A Visit from Eva from Germany!

I spent the better part of Monday with long-time student Eva Schull from Germany! She visited me in the studio and brought an accordian-book structure for us to collaborate on.

Here is a 7-second video of Eva putting the last touches on the project:

And here is our finished book! (Eva drew the boy, and I made the bird):

Cover:

Pages 2-3:

Pages 3-4:

Pages 5-6

Thank you, Eva, for a wonderful visit!

 

Anita Lehmann Article

Hi everyone!

Cheap Joes Art Stuff (an art supply company) publishes a quarterly painter’s magazine titled The New Palette.  The most current issue has Anita Lehmann’s artwork on the cover! Here is the PDF link if you would like to download it!

New Palette 71_AHL

In the article Anita outlines her process for painting landscapes… and some of these steps will be part of her new class beginning in just two weeks — 7 Essentials: The Studio Practice of Anita Lehmann.

Congratulations to Anita, and happy reading to you!

Registration OPEN for Anita Lehmann’s New Class!

Hi! We are excited to present this new class from Anita Lehmann!

7 Essentials: The Studio Practice of Anita Lehmann
Class Dates: October 22 – November 7, 2019
7 Lessons – $85

I get excited when I go to my studio because I get to play… but also because it means getting deeper into my work. Along with the play there is something happening in the background, a discipline of sorts that I have broken down into 7 Essentials. These are tools that I can use to get started, find inspiration, push to a finish or just free myself to be expressive.

I happen to have found 7 of these for myself, including things like Gathering, Brainstorming and “Painting like Crazy.” My hope for this class is that you can explore them, pick and choose what works best for you and finally discover some of your own.

We will be working in a variety of media and I will be giving you some fun assignments to test these out for yourself. I’ll be working with birds, flowers, laundry, and still life. You are welcome to follow along with my subjects or choose your own.

I really hope you can join us to practice and share together!

Anita

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Class Itinerary

Essential 1 – Collect & Gather
This first essential gives you the opportunity to discover your passions in your art practice; it’s a “gathering of evidence.” Let’s find a box, label it with your theme and fill it up with meaning.

Essential 2 – Field Sketching
Let’s get outside or another space the inspires. This essential provides another opportunity to gather evidence and acknowledge your surroundings, where ALL the senses are on fire. These free-flow drawings will give one a freedom of expression while back in studio, too.

Essential 3 – Memory Map & Brainstorming
A key essential is mapping or brainstorming and letting your ideas generate more ideas. Pose a question and where does it take you?

Essential 4 – Recipe
Pick a Format, a Media and an Idea — and stick with it for a series of pieces. Keeping things simple is key in this fourth essential. With so many art supplies, papers and format (I know I have plenty), employing a recipe in which to work clarifies ideas and concepts, resulting in clear, cohesive artwork.

Essential 5 – Design
One of my favorite essentials, Design is my pathway to strong art. Simultaneously, I am challenging ideas or concepts — a free-flow aspect of usual note-taking, media explorationa nd looking for opportunity in one’s idea. Every thought, diagrammed, in an open and non-judgemental way is freeing and enjoyable.

Essential 6 – Edit
Intention wins in this Essential. I sometimes attempt placing too much into one painting, so I ask myself, “What is really needed here?” or “What is my intention?” Clarity is key; powerful work happens when you edit.

Essential 7 – Paint Like Crazy
Woohoo! Now the fun begins. Many times I have been given this essential: Practice, Practice, Practice; Explore, Explore, Expore… Paint like crazy!

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For more information and to sign up, click HERE!

 

6 Books in 6 Weeks

I’ve read these six books in the last six weeks!

A routine is forming: I start a new book on Thursday night and finish it over the weekend. It feels nice to read on Saturday and Sunday rather than sit at my computer, working. I work from home so this is one way to separate out work and life. 😀

Yesterday and today I spent some time doing a few of Nelleke Verhoeff’s lessons in her new class, Creating Simple Characters. Here they are!

I guess I’m in a red mood.

What have you been up to lately?

 

Only ONE Day Left Before “Creating Simple Characters” Begins!

Dutch Illustrator Nelleke Verhoeff’s online class begins tomorrow! Creating Simple Characters — Just ONE day left!

The above cute character is made from the Number 1. Here are 7 more… wonderful!

Nelleke has illustrated four books and is working on two more. Join her to see how she comes up with her delightful characters. Click HERE for more information!

Registration OPEN for “Creating Simple Characters” with Nelleke Verhoeff

Hi Everyone!

Our first Fall class is now open for registration! Click HERE for more information and to sign up!

Creating Simple Characters
Teacher: Nelleke Verhoeff
September 24 – October 4, 2019
6 Lessons • $85

How is it that the simplest line, squiggle or dot can convey so much emotion in some of the fictional characters that we love, such as Snoopy, Bart Simpson, Madeline or Curious George?

