Storytellers

Portrait, Abstract, Collage

Immediate Access

Regular Price: $68.00

(This class has been pre-recorded. You will have lifetime access, and all videos are downloadable)

 


Course Details

In this course, you will create a small body of work that could be developed into a beautiful art series when explored further. Drawing inspiration from storytellers and people whose paths we crossed and their shared stories with us as inspiration.

By combining their stories with our own, speculating, or creating a new one, you find that you will never be at a loss as to what to create. By collecting ideas and combining them in unique ways, you will give your artwork depth and meaning.

Throughout the lessons, I will share my techniques and philosophy on combining unrelated ideas and stories that will inspire your way of making art. I will encourage you to abandon perfection and feel the joy of creating. When you work this way, you will eventually discover your potential for creating beautiful art.


 

ABOUT THIS COURSE

  • Immediate Access

  • 5 Hours of Content

  • $68.00

  • Downloadable Videos

  • Lifetime Access

  • Instructor: Renee Mueller

INSTAGRAM: @reneedesigns

#reneemuellercreativecommunity

 
 

Take a look inside the classroom.

 
 

Techniques Taught In This Course

  • Techniques:

    • Gather inspiration, stories, and ideas to keep you and your artwork fresh and inspired.

    • Create a collection of small collage pieces to keep your ideas, colors, and stories.

    • Develop a meaningful abstract paintings with layers of paint, collage, and pastel.

    • Learn to create beautiful color palettes that will unify your work.

    • Combine stories, and nature in a one of a kind assemblage piece.

    • Abandon perfection, and create expressive florals filled with beauty and symbolism.

    • Develop a beautiful portrait in oils (or any medium of your choice)

    • Step by step mixing skin tones using a string of color.

    • Each lesson can be explored further to create a series of work.

The Lessons

The course begins with a discussion of art supplies, paper, and substrates. I encourage you to use the supplies and paper you have on hand and work in the colors you love.

You can find a list of suggested art supplies at the bottom of this page.

 

Lesson 1 | Collecting Ideas

In this lesson, we will create a "collection of ideas." Small and simple, these little collages can be a constant source of inspiration. A place to keep every idea, random thought, quick sketch, or color swatch. By working quickly and intuitively, you don't have time to overthink this fun way to warm up the creative process.

Gather items that inspire you, like, simple color swatches, old photos, fabric, objects from nature, turn on some music, and have fun playing! I promise, you will feel that creative spark ignite, and ideas for your artwork will begin to flow!

 
 

Lesson 2 | The Window

Mixed Media Abstract

Reflecting on stories told, meandering through memories, and listening to others reflect on meaningful moments in their lives can be a wellspring of inspiration for your artwork.

Storytelling takes us on a journey and gives us a snapshot of a moment in time. A fragment that sparks conversations in turn, making more memories and stories to tell.

In this lesson, you will create a small abstract. Intuitively responding to the work as we layer stories, memories, and emotions into your artwork. I will demonstrate how to work in a limited palette of color, create original collage paper for the work, and layer with pastels to bring a dreamy quality to the abstract.

 
 

Lesson 3 | Three Flowers

Assemblange

In this lesson we will start off by discussing the materials and reference photo used. You will learn how to draw or imagine certain guidelines to help place the facial features correctly. We will discuss the effect of foreshortening on certain areas of the face. Next, we will continue with our main portrait by creating a rough underpainting in gesso.

You will learn how to use a variety of mediums to build up depth and texture. Our materials will be in a muted color palette, allowing us to focus on creating interesting contrast and marks. You will learn about rhythm, directional flow and moving from the rational phase into a more meditative state of creating.

 

Lesson 4 | Sweet Magnolia

Acrylic & Pastel Floral Painting

Flowers can bring a deeper meaning to your artwork. They symbolize life, love, transformation, and metamorphosis. In this art lesson, you will capture a story in a single flower, and bring layers of meaning, color, texture to your art.

It is about abandoning perfection and allowing your hand to create marks and brushstrokes that only you can create. Once you embrace the beauty of how you crate, then you will finally see your art and all the beauty it holds.

 

Lesson 5 | The Storyteller

Portrait In Oils

Every story needs a storyteller, and in this art lesson, you will create your own. The reference photo will be the jumping-off point to guide you. Feel free to make your own choices on what to keep and what to leave out in the portrait.

In this lesson, I provide you with a template of the sketch, but feel free you draw directly onto your wood panel or canvas. I will demonstrate how I mix skin tones, layer colors to create a luminous portrait. Once again, this lesson is not about creating a perfect portrait, but finding your way of painting and expressing what is deep within your heart as an artist.

If you're not comfortable using oils, please feel free to work in acrylics or watercolors.

 

Supply List

Substrates

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper

Arches Drawing Paper - cream

Wood Panel (11x14)

Vintage box for Assemblage - Etsy, Ebay, or Thrift Shop

Charcoal

General’s Charcoal Pencil - 4b

Willow Charcoal - soft

Powdered Charcoal - any brand, I use Nitram

Paint

Acrylic Paints: Brands used include:

Liquitex Heavy Body

Golden Fluid Acrylic

Atelier Interactive

Charvin

Colors:

Raw Sienna

Burnt Sienna

Raw Umber

Payne’s Gray

Cerulean Blue

Green Gold

Olive Green

Khaki (Charvin)

Caribbean Pink (Charvin)

Warm Gray (Charvin)

Titanium White

Mediums

Liquitex Gesso

Liquitex Clear Gesso

Liquitex Matte Medium (Optional)

Golden’s Glazing Liquid (Optional)

YES Paste

Glue Stick (Optional)

Sennelier Spray Fixative for Pastels (also works on charcoal)

Pastels

(please don’t feel you must purchase the brands I use, there are many options if you’re new to pastels)

Brands I like include:

NuPastels

Sennelier - soft pastels

Henri Roche - www.fineartstore.com also at www.lamaisondupastel.com

Note about colors: In this class I’m using earth colors such as:

Raw Sienna

Burnt Sienna

Yellow Ochre

Green Gold

Olive Greens

Blues

White

Pinks

(I don’t have the exact numbers or names of the colors, but I encourage you to select colors that work with your color palette and ones you are most drawn to)

Miscellaneous

Black Stabilo Pencil

Mechanical Pencil

Kneaded Eraser

Tombow Eraser

Picture Hanger & Small Nails (for assemblage box)

Small Piece of foam core

Assorted Brushes

Old Watercolor paper/drawing paper/vintage papers for Bonus lesson - cut or torn to around 3x5 or 4x6

Twine

Stapler






Disclosure of Material Connection: Some or all of the links in this supply list are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission and we are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.