Exploring the Diverse Shapes of Vegetables: Continuing Our Observational Painting Journey

At Ashcan Studio of Art, our students are continuing their exciting exploration of observational painting with a focus on the diverse shapes of vegetables. Using a combination of watercolor and colored pencils, they are practicing detailed observation and refining their skills in layering color and texture.

Inspiration from Mary Whyte

Our project draws inspiration from the renowned watercolor artist Mary Whyte. Known for her naturalistic approach, Mary Whyte embraces the spontaneity of watercolor, creating works characterized by expressive brush strokes and fluid shifts in color. Her paintings are celebrated for their beautiful sense of depth and brightness, achieved by using more pigment than water, which highlights the rough textures of her subjects with clarity.

By studying Whyte’s technique, our students learn to appreciate the balance between control and freedom in watercolor painting. This encourages them to experiment with expressive brushwork while maintaining careful observation.

Project Overview

The core of this project is to capture the unique forms of vegetables—both whole and cut—through detailed drawing. Students begin by carefully sketching the intricate shapes and textures of their vegetable subjects. Once the drawing is complete, they add layers of watercolor paint and colored pencil to bring color, depth, and vibrancy to their work.

This exercise helps students develop their observational skills and learn how to use mixed media effectively to create rich, realistic artwork.

Materials Used

  • Fresh vegetables (whole and cut)

  • Color Pencil for detailed drawing

  • Watercolor paints or watercolor pencils for adding color and texture

Learning in Progress

As students continue to practice, they are gaining confidence in their ability to see and translate subtle details and textures onto paper. The combination of pencil and watercolor encourages a dynamic approach, where fine details meet fluid, vibrant color. This ongoing project not only sharpens their technical skills but also deepens their appreciation for the natural beauty found in everyday objects.

We look forward to seeing the continued growth and creativity of our students as they develop their own unique artistic voices through this rewarding study of vegetables!

Learning from the Masters: Carolyn Brady-Inspired Watercolor Project

Exploring Hyperrealism through Strawberries at Little Ashcan

At Little Ashcan, we believe that even the simplest objects can spark deep creativity—and this week, our students are proving just that! Inspired by the incredible work of hyperrealist watercolor artist Carolyn Brady, our young artists are diving into a project that brings everyday beauty into sharp focus.

Carolyn Brady was known for transforming ordinary table settings, fruits, flowers, and silverware into luminous, highly detailed watercolor paintings. Her artwork stands out for its rich colors, sharp contrasts, and delicate attention to detail. Although her subjects were often simple, her ability to observe and recreate them with precision made her work truly extraordinary.

Project Focus: Strawberries in Detail
In this project, our students are exploring the unique shapes and textures of strawberries—both whole and sliced. Each student begins with a detailed observational drawing using pencil, taking their time to notice the curves, seeds, and shadows that make each strawberry unique.

Once their sketches are complete, they begin adding color using watercolor paint or watercolor pencils. This stage encourages them to experiment with layering, blending, and adjusting tones, echoing Brady’s approach to building vibrancy and dimension in her work.

What Students Are Learning:

  • Observational drawing skills

  • Hyperrealistic rendering techniques

  • Color layering and watercolor control

  • Patience and attention to detail

This project not only helps develop technical skill, but it also invites our students to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate the artistry in everyday life—just like Carolyn Brady did.

Stay tuned for highlights from this beautiful project, and be sure to check out our Fall 2025 classes for more inspiring experiences like this one!

Study of Weather Conditions: Acrylic On Canvas

Observing the Sky: Little Ashcan Students Explore the Study of Weather Conditions through Acrylic Painting Inspired by J. M. W. Turner

In this exciting project, our Little Ashcan students are learning how to turn the skies into art—drawing inspiration from legendary landscape painter J. M. W. Turner, whose work captured the emotional power of nature through light, movement, and weather.

Turner was known for painting dramatic skies, glowing sunsets, and stormy seas. His ability to use color and texture to express atmosphere makes him the perfect artist to study when learning how to observe and paint the natural world.

For this project, students are drawing from observation, focusing on various weather conditions—from soft clouds to heavy rain and even thunderous skies. They are encouraged to think critically about how different weather affects the colors, textures, and mood of the landscape around them.

What Students Are Learning:

  • How to observe and interpret natural light and atmosphere

  • Techniques in acrylic painting, including blending, layering, and texture

  • How to express emotion and story through weather and environment

  • A deeper appreciation for how artists like Turner captured nature

Through this project, students are not only building technical painting skills—they’re also learning to express their own perspective and emotions through the weather they see and feel. We can’t wait to share the skies they create!

