Barbara Benda

March 16-20th, 2020 Beginning Drawing and Watercolor Workshop

This was a week of serious learning, serious laughter, and the creation of new friendships as we were able to have my last workshop before schools were shut down due to Covid-19. We practiced social distancing with our tables apart, hand sanitizer available, and all participants had not been traveling, so I thank God we were able to have this week together. This may be the group that practices more than any other group with social isolation soon to follow for  weeks afterward. Life did not get back to normal, so I hope everyone kept their paint brushes wet in the past few weeks. We didn’t have a group picture, so those willing to take a chance standing by me had their photos taken with one of their paintings.Thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm, positive energy, sense of humor, and diligence in practicing!

Top: Suzanne and lighthouse study; Ida and her two studies of the Road Home; Jill and her robin painting; bottom left: Ken and his greyscale design for his mountain painting; Terry and a painting of Johnson Park that she purchased; Alicia and her painting of farmers during fall harvest; Mary and her tulip study;  Annette with her final color study of a Palm Springs golf scene and Dorothy with her beginnings of her color study .  Missing: Brian C.  The last photo is of the beginnings of the artist’s Japanese Tree Peony paintings. They nailed the center of the flower!

Thanks for a fabulous week! I look forward to seeing your progress on our group Facebook page!

January- a great time to paint indoors and enjoy the camraderie of other people who love art and want to begin or go to the next level in their creative journey. This described the week spent at NDSCS campus in Fargo, ND, January 6-10th. This is one of my favorite venues because the lighting is superb, everyone gets their own large studio table, and I have great technology hookups so everyone can sit at their own studio table and work interactively as I demonstrate at the front of the room.

I am sharing the process of painting a value study in Payne’s Gray and the progression toward creating a color study.

This is the teaching approach I love- using a document camera to demonstrate each step, then projecting it on a large screen so all can stay seated and work  immediately after instructions are given.

Below are the results of the Road Home exercise. Everyone gets the same instructions, yet all have

a unique interpretation that reflects each person’s individual personality and experience.

We created a garden of beautiful Japanese Tree Peonies:

Kim exemplifies his comfort in his own personal “studio”.

UPCOMING WORKSHOP! 

Beginning Drawing and Watercolor:  5-Day Workshop

with Barbara Benda Nagle

January 6-10^th, 2020

NDSCS (North Dakota State College of Science)

 Fargo, ND

Join Barbara Benda Nagle, professional artist and instructor, as she provides her unique curriculum for learning how to draw and paint. With over 35 years of teaching experience, she simplifies complex art concepts so all levels of learners may succeed.

In this workshop, you will learn:

• How to execute a variety of drawing and watercolor techniques
• How to make sense of the color wheel and use it to your advantage
• How to use “value” (lights and darks) to make paintings dramatic
• How to design your painting rather than copy photographs
• How to create strong, dynamic compositions

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily (with lunch on your own)

Location: Room 190, NDSCS Fargo campus- 1305 19th Avenue North, Fargo, ND (across the street from the Fargo Dome).

Participant profile: All levels of learners, ages 15 and up.

Class size: Limited to the first 15 paid registrations.

Please register and pay by December 28^th.

The fee of $395 will cover instruction and handouts for 5 days. Supplies are extra. A supply list is available on Barbara’s website at www.barbarabendanagle.com

OR you may order a Supply Kit on your registration form (cost: $185.) This Supply Kit includes everything on the required supply list.

If you need special accommodations, or have any questions, please contact Barbara at barbara@barbarabendanagle.com or call Beverly, Workshop Assistant, at 701-610-9529

Please click on this link to download the flyer and registration form:  Beginning Drawing and Watercolor