The South African Artist Magazine Issue 39 January 2019

Issue No.39 January 2019 R55.00 incl vat

FEATURED ARTISTS: Nhlakanipho Sithole Carolyn van Wieringen • Daleen Roodt Michelle Offerman • Janna Prinsloo Veronika Olivier • Tertius van Dyk Sonja Frenz

• pencil & charcoal demos • watercolours: summer palette • tips for varnishing

Issue 39 ISSUE 39

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A note from the studio 4 Feedback 5 Quick Art Quiz 5 What’s Happening?

6 FEATURED ARTIST: DALEEN ROODT 8 Seasonal palettes: part 4 summer 14 Competition winners 18 FEATURED ARTIST: MICHELLE OFFERMAN 19 Oil painting essentials part 3: BRENT DODD 25 On our radar: LUVO KHWEHLA 28 Business of Art with MALCOLM DEWEY 29 FEATURED ARTIST: NHLAKANIPHO SITHOLE 32 2

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FEATURED ARTIST: CAROLYN VAN WIERINGEN FEATURED ARTIST: VERONIKA OLIVIER GRANT WOOD: Watercololour workshop part 3 FEATURED ARTIST: TERTIUS VAN DYK Getting started with varnishes Big Challenge No.6 Winner FEATURED ARTIST: SONJA FRENZ FEATURED ARTIST: JANNA PRINSLOO Life of a working artist: ANA DE VLIEG Student’s Gallery Q&A Classes and Workshops

Above: Erythrina caffra & Cape White Eye (Cape coraltree) 32.2 x 25.5 cm

Above right: Ficus sycomorus & African Green Pigeon (Sycomore fig) 33.8 x 24.8 cm Right: Vachellia xanthophloea & Masked Weaver (Fevertree) 34.4 x 24.7 cm

delicate

botanicals

Daleen Roodt started out doing scientific illustration in 2008. In 2010 after her language studies, she immediately went on to doing botanical art on a full-time basis, which has subsequently developed into a successful career. Working from her home studio in KZN, she says that this is her quiet space. “My work space is nestled between books, art and old furniture pieces. I am fortunate that my studio has large windows that ensure good natural light, and provide an elevated view overlooking the treetops of an indigenous conservancy.�

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The process of painting “Toad tree”

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TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

seasonal palettes

part 4: Summer

In creating the final painting in the seasonal palette range, I have introduced more of the summery greens and have emphasised the summer feel with some cattle grazing on the far hillside – the summer shadows are also more dramatic with the clear Berg air and bright sunshine.

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STEP 7: Using cadmium orange paint the first coat of the roof and using the same green mixture as before, paint in the trees behind the cottage.

STEP 10: Add more shadows and the shadow inside the front veranda – create new shrubbery in the foreground and on the edges of the dam. Paint in the Holstein cattle just as a suggestion.

STEP 8: Paint in the shadows and paint around the washing on the line.

STEP 11: Paint in the reflections on the water showing the house and the trees reflected in the water – use a lighter colour to the actual colours as it is a reflection.

STEP 9: Using cobalt blue and a touch of burnt sienna, paint in the water with a wash, leaving sections of white with a quick drag of the wash brush. Introduce shadows on the water’s edge while the wash is still wet.

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STEP 12: Add extra details including the fence posts. Boost the darker shadows where necessary.

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Above left: The web 60 x 60 cm Left: A Glimpse Of Heaven 80 x 130 cm Below left: Up The Creek 60 x 60 cm

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Above: Morgan 100 x 100 cm Below: A Glimpse Through The Window 70 cm diameter Opposite page: Quiet Time 100 x 150 cm

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

oil painting

essentials

part 3

with

brought to you by

Fundamental rule of subject matter: An artist has the ability to paint anything in their style. If you are wanting to sell to the public, don’t paint something unless its specifically for someone that knows it. Someone’s portrait is specifically for someone. The other three artworks (on the opposite page), are arbitrary in choice, and by not being personal, you can adopt them. The art world is odd!

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on our radar

NEW TALENT: LUVO KHWEHLA

NAME: Luvo Khwehla AGE: 21 LIVES IN: Khayelitsha, W Cape MEDIUMS: Oil pastels and oil paints.

Dreams of opening an art studio in Khayelitsha to encourage youngsters who have a passion for art.

e-mail: luvorkhwehla@gmail.com | Facebook: Luvo Lv Khwehla 28

on our radar

The WEF Have the Answer Here goes: To be happier and healthier this year you need to create more art. Sounds too simple? You may, understandably, hesitate to take my word for it. But I have the authority of the World Economic Forum (WEF), who report on these matters, to back me up on this.

