NEXT MEETING:

Art Materials Sale/Swap

Holiday Party

Demo by Jean Everson

Thursday, Dec.. 20, 2018, 7:00p.m.
Rose Room, Roseville Skating Center,
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville MN

I have spent a lifetime creating my artwork in one form or another.  About 30 years ago I began a portrait photography studio called “An Artist’s Touch.”  I loved creating interesting, compelling portraits in photography. Then, as a member of Old Town Artists I perfected my drawing and painting skills and sketched for a portrait gallery at the Mall of America. There I learned to sketch faces in charcoal in a short period of time.  I have taught classes for novice painters at Cheers Pablo. Although I love portrait painting, I have also enjoyed plein air landscape painting and have studied with many artists including Richard Abraham, Nels Femrite, and Andy Evansen.  I paint with a group of artists at Birchwood Village Hall and at The Phipps in Hudson. I have had art shows at Kelly’s Gallery in Woodbury, The Phipps and Seasons in Hudson, and the Stillwater Artist’s Guild.

ART SALE/SWAP

If you are bringing art materials to sell or give away, please bring your items by 6:15 and mark the price or indicate “free.” Come to shop, also!

HOLIDAY PARTY

We encourage everyone to bring a treat to share. This could be an appetizer, favorite holiday treat, something sweet or savory. There will be extra time to mingle!

Note: Winter closing policy: If St. Paul or Minneapolis Schools are closed the day of, OR scheduled to be closed the day after, our scheduled meeting it will be canceled.

LAST MEETING:

Demo by Mary Nagel Klein –

“Painting with Casein”

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018

Mary Nagel Klein began her demo by explaining that milk protein is the binder in casein paint, just as gum arabic is the binder in watercolor. Casein is the oldest paint known, dating back 49,000 years. Although she has painted in watercolor and oils, she now prefers casein for its immediacy and safety. She often bicycles to favorite locations, carrying her supplies in a backpack and finishing a painting in under two hours. Klein’s palette includes naples yellow, yellow ochre, venetian red, rose red, cerulean blue, ultramarine blue, and ivory black. Before beginning her painting she applies 5 layers of venetian red to ampersand clayboard as an underpainting.

The challenge of casein is that it dries fast and dries light. She begins the painting by blocking in large masses of color to define the shapes. Then she works on details paying special attention to edges. When the painting is near completion she uses a mirror, her “secret weapon,” which reverses the design and gives a different perspective which points out possible problems.

When the painting is completely dry, Klein rubs the surface with a wool or cotton cloth which removes the protein film, producing a hard waterproof patina which does not require glass.

Klein has self-published a book, Casein Fine Art Painting (available on Amazon.com) in which she outlines the seven steps she follows to express her vision in casein.