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Painting class on norwegian breakaway

2/18/2018

 
 I recently participated in a painting class on Norwegian Breakaway. Entitled Canvas By U, these classes are part of the entertainment programming throughout the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.


These painting classes are a popular activity. Guests must sign up beforehand for a class. This is done via a list in the ship's library. The daily program announces the time when the list will open. On the voyage that I was on, the sign-ups began as soon as the staff member in charge of the library arrived in the morning. Within a few minutes, all of the places are usually filled despite the $35 per class fee..


There are only a dozen or so places for each class. I was told that to have more places would dilute the experience as the instructor would not be able to give enough time to each participant.


The number of classes held on each cruise varies. Typically, the classes are held on days when the ship is at sea. Therefore, as a general rule, the more sea days on a given cruise, the greater the number of classes. However, the art classes have to compete with other activities for space and staff so it is not automatic that there will be a class on every sea day.


Rather than having professional artists teach the classes, Breakaway uses members of the ship's activities staff who have received training in how to present these classes. While their knowledge of art technique may be limited, they are experienced in working with people and in making activities enjoyable. An effort is made to assign the classes to members of the activities staff who have an interest in art but the instructor for any given class could be any member of the activities staff.


The class I attended was held in the Headliners comedy club. Two rows of tables with easels and blank canvases were arranged around the small stage. On the stage was a table with a similar set-up. In addition, there was an easel with a completed painting.


Each participant's objective in this class was to make his or her own version of the painting displayed on the stage. The instructor emphasized that while everyone would be painting the same subject, each participant's end-product was to be his or her own painting. Therefore, everyone was encouraged to use their creativity and make whatever variations they wanted.


The painting that served as the model in my class was a picture of a tropical island at sunset. It had a colorful red sky, ocean, sand and a grove of palm trees. Different paintings are used as the model for different classes. Thus, a guest could participate in several classes without repeating the same painting.


The instructor took the class through the process of painting this picture step-by step. Beginning with the island, she pointed out what color(s) to use, how to mix the paint with water, and which brush to use. She then moved on to painting the sky, the sea, and finally the palm trees.


To make these paintings, each participant was equipped with a tray with dollops of a half dozen (tempera) colors, two brushes and a 12 by 16 inch canvas board. In addition, each had a disposable apron and gloves.


As the participants painted, the instructor moved about making suggestions and encouraging remarks. There was little conversation between the participants as each was very intent on his or her own painting.


From what I could gather, most of the people participating in the class had little or no experience with painting. However, all were interested in painting and were keen to experience what it is like to create a painting. Some displayed a natural talent for painting. All seemed to display a sense of accomplishment as the class drew to a close.


Canvas by U art class on Norwegian Breakaway
Above: The painting class was held in the Headliners comedy club.
Right: My painting from the class.
Below: A video of some of the other artwork I did during my sojourn to the Caribbean.

Painting done at Norwegian Breakaway art class

Art classes on queen mary 2

9/16/2017

 
During a recent voyage on Queen Mary 2, I participated in two art programs that were part of the ship's onboard programming. Although the programs were very different, I found both rewarding.

On Queen Mary 2, as on a number of cruise ships, watercolor classes are a standard feature of the programming.

The classes are held twice a day when the ship is at sea. Most of the guests participating in the classes on this voyage came each day to the morning class or each day to the afternoon class. However, you could attend a morning class one day and an afternoon class the next day. There was also no requirement that you come every day. Whether to come, when to come and how long to stay was entirely up to each guest.

Limited to 25 guests, participation is determined on a first come, first served basis. On this voyage, the guests were a broad cross section of the passenger list. They came from several nationalities, were of different ages and included both men and women.

There was a $35 one-time fee to cover the cost of supplies. In exchange for this fee, each guest received a set of Winsor & Newton watercolor paints, three Winsor & Newton brushes, a pad of Winsor & Newton watercolor paper, a Conte a Paris drawing pencil, a sharpener and an eraser. Nice quality materials.

The instructor on this voyage was Susan Klibanoff. Ms. Klibanoff is not a permanent member of the ship's company. Rather, she is an artist with a background in a number of art forms including Chinese and Japanese painting, textiles and jewelry making. Once or twice a year, she teaches classes on cruise ships.

Her approach was easy-going and informal. Once the participating guests assembled, she would give a demonstration explaining how she painted a particular subject such as a sunset, birds or sunflowers. The guests would then return to their tables and create their own versions of the subject Ms. Klibanoff had painted.

After the guests had worked for awhile, Ms. Klibanoff would come around to each guest offering comments, suggestions and encouragement.

The classes were geared toward amateur artists. Some of the participants were novices but others had substantial experience with painting or other art forms. There was some conversation as the participants worked. However, most seemed absorbed in their work. Several participants said that they found the process relaxing.

I have done quite a few paintings over the years. Nonetheless, I found the classes worthwhile. The style I normally use is different than the style that was taught in the classes and it was good to explore a different way of doing things. Also, just having a set time each day dedicated to making art was enjoyable.

On the final day of the voyage, there was no afternoon class. Instead, there was an exhibition of the guests' work. A guest could submit as many works as he or she wanted but there was no requirement that a guest submit any work. The exhibit was announced in the daily program and all guests were invited to attend,

I also participated in a workshop on fashion illustration taught by fashion historian and artist Colin McDowell, MBE. This workshop is not a feature on every QM2 crossing. Rather, it was a special program, part of the second annual Transatlantic Fashion Week.

Having attended Mr. McDowell's workshop during the first Transatlantic Fashion Week in 2016, I was looking forward to attending the 2017 workshop. Mr. McDowell is a person of great intelligence and wit and I found his insights valuable not just with regard to fashion illustration but as to drawing and art in general.

There were to be two workshops during this transatlantic crossing, limited to 20 participants each. On the first evening of the voyage, I went to the Purser's Desk to sign up and was startled to find that the first workshop was already closed. Word about the value of these workshops had clearly gotten out.

The participants who I spoke with were quite serious about their art. Several had exhibited works ashore. However, there were also people who were just interested in the topic and looking for a rewarding experience.

Mr. McDowell went through a series of slides of works by some of the great fashion illustrators of the past, commenting on their works.

Using markers and paper supplied by Cunard, the participants did drawings from two live models. Mr. McDowell pointed out the shadows and points to emphasize in each model's pose. He also went around the room commenting and giving encouragement to each student.

The final task was to take an illustration done by Mr. McDowell and make it into your own. Thus, the object was not to copy his drawing but to change and personalize it so that it was a new work.

As with the 2016 workshop, I found this class both energizing and inspiring.


Art class on Queen Mary 2
​Above: Materials for the watercolor class on Queen Mary 2.
Art by Rich Wagner
​Above and below: Watercolors done during the watercolor class.
Art by Rich Wagner
Art by Rich Wagner
Colin McDowell, MBE, on Queen Mary 2
​Above: Colin McDowell conducting a workshop on fashion illustration aboard Queen Mary 2.
Art by Rich Wagner
​Above and below: Drawings done during the fashion illustration workshop on Queen Mary 2.
Art by Rich Wagner
Art by Rich Wagner

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    Rich Wagner is a writer, photographer and artist.

    This blog presents reviews of art exhibitions and art collections as well as articles on art and art technique.

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  • Great Artists
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