Summer in Session: Plant with Root

Observing, Painting, Growing: A Look into Our Summer Gouache Class

At Little Ashcan Studio, the summer session is in full bloom—and so are our students' artworks! With longer class times and a slower pace, our young artists are diving deeper into the details, and this week, their focus has been rooted in nature—literally.

One of our dedicated students spent the week carefully observing and painting a plant with its roots exposed. This wasn’t just any ordinary still life; it was a study in structure, texture, and color using gouache, a medium known for its vibrant opacity and layering potential.

With extra time this session, students were able to truly explore gouache’s versatility—learning how to mix colors precisely, build layers, and bring out both the bold and subtle qualities of natural forms.

The painting process started with sketching from life, closely examining the plant’s leaves, stems, and the intricate root system. From there, students mixed earthy greens, browns, and soft background hues to create compositions that were both scientifically observant and artistically expressive. It was a blend of art and biology—learning how things grow while growing their own skills.

This summer, our studio is buzzing with focus and creativity. The extended class hours have allowed students to spend more time practicing, experimenting, and refining their techniques. Whether they're working on plants, portraits, or imaginative pieces, they're learning to see more carefully and express more confidently.

We can’t wait to see how their work continues to flourish throughout the season.

Stay rooted—and stay inspired!

Value: Observational Pastel Drawing

🖤🫖 Something’s steeping in the studio today! Our Little Ashcan student is exploring the art of seeing — drawing a charming teapot from observation using charcoal ✏️ on toned paper 📝.

With every smudge, highlight, and shadow 🌗, they’re learning how light dances on curved surfaces ✨, how form is built with value 🧊, and how focus turns the ordinary into something magical 🎩🎨.

With every careful line and smudge, they’re building their skills and confidence 💪🖌️ — one stroke at a time! Proud of the focus, patience, and artistic growth we see every day 💯🎯

Pattern and Unity: Mandala India (Culture)

Our little Ashcan superstar 🌟 is completely immersed in the art of Mandala 🌀 — a beautiful tradition from India 🇮🇳 that celebrates peace ☮️, balance ⚖️, and unity 🤝.

Instructor Example

There’s something truly magical ✨ about watching young minds 🧠 and tiny hands 🖐️ dive into the beauty of ancient traditions.

With a round wooden board 🪵 as their canvas, they carefully added layer upon layer 🖌️ of detail, each stroke filled with intention 💫 and wonder 🤩. It’s in these mindful moments 🧘‍♂️ that creativity blooms 🌸, culture is honored 🌍, and confidence is built 💪 — all through the power of art 🖼️❤️.

painting the impossible-Surrealism Painting

Inspired by last week’s wild ideas and dream sketches, they’ve transferred their surreal concepts onto canvas and are now diving into color, texture, and imagination! 🌈🖌️🖍️

From magical creatures 🐉 to floating cities in the sky 🌇☁️, their creativity is shining through every brushstroke. It’s amazing to see how they’re learning to turn their thoughts into art—and their imaginations into something real! ✨🧠❤️

We’re so proud to see them learning how to express their inner worlds through color, shape, and storytelling 💬🎨💖 Every brushstroke is a journey into their imagination, and we can’t wait to see how these surreal masterpieces unfold! 🧠🌟🖼️

They're learning how to let their imaginations lead the way—where fish fly, trees talk, and the sky can be any color they want 🐟🌳🌈. It's all about exploring the unexpected and expressing what can't always be said in words. 🗯️🎨❤️

Surrealism Painting is coming to life in the Ashcan studio

Our amazing little Ashcan artists are letting their imaginations run wild as they brainstorm and sketch their surrealist masterpieces 🧠💭🖼️.

Example of teacher.

With pencils in hand ✏️ and markers ready to bring bold ideas to life 🖍️, these young creatives are exploring the strange, the dreamy, and the unexpected.

With pencils ✏️ and markers 🖍️ in hand, they‘re busy brainstorming wild, imaginative ideas and sketching out their visions that bend reality and spark curiosity 🌪️🪐.Looking forward to their final painting!

Soft Pastel Technique-Dress Pattern

🧑‍🎨👩‍🎨Today, they’re working with soft pastels on toned paper, bringing to life the colorful patterns of a stunning dress.👗🌈💖

Example piece by instructor.