You may even, one day, be able to claim some of these remedies under your medical aid. Crazy? Consider this then.

being consumed. Plus improved wellness for people. Benefits include improved self-esteem, overall happiness and social activity.

No smartphone required. It is called social prescribing and the UK government is investing more money into the concept.

Break Old Negative Patterns While Creating Art Let us be honest about this. There is way too much bad news in the newspapers and on television. Get a group of South Africans together and the conversation is likely to focus on stressful topics like crime, politics and rugby results. It is a habit that is difficult to break, but it also is a real downer. It is difficult to feel energised and get things done when you talk about bad news, especially if you cannot change it.

Doctors in Montreal, Canada, can now prescribe visits to art museums.

Patients suffering from various ailments including depression, diabetes and chronic illness can be prescribed free art museum visits.

They can even get free passes for up to two children and a guest.

Basically a family outing to the art museum if you feel so inclined.

According to Nathalie Bondil, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts director general, quoted in the Montreal Gazette, October 2018: “In the 21st century, culture will be what physical activity was for health in the 20th century.”

Instead reduce time absorbing bad news and create more art. Make a new habit to switch off the television and start creating art regularly.

I can vouch for this as we cut the TV cable years ago. The amount of time this opened up for painting beggars belief. More painting results in, well … more paintings. Also better paintings as skills improve. But more importantly a sense of achievement, peace and an optimistic outlook. No more rubber-necking at the world’s misfortunes on the nightly news. Now you can look forward to creating art, chatting to friends about it and seeing new opportunities. A relaxed mind results in better sleep too come to think of it.

What a delightful idea!

According to research visiting an art museum releases the same beneficial hormones in the body as does physical exercise. For those people who cannot exercise, it seems that enjoying art will provide similar benefits. So if you resolve to be healthier, but loath to do strenuous exercise, try expanding your culture with visits to galleries instead.

Boost Your Little Grey Cells As Agatha Christie’s dapper detective, Hercule Poirot, would say: “It is the little grey cells on which one must rely.”

Your Prescription is to Paint More Instead of a script for more pills you may be surprised to be sent to dancing or art lessons instead. More doctors in the United Kingdom are prescribing these activities to their patients, according to the WEF. Whether it is depression, loneliness or long-term illness medical practitioners see the benefit in creative activities for their patients.

The results are less visits to the doctor and less prescription drugs

Too true. Fortunately creating art engages mind and body in synchronised problem solving. A co-ordinated effort, but mostly requiring thought and focus. Something not required when staring at the Television. Or mindlessly flicking through social media feeds.

o f f er s m l o c l a M oaching an Art C am.

Progr n his Details o e websit

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All works were completed using Faber-Castell’s PITT Graphic pencils on medium rough paper.

Above: Nathaniel Swayerr 42 x 29.7 cm

Top right: Boitumelo Thulo “Boity” 59.4 x 42 cm Right: Nkosinathi Maphumalo “DJ Black Coffee” 59.4 x 42 cm

seeing is

believing

Architectural Technician, Nhlakanipho Sithole is a self-taught pencil artist based in KZN. He realised he had a talent for drawing when he was just nine years old and has been working on improving his skill ever since.

Drawing accurate portraits takes an incredible amount of patience and skill, and Nhlaka’s hyperrealistic drawings, which resemble high resolution photographs, take many hours to complete.

“I start off with a grid, followed by an outline, then the shading and rendering begin. I study the reference to determine the variety of shadows and highlights and use a technique called “stippling” which enables me to achieve as much realism as possible.”

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Above: Fan Palm 90 x 120 cm; oils Right: Mbali 120 x 90 cm; oils

ladies & lilies Carolyn van Wieringen is a qualified Interior Designer with a passion for all things creative. She paints mainly in oils on canvas, which she only started using in her thirties. Her biggest creative influence has been her mother. “My mother was an artist. She painted mainly portraits and attended Tony Strickland’s art classes.”

Having sold work on and off for the past few years, she decided to focus more on her art over the past year. Working from a converted bedroom which serves as her office and studio, Carolyn spends most afternoons painting. “My routine is hugely flexible. I generally exercise early and do work and chores in the morning and paint in the afternoons.

I have a file of art ideas which I constantly add to. It could be a plant, a person, an image or even a mood or style. I paint things that appeal to 39

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up on messages. My social media marketing is done in the evenings and late at night when the Americas wakes up because that is where the majority of my clients and buyers live.”

of my income is generated through personal sales and commissions via my own Facebook Page and Instagram. I create publicity through YouTube Videos where I refer interested buyers to my Facebook Page.

The benefit of selling on-line is that I don’t have to pay any commission and I have a bigger budget for paid online advertising. Only about 10% of my income is generated from South African clients and I would like to change that.”

