This is the fifth video in a series where I attempt to paint (4) 6x6 canvases for my friends at the Lafayette Art Association in Lafayette, LA: https://www.lafayetteart.org/

Their 6x6 Event is an annual fundraiser where they provide (100) 6x6 canvases to artists, then auction the finished paintings. The auction is December 1, 2024. I have taught numerous workshops there and I love the people, the organization and the place-so please show them some love if possible.

In this video I begin applying green paint over the red base I created in Part 1. I’ll have to say that after painting all 4 of these 6x6 canvases, they were much more challenging than I expected. I also spent way too much time on each one to make any profit selling them.

Thanks for joining me on this journey, I appreciate it.

Thanks again for your continued support! I love you all!

Simple Color System Color Wheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

Online Courses

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

My Favorite Natural Bristle Brushes

These are Escoda Classico Natural Bristle Brushes and have been my workhorses for the last 20 years. Perfect for pushing acrylic paint around, and great for blending.

Here is an affiliate link to purchase them: https://amzn.to/3XxXcwN

My Favorite Nylon Bristle Brushes

These are Sepia Brushes by Raphael. I use these to get a clean edge when I’m cutting in my centers of interest. Great durability and work perfect when they’re wet.

Here’s an affiliate link to purchase: https://amzn.to/3B4ZPyw

This is the fourth video in a series where I attempt to paint (4) 6x6 canvases for my friends at the Lafayette Art Association in Lafayette, LA: https://www.lafayetteart.org/

Their 6x6 Event is an annual fundraiser where they provide (100) 6x6 canvases to artists, then auction the finished paintings. The auction is December 1, 2024. I have taught numerous workshops there and I love the people, the organization and the place-so please show them some love if possible.

In this video I begin applying red-violet paint over the yellow-green base I created in Part 1. These are very challenging canvases and I’m glad I don’t paint on them everyday - although they are still fun!

Thanks again for your continued support! I love you all!

Simple Color System Color Wheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

Online Courses

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

My Favorite Natural Bristle Brushes

These are Escoda Classico Natural Bristle Brushes and have been my workhorses for the last 20 years. Perfect for pushing acrylic paint around, and great for blending.

Here is an affiliate link to purchase them: https://amzn.to/3XxXcwN

My Favorite Nylon Bristle Brushes

These are Sepia Brushes by Raphael. I use these to get a clean edge when I’m cutting in my centers of interest. Great durability and work perfect when they’re wet.

Here’s an affiliate link to purchase: https://amzn.to/3B4ZPyw

This is the third video in a series where I attempt to paint (4) 6x6 canvases for my friends at the Lafayette Art Association in Lafayette, LA: https://www.lafayetteart.org/

Their 6x6 Event is an annual fundraiser where they provide (100) 6x6 canvases to artists, then auction the finished paintings. The auction is December 1, 2024. I have taught numerous workshops there and I love the people, the organization and the place-so please show them some love if possible.

In this video I begin applying blue paint over the orange base I created in Part 1. These are very challenging canvases and I’m glad I don’t paint on them everyday - although they are still fun!

Thanks again for your continued support! I love you all!

Simple Color System Color Wheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

Online Courses

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

My Favorite Natural Bristle Brushes

These are Escoda Classico Natural Bristle Brushes and have been my workhorses for the last 20 years. Perfect for pushing acrylic paint around, and great for blending.

Here is an affiliate link to purchase them: https://amzn.to/3XxXcwN

My Favorite Nylon Bristle Brushes

These are Sepia Brushes by Raphael. I use these to get a clean edge when I’m cutting in my centers of interest. Great durability and work perfect when they’re wet.

Here’s an affiliate link to purchase: https://amzn.to/3B4ZPyw

This is the second video in a series where I attempt to paint (4) 6x6 canvases for my friends at the Lafayette Art Association in Lafayette, LA: https://www.lafayetteart.org/

Their 6x6 Event is an annual fundraiser where they provide (100) 6x6 canvases to artists, then auction the finished paintings. The auction is December 1, 2024. I have taught numerous workshops there and I love the people, the organization and the place-so please show them some love if possible.

In this video I begin applying violet paint over the yellow base I created in Part 1. These are very challenging canvases and I’m glad I don’t paint on them everyday - although they are still fun!

Thanks again for your continued support! I love you all!

