Update: Giveaway is closed and winner has been chosen, thanks to all who entered!
You may remember my week of sketching faces on our family's sketchbook blog. They are challenging to say the least (the faces, not the family), and I need many more weeks of challenging myself this way, to say the least. I would love to learn techniques and methods to effectively sketch expressive faces. Maybe you do too? If this is you, I have a treat for you today. Regina of Creative Kismet is a prolific artist, using mixed media and incredible color to create beautiful portraits. She has a new ecourse called "Expressions in Mixed Media Portrait Painting", the act of expressing feeling, spirit, and character through artistic play and exploration starting in April. For 4 weeks, she will guide you through different mixed media materials, and methods of creating portrait faces, and will be covering a wide range of techniques in drawing, painting and use of color and texture.
I asked Regina a few questions about the class, and here's what she had to say-
* I love the class description of "breaking away from tradition", can you give us a few details on what that means for you?
To draw faces I think you need to practice and you need a good foundation to start: learning shape, proportions and shading. Once you understand those basics, I think it's fun and freeing to 'break away' and try different face shapes, exaggerate proportions and add unexpected color.
* It seems like there are a lot of materials listed, do we need all of those? A basic supply? What can we get by with?
This is a great question because an art supply list can be very daunting, especially if you are just starting out. I have changed my list so that it shows you the basics (paper, pencils, paint, paint brushes, etc). Everything else can be purchased after watching the videos and demonstrations. Then you can decide if there is a technique you want to try. The course is open until December to allow you the opportunity to revisit later.
* The faces you paint are absolutely beautiful, full of expression! What's one nugget you can give us from your experience of sketching and painting faces, one bit of wisdom to get us thinking about what we want to achieve in a class like this.
I think the most important thing, is to let go of any expectations and worries that your faces won't look a certain way and just be open to learning and enjoying the process. It takes time and practice to paint and draw faces and I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves as artists, and creative people, to be able to do something well straight out of the gate. When you let that fear go, you will be surprised at how quickly you progress. My hopes is that I guide and support you gently through the process and that you enjoy it!
Regina is generously offering a free class to one reader here on wise craft, just leave a comment here, telling a bit about what you would hope to get out of a class like this. I will keep the drawing open through the weekend and announce a winner early next week.
Read the complete details about the ecourse here. See a sampling of Regina's beautiful work on her blog.
Thank you Regina, and good luck everyone!
