Oil Painting: Foreshortening, Perspective and Proportion with Helen Van Wyk

[@virginiaburgerlago]

I have studied with Helen. Attended a workshop in Rockport MS. She was really an inspiration and a mentor to my painting journey ❤

[@HelenVanWyk]

So great to hear you were able to attend one of her workshops. I believe they lasted a week. Workshops often involved various activities and critiques. If you remember any details about the sessions or how the sessions were structured or any specific exercises you found memorable, I’m sure many others would be interested in hearing about it. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[@virginiaburgerlago]

Yes it was a week long. She had all attendees bring a painting. They were all displayed at the front of the room. She would then critique each one and repaint them as she covered fundamentals and “why”s 😊 On the last day she had a still life setup and painted it from start to finish. I have all the notes and jokes she said because in 1992 we had no phones. I purchased her carrots for her book “7 colors” . I treasure it so much. I have all her magazines and books. She would also critique and make Notes on photos I sent to her. Thank you for this channel. I have most of her videos also 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@HelenVanWyk]

Thanks very much for this. I pinned your comments to the top of this video for others to easily find. I think viewers will enjoy reading your post and hearing about your workshop experience with Helen. It’s really nice to hear from someone who attended her workshops firsthand. Thanks again for sharing, and for your support of the channel.

[@LauranneJ679]

Helen certainly was a cut above all the other TV artists of the time. If we could have had her with us longer, she would have taken the Internet by storm.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Agree. And the information she left us in her lessons will carry on her story. She loved to paint and teach.

[@deaconseptember2002]

I very much appreciate her tutorials and whoever has made them available to the rest of us. She is a superb teacher and, as someone who gails from the NY Metro area, listening to her accent makes me feel like I'm back at the home of my youth. Thanks.

[@cathyserafinowicz6374]

I love Helen,she was amazing.❤️❤️❤️

[@HelenVanWyk]

Yes, a wonderful artist and teacher for sure. From these lessons, it's easy to see that Helen loved to teach, and was very skilled at it. Thanks for posting.

[@WhiteCrownWizard]

i love Helen! God bless her and everyone who allows us to learn from and hear from her, even tho she's not here with us. Never needed any other art teacher! Have been practicing her process for 35 yrs and always receive the highest compliments. I already have most all her books, and some of her videos! But, inspiration is everywhere - especially with old friends!

[@HelenVanWyk]

Thank you for your kind post. It’s heartwarming to hear how much Helen's teachings have meant to you over the years. Her legacy continues to inspire many, and it's wonderful to know her process has brought you success and joy. I’m sure Helen would be deeply touched and thrilled to see the lasting impact her work has had

[@marypartridge5154]

I just adore Helen I think she is just a wonderful person

[@HelenVanWyk]

I think most will agree. Thanks for posting, it is appreciated.

[@polarbearsrus6980]

Thanks for sharing, love her!!!

[@HelenVanWyk]

You welcome and glad you are enjoying Helen's lessons. Thanks for the support of the channel. It's appreciated.

[@scottkendall5655]

😆"What color is off white? White with off in it." I always remember loving Helens wit.

[@dubermen]

she does have a way with words

[@HelenVanWyk]

This is a classic example of her wit. 'White with off in it' could serve as a playful analogy to explain off white, making it easier to understand and remember. While her exact intent might not be known, it's a cool way to think about this color.

[@HelenVanWyk]

If anyone wants to review, the off-white comments are at 07:25

[@lizzieatherfold2293]

I’m very happy to see a lesson on for shortening

[@HelenVanWyk]

Yes, there were multiple requests for this lesson. It's turning out to be a really popular lesson which is nice. Thanks for the support. It's appreciated.

[@vanniekerkjohannes5568]

Brilliant teacher she was and always be amazing! 👌💕

[@HelenVanWyk]

Yes, Helen was a fantastic artist and teacher. Thanks for posting and supporting the channel. It's appreciated.

[@lisaharrison1031]

All of Helens lessons are so informative. She was a fabulous teacher. I always learn so much from her.

[@HelenVanWyk]

It's great to hear you're learing from these lessons. Helen was a top-notch teacher and it's easy to see she really enjoyed teaching.

[@veral8979]

😢 😮.Continua a ensinar muito.❤

[@mjrewerts]

Excellent lesson! I loved it when she talked about making sure the colors liked each other 👍🏼

[@HelenVanWyk]

Yes, she does that in many lessons. Usually talks about the colors meet/like each other on the palette so they will do the same on the canvas. Thanks for posting and supporting the channel.

[@blessOTMA]

I'm so grateful this trove of Helen gems is being uploaded! Thank you!

[@HelenVanWyk]

Great to hear you're getting value out of Helen's lessons. Thanks for sharing.

[@deb533]

I've never seen this episode, she was a pleasure to watch

[@HelenVanWyk]

Stay tuned, there are more lessons to come. Thanks for the comment. Enjoy.

[@marthacanady9441]

Absolutely masterful teacher and artist.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Great to hear you enjoy Helen's lessons. More to come.

[@l.baughman1445]

This lessen is so helpful! Helen spirit is probably very happy these are being shared! “What’s off-white?…..” tee hee hee! 😂

[@HelenVanWyk]

Exactly. Most would agree. Thanks for supporting the channel.

[@SpookyGroovyPolitoCatMum]

I'm sure I probably saw most of Helen's programs as a teenager longing for a real art class in schools that didn't know anything about art. I've sort of become an art teacher because a friend who knew that I'm an artist asked me to help with an after-school program through my church. In the past two years I've discovered a lot of useful tutorials and really refreshed and increased my skills as an artist just in finding new ways to teach. Helen's techniques are so refreshing and so engaging and very doable. That makes me wrong to require the equipment necessary to follow along.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and journey to becoming a teacher, it's very inspiring. I hope you can integrate concepts from Helen's lessons into your classroom. I'm not sure what specific equipment you’re referring to, most of Helen's lessons can be adapted to use everyday materials.

