Julie Fisher : Artist and Instructor

Art Classes

2012-01-20T21:34:00.005-07:00

There are still some openings in my art classes! I have recently started a class on Tuesdays from 3:30pm - 5:30pm at my home studio for ages 8 to 13. My home studio is located at 4662 Biscay St., Denver. All other classes are presently at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Littleton. The classes are on-going and all new students are welcome! Please check out student work on this site (see column on right and click on student Work)! We'd love to have you join us!

Contact me for more information at: www.jfisherstudio@netscape.net

Original Work

2012-01-20T21:02:00.007-07:00

Are you ready for the next step! How about working on your original artwork! When you start working on your own creations, this opens up a whole new world. You can start getting your work "out there". There are many opportunities to get your work on-line and many are free.

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We've had several beautiful days here in Colorado that you can get out there with your camera and snap a few. Try early morning or late afternoon to get better shadows. Capture the whole landscape or just a few objects or people. All you need is one photo to inspire you to get it down on paper. Look through your "things" at home and set up a still life. I find I'm more successful if I work with things I care about. Start out with just a few objects and keep it small. Play around with the lighting and make the shadows just as interesting as the objects. Most of all, have fun!

The Gift

2012-01-03T13:13:00.002-07:00

I just completed the finishing touches on this piece. It's a mixed media painting with colored pencil on top of watercolor. Making the ribbon flow and adding the box design really added a zing to this piece. It's 7"x7" (image and white matt). I saw 3 nesting boxes in an antique shop and could just picture several set-ups I could do. Fun!

Getting a Jump on the New Year!

2012-01-01T16:26:00.015-07:00

"Blossoming Pear" is the first painting of the new year! It's 8"x8"(image and white matt). I've been painting in the light and shadow technique....the background basically in shadow. The goal for this painting was to paint with analogous colors hence the yellows, oranges, reds in the pear and the fabric in the background. This brought up another "issue"..... how to not let the pear blend into the background. I had to decide which edges to sharpen and which edges to "lose". I'm happy with the results.

Look for more of the daily painting on:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/juliefisher3

Taking on New Challenges

2011-12-09T17:14:00.004-07:00

In this piece, Sally took on the challenge of darkening her shadows with rich blues, purples, and greens in colored pencil. It is often difficult to work through the feeling that you're going to ruin your work when you're trying something new. I still get that feeling but know from experience that you have to trust yourself and everything will be ok. Easier said than done, I know!

Look what a difference it made! The pots look rounder, the boots more 3-dimensional and the background to the right is pushed back.

Good job, Sally!

A Portait in Sepia

2011-08-17T13:58:00.004-06:00

Kari was working on a face using only one color, sepia (watercolor). She first practiced doing value scales so that she could get used to the range of light to dark when only using one color. She then applied what she learned to this portrait. Kari had previously worked with water soluble crayons and got a handle on application,blending and softening edges.

First Animal Project

2011-08-17T13:43:00.003-06:00

This is Annabelle's first completed animal drawing. She completed the beginning exercises then selected the resource and began. Annabelle is 10 years old and was excited to begin. Well done, Annabelle!

Watercolor Class

2011-08-16T19:35:00.006-06:00

Watercolor is an enjoyable medium to work in. Understanding what can happen when water interacts with pigment is a large part of what painting with watercolor is all about.

Come join us on Wednesdays evenings from 6:30 - 8:30pm to explore the wonder of watercolor!

Fall Schedule 2011!

2011-08-16T19:05:00.004-06:00

Fall classes will begin Sept 1st for the Adult/Teen Drawing Class and Sept 7th for the Kids Drawing class and the Adult/Teen Watercolor Class.

Wednesday

Kids Drawing Class (ages 8 - 13)

10:00 - noon
3:30 - 5:30pm

*Please see class description, class location under "about the studio" and supply lists in the right column.

Adult/Teen Watercolor Classes (ages 13 - adult)

6:30 - 8:30pm

*Please see class description and location under "about the studio" in the right column.
Contact Julie for the suggested supply list.

Thursday

Adult/Teen Drawing (ages 13 - adult)

1:00 - 3:00pm
6:30 - 8:30pm

*Please see class description, location under "about the studio" and supply list in the right column.

!!SIGN UP TODAY by going to my website by clicking "my website" in the righthand column.
Sending in your registration form and tuition will reserve your spot in the class!!

Don't forget to check out the student work on this blog! See student work in the righthand column.

This Is "Oliver"

2011-04-05T18:52:00.004-06:00

This was Denise's (adult) first attempt at colored pencil. I think she has found her medium!

