In this chapter, I invite you to join me on a creative journey alongside the remarkable New Zealand artist Vjekoslav Nemesh. This lesson is a gateway to an exciting world of artistic expression, where you'll learn to let your spirit soar across the canvas. Together, we'll delve into the secrets of Nemesh's unique techniques, honed over 35 years of dedicated painting. As we progress through each stage, you'll discover how to listen to your inner muse and follow its subtle guidance. We'll start by squeezing some Viridian Green onto our palettes, ready to mix with Primary Yellow for a vibrant, luminous effect. By using a palette knife to apply a thin layer of paint, you'll master the 'scrape on' technique, which primes the canvas beautifully without leaving any brush marks. As we spread the green paint across the canvas, a crisscross motion will help blend the colors seamlessly. This lesson is designed to unlock the door to your innate creativity, making it an enjoyable and enriching experience. Let's paint together and see where our creativity takes us!
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Use the tip of your shaper to draw a koru shape, similar to a number nine. This allows for easy corrections by simply brushing off any mistakes.
Apply Titanium White
Switch to a smaller brush and apply titanium white in the middle of the koru, extending it all the way around the shape.
Add Yellow
Clean your brush, then dip it in a little yellow. Start from the middle and blend it into the white, using a slightly larger brush if needed. Spread the yellow as far as possible without turning it green.
Blend with Green
Add a touch of green to your brush and gently rub it into the canvas, going all the way around the koru. Use the green to balance areas with more yellow.
Enhance with White
Go back with a little white and spread it around evenly using your shaper, creating smooth circles from the middle.
Add Swirls and Depth
Use a little green around the koru swirls, allowing them to overlap. This will help the koru stand out against the background.
Darken with Magenta
Mix a little magenta with green to create a darker shade. Gently brush this mix in the middle part to add depth.
Pro tipUse the tip of your shaper to easily correct any mistakes by brushing them off.
Embark on your painting journey by laying a vibrant foundation with a mix of Viridian Green and Primary Yellow. Use a palette knife to achieve a smooth, brush-mark-free base, and blend with a crisscross motion to ensure even coverage. As you progress, experiment with catalyst wedges to add texture and depth, pushing layers to create a dynamic background.
Enhance your painting's depth by layering with linseed oil and introducing semi-abstract elements. Use shapers to manipulate textures and forms, and apply realistic leaf layers to add contrast and dimension. When painting the koru, use a combination of white, yellow, and green to create a balanced and harmonious focal point.
Conclude your painting with a dirty brush exercise to explore color transitions and texture manipulation. Draw inspiration from natural patterns and light sources to enrich your artwork. Remember to photograph your process to capture and reflect on successful elements, and don't shy away from using your fingers for unique effects.
Points to remember
Use a palette knife for a thin, even layer without brush marks.
Brush in opposite directions to the lines to create texture and depth.
Use linseed oil to smoothly apply layers and create depth.
Extend leaves all the way down to avoid them appearing as if they are floating.
Use the tip of your shaper to easily correct any mistakes by brushing them off.
Use white as a bridge between colors to create smooth transitions.
Photograph your painting process to catch successful elements you might miss during painting.
Avoid over-brushing to maintain lively and dynamic details.
