Upcoming Free Zoom Demo- Why and How I Make Notans

The Layout- From End to Beginning

This coming Monday, I’ll be doing a free zoom demo at 12 noon PST. It’s going to be all about notans, but I’m going to try something new. I’m going to start at the end, and go backwards through my process. Let me explain! :)

If you’ve wondered about the why of notans, not just the how, then this should be a fun and interesting zoom demo for you.

I think a powerful way to demonstrate the value of notan-making is to start with a completed painting, and focus on why the notan helped me in its creation! This is the backwards part— it’s all about the why… it’s about applying a notan to our painting-process after we’ve created it, and how notans can help guide us.

Then, once I’ve laid out how I used the notan, we’ll turn around and go forwards right back through those very same steps, re-creating the notan from the reference photo (that’s the how part) and using it to inform the painting process in real time. This way, you’ll be better able to anticipate the decisions I’m making, and why I’m making them!

I’ll be sharing the recording here, but I hope you’re able to make it to the demo live, where you can ask your questions in real time, and I can focus on the things you personally don’t understand.

Upcoming Zoom Classes-

Enrollment is currently open for my upcoming classes, and will close at the end of Thursday at midnight. If you are planning on enrolling, it’s time to hop on board! :D If you’re unsure what my teaching style is like or if these subjects will be of value to you, the demo should be a great tester. The demo should give a good sense also for classes 3 and 4 at the beginning of November.

Read below to find out about the classes, and then follow this link to enroll! You can enroll in just one or two classes, or the whole group of 4 at a reduced rate.

Saturday 9/28- Class 1: Composition-

Why do so many paintings fail before they begin? Because the composition is lacking. The eye isn’t led through the picture frame, there’s too many competing areas of interest, there’s not enough contrast, or elements are just to balanced and static. Practice exploring and altering abstract compositions as a way to master techniques, then move into breaking down the masters and learning from them. This class should greatly amplify your results in the Notan class.

Sunday, 9/29- Class 2: Notans

How can we take a reference photo and turn it into a painting? How do we simplify our shapes and strengthen the best elements of the composition? Notans! In this class, you’ll learn the tricks of the trade— how to build a notan, what pitfalls to avoid, and how it can help you build strong, compelling compositions! This is a great class to take if you’re gearing up for the Daily Notan Challenge.

Supplies-

Additionally, in case you’d like to follow along and are curious what supplies to use, or in case you’re curious about the upcoming October Daily Notan Challenge, but aren’t quite sure what the logistics are for it, I wanted to share the link for the post I made last year for it. This is a very useful post! :D It not only discusses the logistics of the challenge, and gives you the link to my free Facebook group, but it also shares a series of Amazon links for different materials you can use to make notans. I can never sing the praises of the Pentel Brush Pen enough- so cheap and so useful. But there are many ways to skin a cat, and if you don’t have the time to get that brush pen, I hope the other various links I’ve provided can be of use.

The Zoom Link

Alrighty. Without further ado, here’s the zoom info. See y’all on Monday at noon!

Stephen Berry is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Notans Zoom Demo

Time: Sep 23, 2024 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87260089106?pwd=vzXF2SJblHWSqonX93ua7kbXgVLuRO.1

Meeting ID: 872 6008 9106

Passcode: 320245

---

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,87260089106#,,,,*320245# US

+19292056099,,87260089106#,,,,*320245# US (New York)

---

Dial by your location

• +1 646 931 3860 US

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

• +1 305 224 1968 US

• +1 309 205 3325 US

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

• +1 689 278 1000 US

• +1 719 359 4580 US

• +1 253 205 0468 US

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

• +1 360 209 5623 US

• +1 386 347 5053 US

• +1 507 473 4847 US

• +1 564 217 2000 US

• +1 669 444 9171 US

Meeting ID: 872 6008 9106

Passcode: 320245

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcFH3AtUIJ

Previous
Previous

Strengthen Your Compositions and Simplify Your Shapes

Next
Next

Tips I Use to Get Back Into Painting After a Break