Sharon Knettell at Scottsdale Artists' School

[Chris Saper]

Sharon's workshop on color and design was among most fun workshops I have ever attended.

The first day began with a lecture/background on color and design in art history, as well as their application for artists. Sharon set up 7 or so still life arrangements each showing a different color harmony example.

Below are my quick color studies, one of which is a blue orange complementary harmony, and other may have been called a triple-tetradic-split double helix - well, Sharon will know and tell you. Linda or Sharon may have other students' studies as well.

The objective was to observe and record color as accurately as possible.

[Chris Saper]

Sharon brought some of her many gorgeous ballerina costumes and the school hired professional dancers to model for us this past week.

Sharon chose lighting that was mainly flat, accented with an uplight in order to emphasize color against color.

Here is Sharon being accurate in her measurments with model Nicole, and dressing up one of our other models, Katy. Katy was so tickled with getting to dress up like a pricess fairy (after many avant-garde black leotard perfomances dressing black on black) that she was a delight. These professional dancers are no strangers to pain, and all stood many hours without complaint - they can't take any pose -even at rest- that is not graceful.

[Chris Saper]

Here are the reference photos I took of each of our three models, Nicole, Katy and Jessica.

Linda thinks it will be a good idea for all of us Forum moderators to wear princess corsets to the Portrait Society of America dinner. Steven and Mike, you'll probably need special fittings.

[Chris Saper]

Here are a few photos of my canvases. I wish I had had the chance to shoot everyone's work on the last day as there were some really strong canvases coming out of this week.

[Chris Saper]

..and another student's work.

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

What SUPER work! I am most impressed and inspired!!

Which one is yours, Chris (other the the great flowers!)? Could you post yours too, Sharon?

When I am freer (and richer) I would definitely love to do one of these workshops.

What a great teacher you must be, Sharon.

[Linda Brandon]

Here's one of my ballerina paintings, some roses, and Madame Knettell looking stern.

I want to add the following about the workshop:

If you think Sharon is tough on-line, you should see how picky she is in her workshop. She beat us mercilessly until we had the EXACT shade of warm pink for a sash on a tutu. She was meticulous about the color set up and was also meticulous about matching the exact colors on the canvas. When these things happen there is an incredible surge of beauty.

And Sharon pushed herself so hard during the week as well - shortly after a knee operation, she marched herself up to that model over and over and over again, matching her palette knife color to the model, until she was satisfied. Sharon, they don't make too many teachers - and artists, need I add - like you any more. You're a very impressive person all around. I learned so much by being around you, not only about color and artmaking, but about living the life of a true artist, with honesty and integrity and spirit. Thank you so much.

[Linda Brandon]

Need I add - these beautiful setups were the envy of the entire school last week!

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Linda and Chris, thank you so much for posting these. I wish I could have been there!
Ilaria

[Alexandra Tyng]

Wow, looks like such a great workshop! Wish I could have been there. Sharon, would you consider doing one in Philadelphia?