Hello Art students! Congratulations to all the Zoom students who have survived art classes online. It was a learning curve but I think we are getting quite proficient!! We've all managed to carve out little niches in our homes, arranged the lighting, the camera and our microphones. Thank-you for making this such a rewarding experience!
So - regardless if you are a Zoom student or a student returning after Covid (hopefully down the road to Spring/Summer) - we will all be photographing our own painting progress each week and then, finally, photographing the finished painting.
Well, we need a little help here. I've titled this Blog Not This because these following photos are what I don't want to see anymore. Please don't take this personally!!!!! It is not aimed at any one of you! This has happened so many times since I've been having you take pictures of your own work - it needs to be addressed. It is just another level of awareness in our art progress.
 | "Not This #1" See the big white blast of light on the left side of this canvas - where the color is washed out - that means there is too much light coming from somewhere in the room. Also, the left side of the canvas, due to the camera lens, is distorted even thigh the photo is being taken at eye level. NOT THIS! |
 | "Not This #2" See how the top of the canvas is smaller than the bottom? That is because this photo was taken looking up at the painting. It is distorted making the subjects seem longer and smaller at the top. NOT THIS! |
 | "Not This #3" See how the photograph was taken looking down and off to the right side? Because the left side is now the farther side and the top is now bigger than the bottom - the painting and it's subjects are distorted. And, this would be the same if the photo had been taken from the left (I had to say it because some of you would have asked if from the left was ok!) and or looking up. NOT THIS - right or left! top or bottom! |
 | "Not This #4" See how this is at eye level? Eye level is good but taken off to the right - or left - is not good!! NOT THIS! |
 | The original photo of the finished painting (below) had an even border of background around it which made it easy for me to edit before I put it on my site. The pre-edited painting is laying on the floor (my feet to the left) with only minimal distortion. There are no white ghosts or looming shadows. The painting is lit evenly with natural (available) light and taken with my iphone. Androids work fine. See how the photo is SQUARE to the canvas? |
 | THIS This took me 2 seconds to edit in my editing program. It was easy to crop out the floor and do minimal straightening. Voila!!!!!! THIS!!!!!!!!! |
For our weekly photos, which you send to me for corrections after each class, you can keep the painting on the easel. BUT it needs to be square and not all manner of cock-eyed perspective. It is really difficult for me to try and help with the paintings if they are out of whack. And, one more thing, the photo you send me should be large enough for me to see it.
So.....until our next class - may the art force be with you. AND - stay well!
So.....until our next class - may the art force be with you. AND - stay well!