[@Maria-2405]

Thank you again for the time you spent adding precious advises and remindings while editing the videos. They help a lot to make steady rules in mind

[@HelenVanWyk]

You're welcome. The goal is to make learning as effective and enjoyable as possible. Thanks for your support.

[@melianna999]

I pick the same colors like my teacher Helen.😄😄😄 I spend so much time with her books and I painted so many paintings from her book. I learn to paint from the scratch. I started in 2009 and I am still painting. Thank you for all uploads.

[@charlessmith8968]

I have learned so much from watching Helen. What a legacy! She makes it look so easy but following her, I realize how gifted she really was. Love her warmth and wit.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Nice to hear that Helen's books have had such a lasting impact on your art. It’s clear that you’ve put in a lot of dedication since you began so many years ago. Thank you for sharing your experience, and I'm glad you’re finding the uploads helpful.

[@MrHeli4444]

Helen was a treasure and still is.

[@HelenVanWyk]

So true and thanks for posting, it's very much appreciated.

[@Maria-2405]

Thank you, I was waiting for this lesson on foreshortening. Now I'll watch the video

[@HelenVanWyk]

Yes, there were a few requests for it. Hope it was helpful for you.

[@brendajeannewyche]

Awesome lesson, Helen. And very nice painting. I chose green for the wall & orange for the tabletop, as well. I was proud of myself for getting the same colors you chose. I think I’m beginning to understand color a bit more. Thank you so much.❤️😊

[@HelenVanWyk]

Sadly, Helen passed away in 1994, but I'm sure your kind words would have touched her heart. It's wonderful to hear that you're starting to understand color more deeply and that you chose the same colors as Helen for your painting. Your progress and enthusiasm are truly inspiring. Keep up the great work, and thank you for posting and sharing your experience. It is appreciated. If you view some of the other lessons, you should find them equally enjoyable. Helen was a talented artist and teacher.

[@brendajeannewyche]

@@HelenVanWyk Oh. I’m so sorry to learn of Helen’s passing. She left a beautiful legacy and blessed us with a brilliance that will live on. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.❤️

[@HelenVanWyk]

👍🎨👌🎨

[@shaavivi1968]

Excellent!

[@HelenVanWyk]

Many thanks!

[@veral8979]

Grata Helen,aprendo bastante contigo,aula sensacional sobre escorço ❤😊

[@HelenVanWyk]

Obrigada. Helen foi uma professora incrível, e é maravilhoso ouvir que as aulas dela estão ajudando você. Fique ligado para mais. Thank you. Helen was an incredible teacher, and it's wonderful to hear that her lessons are helping you. Stay tuned for more.

[@DivaJan]

Wonderful lesson, as usual. Helen never disappoints. The A-B-C quizz was interesting, although my answer was wrong 😢.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Thanks for posting and the hope is viewers will like the variety of that mid-lesson quizz. Your support is appreciated.

[@craft-o-matic399]

@@HelenVanWyk I got it right this time! For a change... Thank you for this! Helen is just what I needed. "Hallelujah", as Helen would say! Lisa

[@dubermen]

i got it wrong so I guess i need more lessons

[@melianna999]

I am so happy . My answer were right.😄

[@Mark-wx7vp]

Again 😁 Thankyou so much ! 😁

[@HelenVanWyk]

Great to hear you like Helen's lessons. Thanks for posting.

[@Mark-wx7vp]

@@HelenVanWyk You're welcome 😁

[@gpcttech]

❤

[@itsshepherd5618]

💡

[@colinmaceke7474]

If you have problems with perspective, try shutting one eye. You need both to perceive depth , one eye now has no depth. Draw what you see not what you think it is.

[@HelenVanWyk]

Interesting. This seems like a clever and practical solution to the problem. I can see how this tip would be helpful to many artists and students. Thanks for sharing it.

[@marypartridge5154]

Is Helen still alive??? If not who posts all of these??? As its so great to see this great lady.

[@dubermen]

no she died 30 or 40 years ago

[@RJD1308]

No, she passed many years ago. Every time I heard her swish the brush in solvent it made me think that is the likely cause of her too early death :(

[@HelenVanWyk]

Sadly, Helen passed away in 1994 after a battle with cancer. Despite her illness she continued to produce lessons, selflessly imparting her knowledge for posterity. She was an accomplished artist and teacher, loved by her students and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

[@melianna999]

Helen died in 1994 age 64.

[@sharonbapp9613]

He Len was diagnosed with cancer the same year she started thesePBS videos. So sh e was battling cancer every time you saw her. Despite this ai never saw a person so upbeat, enthusiastic and true to her art and teaching. Thank God she was not deprived of her ability to move, or communicate. Gods blessing to us. I loved her technique. To see that brush hover over the canvas for a few moments and then swoop down to make such controlled beautiful marks. Suddenly what was vague or flat came to life right in front of your eyes! Astounding. I will forever treasure her.

[@deaconseptember2002]

I would gather that the essrntial measurements to reflect the foreshortening are the RELATIVE lengths of the sides of the objects and their perceived angles????

[@HelenVanWyk]

Unfortunately, Helen is no longer with us to answer questions. She passed away many years ago. If the answer is not in this lesson maybe another viewer can help. Thanks for posting.

[@t0raneko]

How about some episodes after series 3?

[@HelenVanWyk]

Will do but it takes time. Thanks for posting.