Atelier Nelson

News and Events for Atelier Nelson

Calvin Liang Biography

Atelier Nelson / By

Calvin Liang – Biography

Calvin Liang was born in Canton China, and first began painting in high school. He completed his art education at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, recognized as one of China’s most prestigious and competitive art academies. In China, his as fine artist were applied to the theatrical industry, where he designed and created sets for operas and musical dramas for the Canton Opera Institute.

Liang moved to the United States in 1987 and continued his profession as a full-time artist. He had a long and successful career creating visual art for the entertainment industry in animation, which included Walt Disney Studio and Nickelodeon Studio. He put in a semester in college learning the ins and outs of animation, and eventually helped bring “The Little Mermaid” and “Cinderella Stories” to life. He was later employed to Nickelodeon, working on “Angry Beavers” and “SpongeBob”. Ultimately, however, Liang became fascinated by the beautiful California landscape and transformed himself into a fine artist, painting themes of his choosing. Now his well-known sailboats crashing through the waves, to the rocky California coastline, to Spanish missions of centuries-past, Calvin Liang’s masterful oils never fail to impress and inspire. Rediscover beautiful land and seascapes through Calvin’s eyes. He was a master signature member of Oil Painters of America, a signature member of California Art Club and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. He is the recipient of numerous art awards.

See more of Calvin’s art on his website.

Liz Haywood-Sullivan Workshop 2024

Announcements, Atelier Nelson / By


Upcoming Workshop: Liz Haywood-Sullivan Returns to Santa Barbara

Spring 2024

Explore both studio and plein air pastel painting with instruction by internationally acclaimed artist, instructor, and author Liz Haywood-Sullivan. This intensive workshop starts with one day in the studio where we will cover using her Good Bones structural system to painting and discussion of portability with pastels. The next two days we move into the inspiring landscapes of the Santa Barbara coastal region. Our daily plein air studies will involve direct observation of the landscape with instruction in choosing your subject and composition from life. We will cover correct drawing, value choices, aerial perspective, sky and water valuework, and how to make underpainting work for you. Importantly, we will work on how to see more accurately and rely less on the camera. Each day will start with a demonstration and there will be plenty of individual instruction at your easels.

Stay Tuned for More Details

Calvin Liang Workshop 2023

Announcements, Atelier Nelson / By

Calvin Liang’s Santa Barbara Workshop

September 20-23, 2023

4 Days, Outdoor and Indoor, in Beautiful Santa Barbara

Calvin Liang

See more of Calvin’s artwork at https://www.calvinliangfineart.com

Fee:  $900. Only 16 seats available.

Workshop hosts:  Linda D. Nelson

Contact:  AtelierNelsonSB@gmail.com
or
Contact Form

Workshop includes:

Evening Demo on Tuesday, September 19 (a $25 value, included)
Two days en Plein Air on locations TBA.
Two days in Studio, learning Calvin’s methods and techniques; time painting from your own photos or his demo image.
One on one critiques at your easel.
Maps, lists of recommended eateries in the area, local features and artist’s resources.
Friday evening BBQ at Chez Nelson.

Studio venue:  St. Michael’s University Church, 6586 Picasso Rd., Isla Vista, CA.
Atelier Nelson LLC               Atelier Nelson

Workshop Description and Details

Calvin Liang will be teaching a 4-day workshop with two days of outdoor painting. Two days will be spent working on a single studio painting based on photos you take on location. Calvin will begin with a demonstration then he will spend time with each student throughout the rest of the day. It is recommended to bring a laptop or tablet for the studio days. Alternatively, you may have color prints of your reference photos printed locally.

Plein air painting is a foundational part of training the eye to better understand the concepts of composition, design, and color harmony. The lessons will include:

  1. How to plan a composition that will be effective for the artist’s intentions and preferences.
  2. How to better see and use warm and cool color in the landscape.
  3. How to command hardness and softness of the edges to create space in a painting.
  4. How to simplify the subject matter through the use of basic design, value, color and drawing skills.
  5. How to consider the reasons for different paint surface textures, and brushstroke direction over the forms; and
  6. How to get the best possible results in a short time.

