Let's Paint with Susan Schwake

This summer I signed up for an online course called Let's Paint with Susan Schwake. As a high school teacher we are required to take so many hours of professional development each year, and I prefer to do that over my summer break. This year I decided to refresh my painting skills and learn a few new techniques from another art teacher.
Susan's 6 week course was great! We covered everything from color theory, mark making, choosing the right tools, experimenting with different tools, developing your own style, critiques and finding inspiration.
I'm still experimenting and playing with some of her suggestions I've had so much fun, and. truly enjoyed her on line class
Here are a few of my favorite paintings from the course. Can't tell you how they came about... you'll have to sign up for her class.You can find her at Susan Schwake or  follow her blog The Art and times of Susan Schwake,

 

Sketchbook and Small Watercolor / Pen Art Works

 ACORN LOVE

 Many of you now I just love acorns, you could safely say they are my go to things to sketch or doddle when I can't think of anything to draw. At the end of the school year when students are asking me to sign yearbooks I'm always reminded to include my signature acorn drawing. What can I say I'm just a nut at heart.

6x6 Paintings

Sketchbook / Journal

Where Have I Been You Might Ask?

Social media has taken over our lives and I’ve gotten lazy when it comes to my blog. It is so much easier to post a picture with a few words on fb or on instagram, and press the (Like) button to respond to a friend’s latest post or picture that I haven’t taken the time to update my beloved Art Journal, which is actually my blog.

I’m going to change that and make an effort to document my adventures and art more offend.

So today I’ll start where I left off at the end of the school year just before summer vacation, and try to catch you up every few days with what I’ve been doing over my summer break.

Let’s get started with my Studio Art students’ final projects. Each year the students choose a theme to create their own Art Journal that represents techniques they learn throughout the year while combining the Elements & Principles of design. The categories were; Line and Pattern, Contrast/Value, Texture/Rhythm Movement, Space/ Emphasis, Art History/Painting Styles , an All About Me page, and then designing front and back covers that pulled it altogether creating Unity. 

Covers

Space/Emphasis

Value/Contrast below

Music and Pop Art

All About Me

All about me and love for Soccer

Texture/Rhythm and Movement

Music was a popular theme

Betty's journey is right below her.

Front/Back Cover Design.  Theme, Doctor Who

The last day together Group Selfie!