Oil Painting classes

Moose Camp oil

Rocky View oil

Blushing oil

     I teach weekly oil painting classes out of my home studio on Thursday mornings.   My classes are small with a limit of 6 students so everyone gets plenty of individual attention.  My goal as an art instructor is to teach you the basics of painting and how to paint your vision.   These are some examples of paintings that I demoed and painted in class last Spring and Winter.  
     "Moose Camp" was a lesson in learning how to paint objects that had some sentimental value to each student and compose a painting.  We started with painting with just one monochromatic value (Transparent Earth Red by Gamblin) to get our drawings realistic at first.  After these were completed we added a thin layer of paint and kept the realism as the style of for this project.
    The lesson when I painted "Rocky View" in class was how to create depth in a landscape.  We played with just foreground and background I taught them how to exaggerate atmosphere by graying down the cool colors of the background.  I taught them in the final layer how to use a pallet knife and leave plenty of impasto. 
     "Blushing" was painted realistically with a monochromatic underpainting.  I kept the background a cool grayish blue to accent the pinks & greens of the rose. With this project I taught how to draw what you see, values, how to use complimentary colors and grays to accent the focal point.
    For more information about joining this group, you can contact me by clicking on the link.

Both of these paintings were from a gorgeous Fall hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

You can see more of my artwork online: 
Facebook page (open to the public) 

fineartamerica.com    

(a variety of my work: prints and cards available) 
 artforconservation.com  
(limited edition canvas giclees)

marygiacomini.com

MGiacominiart.blogspot.com

Home studio art classes: Watercolor

 Starting in October, I'm once again teaching an Adult watercolor class.  This class is intended for beginners to intermediate students.  No experience is necessary.  We meet on Wednesday mornings from 9-12 starting early October 7, 2015 in Loveland, Colorado.  I currently have one opening with a maximum of 6 students per class.  We learn all kinds of new things during the year:  color experiments, playing, drawing lessons, value, composition, textures, types of paper, cropping, critique, themes, glazing, wet on wet, purple underpainting and the list goes on.  My goal is to teach you to achieve your goal of painting what you want to.   For more information, contact me.

"Shades of Gray"
  In this class we used an Ansel Adams photo to inspire us to use only one dark color to achieve distance.

We had a fresh bouquet of flowers in this class and splashed fresh watercolor quickly.

Layered hydrangea
We used stencils and a limited pallet to 'layer' this hydrangea to life.

Tropical Escape
We used lots of tropical pure colors for our sunset & added dark purple palm trees and a beach.

Fall 2015 Adult Classes at the Loveland Museum Gallery

I am teaching these classes for adults at the Loveland Museum this Fall:


Botanical Watercolor Painting
Tuesday, September 22, 1 – 4 pm
Learn to draw and paint what you see using purple underpainting and transparent watercolor paint. Instructor: Mary Giacomini
Fee: $45 ($36 Museum Members)

 


Colorado’s Golden Aspens
Tuesday, September 29, 1 – 4 pm
Learn to create depth in your mountain landscapes by graying down your paints. Building upon a thin layer of acrylics, we’ll use large brushes and palette knives to create an autumn aspen forest in the foreground. Instructor: Mary Giacomini



Sketchbook Journaling: Fall Harvest
Tuesday, October 13, 1 – 4 pm
Learn to start your own sketchbook journal with watercolor & ink. Draw inspiration from the fresh color and shapes of the seasonal bounty. Instructor: Mary Giacomini





 Falling Leaves
Tuesday, October 20, 1 – 4 pm
In this easy watercolor class, we’ll use a limited palette of transparent watercolors with leaf stencils to create a beautiful pile of leaves. No drawing required.  Instructor: Mary Giacomini


A Walk to Remember
Tuesday, October 27, 1 – 4 pm
Using pastels, we’ll create an impressionistic fall walk through an Autumn forest. Instructor: Mary Giacomini
 

Canyonlands
Tuesday, November 3, 1 – 4 pm
Use a masking fluid, a limited palette, and salt to create a scene from Canyonlands National Park. Instructor: Mary Giacomini








Monet’s Haystacks
Tuesday, November 10, 1 – 4 pm
Create an impressionistic version of one of Monet’s famous haystacks with pastels. Instructor: Mary Giacomini

• Snowy, Starry Night Tuesday, December 1, 1 – 4 pm
  Create a dramatic starry night scene with watercolor. Instructor: Mary Giacomini
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• More info online.  You can register starting August 21, 2015 at 970 962-2410 

Loveland Museum Classes Spring/Summer 2015

I have been teaching art classes at the Loveland Museum Gallery since 2003.  Over the years, I have built up a following.  This season I am focusing mostly on adult classes.  New this season (starting in May):  My classes are now 3 hours (instead of 2) long to give you more time to finish!!

All of these classes will give you an introduction to a painting medium doing the same project.  All supplies are included.  This is great way to try out a medium before you buy the supplies. The classes are limited to 6 & generally fill up quite quickly.  You can register through the Loveland Museum Gallery by visiting or calling  (970) 962-2410

 

 

 Paint a Moose

Thursday, April 16, 4 – 6 pm

Fee: $40 ($32 for museum members)
Learn a simplified technique to paint an acrylic moose and have fun with thick paint and palette knife swirls.

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Impressionistic Gardens

Tuesday & Wednesday, May 5 & 6, 2:30 – 4 pm

Fee: $50 ($40 for museum members)
Using soft pastels, paint beautiful gardens in an impressionistic style reminiscent of Monet. No experience required.

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Vertical Landscapes

Tuesday & Wednesday, May 26 & 27, 2:30 – 4 pm

Fee: $50 each ($40 for museum members)
Learn to create depth in your landscapes by graying down your paints. On top of that thin acrylic layer, we’ll use large brushes and palette knives to create a forest in the foreground.

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Under the Sea

Tuesday, June 2, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Using transparent watercolor, we’ll layer sea life shapes to make a cool and calming underwater scene. This easy project requires minimal drawing skills.

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50 Shades of Gray

Wednesday, June 3, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)

Make monochromatic but strong compositions with Ansel Adams as our inspiration. Create a vibrant painting with one dark-value watercolor. 
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Tropical Escape

Thursday, June 25, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Create vibrant sunsets over the ocean with brilliant colors, then paint dark silhouettes of palm trees when it’s dry. This is an easy project, and you’ll be pleased with the final painting. Instructor: Mary Giacomini

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Botanical Watercolor Painting

Tuesday, July 21, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Learn to draw and paint what you see using purple underpainting and transparent watercolor paint. 

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Sketchbook Journaling: Fresh from the Farmer’s Market

Wednesday, July 22, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Learn to start your own sketchbook journal with watercolor and ink. Draw inspiration from the fresh color and shapes of the seasonal bounty. 

An example of a watercolor plein air sketch (La Costa Spa)

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Van Gogh’s Sunflowers

Wednesday, August 26, 1 – 4 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Paint big, bold, bright, beautiful sunflowers! Look at some examples of Van Gogh’s art. Then, create your own rendition using a lot of acrylic paint to swirl on the canvas with a palette knife.  Instructor: Mary Giacomini

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For the Birds

Thursday, August 27, 3 – 6 pm

Fee: $45 each ($36 for museum members)
Create sweet little studies of a variety of birds using pastel. Learn how to draw by simplifying. Feel free to bring references of specific birds you’d like to paint.  Instructor: Mary Giacomini