Having Fun With Your Self Portrait

2011-04-05T17:48:00.005-06:00

Here, Kari took on the challenge of doing a self portrait including the portrait of her sister. She depicted the surroundings quite well, even the reflected light on the cave walls. I think the painting reflects their personalities and captures a likeness as well.

The Next Step For Ashton

2011-04-05T16:48:00.003-06:00

Ashton has completed the beginning drawing exercises, she's accomplished some animals, now on to PEOPLE!

This profile face presented some challenges as far as the size of the resource (approx. 5"x7"), the gradual value changes and capturing the wind blown hair. Ashton worked very meticulously on every detail. In this piece I think Ashton is really developing her own style. This completed work is quite an accomplishment!

(Ashton age 15)

First Drawing Project

2011-04-05T16:12:00.004-06:00

Claire is 11 years old and has moved on from the beginning drawing exercises. This was her first try to apply the skills she's learned to her first animal drawing.

She became familiar with her pencils and worked carefully on values (the lightness and darkness of something). She discovered what the different erasers can do for you. Claire enjoyed the development of this project.

A Job Well Done, Denise!!

2011-04-05T15:54:00.007-06:00

Denise (adult) continued her colored pencil drawing of her dog, Kara. I think the results are amazing, but I'll let you decide!

This was Denise's second colored pencil project! She took her own photo and used it and Kara as a resource.

Summer Workshops 2011

2011-04-04T09:53:00.024-06:00

Summer workshops begin June 1 and 2.

(We meet at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 6322 S Lakeview St. in Littleton)

Wednesday

Kids Drawing Class (ages 8 - 13)

10:00am - noon

3:30 to 5:30pm

Session 1: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Tuition: $100.00

Session 2: July 13, 20, 27 Tuition: $60.00 .

Learn, Draw, Create! This summer's session include right-brain activities, perspective, light & shadow, and other skills incorporated into fun exercises. Students will leave with their own book which includes their own best drawings. (Look under supply lists for materials needed)

Adult/Teen Watercolor (ages 13 - adult)

6:30pm to 8:30pm

Session 1: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Tuition: $100.00

Session 2: July 13, 20, 27 Tuition: $60.00

Come and explore watercolor! Students will become familiar with mixing colors, washes, value studies and apply what they've learned to paintings during the watercolor exercises. Julie will demonstrate different techniques and provide individual support. Intermediate students will work on composition, still life and other subjects of choice. Please email for supply list at: www.jfisherstudio@netscape.net

Thursday

Adult/Teen Drawing (ages 13 - adult)

1:00pm - 3:00pm

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Session 1: June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Tuition: $100.00

Session 2: July 14, 21, 28 Tuition: $60.00

You always wanted to draw, but you didn't know where to start! Join us in a relaxed, risk-free environment. Right brain exercises will be integrated with classical, old-master training techniques to instill a complete foundation of skills. .

Kids Watercolor (ages 8 - 13)

3:30pm - 5:30pm

Session 1: June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Tuition: $100.00 + $15.00 materials fee

Session 2: July 14, 21, 28 Tuition: $60.00 + $15.00 materials fee .

Come and have fun with watercolor! Kids get to come to class ready to go because professional materials are provided! Techniques, strategies and color will be presented in a fun approach. Kids get to experiment, be creative and work toward a final work of art. Returning students will have a brief review and then move on to a painting where skills will be applied. (Please come in clothes you don't mind getting paint on!!)

email: www.jfisherstudio@netscape.net

to call: 303-371-7652

Check out student work! Click "student work" under labels at top right.

Moving Ahead

2010-02-02T21:08:00.008-07:00

Students who continue to apply what they've learned and take on the challenges of each new drawing can't help but improve! The following is the first portrait Denise completed as well as the second portrait finished. I think you'll agree that Denise has made noticeable improvement in what she sees as well as what she is able to get down on paper. (left: 1st portrait, right: 2nd portrait)

The Art Show at the AUM Gallery

2010-01-12T11:19:00.006-07:00

The art show exhibited at the AUM Gallery was a great success! The opening reception was well attended including other well known local artists giving the show high praise. The show continued to have high attendance during the entire exhibition. I would like to thank all of you who got a chance to view these works of art!

Continuing To Try Something New

2010-01-12T11:09:00.003-07:00

In this piece, Kari continued to explore the water soluble colored crayons. These are applied on the first layer, to move the layering of colored pencils along a little faster. Mission accomplished with great results!

