OIL PAINTING TIP,WATERCOLOR PAINTING TIP- THE THUMBNAIL SKETCH- 'Worth it's weight in gold'

The value of the THUMBNAIL SKETCH for your painting cannot be underestimated. These little gems are worth their weight in gold!!!!!
 

The thumbnail sketch will set up your painting's composition, value, color, mood, focal point, light source, and shape.
All of this, in just the time it takes to do a few 3" x 5" sketches. ( or smaller if you wish) Due to their small size, it is easy to test a few different ideas for one painting. These mini sketches in black and white or color have been real time savers for me in painting watercolors. You just cannot scrape the paint off watercolor paper as you would with oils on canvas or hardboard.
Artists, make your life easier and do a thumbnail sketch.
Test your composition. Are your shapes in a pleasing arrangement? Are your design elements in the places where they will reflect your image nicely?
Test your values. Do your darkest darks and lightest lights work well with your middle values? Do they help your eye to travel around or do they make your eye fly off the page?
Test your shapes. Are they too complicated? Do they link together in some way. Are they falling off the page?
Test some of your color choices. Are they too busy? Should you limit your palette?
In a landscape painting, the thumbnail sketch can be valuable to get down the light and dark shapes that may be quickly changing with the light.
Many artists who use thumbnail sketches only do them in black and white. In the painting above, I wanted to add some color to test this option. Thumbnails are not meant to be works of art, but quick GUIDELINES to make your painting flow smoothly.
http://www.michiganpaintings.com
http://www.dianetasselmyer.com

WIN AN ART SHOW, MY ORIGINAL PAINTING ICE SKATERS WINS

 I WON AN ART SHOW COMPETITION, ORIGINAL PAINTING ICE SKATERS.
sometimes you win..sometimes you don't. I was truly honored to receive from my
artist guild 1ST PLACE in our artist competition last night. Being in any juried
competition is a risk to take for any artist. Many pieces if fine art never receive
the recognition they deserve.
Earlier this year I had entered THIS SAME PAINTING in another art show and
and it did not even stir up comment, except for a negative one from the JUROR.
When you know in your heart that a certain piece of your artwork seemed totally
right from the beginning in terms of everything...composition, color, value, drama,
etc.... DON'T GIVE UP!! And, certainly don't determine your value as an artist
by whether or not you win in art competitions!
I was actually worried that this piece might turn off the juror because it was a
painting with a winter theme (and I think we are all just plain tired of that at this
point..it was a long winter). My point being, see how our minds work sometimes.
But, I felt I wanted to give this painting another go with competition.
Turned we had a fantastic juror, Kathryn Sharbaugh, one of the assistant directors
of the Institute of Arts, and, a very talented artist in her own right. Her warm
personality, engaging manner and professionalism were thoroughly enjoyed by
all.
http://www.dianetasselmyer.com
http://www.michiganpaintings.com

OIL Painting CITY Park Grill PETOSKEY Michigan Impressionist Fine Art

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY MICHIGAN
12" x 16" OIL on gallery wrap canvas -ready to hang INTIMACY, GOOD FRIENDS AND GOOD FOOD/BEVERAGES WAS WHAT HEMINGWAY HAD HERE!
This has to be one of the top favorite dining, music, hanging-out spots in
Petoskey. My artist side knew this was a place I wanted to do a painting
or two!
To paint this scene backlit from the rear of the restaurant,
I used a PAINTING KNIFE, also know in some circles as a palette knife to sculpt
the textures and people in CITY PARK GRILL. The old wood, red hanging fabric,
and people groups accented the crisp white tablecloths for an intimate look.
The knife lends itself to an impressionist piece of art. And the loose painterly
feel adds more drama for me.
During its 98 years open, this Michigan restaurant has had some other artists
too..like author Ernest Hemingway. He frequented this place and used
some material for his work ! See..we artists know the spots.
And, The food here is GREAT!!!!! Petoskey is on the Little Traverse Bay section of Lake Michigan. Lots of art galleries here too!
visit my BLOG:http://michiganpaintings.blogspot.com/ 
 

Claude Monet could have been paintings in Michigan

CLAUDE MONET could have been painting in Michigan.
After viewing part of this exhibition of Monet's work, it hit me how similiar the scenery was to the state of Michigan.
The next time you see any of his work, keep that in mind.
If I could go back in time, I would have loved to invite him here to paint my beloved state. Guess I cannot say it enough..I love it here in Michigan and that is why I paint this landscape. Feeling passion about what you paint is what it is all about.
http://www.dianetasselmyer.com
http:/www.michiganpaintings.com

Sand Dunes on Lake Michigan

Sand Dunes on Lake Michigan

"Bay dunes" by Diane Tasselmyer , 8" x 24" x 1½"  oil on canvas       $300 ready to hang

Click Here for additional viewing and purchase info. 

WHO CAN RESIST a good looking sand dune on the Great Lakes, specifically Lake Michigan.  Artists love to paint these "mysteries of sand".     They twist and turn in the in the winds, a soft whoosh..or a battering blow.  They have enchanted me since I was a child and I love paint them.

I am headed up (north) to Sturgeon Bay and Harbor Springs, Michigan with friends for a few days.    BUT..you say "who goes to the beach in cooler weather?"  I do, and so do a lot of other "cool weather" lovers.  Michigan is just too beautiful in every season to not be out there  IN it.  And then bring home more paintings ideas.

WHEN THE GREAT LAKES FREEZE it helps prevent evaporation, a protective measure.  These huge bodies of fresh water support our vibrant sport fishing, commercial fishing , water sports, boating, and other tourist venues.  We are blessed to have so much water around us in Michigan.

WHO CAN RESIST  this beautiful state of Michigan!   COME ONE, COME ALL..AND ENJOY!!

Diane Tasselmyer

             ~click below to see my paintings~

                    thanks for looking!

http://www.dianetasselmyer.com   WEBSITE

http://www.michiganpaintings.com  WEBSITE

http://michiganpaintings.blogspot.com ARTIST BLOG