Simple Color System Color Wheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

Online Courses

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

My Favorite Natural Bristle Brushes

These are Escoda Classico Natural Bristle Brushes and have been my workhorses for the last 20 years. Perfect for pushing acrylic paint around, and great for blending.

Here is an affiliate link to purchase them: https://amzn.to/3XxXcwN

My Favorite Nylon Bristle Brushes

These are Sepia Brushes by Raphael. I use these to get a clean edge when I’m cutting in my centers of interest. Great durability and work perfect when they’re wet.

Here’s an affiliate link to purchase: https://amzn.to/3B4ZPyw

This is the first video in a series where I attempt to paint (4) 6x6 canvases for my friends at the Lafayette Art Association in Lafayette, LA: https://www.lafayetteart.org/

Their 6x6 Event is an annual fundraiser where provide (100) 6x6 canvases to artists, then auction the finished paintings. The auction is December 1, 2024. I have taught numerous workshops there and I love the people, the organization and the place-so please show them some love if possible.

I have never painted anything smaller than a 10x10, so these 6x6 paintings are a real challenge for me. I enjoy painting canvases 36x36 and larger with big brushes and lots of paint and I am not used to smaller brushes and a very restricted canvas size. That’s one of the reasons I decided to document the process.

The concept for the paintings is that each will be a complementary color painting utilizing a warm color underpainting and a cool complementary color over painting. The hope is to let the under painting come through for the center(s) of interest.

Come along with me on the journey that lies ahead!

Thanks again for your continued support! I love you all!

Simple Color System Color Wheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

Online Courses

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

My Favorite Natural Bristle Brushes

These are Escoda Classico Natural Bristle Brushes and have been my workhorses for the last 20 years. Perfect for pushing acrylic paint around, and great for blending.

Here is an affiliate link to purchase them: https://amzn.to/4edz61

My Favorite Nylon Bristle Brushes

These are Sepia Brushes by Raphael. I use these to get a clean edge when I’m cutting in my centers of interest. Great durability and work perfect when they’re wet.

Here’s an affiliate link to purchase: https://amzn.to/3B4ZPyw

Woo-Hoo, back with another video.

First I want to say thank you so much to all of you who took time to welcome me back! I received hundreds of messages, emails, comments and notes from social media. It makes a fella feel good to know he was missed.

In this video I am utilizing Indigo again as the main color of the painting. This time however, I am adding some cooler colors and a complementary color (just for those who didn’t like me using a monochromatic color scheme). Here are the colors I used (All Golden Heavy Body Acrylics): Titanium White, Buff Titanium, Burnt Sienna, Teal, Anthraquinone Blue, Mars Balck, Minty G (which is my own custom mix). Keep in mind that what I am calling Indigo is a mix of Anthraquinone Blue and Mars Black. The black helps take the edge off the intensity and cools it just a bit to make a nice Indigo Blue.

I start the painting on a 36x36 gessoed canvas by making some loose scribbles with a Marabu Art Crayon in colors. I then start laying in a bit of Titanium White, then go in big with the Indigo. I add some cool Teal and Minty G, mixing everything together to create subtle color variations and so that my shapes bleed into each other so the eye can move through the painting effortlessly. I add the Burnt Sienna mixed with Titanium White for the accent center of interest. Note that I blend most of this out into the painting, mixing it with the Indigo for a nice, muted neutral color that forms most of the lower left part of the painting.

The rest of the painting is really just additions of Buff Titanium and Titanium White that are quickly added and blended in to create light value, neutrals. The Buff Titanium adds a warm touch which is a lighter value echo of the Burnt Sienna accent.

Thanks again for your continued support! I love you all! Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I’ll see you in 2024.

Simple Color System Color Wheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

Online Courses

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

Hello Everyone! It’s been awhile since I’ve shown up on video, or in my vlog. For those that are new subscribers, I’m David Kessler-an abstract painter and art instructor.

My last vlog entry was February of 2022, the 278th straight week of videos written and produced by me. I owe you an explanation of my absence over this nearly 2 year period. I had gotten to a point where my work was stale and it seemed I was doing the same thing in each painting, just going through the motions with no real movement forward. COVID had also come along and disrupted my travel and teaching schedule. I tried the Zoom lessons and all that, but it wasn’t the same as traveling to teach folks in person, one to one. I needed to recharge my creative spirit, and art wasn’t working for me. So I turned back to my first love, architecture.