An almost magical thing happens when a character really starts to work and comes to life. Nelleke will be sharing a whole bunch of her ideas using a variety of media to help make this happen.

Whether you’re interested in creating narrative artwork or not, this class is a risk-free way to explore and experiment with figurative drawing.

It’s going to be too much fun to resist! Plus, you’ll get to see all kinds of characters from fellow students around the world!

 

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Class Itinerary

Lesson 1 – Faces
Let’s begin with the human face! We will start with three idea-generating pages of sketches using techniques in pencil, charcoal, and oil pastel. We will work on shape of the head, placement of the features, expressions and adding unique attributes to make your character come alive. 

Lesson 2 – Bodies
Next we’re going to add bodies by cutting shapes, playing with contrasts, and building collages. Create new faces or use some from Lesson 1. Each of these three approaches will result in several of full-bodied characters.

Lesson 3 – Animals
Let’s create animal characters! We’ll start by looking at and isolating shapes from animal reference photos, and from there you will build a character that you will then interpret two more times in different media; oil transfer pastel transfer technique and collage. Optional assignment: Photo heads and collage bodies! Big day.

Lesson 4 – Things
Things — toasters, automobiles, hairbrushes, shoes, even toothbrushes — can also be story characters. We’re going to sketch our things, add features, and interpret those sketches into collages. We’ll even make some characters from random cut-out shapes — also “things!”

Lesson 5 – Letters
In this lesson we’re going to play with letters of the alphabet. We’ll start by sketching out our ideas and then work on creating words or sentences with these characters. In addition, we’ll play with character collages using typography from newspapers and magazines.

Lesson 6 – Accordian Book
Now you have dozens of characters — and the ideas to make even more! Today we will create an accordion book to house some of your characters.

I hope you can join us!

Carla

 

Question 3: Why Nelleke Draws

 

Hi everyone!

This past June we did something we have never tried before… we flew an artist from Europe to Seattle to film a class! The artist is the delightful Nelleke Verhoeff, and her new class will open for registration this coming Friday, August 30th!

I wanted to you get to know Nelleke a little bit, so I asked her to answer three questions. Here is her last answer!

Carla

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Nelleke Verhoeff, The Netherlands

3. Name the top three reasons you draw and paint.

1. Because I LOVE it!!!

I like to play with colors and create characters, small stories and new worlds.

(Below a recent work from my collage project.)

2. I like to experiment and  keep learning and growing. That’s why I also keep taking classes every now and then… to develop my skills, learn new techniques and ways to express myself.

 (“Dancing forest” was some homework for an inspiring illustration class I took last year)

3. I love to bring some joy into the world with my work. I like positivity and playfulness (I’m still a big child) and I love to share it.

{“Affirmation Angela,” a little affirmation angel I made to support positive thinking 🙂

4. It makes me look differently at the world. Everywhere I see characters. In people, but also in animals, things, food and even in letters… It makes my world so much richer!

5. It brings me to new and inspiring places like the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy, Ilustrarte in Portugal… and now even to Seattle!!

My website: https://redcheeksfactory.com/

On Instagram I share often works from my sketchbook: https://www.instagram.com/redcheeksfactory/

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Thank you, Nelleke, for taking the time to answer these questions… I can’t wait for your class to begin… I plan to follow along myself!

xoxo

Carla

Question 2: What Kind of Animal…?

Hi everyone!

This past June we did something we have never tried before… we flew an artist from Europe to Seattle to film a class! The artist is the delightful Nelleke Verhoeff, and her new class will open for registration this coming Friday, August 30th!

I wanted to you get to know Nelleke a little bit, so I asked her to answer three questions. Answer #2 is below, with the last coming tomorrow.

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Nelleke Verhoeff, The Netherlands

2.What kind of animal do you think you are, and what kind of animal are you actually?

Hahaha, funny question! I think I am a monkey. I like to play. Hopping from one tree to the other.

But actually I’m an elephant, because I’m not as flexible and adventurous as a monkey. 😉

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Now it’s your turn! What kind of animal do you think you are, and what kind of animal are you actually? (This question was made up by our son Wes, 24, who stayed with us this summer.) Please answer in the comments!

Me? I think I’m a dog, all laid back and wiggly… but I’m actually a cat, all moody and prickly. (I do lie down and purr a lot, though!)

Tomorrow Nelleke will answer the question:

3. Name the top three reasons you draw and paint.

 

New Teacher Interview: Nelleke Verhoeff!

Hi everyone!

This past June we did something we have never tried before… we flew an artist from Europe to Seattle to film a class! The artist is the delightful Nelleke Verhoeff, and her new class will open for registration this coming Friday, August 30th!

