Friday, November 28, 2008

Scott Christensen 10 day intensive workshop


Oh my, I had not realized it had been 3 months since I last put an entry in my Blog. September and October had been really busy for me as I had a ton of paintings to do for my Three person show I had at one of my galleries, then I had to prepare for the Scott Powers workshop I had set up at the Guild of Creative Art. I'll write about that workshop after I have done catching up on writing about the busy summer schedule I had.
I want to write something about my experience with Scott Christensen's 10 day intensive workshop I took last June. I have to say I really did learn a lot. The way he taught was really very organized , where he would begin with three full days of lectures , really breaking down the basic information needed to really understand what he has learned in his years of painting and serious study of the landscape and what it takes to paint it successfully. He then does a demo which takes a whole day due to the fact that he did a 40 by 48 inch piece! He takes the demo piece to an almost finished state, letting us know that in a couple of days he would show us how to rework it.






















You can view the finished piece here
Then  he put that piece away to be finished  on a later date, and  he did another painting that was bit smaller .


















After that he let us out painting in designated spots where he divided the 40 person class into two groups, and meeting everyone at a certain time to work on each persons painting problems with everyone watching, which was very good because everyone got to see different problems and how he would fix them.
At the end of the workshop he did a group critique and again worked out problems on a collective basis. In terms of one on one time, although we were 40, it somehow did not feel that way.
I'd say overall it was really great . If there was only one workshop that you could take in a year, take this. If you really are serious about your work and really want to know how to get better at painting the landscape, Scott's workshop will give you the tools you will need.


During the last day of the workshop After all the critiquing was done, Scott and Kristie surprised me by wanting to purchase one of my paintings I had done during the workshop .

I still don't remember the exact words I was saying to them when they told me that , but I bet I acted like a babbling fool. So I think I did forget everything I learned because of that shocker. :) Now I don't think anything can top that workshop experience for me.

" Before Sunset" 11 x 14 , oil . Collection of the Artist Scott L. Christensen and Kristie Grigg

Before I end this I have to say that Charlie and Kristie really worked hard at taking care of the little things that really made a difference to one's workshop experience.

4 comments:

brian eppley said...

Hi Eleinne. I just found your blog. You have some fantastic pieces on there. Congratulations on your awards and the sale to Scott! And thanks for posting the workshop images. He is a master. Can't wait to see some more images on your blog, and it was a pleasure meeting you at Paint Annapolis. Best wishes for the new year, Brian.

Eleinne said...

Hi Brian,

It was nice meeting you too and I had a great time chatting with you during that party in annapolis. Happy New Year too and thanks for the kind words. I am so backed up on my blogging but this year I hope to post more.

Eleinne

Anonymous said...

Hi Eleinne, I loved looking at your blog. Your paintings are lovely, and impressionist-looking. And your figures are great!
Next Saturday is the mapapa annual meeting (the 24th). They're having a sunrise paint-off. Are you going?
Take care, Patricia Bennett

Eleinne said...

Hi Patricia,
Thanks for the nice words,

Yes I'm planning on going to the meeting and hopefully get to paint that sunrise. So hope to see you there .
Eleinne