Most of my followers remember that I am an architect by trade. I got into art from architecture and never looked back. I retired from architecture quite awhile back and taught art full time for many years. I found I needed more creativity in my life, so…I went back into architecture full time. It rechrged my creative energy, but left me with very little creative bandwidth at the end of the week to paint, film, and produce videos and vlog posts.

I’m hoping that I can get a post out once a month, but I’m not making any promises.

Now, on to this video. I love the color indigo. I decided I wanted to develop a series of painting using mostly indigo and white. The palette for this painting is very simple: Titanium White, Anthraquinone Blue, Mars Black, Light Ultramarine and Light Phthalo Blue-These are all Golden Heavy Body Acrylic colors. Anthraquinone Blue is mixed with Mars Black to create Indigo. I don’t have a certain measurement of wither, I just mix them together until the color looks right to me. The canvas is 24x48 Centurion Museum Linen Canvas with acrylic gesso.

I use a simple, direct approach to apply the paint to the canvas with large brushes. No tricks, no mediums, no lotions or potions or any of that nonsense, just straight forward application of thick paint to a gessoed canvas. I turn the canvas a few timew to check the composition and then its done. I chose some Blues music to go with the blue painting. Hope you like it. Let me know if there are comments or questions.. Thanks.

Simple Color System Color Wheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

Online Courses

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

Hierarchy in Painting

If we study the old masters’ paintings we can see that they used a structural hierarchy that created paintings with areas of more importance and less importance. The more important areas we may think of today as a center of interest (or area of dominance or focal point or area of interest, etc.). The video shows just a few examples of some of my favorites. You can Google images of old masters’ paintings and have a look yourself.

What I see in many abstract paintings today is a lack of hierarchy where everything in the painting is the same. The same size shapes, the same values, the same color intensity. When everything is the same, then nothing is special, nothing is more important than anything else. This treatment creates a lack of interest.

My philosophy has always been that abstract painting is just like any other kind of painting, though it doesn’t reference subject matter. I use the same design principles as the painters of old because I think they knew what they were doing.

If you want to make better abstract paintings think about adding a hierarchy to your work so that there are areas of more and less importance in interest, contrast, intensity, etc.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

Upcoming 2022 Workshops

• April 22-23, 2022 Greenville, SC, Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting
  Creative Arts Center Greenville
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 27-29, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• June 8-10, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

  As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider is not abstract painting specific. Monthly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

How to Tell if a Color is Warm or Cool

I get asked over and over by students: “How do I know if a color is cool or warm?” So, I thought I would address that question in this video.

All colors have a warmer or cooler version. To keep things simple, the video reviews only primary colors - the major primary paint colors that all paint manufacturers make.

I think students make this way too complicated. It’s really very simple to tell if a color is warm or cool. You should be able to tell by simply looking at the color. If that doesn’t work, you need to understand why a color is warm or cool and what makes them that way.

The simple rules of thumb to remember are these:

• Warm colors are warm because they have yellow, orange or red added to them.

• Cool colors are cool because they have blue or green added to them.

You need to be familiar with the colors you use. What I have shown in the video are colors that every artist should have in their palettes, and colors common to all paint manufacturers. A good way to begin learning how warm and cool colors affect color mixing, you could use each of the primaries shown in the video to create your own color wheel. While mixing the secondary and tertiary colors of the wheel, you will begin to understand warm and col colors better. Plus, it’s a really fun exercise.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

Upcoming 2022 Workshops

• April 22-23, 2022 Greenville, SC, Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting
  Creative Arts Center Greenville
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 27-29, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• June 8-10, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

  As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider is not abstract painting specific. Monthly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

Beginning Artists-Don't Think About Style

Thank you for the support over the last 5-1/2 years that I have been producing weekly videos. Beginning in 2022 I will not be making videos and sending emails every week. I will produce at least one video per month (like I did prior to 2016). There are a couple of reasons for this:

1. I have other obligations that I must meet moving forward.

2. I feel I am running out of useful content.

3. I have a paid course where I do weekly content different than what I produce for Youtube.

If you have any ideas for content that you would like me to cover in 2022, please leave it in the comments. Thank you.

