of Red, yellow and blue (also known a Triad).  But there are other primaries that are equally effective in the creation of art.  Secondary colors are those primaries that are mixed together to make a secondary color -- such as yellow and red makes orange.  Tertiary colors are those colors which are obtained when secondary colors are mixed with one of the primaries to make a further variation.  Also, you know that the red, yellow and orange colors (whether primary, secondary or tertiary are known as the warm colors; while the blue, green and purple and variations of those are known as the cool colors.  Warm colors come forward and cool colors recede.  My personal favorite book on color is "Color Choices" by Stephen Quiller.  Nita Leland has also written an excellent book on the use of color in all forms of artwork. 

SHAPE
My favorite book on design is Tony Couch's Keys to Successful Painting.  Tony Couch demonstrates the principles of design and is the most comprehensive, readable and understandable book I have ever read on the design principles.  Mr. Couch states that a shape is a two-dimensional pattern such as a circle, square, rectangle, triangle--or a combination of these.  It may be a realistic rendering of an object (realism), a distorted but recognizable object (abstract art), or a shape unrecognizable as an object (nonobjective art.)  He further states that although the variety of shapes an artist might produce is infinite, all will fit into three broad categories:  angular, curved or rectangular.  It's important to remember that although each of these may be in a painting, only one of these types should be dominant.  If you don't have this book you may want to check your local library to see if they have one available for check-out.

VALUE
The lightness or darkness of a tone or color.  Although there are nine value steps (from white to black) available, it is best to plan with only four value steps.  For contrast's sake, make three sizes of value - large, mid-sized and small.  And for unity, make one the largest size of value. No two values of equal size should appear above one another or side by side -- their arrangement should be shifting and alternating.  Avoid having any value surrounded by the same value as the eye gets trapped there with eye circulation cut off.  When a value comes near another similar value a lost edge will make a bridge between the values. Large areas benefit from gradation.  Gradations are most energetic when they run in opposing directions.

LINE
TEXTURE
DIRECTION

The eight (8) principles of design are what artists, designers, artisans DO with the elements:

DOMINANCE
VARIATION
BALANCE
ALTERNATION
CONTRAST
HARMONY
GRADATION
UNITY

Although it is possible for each of the principles to be applied to each of the elements in a design, it is not necessary or even practical, in most cases.  For instance, dominance applied to three or four of the elements will probably be enough for a successful design. 

RETURN TO TOP

WORKSHOPS

You should have received a notice about the 3 day work being held in February of 2008 featuring Sherry O'Neill in Pointe Vedra, Florida, which is about 22 miles south of Jacksonville.  The notice is lengthy, so I won't include it here.  I sent it to EAA members, but if you didn't receive a copy of it, let me know.

Painting in Italy.  You should have received the notice about this workshop in Venice and another city in Italy.  Daniel and Cherie Lesnick will be the guides and workshop presenter for this event.  They are from Birmingham, Alabama.  Daniel is a Professor at Samford University and speaks Italian fluently.  Should be a delightful experience.

RETURN TO TOP

 1

BEACHSIDE MALL If you are in the market for art supplies, books, gifts, vitamins or whatever, we will appreciate your visiting www.beachsidemall.com Pat and Nanette are members of MY POWER MALL and the ONE CHILD AT A TIME program which means that if you purchase something through Beachside Mall, we will receive a small amount of money. And ONE CHILD AT A TIME will receive a % of the corporation's profit. Thanks to all of you who will purchase items through Beachside Mall.  We appreciate your support very much.