A Student's Continuing Progress

2010-01-12T10:47:00.003-07:00

Meri is moving forward with 'gusto'! She took on the challenge of two people facing forward. This project had several challenges including the wide range of values, tight and softened edges, further growth in understanding what your tools can do for you, understanding when to make an artistic change that will enhance the piece (which does not mean to change the appearance of the people), and more! This was one of those projects where there were highs and lows, moving into areas of the unknown for Meri. Meri has benefited by completing this piece and is a better artist for it!

What A Feeling of Accomplishment!

2010-01-12T10:29:00.008-07:00

This past December Ashton completed her first animal pencil drawing. What an accomplishment! She diligently persisted to the last final touches. Well done, Ashton!

Starting at the Beginning

2009-11-13T12:50:00.004-07:00

Ashton is 13 years old and has been with me for just 2 months. She diligently worked on the beginning exercises to learn how to look differently at objects to draw them more accurately. This drawing is her first and she is still in the process of putting in all the different values (the lights and darks). Ashton is becoming more familiar with her pencils, erasers, and other tools to get a more "polished" drawing. She drew her beagle from a resource, transferred it to drawing paper, and has proceeded capturing it's likeness. I can always depend on Ashton being a careful listener, coming to class with all her materials, using class time efficiently, asking good questions when she is unsure of something, and working at home to continue her progress. Awesome work, Ashton!

Learning Pen and Ink

2009-11-13T12:27:00.004-07:00

David has been with me since he was 8 years old. He is now 11 and he has now decided to move on and try pen and ink. He first got familiar with an ink pen by doing several exercises practicing different strokes like parallel lines, stippling, crosshatching, and more. He made these different strokes into value studies. These value studies would help him get the lights and darks in a drawing. David then set up his own still life, drew it, and then transferred his drawing to paper made just for ink. He has now just begun this drawing with careful thought on how to begin. Stippling, producing dots, is how David decided to proceed. The image posted here is the cup in his still life. He started with the darkest object, it's shadow and reflection shapes. David is being very meticulous because he knows there is no erasing! We'll keep you posted on his progress!

AUM Gallery Exhibit

2009-11-13T10:58:00.004-07:00

I have 3 pieces showing in this exhibit put on by AUM Gallery.

Location: 2227 East Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206

Opening Reception: Friday, November 13, 2009, 6:00 - 9:00pm

Exhibit runs through January 16, 2010

There are 14 participating artists with special guest, Terry Ludwig.

Spring Tulips By Julie Fisher

2009-09-08T20:37:00.003-06:00

This is one of my paintings completed in the last months. Small pink tulips in an antique pitcher with a creamer and lace tablecloth. These are some of my favorite things. This is a tonal painting where large shapes are depicted in the painting. The dark background is a strong shape as well as the white or lighter area including the flowers, pitcher, creamer and cloth. This painting also has interesting negative shapes.

About the Artist

2009-05-12T14:32:00.003-06:00

"That's my grandmother's pitcher!"...."I've been there."....."I can feel the mosquitos already!"...

Familiarity of subject matter is implied in works created by Julie Fisher. The viewer often recognizes or can relate something personal in Julie's portraits, still life and landscapes. Her studies in classical realism is also reflected in her accomplishments.

Julie began her formal art instruction at Arapahoe Community College where she developed varied approaches to her art. However, time spent training with Valorie Snyder strongly influenced Julie's realistic style. Valorie trained at Atelier Richards in Amarillo, Texas under the direction of Kirk Richards. This training is devoted to teaching classical realist techniques. Studying with Cindy Haase strengthened her knowledge in color and painting with Jane Angelheart enhanced the applications of color in her portraits. Julie is continuing to make advancements in work depicting light and shadow and tonal painting with Deborah Bays.

Student Progress

2009-03-01T21:08:00.013-07:00

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......BEFORE.................................................... AFTER..................

Jim, an adult student, came to me eager to learn. His first drawing for me (left image) was before instruction took place. After about 3 months, Jim completed the right image. Jim made progress in leaps and bounds. He worked hard in class. What ever skill he learned in class he took home and diligently continued which allowed him to make great progress. Jim has since moved on to watercolor.

Award Winning Student

2009-03-01T20:24:00.004-07:00

Kiowa School is having a student art show! Many works of art were entered by participants using various media. Included were pencil, pastel, marker, oil on canvas, and charcoal. Our own Jaella entered 2 pencil pieces. One piece was a portrait of her sister and one was of a still life that she composed herself. Awards were given to each grade level and Jaella won at the 12th grade level receiving a college scholarship provided by Air Academy Credit Union. Jaella has been one of my students for a little over 2 years. She has worked hard and is very focused when it comes to listening to instruction and application of that information. Jaella has come a long way and is delightful to have as a pupil. Congratulations, Jaella!!
(Pictures of her work will be posted at a later date.)

Carry That Camera Wherever You Go!