I hear painters say all the time that they need a style, or they need to find a style to paint in. You don’t need to find a style - it will eventually find you if you’re patient enough. In a world where we want instant gratification for everything, the thought of being patient and letting things happen naturally is something we find hard to except. Much like the thought of putting in decades of work in painting to find success.

Here’s my recommended process for moving forward as a beginner.

1. Learn the design fundamentals and learn how to implement them in your work (this takes time folks!).

2. Make lots of paintings implementing the design fundamentals using the same medium. You can’t find a style if you can’t master a medium.

3. Take note of the common denominators in your paintings: how you handle the brush or palette knife; how you approach and use color; how you design compositions. After a while, you’ll begin to see a consistency.

Guess what that consistency is? That’s your natural inclinations, soul and personality beginning to emerge in your work. Bingo!

This won’t happen in a week or a month. BE PATIENT. Try to do the best work you can using the design fundamentals you have learned. I promise you your personal “style” will emerge. Just don’t force something upon yourself that isn’t you. Have fun in the process.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration-Only 1 Seat Left!

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 22-23, 2022 Greenville, SC, Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting
  Creative Arts Center Greenville
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 27-29, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• June 8-10, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

  As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

What Separates Professional and Amateur Artists?

What do you think separates professional artists from amateur artists? We could probably list 20-25 things, but I think it really comes down to only two things.

First on my list is Practice. Most professional artists have painted thousands of paintings. Most have also mastered the design fundamentals and sharpened their skills over many years. Compare that to a typical amateur painter who paints just a few paintings a year and is constantly trying to learn a new medium: hot wax, cold wax, watercolor, etc.

Does it help to have a natural feel for how compositions flow or how colors harmonize? Sure, it helps, but those things can be learned - you guessed it, through practice (and proper instruction).

If you understand the design fundamentals and know how to implement them in painting, and you do it over and over and over, you will be a better painter. All things being equal with regard to the latter, the artist who paints the most paintings will, most likely, be the better painter.

Second is the ability to create a consistent body of work over a long period of time. This is hard to do. First, you have to do the Practice part as I described above. Then you have to be able to hone in on the exact type of work that you like to do and that you are the best at. You then must be able to create a consistent body of work that looks like it all goes together, looks like the same person did it, and reflects your heart and personality, as well as the natural way you use materials.

This one stumps lots of people because artists aren’t always willing to focus themselves enough to be consistent. This is one of the main traits that galleries and sophisticated art collectors look for - consistency.

If you want to get serious about your work give these two things a try. Everyone I know who makes lots of paintings and creates a consistent body of work are much more successful than those who don’t.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration-Only 1 Seat Left!

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 22-23, 2022 Greenville, SC, Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting
  Creative Arts Center Greenville
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 27-29, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• June 8-10, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

  As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

How to Make 4 Quick Intuitive Abstract Paintings

The painting exercise shown in the video is a great one if you want to relax and paint, have fun, get loose, or study colors and composition for a larger painting. The key is to keep the color selections simple and not mix much, if any, color on the palette.

These small studies are 10x10” each painted on 140lb Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper coated with gesso. You can use 140lb paper when you are working on these small paintings, but anything larger than 12x12 or so will buckle, particularly if you paint with lots of water. The color combo for these studies is a complementary combo of violet and yellow with violet acting as the dominant color and yellow as the accent color.

I used the following Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Paint colors:

• Benzimidazolone Yellow Light

• Naples Yellow Hue

• Medium Magenta

• Light Violet

• Dioxazine Purple

• Titanium White

All I am trying to do here is (the same as I would do in any painting) develop a center of interest using the accent color and try to create contrast of light and dark around those accents for maximum impact. The basics of painting are really simple, however it’s the long term implementation of them to create a consistent body of work that is so difficult.

If you would like a FREE copy of the 5-Step Abstract Painting Process I used in this video, You Can Click Here to Get Your Copy

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 22-23, 2022 Greenville, SC, Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting
  Creative Arts Center Greenville
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• April 27-29, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• June 8-10, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC
  Contact: David, Email: david@davidmkessler.com
  Click Here for Information and Registration

  As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

Painting Light and Shadow Shapes - 2

This week’s video has me painting again in light and shadow shapes using two values to investigate shape making. Shapes are one of the core building blocks of painting, and creating paintings with only two values, concentrating on making only light and shadow is a great exercise in learning about shapes.

