Apple-A-Day

Apple-a-Day, Difficulty = 1
This is a fun painting and takes little skill. With a black base we use our plates to draw the initial shapes of the apples. From there it's just a matter of painting the pink for the tabletop and adding the checkered wall in the background. It's fun and a great back to school painting - a time when all parents and teachers should be receiving apples! - Jared

Hole in One

Hole In One, Difficulty = 3 (out of 3)
Now remember that a difficulty rating of 3 only means that it take extra time! Not that it is beyond the capabilities of a beginner! So for all you golf fanatics , we started on a black base for this painting. We then take our time and build up the landscape. Lastly, we add our small details such as the flag. This should be a great gift for yourself or friends and family members. - Jared

Dragonflies

Dragonflies, Difficulty=2.5 (out of 3)
With which color do you suppose we'll base this painting? ... how about GREEN! That's right! We'll add our blades of grass next and then the dragonflies. Lastly, we'll cover our base with a deep red. See ya - Jared

Pink Pantheon

Pink Pantheon, Difficulty=3 (out of 3)
This painting has a difficulty rating of 3 due to the several details that we'll be adding which are time consuming. It isn't hard in the least but it will have you wanting to add more and more and more. We simplify this Mardi Gras mansion by painting the pink first, then the sky and trees, and lastly the windows and ground. You can do it so don't sweat! I'll see you there - Jared

Dancing Martinis

Dancing Martinis, Difficulty=2 (out of 3)
This will be a fun piece. Starting out with a bright green base, we'll add these funky martini glasses along with highlights and zigzags. If you want to change the colors then go for it!! Remember: You'll score extra points for experimenting! Good Luck - Jared

Daisies on Black - Nel Whatmore

Daisies on Black 1&2 (Nel Whatmore), Difficulty=2 (out of 3)
These two paintings by the artist, Nel Whatmore, are fun and easy creations. We will start both paintings with a black base. This will allow our colors to appear bold and dynamic. Have fun by changing the colors of the flowers to match your taste.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus, Difficulty=1.5 (out of 3)
We will start this painting off with a light sandy brown base. The flower is painted with lots of pigment so expect to have colors mixing with each other on the canvas. This will give us that energetic look and thick texture once dried! Relax and have fun! - Jared

Italian Garden

Italian Garden, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
For this painting we start with a cream base coat. After adding the blue door and window we begin to plant our garden by globbing paint onto the canvas. Remember - it's better to add too much paint instead of too little! Go for it; you'll enjoy! - Jared K.

Summertime Paintings

La Hacienda, Difficulty = 2.5 (out of 3)
This was one of our first paintings at Corks and Canvas. There are great warm, bright colors to capture your attention and the reflections are a fun trick to learn. Though there are small details that need some extra time, the steps are simple and easy to follow.

Bikini Clothesline, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
This summertime painting is simple and fun. Change the colors of the bathing suits to match your favorite colors. Experiment with different patterns for the water or wherever. There's a lot of room for embellishment.

Beach Deck, Difficulty = 3 (out of 3)
While this has the highest difficulty level, it is only due to the extensive outlining that we will do at the end of the painting. There aren't many colors so don't be afraid. It's a great summertime piece.

Pink Marlin

Pink Marlin, Difficulty = 1 (out of 3)
This marlin was created to pair with our first marlin painting which the owners though was too "masculine". So if this fish doesn't scream out "feminine" then I don't know what does. For a guy or a girl, these marlin paintings are great fun and now you can see how it can be changed to compliment your mood.....or gender:) - Jared K.

Lavender Fields

Lavender Fields, Difficulty = 2 (out of 3)
I absolutely love this painting! The classic Italian landscape is a cinch to complete. We'll start with a black base coat. Next we'll fill in the top half (which has the most details) and save the best and easiest part for last - the purple lavender fields. The key to this painting is to have a loose brushstroke and not to obsess over every move. Let the paint work for you! Can't wait to see you - Jared K.

Christmas Friends

Christmas Friends, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
It's getting closer to that special time of year and Corks and Canvas is preparing by adding this new painting. We had a great turnout for our snowman last year so we thought we'd give it another shot. This crafty painting only has a few major colors but the details are up to you. Yellow snow is generally a bad thing but not for this painting. We'll add warm browns to this holiday piece giving it a nice antiqued finish!

More Landscapes

Desert Plams, Difficulty = 1 (out of 3)
This is one of the first paintings that I taught. I love how easy it is to do these palm trees! Just divide the sky, mountains, and sand and your more than halfway there! It's a bright, modern piece to hang up anywhere.

