Color as Value Lesson

I find that the place most students get stuck is translating color into value. Finding the right colors and values is all about viewing your subject matter as values in relationship to each other. One aspect of the still life will appear as one value, if you are looking at it in isolation, but the trick is to look at everything in relationship to each other, according to their values. Students often try to determine the value of any given part of the setup, but if they are looking at it in isolation, their values will be off. Its about seeing all values in the context of the entire setup - NOT in isolated pieces.

Here is an example of the setup we had in class today at Rye Arts Center - as well as my quick value (charcoal) sketch (approx. 3"x2") and my acrylic painting, done in about 20 minutes, on 9x12 paper/board. I pushed the values, somewhat, making the background the darkest value and assigning the items in the still life a light value and 2 shades of grey. While I worked on the painting, I taped the value sketch in front of me to make sure that I'm staying on target. This value sketch is my "road map". If I am satisfied with the values I established in the sketch, I will stick with them thru the painting, regardless of the variations in the actual setup.

Student's Work

One of the things I'm a real stickler for, in my own work and as a teacher, is getting the values right. I'm not concerned with getting the exact colors, because the type of painting I teach is not about photo realism. I encourage my students to explore and take lots of artistic license with color - with one stipulation - the color has to match the value. Before they start painting, my students all do a value sketch, in charcoal. This serves as their roadmap to how they have translated the subject into 3 or 4 values. Whenever there is a question as to why something is not working, we look at the value sketch and its usually apparent. Most often, when there is a problem, it is because they have strayed from the value sketch, and re-interpreted the colors, switching values.

I wanted to post a painting that one of my beginner students did a couple of weeks ago. This is a perfect example of working within the values, determined by the charcoal sketch, and working intuitively with colors. A perfect example of, "if the values are correct, the painting will work regardless of color". Bravo, Susan - well done!

American Express buys extended license for Patti Mollica's NYC paintings

2010 is turning out to be a great year. American Express commissioned me to create two of my distinctive New York City images for use as decals indicating American Express’s acceptance at establishments throughout the U.S. Amex has been so pleased with the finished work, they licensed extended rights for a full menu of other uses. So keep your eyes open for my New York paintings on billboards, collateral, ads…who knows where!

Recent News: Patti Mollica featured in March 2010 "Artist's Magazine"

I was honored to be a finalist in the Landscape category of the 2009 Artist's Magazine Annual Competition, and was selected for their "Competition Spotlight" feature article. The landscape category included natural and urban landscapes, as well as interiors. I will post a jpg of the article for anyone who is interested in reading the story.

Painting Workshops: How to Paint Fast, Bold and Loose

For the past couple of years I have been teaching workshops and classes in how to paint fast, bold and loose, working with acrylic paints and large brushes. The students that attend range from complete beginners/never held a brush before, to very advanced painters who just want to loosen up and paint more freely. It is so satisfying to see the progress that the students can make in just one afternoon. The beginner painters are especially thrilled to see that with a little instruction on how to start and what to focus on, they can create beautiful, colorful works of very simple still life subjects. I tell them "if you can draw a circle, you can paint an orange".

One of the things that is most satisfying is to de-mystify the process of painting, thereby opening up a new world of creative expression to those who have never allowed themselves to explore the joy of painting. Creativity and artistic expression belongs to everyone, and so many people think that art belongs only to that select group of people that call themselves artists. One of the most fascinating aspects of watching people indulge in their painting endeavors is how free and unencumbered the newbies are. I really enjoy watching the way they "play" and experiment, without being bogged down by years of painting instruction, and theory and rules. The beginners have a natural advantage in loosening up - their lack of experience leaves them free to indulge in that child-like playfulness that is often lacking in the work of advanced painters. Sometimes I feel I learn as much from them as they do from me - a win-win for everyone.

Currently I am teaching classes at Rye Arts Center and Pelham Arts Center. I will be teaching a one day workshop at Rockland Center for the Arts on March 15, 2010. The workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn a new expressive way to paint, all levels are welcome. To register, call ROCA at: 845-358-0877. Seating is limited.

Welcome to my blog!

I will soon be posting all kinds of information about the various aspects of painting New York City settings. Feel free to browse my website if you are interested in buying prints or original paintings of New York, or if you are a fellow painter and would like to share comments and tips: http://www.mollicastudio.com
Stay tuned!