Light is beginning to come back after a long dark winter, and with the light comes new inspiration that flow into the studio where I work, and encourage me to try something new.

I have some wonderful thick aquarelle paper, sounders waterford and I wanted to paint on the paper with oil. To prepare the paper I first coated the paper with gesso and water, I used two coats and let the paper dry between coats. Then I started to paint directly with thin oil colors. The structur of the paper is so nice and I wanted it to shine through, so in this painting I did not continue with thicker oil paint, just continued with thin layers of oil paint.

The paper made it very easy to paint with a smooth brush in a abstract way, I wanted it to be contrast in the painting so you can feel the dark earth in contrast to the light cloudy sky.

After the paintings was finished I used a super good varnish, Gamvar gloss, I will deffenitly use this varnish again. An amazing glossy result. See short clip below.

I painted two paintings that can belong together, a diptyk. During the process I had a picture in my mind of a special place in the desert and of a prayer...

"Our Father who art in heaven..

Hallowed be Thy name,

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done...

On earth as it is in heaven

...." etc. (Matthew. 6:9-13)

The light smooth orange & pink in the paintings soften and brighten up the room, and the paintings is easy placed anywhere in a home. In a frame with passepartout or without.

These colors brings a expectation of the season of joy!

Do you want to paint, but do not know how?

Do you have the skills to paint but have difficult with inspiration or time?

Do you prefer to paint by yourself and just get feedbacks of your artworks?

Do you have a stressful life?

If you answer yes, on one or more question above, then you need

To paint has a positive effect on everyone, especially for people that have stressful lives. To paint is a way to relax from other things in life and brakes the destruction circle of stressful thoughts. To paint has the same effect like meditation, but in meditation is more about to empty yourself within, but to paint is a way to rest inside through your own imagination, while you fill yourself with new energy.

The art teacher Nina Björk, work as an proffersional artist, and has experience as an art teacher and have also taught in health and training. She has also experience as an air hostess and knows what it means to handle stress.

Nina is also the founder and chairman of 12 Bridges an art association who together with the local artists arrange a collective exhibition once a year.

Regardless if you want to paint realistic art or abstract art it is good to learn the basics. There is art courses for both beginners and advanced. The courses are available both online and in the city of Stockholm area.

ART 1

Beginners course suits you that want to learn the basics about painting. The course is available both for 5 hours of 10 hours. In the 10 hours course, there will be more time to paint and also to make charcoal sketches that are very useful before starting to make a painting.

ART 2

Is an conntinuing art course for you that have gone to art 1 and want to lern more. In course 2 you will lern how to make a portrait.

E-ART

Is a course for you that need inspiration and lern different technique and paint from your own inner creativity. It is also for you that need to slow down and start something new to be able to stress down.

Read more about N I N A S A R T C O U R S E S

Paint and reach your inner creativity

Book a Couse Today!

Ninas art course

When I painted the portrait my focus was to make it softer and put the light on the hands. I also wanted the color more soft warm golden then the picture, still, I can see the likeness of the child on the photo even if it was not my main focus. I call the painting "Silent prayer". Oil, 65x45 cm.

When I made the painting I used black gesso for the background before starting the portrait. Gesso dries faster than oil and is a good alternative to acrylic or tempera. I love painting on freehand not making up lines or other techniques, it is more of a challenge, and so much fun! I sketch the face and body with yellow ochre (Michal Harding) and a small brush. Then I start to paint with Isabey brush. I use these brushes in different sizes, one off my favorite brushes! You can find them and Michal Harding oil color at Färg, Elektravägen 18, Hägersten, Sweden, farg.nu

If you are interested in a course how to paint a portrait, you can order the course here: ninabjorkart

I used a warmer tone in the painting because I wanted the painting to be warmer in the colors than the photo. The hands were important to me, I love the way the child try to put her little fingers together, you can see in the photo she has a problem to put them together correctly. But there is no right or wrong when it comes to prayers, the only thing that is important is the heart, and the heart of a little child is always right. I wanted to capture that moment and the black huge emptiness around her, still safe, warm and aware of her true safety. May we never forget our childhood faith.

If you are interested in a portrait on commission, send a photo to me, more info and price contact me at; [email protected]

Or if you are interested in the painting above, contact me a here or at the same e-mail.