Sculpture is a particular passion, although she no longer sculpts with clay as often as she would like to, she recently started sculpting with fabrics. “I have a passion for beautiful materials and buy them for the beauty and not necessarily a particular use. This habit resulted in me having a walk in closet filled with fabrics that I have collected over the years - enough to last me a lifetime of sculpting. At first I wanted to make soft sculptures but once I got going, intuition and creativity took over and a distinctive style of textile sculpting developed. I do not know of anyone else who makes textile sculptures quite like this.

I use several mediums and paints once I am done with the fabric part.

I also dip my sculptures in a medium that hardens and seals them. To the touch they feel like a clay sculptures. I love making these and will continue to explore ways of making even bigger animals with fabrics.”

Her advice for other artists: “Do not be discouraged by anything, especially if you are self-taught and have doubts about your abilities.

I knock on many doors looking for opportunities to promote myself and my art. Some open, some stay closed but I do not let that set me back.”

The majority of her sales are done through her website, personal and business Facebook pages and other social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. “As a self-taught artist it is not easy to get representation from dealers or galleries but I will continue to pursue those options as it is a dream of mine to have a solo exhibition in a gallery in South Africa.”

Veronika is a core member of a group of ten international artists called ‘Soul Sisters United’ who paint and sell their work in a monthly Auction Event on Facebook. “We have new and returning customers every month and I generate about 50% of my income through this page. I also paint and sell by invitation for Stephanie Gago’s Art Auctions which is an American based Facebook Group. About 30% Mixed Media Acrylic paintings Below: Farming Joy 45 x 15 cm Below right: Storytime in Paris 25 x 50 cm

Right: Saving Souls 45 x 15 cm Far right: Come Play with Me 50 x 25 cm

e-mail: info@veronikaolivierart.co.za | Facebook: veronikaolivierart | Instagram: veronikaolivierart YouTube: VeronikaOlivierArt | web: www.veronikaolivierart.co.za 46

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

PART 3

PLANNING A PAINTING: Before you start a painting look at your reference material carefully. Half close your eyes to get an idea of the tonal values and where the focal point will be. Change the composition and focus based on the third rule to establish the correct place for the focal point. Draw a thumbnail sketch in pencil, highlighting the focal point and indicating briefly where the tonal values are – this should take no longer than 3 minutes.

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FEATURED ARTIST: TERTIUS VAN DYK

acrylics

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Left: Dangerous Grounds 150 x 150 cm

Above: The colour of water 130 x 200 cm

Right: Redundant 130 x 100 cm

bending

reality

The main topic explored by surrealist artists is the link between dreams and reality with the emphasis on subconscious images.

According to Wikipedia “Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings. Artists painted unnerving, illogical scenes with photographic precision, created strange creatures from everyday objects, and developed painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself. Its aim was to ‘resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality into an absolute reality, a super-reality’. Surrealist work features the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non sequitur.”

Hermanus artist Tertius van Dyk says the inspiration for his surrealist paintings comes from his surroundings. “I see aspects of life and even though they don’t fit together, I express those thoughts and images on a canvas. I find that people relate to my art because they have to really think about it.”

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STEP 8: The Tombow is an invaluable eraser for creating the very fine lines of grasses, twigs and even leaves that catch the sunlight.

It works especially well to use the erasers to shape the branches by exposing the negative shapes in between.

be drawn to the most contrast and detail so plan your focal point accordingly.

STEP 9: The biggest challenge for me is to get a balance between quiet spaces and the detail, whilst leaving enough for the viewer to imagine. I find that we tend to overwork our drawings when working from photographs because you can see all the detail.

I work on the whole scene back and forth between the foreground, middleground and background. Keep in mind that your eye will

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Facebook: Sonja Frenz - Artist | website: www.sonjafrenz.weebly.com | e-mail: sonjafrenz@gmail.com 64

Above: Xoliswa 60 x 90 cm oil on board

Right: Reframing Dreams III 150 x 100 cm oil on board

reframing

dreams

A recent study of some of the world’s most influential creatives revealed a common trait: their most productive part of the day started from around midday and sometimes ended in the early hours of the morning. Picasso for instance, slept until 11am, then had breakfast and socialised, and only started painting from 3pm often continuing until 3am. Similarly, artist Janna Prinsloo finds she is more creative in the later part of the day. “I am not a morning person, so I find it very hard to be creative early in the day. The early mornings are used for things like domestic chores, admin, maybe going to get some prints done for reference material. Late mornings I get into the studio and start working, finishing around 6pm. If my work is in the concept phase, or at the stage where photos need to be taken, my day will obviously look quite different.”

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