Farmlands, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
Also among the first paintings that I taught, this landscape has a quilted feel to it due to the patches of farm terrain and the patterns found on each patch. It's simple an void of intricate details. Add as many trees as you'd like or change the colors in the fields. No measurements necessary!

Bamboo, Difficulty = 1 (out of 3)
This is almost an abstract painting. However, I'll show you how to execute the short brushstrokes that give this painting its characteristic bamboo look. Have even more fun at the end of the painting when we get to "splatter" paint, or speckle the surface with colors!

Abstract Sunrise, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
Though ambiguous to a degree, this painting still appears to be a sunrise at the beach or lake. The fun part of this painting is the color application. No thought is needed for placement of fine details because there are none. Just sit back and follow me and have fun!

White Daisy on Black

White Daisy on Black, Difficulty = 1
You know what I love the most about this painting?..... It only has 3 colors!! That's right, with just black, white, and yellow ochre (dark yellow) you can put together a very contemporary, stylish, yet simple painting that will become an instant focal point on your wall. Best of all - it'll have your signature on it! Come see how easy it is to do this painting!

Purple Hyacinths

Purple Hyacinths, Difficulty 2.5 (out of 3)
We start with a black base coat - my favorite. Then we get sloppy with the violet paint, throwing globs of purple onto the black background. I will show you how easy it is to create this glass vase. It will be one of your favorite paintings to hang in your home after you finish - I promise! I'll see you soon - Jared

Sea Life

Off the Hook!, Difficulty = 3 (out of 3)
This painting incorporates several individual elements which lengthens the class to the full 2.5 hour mark. However, the colors can be changed to virtually anything. Go Fish!!

Crustacean #1, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
This is one of a three part painting series. If you want something fun to hang in that beach house then sign up for this series. The background color is your choice. We'll keep it loose and fun so don't fret.

Crustacean #2, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
The only tricky part to getting this painting finished is following closely the steps to drawing the sea horse. We'll keep it more simple than you think - a few circles, a swirl, and some squiggle lines... that's it! The background is your choice in color. (I like the green!)

Crustacean #3, Difficulty = 2 (out of 3)
This is the last painting in the crustacean series and perhaps my favorite! We''ll be basing the canvas with plenty of color (your choice) and then we'll draw a simple starfish. The texture on the starfish is the result of THICK paint application so don't be stingy! Have fun.

Blue Marlin, Difficulty 2.5 (out of 3)
This is a fantastic piece because we have special canvases (8"x24") on which to paint! This will be the painting you'll hang over your kitchen doorway or cooking range. Hook, line, and sinker!

Happy Fish, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
Are you looking for a splash of color to add to your summer decor? This is a bolt of bright color. I've kept the design simple and free for interpretation. Choose your colors or follow me while you enjoy the music and wine!

Beach Time Paintings

Beach House Trio, Difficulty = 1
This is a cute summertime painting that will decorate you lake or beach house perfectly. The brushstrokes are sloppy and the colors few. Come and put your own spin on things.

Beach Umbrella 1, Difficulty = 2.5
This is a simple composition. The only challenge with this painting is deciding how large to make your umbrella stripes and keeping the perspective just right. The smaller your umbrella stripes the more of them you'll have to add so start large.

Beach Front Condos, Difficulty = 2.5
There is a lot of freedom for color change in this painting. Change the color of the condos to whatever you'd like. The violets in the ground shadows are a perfect compliment to the warm browns of the sand.

Banana Leaves, Difficulty = 2
This painting is loose and free flowing. The leaves are general and nonspecific making it easier to paint. Have fun!

VanGogh

Starry Night, Difficulty = 3 (out of 3)
We start this painting off with a brilliant ultramarine blue base coat. Once that dries, we lay out the tree, the mountains, and the stars and clouds. The trick to this painting is the characteristic short brushstrokes that van Gogh is known for. Of course, these small strokes fill the entire 2.5 hours of class but are only time consuming, not difficult. Come to this class and walk away with a Master replica!

Autumn Birch Trees

Autumn Birch: Difficulty = 2
This painting appears complex yet it is easily achieved within the 2 hr class, even if you've never picked up a brush in your life! Bring some hot chocolate and get ready to learn some paint tricks.

Kandinsky and More

Square Abstract, Difficulty = 2 (out of 3)
The only reason this funky abstract isn't a #1 in difficulty is because of the pin-striping and extra tiny squares inside the larger ones. These small details aren't hard to do but require extra time and push the class to the full 2.5 hours. This would be a good sister painting to Kandinsky's circles below.

