Courtesy of George Nick. All paintings are in oil, at least 16"x20" and all are painted from observation. Do not select objects that are shiny, have reflections or decorated surfaces.
1. Using only black paints, white paints, and shades of gray, create a painting of any subject or subjects that you choose. Be sure the light is constant while painting. Use your best drawing and composition.
2. With only red, green and white, paint a still-life with only 6 tone-colors. Use the light to help create a sense of form. Try to evaluate the tonal range of what you are looking at (the light and dark). Approximate the tones as accurately as you can. The simplification that ensues is awkward, but still try to reconstruct the three-dimensional world convincingly. Use color arbitrarily, but tones accurately. Make sure in these first three problems not to over-mix the colors so they lose their identity. All mixtures must retain the red or green feeling. Since you are using arbitrary colors, they will appear to be wrong. Try to make colors you like a lot. That will make the painting beautiful.
3. From now on, all paintings will be painted with the knife. Follow the above procedures using cobalt blue, orange and white. Paint cloth, taking care that it is one color and not decorated. Paint it on a square canvas.
4. Follow the same procedure (FTSP) with purple, yellow and white. Paint an interior in an oval.
5. (FTSP) but use all of your colors and black to paint a landscape on a horizontal rectangle with proportions of 1 to 4. Minimum size 8"x32." Use only six tone-colors.
6. (FTSP) and paint a still life with large forms on and oval with proportions of 1 to 2.
7. (FTSP) and paint plain material or drapes with a controlled light source to help you compose by moving the light. The goal is to make a personal statement of the abstract design. Do not use other objects.
8. (FTSP) and paint an interior scene, 20"x24," divided into 5 sections. Separate but whole.
9. (FTSP) make a painting in very light tones (very close to white) while still performing an accurate tone study and compressing it into a very high value range. Use very good color, but do not show pure white. Any subject, size or shape.
10. Do the opposite of number 9 using black and dark colors.
11. Paint a self-portrait, larger than life (at least 22"x24") painting only the head and neck. It should be a compositional invention, any or all colors, and accurate tonal register. To achieve an inventive composition, moving lights around may be helpful. Bring to the next class 6 samples of ANY colors. Samples should be 2" square, in oil, all on one sheet, and dry.
12. With these colors taken from your neighbor, paint an interior that includes 3 walls, floor and ceiling, as well as objects in the room. Size: 20"x24."
13. Make a painting of objects that are shiny and have reflections as well as decorated surfaces. Use as many colors and tones as are useful. No white is to be seen. Keep in mind as many of the previous color issues as are helpful. Make sure light controls the reading of forms in space. Do not be misled by the decorative surfaces.