2009-02-17T15:00:00.006-07:00

Aren't these new digital cameras great! I have found a new freedom! When you are out and about, you can click away at any subject and shoot as many shots as you want. You can delete them or you can take them home and crop, and/or enhance any that you wish. I find I have more successful photos this way and I've had many wonderful surprises where in the past I may not have taken a picture to conserve film. However, a good picture alone does not make a great painting. I carefully observe values, think of possible compositions, and note colors while on location. Awesome!

Student Progress

2009-02-09T21:07:00.008-07:00

(left) This is Jia's Before Drawing

(right) This is Jia's drawing after about a month's instruction. Jia is 8 years old.

Children ages 8 - 13 Experiencing Watercolor

2009-01-27T17:47:00.008-07:00

What great fun we had! We spattered, we used a sponge, we had graded washes, we lifted color, we dropped wet into wet, and much more. Students then drew and cut out shapes that they wanted to combine and make a collage.

There was no pressure to paint a tree or lizard "just right" because they were just playing with color and the different ways to get it down on paper. Later, the kids drew flowers, frogs, and plants etc. on sketch paper and erased when needed. When they were happy with their drawings they cut them out and used them as patterns. The kids had fun and experienced success!

.Lizard painting by Tori (also the enlarged lizard portion to show details)

.Frog painting by Elizabeth

Are You Making "The Arts" a Part of Your Life?

2009-01-17T19:39:00.007-07:00

Did you know that the music students at DU put on practice performances, many of them for free? An artist friend of mine said that there is nothing like hearing this wonderful music first hand. She said there were opera singers normally affiliated with The Met that were guest singers. Have you seen the latest art exhibit at the Denver Art Museum or visited a local gallery? When was the last time you allowed time for yourself to sit down and draw or paint? Life gets so busy that time slips away and we're so exhausted by the end of the day.

When I was teaching school I put many hours into planning and preparing materials to make everyday the best it could be. Then I would collapse at the end of the day. When time permitted, I would do a bulletin board and I found I would spent an exorbitant amount of time on the silly thing. It always made me feel really good to be "artistic" but what this really told me was that I was not getting enough of my own art "scheduled" into each week. I knew that working on my watercolors always left me with a feeling of accomplishment but it wouldn't happen unless I purposely set time aside each week for painting. One of my students and his wife did that for each other one evening a week. On Wednesday, he would watch their son for his wife and on Thursday, he would come to drawing class while she watched their son. Perfect!
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Portrait by Jim (adult)

Drawing Skills

2009-01-13T18:59:00.009-07:00

Developing ourselves as artists is a lot like building a house, you need a sturdy foundation. We often see a great painting and we say to ourselves, "I want to do that!" So we sign up for a watercolor or oil class, we buy all the supplies and you arrive for your first class ready to go! By the end of class you're somewhat discouraged

that your painting doesn't look like the instructor's or anything like the one you saw somewhere. Now you're feeling bad and here you spent all this money for materials. Well, I'm here to tell you NOT TO GIVE UP!! You may have just missed a step in the process.

To get back to our "house foundation", one step in the art process is getting drawing instruction. This step is often overlooked and then when you go to a class on watercolor etc. you will be expecting yourself to pull what you know on drawing and incorporate it with this new medium , adjust to how this new medium works, and you're trying to figure out how to mix different colors! That is an enormous task to expect of yourself. It's overwhelming and enough to make you quit.

Now just pause a minute! Hang on to those new supplies! Stop and take a good drawing class that will cover good drawing skills. This class should include skills like perspective, contour drawing, composition, and more. When you have a good understanding and you've practiced, then go and take that watercolor or pastel class. You'll find it less overwhelming. You'll retain more information and

you'll be suprised at how well your painting will come out!

Drawings: Mother and Daughter by Leslie (adult)

Apple Wreath and Fall Leaves by Olivia (age 11)

Olivia has gone through the drawing class and has moved onto colored pencil. She set up this composition herself in class and completed it in colored pencil.

Beginning Student Progress

2008-11-04T22:25:00.003-07:00

(left image) Avary very shyly came to class ready to draw. Before art instruction started I had her draw a picture of a face. Avary is 10 years old.

(right image) This is Avary's progress after about one month of drawing instruction. She has taken what she has learned in class and has worked hard in class and at home. She is focused in class, but through interaction she has shown she is very knowledgeable about many things and is very confident. I am excited to see what she is capable of doing!

