LESSON #1 - Fuschias

[dennis]

In order for me to easily find and answer queries about Lesson #1 I will appreciate it if everyone will keep these to this specific Lesson Posting only. This will also be of benefit to you as well in the future.  Thanks

NOTE:   TO ALL STUDENTS ON THIS ADVANCED COURSE
We are now in Master Artist terrain. As this is an advanced course I will be a bit more strict and will be judging and commenting on a much higher level than with the other normal lessons. The reason for this is that I want you all to move to a higher level of expertise than you have been in the past. All comments will be of a constructive nature that will of mutual benefit to each other.
WE ALL learn by our our mistakes and by mistakes of others as well Also please don't add anything more to the painting than what is in the lesson painting itself - anything else will detract from the final painting and will NOT be commented on.

Most of all - don't try to rush and finish the race at top speed! You have a whole week in which to finish the painting. Plan it in sessions so that you can take your time to study and take in the techniques given. You have nothing to gain and a lot to lose if you rush and try to match my speed. I'm not teaching you how to paint - I'm teaching you techniques. Some of these paintings took me up to 3 times longer than the normal 2 hour class - and I'm a fast painter with years of experience behind me!

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[MaryAnne Long]

Wow, challenging lesson.  I had a hard time because a lot of my template around the purple flowers got all dull on me so I had to wing it.

Details

I almost gave up, but once I went through the pdf, I got back on track.

Nice addition of the watercolor pencils, Dennis.  Sure added the "advanced" touch.  I didn't have the watercolor brush, though.

Glad I saw it though.  Not great, but better than I expected it would look.

Happy I signed up for this advanced work.  Looks like we'll learn a lot.

Good thing I had the leftover turkey - needed the stamina.

Time for bed; will check in the morning for your critique.

aloha

mea

[dennis]

Mea, what you have painted here is already a vast improvement on what I have seen before For a normal class lesson this is excellent

However, I see a painting that has been rushed somewhat. Starting from the top. You got tired by the time you reached the top 3 leaves, they are not near the quality of the lower leaves where you have taken more time and effort. The lower leaves look good and you have achieved a   very nice "shine" on them

The rush comment also applies to the flowers. There is an unfinished area in the center where the two flowers overlap. Tone down the one highlight on the left bud. The sepals could be much stronger red - they are what make the flowers pop.

Even though the petals have complicated folds you have done quite well in sorting them out
Looking forward to seeing the improvements.

[Happychappy]

    Wow, Mea, I can see the signs of "maturity" if I can put it that way. A HUGE improvement.  Your painting is FANTASTIC and I can't wait to get started on mine. Flowers are my worst so I am eager to improve and I am SO PLEASED that I signed up for this course too.  Looks like we will learn a lot.  Great job. I am excited for sure.




Patricia

[Danielle123]

Really nice Mea, you sure are improving your skills, way to go girl.   

Dennis  your quote "you have a whole  week in which to finish the painting"   The course will stay there for always no?
PS I am glad you are going to be tough on us, I like constructive criticism. 

[MaryAnne Long]

Dennis,

I see now what ADVANCED means.  Yes, I did rush through it.  Really appreciate that you will be doing a higher level of critique - that'll benefit all of us.

I will go back over the painting today and try to make adjustments where I can. 

Three leaves at the top - yikes, I guess I was half asleep on those.  Will do better.

Now that I know the level you expect of us, I will rise to the challenge.

Danielle and Patricia- thanks for the comments - you are really going to feel special doing this painting.  It's like getting the inside scoop on being a better painter.

I'm excited!

aloha

mea

[dennis]

Danielle, what I meant to say was that you have a whole week before the next one arrives. Whay you have bought you have bought

[ncwren]

Wow Mea! This is great work!
 

[MaryAnne Long]

Dennis,

I just realized that I did not need to paint the background leaves and flowers at the top and bottom of the page.  Guess I got carried away when I copied the template.

It never even dawned on me that they weren't in your painting until I saw it today.  I will be more careful next time.

I see now that I have to do a lot more preparation for one of these lessons.

This is going to help me immensely to do better work - every time.

aloha

mea

[MaryAnne Long]

This would look so much better if I had eliminated all the extraneous stuff I included (before I read Dennis' s instructions).

Details

I worked on the top leaves and reddened the flowers, plus added a few little touch ups here and there.  Quite a difference from the first one.

I really look forward to doing the next flower in this course, so that I can apply all that I learned from my mistakes on this one.


aloha

mea

[Happychappy]

    Mea, I think both your fuschias are excellent.  However, there is a marked improvement in the second one with the touch ups especially the top leaves.  Nevertheless, you did a fantastic job on both and as I said in an earlier post, you have definitely moved up to a higher level, which is exciting to say the least.    Patricia

[MaryAnne Long]

Thanks, Patricia

You will far outdo me on this course, but I will catch up a little with each lesson.

aloha

mea

[Denise808]

Nice work Mea! Dennis' comments on your work will help me when I work on mine. I'm really looking forward to "stepping it up" in these lessons.

Dennis, thank you so much for putting this quality course together. Your note to us students taking this course has me so excited to dive in! Working on my tracing now and looking forward to painting....

[MaryAnne Long]

Denise,

Thanks.  This course is really going to make a difference.

Looking forward to the next one.

aloha

mea

[dennis]

Mea, now you are really on the way