If you can write, you can paint!
One of my favorite parts about our painting classes is having the opportunity to walk around the room and watch the canvases transform from plain stark white to vivid colors that make up each unique person’s painting.
I like to refer painting styles to handwriting. In a class, everyone is painting the same painting – but just like handwriting, our style and techniques are going to be evident once we start putting brush to canvas. So it’s like we’re all writing the same letter, but it’s going to LOOK different because we all write differently. The same is true with painting.
I’ve experienced it many times at Pinot’s Palette. Whether I’m teaching a class as an instructor, working as an assistant, or having a glass of wine and joining my friends in a fun night out; almost every time I paint with others, I hear the ever-so-frequent comment of, “Wow, I wish I could paint like you!”.
SPOILER ALERT: While I might have been born with some artistic juices flowing through my veins, I can guarantee each and every one of you that I did not come out of the womb, brush in tow, ready to paint the Sistine Chapel. It took practice to get where I am today.
So, how did I practice you might ask?
Well, it really came down to just doing it.
Sometimes I knew what I wanted to paint, sometimes I didn’t, and most of the time I sat down with one idea, and it transformed into something else once I started. I created things for myself, and I enjoyed painting for others. I gave away a lot of what I made to friends and family!
Over time, my painting techniques have become better. It’s a perk of doing something that I really enjoy - funny how that happens. I’ve found my style which I’ve dubbed “hotmess abstract” – and that too, has evolved over the years in my own personal work. It’s distinctly my own, and though it’s a far cry from Michelangelo, it’s unique to me and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
Needless to say, I’m not the only one that can paint at Pinot’s. I am continually impressed with the painters who join us for a class at our studio. For example, someone might mix up a color a bit differently that I do, another person might add a bird to a tree, someone will have an eye for highlighting and shading, and another will have style of painting with the most whimsical brush strokes. It’s so cool to see the uniqueness of our painters evident on their canvases! Honestly, I think it’s the BEST part!
I particularly enjoy working Open Studio days, where, as per usual, no skill is required. With two canvas sizes to choose from and access to all of our painting supplies, it’s a great alternative for coming to paint aside from our regular public classes. Sometimes people come to “ease themselves into the process”, others are there because they enjoy less structure when creating, and some come with an idea in hand ready to create! Whatever the reason, it’s always enjoyable to see what people will walk away with – especially since there isn’t a “planned” painting for the day. I particularly remember once when a lady came to paint a scuba diving giraffe. It was so fun to watch her work!
For those who might not be sure where to begin, we’ve got you covered. On open studio days, we have roughly 25 self-guided paintings to select from. These paintings have simple, step-by-step instructions to follow (along with pictures!) and are a good representation for the type of teaching that one would receive if attending a typical class with us. And I can’t forget about the artist instructors – on hand to help answer questions and provide assistants if needed.
So, whether it’s walking someone through a painting in a class or watching what a painter creates at an Open Studio day, my favorite part of working at Pinot’s Palette is seeing creativity come to life!
To enjoy a night out, pick up a new technique or improve in your skills – I encourage you to join us for a public class or and Open Studio date. Check out our full class calendar for all upcoming studio events.
I hope to see how unique your paintings turn out soon!
-Alejandra