I wanted to you get to know Nelleke a little bit, so I asked her to answer three questions. Answer #1 is below, with the others coming the next two days.

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Nelleke Verhoeff, The Netherlands

1. How did you get into making 2D art and illustration?

I used to be a theater performer. My friend Herman and I played in theaters, in schools and at street festivals. We made physical and visual theatre using circus techniques and masks. We juggled, did acrobatics and I played the accordion.

In the meantime I discovered my love for painting by taking some painting classes. I also discovered my love for digital art and photography. Deep within me I knew I wanted to change direction towards making art. Not an easy step to take, you need to earn your money with it then too … But  I took the risk because I really wanted it!

We quit theater and began to make websites. Herman is also a software developer, so he did the technique and I did the design. Some customers wanted  illustrations on their website, and that was what I loved the most. So I took some online illustration classes at Pikaland and a totally new world opened for me. 

I started my own company: Red Cheeks Factory. ( I made up this name, because ‘red cheeks’ stands for enthusiasm. I have it when I’m working, and also almost all my characters have red cheeks!) I set up a webshop and began to sell prints and postcards of my work. https://shop.redcheeksfactory.com/

I started a blog: ‘a face a day,’ because I love faces and their expressions. (Funny detail: I started this project after reading Carla’s book: ‘Drawing Lab’, where she talks about making 100 faces. That inspired me :-))

I made 365 faces in one year. It was quite a challenge. I did experiment a lot!

You can find them here: http://yepr-a-face-a-day.blogspot.com/

I also made some other blog posts about things I love. In one I wrote about one of my favourite children’s picture books. And then something magical happened …

Geert De Kockere, the author of that favourite book saw my post. He discovered my work and was charmed by it. He asked me if I would like to work together. The famous author… I was over the moon and dancing in my room!! It was a great and inspiring cooperation! And I discovered my love for making books.

The first book I illustrated was “Stil verwateren.”  It is very dear to me, a poetry book including 1000 haiku’s and 71 drawings. It is such a nice feeling to see your name on a real book. 🙂

Since then we have made several books together. This one is my most favourite:

“Er is iets aan de kip met je hand” (Google translate: “There is something about the chicken with your hand”) is filled with animal and nonsense poems and colorful illustrations. A real feast to work on!!

I also took a writing class for picture books and last year my first Children’s picture book was published: “Baas van iets groots” (Boss of something big). And in September my second Children’s picture book “Circus Luna” will be published:

And also “Von Anni Alligator bis Zeno Zebra,” a book full of animal characters from my 100 animal project will be published this Autumn by minedition (in German, probably later it will also be published in English).

I am currently working on two other children’s books written by other writers. Both will be published in Autumn 2020. One in the United States by Barefoot Books — it is an honour to be asked for these projects! 

Making theater was fun, but illustrating books is the best I could ever wish for! Of course you can see the influences of theater in my work. I still love to create characters and play with them. 

But now on paper and on my screen. 🙂

Nelleke

My website: https://redcheeksfactory.com/
On Instagram I share often works from my sketchbook: https://www.instagram.com/redcheeksfactory/

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Tomorrow Nelleke will answer the question:

2.What kind of animal do you think you are, and what kind of animal are you actually?

 

Shampoo Story

Note: This story appeared in my newsletter today… if you haven’t subscribed and would like to, click HERE! I send one of these about twice a month.

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Shampoo Story

I’ve had gray hair since my 30s. I had dark hair, and the gray started with a white streak:

As the years passed I got grayer and grayer, and I got used to looking a tad older than I think I really am.

But about six months ago I looked in the mirror and wondered why there was this weird YELLOW streak in the front. I complained about it to my friend Kathie Vezzani, who said, “There’s a rinse for that you know.”

I didn’t know.

So I did some research and found several non-yellowing shampoo candidates. I picked one, bought it, and it was delivered a week later.

After the 1st washing I saw no difference and wondered if I had just spent $50 on a bottle of shampoo for no reason.

After the 5th washing I still saw no difference and I suspected I had indeed spent $50 on shampoo for nothing.

After the 10th washing and still no change, I knew for sure that I had spent $50 for regular old shampoo, had been scammed, and, being too lazy to complain and/or send it back, just continued to use it.

It’s been six months, and today I noticed that the yellow streak is almost completely gone:

The improvement was so slow that I couldn’t see it day by day!

So…… if you ever get frustrated that you don’t seem to be improving at drawing, painting, writing, running, meditation or whatever it is that you are working on, just remember it is probably working, and you just can’t see it yet.

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And! This is the LAST DAY of our 20% Off Sale! No code is needed; discounted prices are reflected at the website. www.carlasonheim.com. Thanks to everyone who has stocked up on classes so far!