As in last week’s post, my main goal in doing this type of painting is to try and create a single, connected, continuous shadow shape and a single, connected, continuous light shape. In essence I am trying to paint two shapes with one value per shape. That sounds easy, right? It’s not - not at all. It takes thought and planning to develop the shapes before hand, so that when you get to the surface you have some idea of what you’re doing.

As you can see in the video, I have a value study on the wall to my right. It is a black and white print of the watercolor painting below done in 2008. I always loved the composition and the light and shadow shapes, so I decided to give it a go in acrylics, simplifying the previous composition down to it’s most basic elements, without distracting details.

In today’s demo, I first drew the composition onto the 300lb Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper (the paper is coated with gesso). My color intent was to use an analogous color combination of yellow, yellow-orange, orange, red-orange, red and red violet. The yellow and yellow-orange representing the light and the balance representing the shadow. I tried to compose the shapes so that they were interesting and linked together, interlocking with neighboring shapes.

I used the following Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Paint colors:

• Benzimidazolone Yellow Light

• Diarylide Yellow

• Yellow Ochre

• Pyrrole Orange

• Titan Buff

• Cadmium Red Medium Hue

• Medium Magenta

• Quinacridone Magenta

• Light Violet

• Neutral Gray 6

• Titanium White

I mixed the Neutral Gray 6 with all of the colors on the palette, thus reducing the intensity of the colors. I could have done the same thing using the complements of each. I start by putting in the colors of the “Light”, followed by the “Shadow.”

The rest is in the video. I think it’s fun to see the image gradually develop until you finally see some building shapes come into focus. I tried to keep it loose and vary the edges of the shapes a bit.

If any of you are interested in getting better at developing the shapes in your paintings (and who isn’t, right?) then I highly recommend this exercise. Make it about the shapes, not about making the scene look realistic. Try to distance the painting as far as possible from reality. Have fun with it!

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

Painting Light and Shadow Shapes

I love to paint in only two values - the value of the light and the value of the shadow. I discovered this technique about 20 years ago as a way to learn to make and paint shapes. Anyone who has ever taken a course from me knows that I always emphasize the importance of making good shapes in a painting. Shapes are one of the core building blocks of painting.

My main goal in doing this type of painting is to try and create a single, connected, continuous shadow shape and a single, connected, continuous light shape. In essence I am trying to paint two shapes with one value per shape. That sounds easy, right? It’s not - not at all. It takes thought and planning to develop the shapes before hand, so that when you get to the surface you have some idea of what you’re doing.

This composition is one I developed in 2005 for a Frank Webb workshop I was taking. The night before the workshop began I sketched it out from a picture of a local Bed and Breakfast. I love the look and feel of this old structure, and it has some great shapes that can be used to make an interesting painting. Below is the painting from the workshop.

I painted this composition in watercolor again a couple years later. This time I painted it using only two values, and I was stunned by the finished painting and my understanding of shapes once completed. Below is the second painting. It’s the only painting I have ever sold that I wish I had back - one of my favorites from 30 years of painting.

In today’s demo, I first drew the composition onto the 300lb Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper (the paper is coated with gesso). My color intent was to use violet and yellow. The yellow representing the light and the violet representing the shadow. I tried to compose the shapes so that they were interesting and linked together, interlocking with neighboring shapes.

I mixed several different violets using Cobalt Blue Hue, Ultramarine Blue, Teal, Quinacridone Magenta and Medium Magenta. I reduced the intensity of each by adding Yellow Ochre. I then added some Light Violet and Titanium White to Benzimidazolone Yellow Light, Diarylide Yellow, Naples Yellow Hue and Yellow Ochre to reduce the intensity of the yellows and lighten the value of each.

The rest is in the video. I think it’s fun to see the image gradually develop until you finally see some building shapes come into focus. I tried to keep it loose and vary the edges of the shapes a bit. This is the first time I have painted this in acrylic and the first time I have painted it since 2007. Granted, I’m a little rusty, but I like the finished product.

If any of you are interested in getting better at developing the shapes in your paintings (and who isn’t, right?) then I highly recommend this exercise. Make it about the shapes, not about making the scene look realistic. Try to distance the painting as far as possible from reality. Have fun with it!

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

Artists is it Green or Blue-Green?

In nearly every workshop I teach at least one student will confuse green and blue-green. Phthalo Green and Viridian Green are common and made by most all paint manufacturers, so students bring it thinking that if it says '“green” on the tube they can use it for green.