Elementor #739

Atelier Nelson / By

Calvin Liang Workshop Postponed

This spring’s COVID-19 resurgence prompted us to postpone this fall’s workshop until 2023.

We are still committed to offering this workshop, stay tuned for details, and contact us if you have questions.

Thank you for your interest in this workshop.

PLEIN AIR EXPLORATIONS

Atelier Nelson / By

Workshop Update



LIGHT IS MY MUSE, LANDSCAPE MY CHOICE, PASTEL MY PASSION

Plein Air Explorations

with Liz Haywood Sullivan, PSA-MP, IAPS/MC
Past President, IAPS
President, North River Arts Society

April 5-6, 2022   Santa Barbara, CA.  $335.

Join us for a two-day plein air workshop where we will explore the possibilities of plein air painting. To make it even more interesting we will provide two very different surfaces to paint on each day – white, sanded paper, and black paper.
Enjoy the exquisite light and fresh air of coastal California.
Come out for your first in person workshop since the pandemic struck. 

Safety is a priority. Proof of completed vaccination and booster is required. Masks to be worn indoors for everyone’s continuing safety.
Workshop spaces are limited, please contact us, quickly.

For further information and materials lists – AtelierNelsonSB@gmail.com

Upcoming Workshop: Calvin Liang

Announcements, Atelier Nelson / By

Upcoming Workshop: September in Santa Barbara with Calvin Liang

September 20-22, 2022 $745

Registration Begins February 15 at 6 PM Pacific Time

Workshop Description

 Calvin Liang will be teaching a 3 day workshop. Two days will be spent working on a single studio painting from photos with one day of plein air painting. Calvin will begin with a demonstration then he will spend time with each student throughout the rest of the day. It is recommended to bring a laptop or tablet for the studio days. Alternatively, you may bring color prints of your reference photos.

Plein air painting is a foundational part of training the eye to better understand the concepts of composition, design, and color harmony. The lessons will include:

  1. How to plan a composition that will be effective for the artist’s intentions and preferences;
  2. How to better see and use warm and cool color in landscape;
  3. How to command hardness and softness of the edges to create space in a painting;
  4. How to simplify the subject matter through the use of basic design, value, color and drawing skills;
  5. How to consider the reasons for different paint surface textures, and brushstroke direction over the forms; and
  6. How to get the best possible results in a short time.
Calvin Liang, “Moon Rise” (oil)
Calvin Liang

We require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and boosters for all workshop participants. Personal protective equipment must be worn in the studio and in the field.  All participants have to provide medical insurance information in advance in case of emergency. Further information will be provided to those who are registered.

To register for this workshop: complete the contact form and submit after 6PM (Pacific) on February 15th. We will contact you with an invoice from PayPal on or after February 16th. Spaces are filled in the order submissions are received. A wait list will be maintained after the workshop fills.

Upcoming Workshops: Liz Haywood-Sullivan

Atelier Nelson / By

Join us this upcoming spring for two workshops with Liz Haywood-Sullivan

Inside/Outside: The Best of Both!

April 7-9, 2022, $535

Workshop full – Contact us to be on the waiting list!

Explore both studio and plein air pastel painting with instruction by internationally acclaimed artist, instructor, and author Liz Haywood-Sullivan. This intensive workshop starts with one day in the studio where we will cover using her Good Bones structural system to painting and discussion of portability with pastels. The next two days we move into the inspiring landscapes of the Santa Barbara coastal region. Our daily plein air studies will involve direct observation of the landscape with instruction in choosing your subject and composition from life. We will cover correct drawing, value choices, aerial perspective, sky and water valuework, and how to make underpainting work for you. Importantly, we will work on how to see more accurately and rely less on the camera. Each day will start with a demonstration and there will be plenty of individual instruction at your easels.