Wassily Kandinsky Circles: Difficulty = 1
Luckily Kandinsky kept this creation extremely loose; the brushstrokes are sloppy and the colors are spontaneous. Choose your own colors but make sure to contrast lights with darks.

Abstract with Circles and Leaves: Difficulty 2.5
This painting incorporates tranquil colors such as sage and warm siennas. Adding the leaves is as simple as 3 brushstrokes. As usual choosing different colors is your prerogative!

Snow Bro

Snow Bro by Jared Kelley, Difficulty = 2 (out of 3)

I decided that this Snow Dude would be a cool addition to anyone's home holiday decor. We'll use a plate to outline the round head of our snowman after we've based the canvas with black. It'll be simple, you'll see. So bring your eggnog and get to painting! (And tell Carol that you want to hear more Christmas music!!!)

Wine and Grapes

Wine & Grapes, Difficulty: 1 (out of 3)
Here's a simple and easy painting that will look entertaining in your kitchen, dining room, or bar. The colors are few and the details are simple. This allows for personal expressions to surface by adding all sorts of extras like label designs or new colors. Have fun!

Posies on Black

Posies on Black: Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)
This painting starts off with a black base coat, my favorite. This instantly allows you to create a dynamic piece with a lot of contrast. Choose your own colors for the posies or follow me as I recreate this image in class. Bring a friend!

Blue Tulips

Blue Tulips on Yellow: Difficulty = 3 (out of 3)

This painting is simple to follow as long as you don't let the perfectionist in you come out to paint. Every brushstroke is "sloppy" and should not take much thought. Once you mix the color just throw it on the canvas and let the paint do it's thing. The several small elements of the flowers and leaves raise this painting to a 3 due to time.

Tequila Sunrise

Tequila Sunrise by Jimmy Longacre, Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)

Jimmy Longacre is one of my favorite daily painters. I am always amazed at his bold use of colors. This painting will surely be a fun summertime focal point in your home. Come and have fun and bring a friend while you're at it.

Scarecrow #1

Scarecrow, Difficulty = 2 (out of 3)

Here's a perfect painting for your Halloween season. With a warm color palette and subdued imagery you might even want to leave this one up for Thanksgiving!

Auburn / Alabama Paintings Are Here!!!!!

Aubie and the Elephant, Difficulty: 2.5 (out of 3)

It's that time of year again...ahh yes - football season! If you wanta show your team pride come out to these fun paintings and bring a friend. The colors can be tweaked and the patterns added are at your discretion so toast to a great painting and a winning year!

3 Drinks on Pink

3 Drinks on Pink ~ Difficulty = 1.5 (out of 3)

This piece is a fun contemporary painting. The colors limited and the brushstrokes are messy, so it's not too complicated. Change the colors to match your favorite beverage.

Lynne Neuman Paintings

Beach Umbrella - A great piece to experiment with patterns. I would rank this painting a 2 only because of the time it takes to outline everything. It's not difficult, just time consuming...but FUN.

Trolley Car - This fancy thing is another patterned-filled painting. You should expect this piece to run the full 2 hr. 30min. Once again, the final outlining process is what makes this Neuman painting between a 2-3 in difficulty. Difficulty: 2.5

Sailboat - If you have a lake house or beachfront property, then this is a perfect piece for you. The colors are bold and energetic. Difficulty: 2

Pink Martini - Here is a variation on our first Neuman martini painting (seen below). The warm color scheme compliments all our Neuman paintings offered. There's plenty of pattern opportunities here so the hardest part of this painting will be when to tell yourself to stop. Expect this class to run the full 2.5 hrs. Difficulty: 2

Blue Martini - This is Corks & Canvas' premiere painting. When we first offered this painting back in October of '07 we had an amazing turnout and continue to. The patterns are simple to master and allow each painter artistis freedom. Try changing up the colors to incorporate you favorites! Difficulty: 2

Old Yeller - When we offered the Neuman yellow cat painting ( see below), we were immediately asked to offer a Neuman dog painting. This distinguished fella is much simpler than you'd expect. Change the colors on this dog to match colors in your own furry friend at home. Difficulty: 2.5

Yellow Cat - Who can say "no" to a face like that? This painting requires a little bit of drawing to get the right proportions of the cat's face but after that it's artistic freedom with the crazy patterns in the background. Have fun using your favorite colors! Difficulty: 2.5

Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria - Another terrific summer painting to add to your collection. This painting is one of the simplest Neuman creations because of the limited patterns. However, you may add as much pattern as you'd like to spruce up this maritime piece. Difficulty: 1.5