However, that isn’t true. The color green covers a spectrum between blue-green and yellow-green. Each of the three greens on the color wheel (green, blue-green, yellow-green) has a different complement, and have different placements in color combinations like triads. A triad of green, violet and orange is very different from one that has blue-green, red-violet and yellow-orange. If you use the wrong green in the combos, the colors won’t hum together. It will be like a sour note in a music composition - it just won’t fit in properly.

It’s easy to make a green from a blue-green - all you do is add a cool yellow. You don’t want to add a warm yellow because warm yellow contains red, which is the complement of green. The red in the warm yellow will cancel much of the green and create a muted, much less intense green. Cool yellow has green already in it -that’s what makes it cool - so it’s perfect to use to make green.

In the example, I am mixing Viridian Green Hue with Benzimidazolone Yellow Light, both from Golden Artist Colors. Benz yellow light is a cool yellow with a good amount of green in it (that’s what makes cool yellow cool). You can see that the yellow turns it into a useable middle green rather quickly. If the intensity of the green is too much, just add a small amount of warm red to it to reduce the intensity.

I hope this video was helpful for you. Please let me know if there are questions.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

Get Clean Hands After Painting

As artists who paint, we always get paint on our hands while working on a painting, right? I know I do every time I paint. Years ago I found a couple of products that really helped me get cleaner hands after painting.

I use a barrier cream for my hands before I paint and a scrub brush after during clean up to make it easier to get clean hands after I paint. There are two products I use for a barrier cream:

1. Gloves in a Bottle Shielding Lotion

2. Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive Healing and Repair Hand Cream

The scrub brush is a potato scrubber I typically get at Dollar Tree in the kitchen section. I like the shape because it fits easily in my hand and is bright green so its hard to lose in the studio.

This process works for me and I hope it will for you.

If you’re interested in learning more about color combinations like I used here, I have a new online “Short Course” that will provide lots of great information for you. There is a brief description below in this email.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

What Type of Acrylic Paint is Right for You?

Lots of new acrylic painters ask me what type of acrylic paint is right for them to use. There are lots of options out there for acrylic paint - that’s one thing that makes it so desirable to use. In this video I categorize acrylic paint by the viscosity (thickness or thinness) of the paint.

My three categories are: Heavy Body, Pourable and Fluid.

I prefer heavy body acrylic paint because I like to have thick texture around my centers of interest. I can use the heavy body paint to do that without the need to add mediums or thickening agents. Some folks don’t find this type of paint fluid enough (or they don’t use enough paint on the brush for it to spread evenly).

If you’re a beginning acrylic painter, the pourable type of paint may be your best option. It is very spreadable, easy to use and is easily made thicker or thinner by adding the appropriate mediums to it. Two good brands are Nova Color Paint, made in California, and Lukas Cryl (sold by Jerry’s Artarama) and made in the UK. I have used both of these paints in the past and both are really good and spread easily and evenly.

The thinnest paint in the group is fluid acrylic. It works really well for thin washes of color or thin layers of color for those that paint in layers. It typically has the same pigment load as the heavy body paint.

People also ask if these can all be used in the same painting. The answer is yes. Any type of acrylic paint can be used together with any other type.

If you’re not sure what will be right for you, buy a container of each and experiment to see how each works with the type of painting that you do. Have fun experimenting.

If you’re interested in learning more about color combinations like I used here, I have a new online “Short Course” that will provide lots of great information for you. There is a brief description below in this email.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

• November 13-14, 2021 Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC. Sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama. I will be teaching two full-day abstract painting workshops. Click Here for Information and Registration.

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC-SOLD OUT!
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

• March 11-13, 2022, Abstracting the Coastal Landscape, Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO)
  Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

Abstract Watercolor Painting Demonstration

In this video I show you my entire watercolor painting process with instruction as I go through each step. It’s a long video, so there really isn’t much need for me to elaborate any further here.

Enjoy, and I hope it is helpful for you.

If you’re interested in learning more about color combinations like I used here, I have a new online “Short Course” that will provide lots of great information for you. There is a brief description below in this email.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

• November 3-5, 2021 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration. Only 1 Seat Left!

• November 13-14, 2021 Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC. Sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama. I will be teaching two full-day abstract painting workshops. Click Here for Information and Registration.

