What is Art of Painting?
Art of Painting - is the harmony and contrast of color, drawing, form, design and texture - but primarily it is about color relationships. The goal is to "see" and understand the relationship of color, value and temperature present. It is the philosophy behind the Russian School of Painting.
What makes this so different from other ways of painting?
Art of Painting is a passionate, spontaneous way to paint. It is about the elimination of all the rules that limit the painter. I know of only three rules to Art of Painting - all other decisions are made one by one, decided through observations of relationships. And while there are other ways to paint, in my opinion, Art of Painting is the highest level, the acme of the painter's journey.
How does one learn to make those observations and decisions?
Though training the eye and the hand to paint! Many are looking for a formula or rules - to make it easy - but it takes much training to learn to "see" this sometimes subtle harmony. Art of Painting will take much hard work, discipline; it is a journey full of many questions to ponder. Along the way you will meet many who have gimmicks and easy formulas to follow. If you want to be a painter in the truest sense; test all the rules and formulas and plan for many miles on the canvas.
Why did Don decide to create a DVD Collection?
- In the DVDs, Don Sahli shares what he was taught by Sergei Bongart, the great Russian colorist - Art of Painting - the art of color, drawing, form and design. An academic approach to painting that quite frankly he feels is missing in today's art schools.
- The DVDs allows viewers to paint in their own home, on their own schedule with one-on-one instruction from Don at a fraction of the cost of a workshop.
Is there a supply list or suggestions on what to use?
Yes, Don presents his supply list in the DVD and an insert with a list of supplies and where to find them is included in each DVD package. Also included is the palette layout Don recommends artists use.
Why does Don recommend a certain palette layout?
By putting the paint in the same place each time, as painter you will be more instinctive when working with your palette. Very similar to playing the piano - knowing that the keys on a piano are in the same place gives the pianist the confidence to play with more competence and bravado.
Why does Don Sahli use so many colors of paint?
Again in reference to the piano, with 88 keys, a pianist has the opportunity to create many different melodies and harmonies. With full palette, an artist can reach for all the color notes.
What is so special about this DVD Collection?
MediaBound Productions utilized state-of-the-art technology to record and produce a DVD unlike any other. The Interactive Forum used allows artists to take control of the lesson - to explore and expand the process with a focused lesson, to read about the method or continue on with the demonstration. Rather than just viewing a painting demonstration, artists will find Sahli blends critical step-by-step tools and techniques that make the transition to their canvas. Whether they learn by watching, reading or hearing, the Art of Painting meets the personal needs of every artist and student.
How does your Interactive DVD teach to all the different learning styles?
An auditory learner learns by listening, a visual learner learns by seeing and a kinesthetic learner learns by doing. The instructive style is designed to ensure an understanding of what is being explained. So if you are an auditory learner - you will learn by using the auditory cues. If you are a visual learner - you will learn by the highlighted parts of the painted image. If you are a kinesthetic learner - you will learn by performing actions / techniques.
NOTE from Don Sahli
Below are just a few of the questions that I have been asked - when painting on location or in workshops. All represent a perceived "rule" of painting. These rules should be judged and tested and if found to be false - discarded. These are examples of the rules and formulas that can easily be disproved and, in my opinion, discarded.
Q: When painting does one begin in the foreground then work back into the picture plain?
Begin in the darkest dark, always! If the darkest dark is the furthest thing in the background. that is where I start - not front to back.
Q: Do you start in the focal point?
In Art of Painting the entire painting should work together and be pleasing and harmonious - all areas working together. Yes sometimes there is a point of great interest - but that does not mean it is the place to start - unless of course it is the darkest dark!
Q: Is yellow ochre a cool color?
Surround yellow ochre with a blue; it is warm compared to the blue. Art of Painting is about color and the relationship of each to the other. You must produce the relationship between colors.
Q: Is drawing important to Art of Painting?
Yes! Of course! My teacher always said: Art of Painting is to drawing with a brush. Drawing deals with the proportion, perspective and placement of the shapes and the pieces of light and shadow. All these come together to make the form. Art of Painting is about describing this form with color.
Q: How long does the DVD last?
That depends on you. The painting demonstration takes about 11/2 hours, but with the interactive options, you can act on what intrigues you. By using your remote or mouse for the basics like pause, rewind, and fast forward, you determine how long your lesson will last and just what you will learn in that time. If you want more in-depth explanation on the key topics, click on the icon; Don then goes to great lengths to expand and clarily
the steps he is taking.
Q: Where can I purchase one of Don's paintings?
Please visit Don's website: www.sahlistudio.com. You can view available works and see gallery locations.
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