Working With Watercolor Crayons and Colored Pencil

2008-11-04T21:49:00.002-07:00

This is Kari's first attempt using watercolor crayons with Prismacolor Colored Pencil. (image is 5"x7") Using these crayons helps to move the colored pencil process more quickly. Normally you may apply 7 or 8 layers of pencil but when using the watercolor crayons you may only have 3 to 4 layers of colored pencil to get the desired results. You apply the watercolor crayon to Pastelbord's sanded surface for the first layer and then apply water to blend. Then you add the colored pencil layers. Super job, Kari!

Class Descriptions (Sept. to May)

2008-08-08T16:58:00.003-06:00

Kids Drawing

Join us for some drawing fun! This class promotes solid drawing skills through age-adjusted exercises. Learn right brain training, light and shadow, perspective, composition, and more!

Students will work toward choosing their own subjects. Exercises will be given to practice at home to build eye training. (maximum students: 10)

by Justin (age 14)
after 2 months

Adult/Teen Drawing

You've always wanted to draw, but you weren't sure where to begin! Join us in a relaxed, risk-free environment. Right brain exercises will be integrated with classical, old-master training techniques (an innovative approach to teaching developed by Valorie Snyder) to instill a complete foundation of skills. You'll be surprised at your results! (maximum students: 10)

by Kathy (adult)
after 3 months

Watercolor

Experience the enjoyment of watercolor! Students will be come familiar with mixing colors, washes, value studies, and then apply what they have learned to a painting during these color exercises. Julie will explain and demonstrate different techniques and provide individual support. Drawing experience is helpful, but not required, for this class. Intermediate students will work on composition, still life and other subjects of their choice. Individual instruction will be provided. (maximum students: 8)

Colored Pencil

Come discover colored pencil! Enjoy a portable medium that is versatile and vibrant. Different types of pencils, papers, and application strokes will be introduced. Julie will integrate drawing skills, composition and color theory into each class. All beginning students start by creating a color wheel, move on toward choosing their own subjects, and working at their own pace. Some drawing skill is recommended for this class. (maximum students: 8)

Supply List for the Adult/Teen Colored Pencil Class

2008-08-08T13:00:00.002-06:00

Bristol Board Pad (Vellum surface, 9"x12")
Pad of Black Artagain, by strathmore, 9"x12"
#2 pencil
Ruler
Small handheld pencil sharpener (with attached case to catch pencil shavings)
Knead eraser
Pink pearl eraser
Prismacolor Colored Pencils (set of 48 or larger) Watch for 40% off coupons from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Aaron Brothers sometimes has 50% off.
A list of optional supplies will be supplied during class.

Supply List for the Adult/Teen Drawing Class

2008-08-08T12:37:00.003-06:00

Paper: Smooth, quality paper (11:x14" or larger). Strathmore 400 Series is good. Canson and Morilla are also good brands. Don't get the Academie brand. It doesn't erase well. Do not get newsprint. Try to get the kind with spiral wire binding, so the pages don't fall out.
Pencils: 2 each of the HB, F, and 2H (a #2 is ok to start with)
Erasers: Knead eraser, pink pearl, vinyl eraser, a Faber-Castell pencil eraser (This eraser looks like a regular pencil in a natural wood outer casing except it is a pink eraser inside. They come in packages of 2.) Have a selection of erasers for different uses.
Ruler: 18 inch, clear plastic. Try to find a "Graph-ruler" with red, one-inch markings, which go all the way across the width of the ruler. Try not to get a really thick one with a beveled edge. Also 1 small 6-8 inch, any kind.

Supply List for the Kids Drawing Class

2008-08-08T12:16:00.001-06:00

Sketch Pad: Smooth quality paper (11"x14" or 14"x11"). Strathmore 400 Series is good.

Canson and Morilla are also good brands.

Pencils: 2H, HB, F, 2B (a #2 is ok to start with)
Pencils sharpener (with attached case to catch pencil shavings)
Knead eraser, pink pearl eraser (or similar), and a Faber-Castell pencil eraser (It looks just like a pencil with a natural wood outer casing, but it's a pink eraser inside instead of lead. They come in a package of 2.))

Please mark your name or initials on your pencils and pink pearl eraser. Other students have these supplies also.

Class Location

2008-08-08T12:05:00.001-06:00

I teach my classes at:

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
6322 S. Lakeview St.
Littleton, CO 80120

A main intersection nearby is S. Broadway and Caley. Caley is between Orchard and Arapahoe Rd.
http://mapquest.com/

You enter the church by the south side parking lot entrance, go up the stairs and turn to your immediate left . You go down the hall to classroom 3.

Welcome to my Blog

2008-03-20T10:57:00.001-06:00

Three Pears is a painting where repeated single color glazing is applied. The repeated layers makes the object(s) appear more luminous. I love this way of painting!