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting of "The Light Within2”

This painting is a companion piece to “The Light Within” shown on the vlog a couple weeks back. This piece is painted on a 22x30 sheet of 300lb Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper coated with gesso.

This painting uses an analogous color combination of red-violet, red, red-orange, orange and yellow-orange.

I did not pre-mix any color on the palette, it was all mixed on the surface of the paper.

The colors of Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Paint used for this painting are:

• Diarylide Yellow

• Pyrrole Orange

• Cadmium Red Medium Hue

• Medium Magenta

• Quinacridone Magenta

• Light Violet

• Dioxazine Purple

• Titanium White

As with the previous painting, the concept is to have light look like it is coming from behind the painting with a very light value yellow-orange - it’s really just warm yellow - I bend the color wheel a bit sometimes. I begin with the darker values using Quinacridone Magenta with just a bit of Dioxazine Purple added. I then put in the contrasting accent area using Titanium White and Diarylide Yellow.

The balance of the painting is a variety of mostly middle value reds and red-violets with just a little orange added for fun. I lighten an area, then add a little darker value for balance and it’s complete.

I hope in some way this video will help you. When I was starting out, nothing helped as much as watching someone else paint.

If you’re interested in learning more about color combinations like I used here, I have a new online “Short Course” that will provide lots of great information for you. There is a brief description below in this email.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

• October 8-10, 2021, “Abstracting the Coastal Landscape “ Fort Walton Beach, FL
  Arts and Design Society (ADSO). Click HERE for Information and Registration. POSTPONED Until March 2022.

• November 3-5, 2021 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration. Only 1 Seat Left!

• November 13-14, 2021 Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC. Sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama. I will be teaching two full-day abstract painting workshops. Click Here for Information and Registration.

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More

Writing an Artist Resume (CV)

An artist resume’ is sometimes confused with an Artist Biography or an Artist Statement. Each of these is a distinct document that has a different function, with different information and written in a different way. The artist resume’ is sometimes called (if you’re real fancy, or in academia-thankfully I am neither) a Curriculum Vitae or CV.

The Artist Resume’ is a list of your accomplishments as an artist. This list is written in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent accomplishment is listed first. So, what do I mean by accomplishments? Typical categories on a resume’ would be: solos exhibitions; group exhibitions; museum collections; corporate collections; awards; press; books; teaching and miscellaneous if an accomplishment doesn’t fit into a specific category.

This document is often used by gallerists in providing potential buyers information about what you have done as an artist. Sometimes you may need to submit it to be considered for a solo exhibition, or even a group exhibition.

The artist resume’ should be kept up to date at all times. Each time you are selected for a show or an award, or any major accomplishment in your art career, add it to the resume’. Early on in your career, once you are creating a consistent body of work, is to build your resume’. It takes time but will be helpful for you to help track your accomplishments over a long period of time.

Here are links to Writing an Artist Biography and Writing an Artist Statement.

If you’re interested in learning more about Using a Color Wheel, I have a new online “Short Course” that will provide lots of great information for you. There is a brief description below in this email.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

• November 3-5, 2021 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration. Only 2 Seats Left!

• November 13-14, 2021 Art of the Carolinas, Raleigh, NC. Sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama. I will be teaching two full-day abstract painting workshops. Click Here for Information and Registration.

2022 Workshops

• January 13-15, 2022 "Bigger, Faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting" Fort Myers, FL
  Lee County Alliance for the Arts
  Contact: Jessica Kleffman Email: education@artinlee.org

• January 26-28, 2022 "Abstracting the Coastal Landscape" Murrell’s Inlet, SC
  David M. Kessler Fine Art Murrell’s Inlet Studio
  Click Here for Information and Registration

• February 16-18, 2022 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC. This is a Studio Workshop in Abstract Painting. Click Here for Information and Registration

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

I Have a NEW Online “Short Course”:

Using the Color Wheel. Has anyone (even an art instructor) ever asked you to purchase a color wheel, or told you need a color wheel, but then never taught you how to use it? In this course I’ll show you exactly how to use it and provide you with a system to implement all the color combinations in your work. Includes 13 video tutorials. $47.

Click Here to Purchase

Other Online Workshops

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

Click Here to Learn More

Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
Click Here to Find Out More

The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

Click Here to Find Out More