Every swirl of color and every little detail tells a story — and their imagination is shining through in every stroke!It’s so inspiring to see our young creatives exploring texture, color, and composition with such focus and joy 😍🎉 Their hands are full of pastels, their minds full of ideas, and their hearts full of art 💕🖌️

Capturing the colorful, beautiful patterns of a vibrant dress 👗🌈 — and they‘re doing an amazing job! 💕 From bold shapes to delicate details, each young artist is bringing their own imagination and energy to the page 🧠💡🖌️ Their hands may be messy, but their ideas are pure magic! 🌟🎉

3D Air Dry Clay Sculpture by Little Ashcan

🖌️ What began with brainstorming and bold marker sketches has now transformed into incredible 3D sculptures full of color, character, and creativity. 🧠✍️🎨

First, they mapped out their ideas on paper, exploring shapes, forms, and patterns. Then came the tin foil—bent, twisted, and molded into the foundation of their sculptures. But the real magic came with the air dry clay. Using a rainbow of colors and lots of imagination, each student brought their vision to life with thoughtful details and personal touches.

The real magic happened when they brought their creations to life using vibrant air dry clay 🎨👐. Each student carefully chose colors, crafted textures, and added unique patterns to express their ideas in 3D form. From concept to final sculpture, these young artists showed amazing focus, problem-solving, and artistic flair every step of the way.

This project wasn’t just about making something beautiful—it was about thinking like an artist: planning, building, experimenting, and expressing. We’re so proud of our young creators and the passion they poured into every piece! 💫👩‍🎨👨‍🎨

3D Sculpture Project WIP-Mexican folk art

The studio is buzzing with creativity as our Little Ashcan class dives into their latest mixed-media project!
Students are starting with bold, colorful marker sketches of animals and imaginative patterns — exploring how shapes, textures, and personalities come to life on paper.

In the Little Ashcan classroom, students are fully engaged in the hands-on process of transforming their creative ideas from 2D to 3D. After starting with colorful marker sketches of animals and imaginative patterns, the class moved on to the structural phase of the project using tin foil. This part of the lesson focuses on building the foundational forms that will later be developed into sculptural artworks.

As students wrap, twist, and mold the foil, they learn to think spatially and explore how simple materials can be used to create volume, balance, and shape. The tactile experience of working with tin foil encourages problem-solving, experimentation, and a deeper understanding of form and construction.

It’s a key step in the creative process that bridges drawing and sculpture, allowing students to see how their ideas can evolve and take physical shape. The classroom is alive with focused energy as students discover the potential of their own hands to bring art to life.

Students are diving into a vibrant and imaginative project inspired by Alebrijes: Fantastical Creatures of Mexico. These colorful, mythical creatures—often blending features of different animals—have sparked the students’ creativity as they design their own fantastical beings.

Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. These unique works of art were originatively created by Pedro Linares, these sculptures have become a staple element of Mexican Folk art. Carved from wood and painted with intricate patterns, Alebrijesoften depict hybrid creatures that combine various animal parts.

The Little Ashcan Beads Prject

🌱🎨Using canvas, beads, glue, and loads of imagination, they’re crafting stunning plant-inspired mosaic designs that reflect their unique perspectives and artistic voices.💚🌿🖌️

🌟🧑‍🎨Inspired by Val Laigo, students are going to use these n interesting materials to create this project. 🛠️🎨

Val Laigo is a mosaic artist born in Naguilian, La Union, Philippines in 1930. He graduated

Seattle University in 1954 and the University of Washington in 1964 with a masters of Fine Arts,

he worked as a fine artist for the Seattle Post- Intelligencer. He is known for his three panel mosaic

that sits on a hilltop in Dr. Jose Rizal Park in the Beacon Hill area of Seattle.

🧠💚From gluing each tiny bead to carefully arranging colors and shapes on canvas, they’re discovering how to build their plant-inspired mosaic designs piece by piece. 🌿🖌️

Stay tuned to see their amazing creations! 🖼️✨

📞 Contact Us: 718-819-0004

📧 Email: infolittleneck@ashcanart.com

🌐 Follow us for more updates!

Exploring Impressionism with Albert Huie at Little Ashcan 🎨✨

This past week at Little Ashcan, we’ve been inspired by the legendary Jamaican artist Albert Huie, a key figure in the Rastafari Art Movement.

‘The Blue Pitcher’ - Albert Huie (1920-2010) (Prev. Cider House Galleries)

Known for his bold impressionistic portraits, Huie’s use of thick brushstrokes and palette knife marks captured the essence of his subjects. This week, our Little Ashcan artists dove into his techniques, creating their own impressionistic portraits with a focus on a single facial feature—eyes, nose, or mouth. 👁️👃💋

Our Students in Action:

  • Impressionistic Portraits: Little Ashcan artists are experimenting with textured brushstrokes and vibrant colors, just like Huie! 🎨🖌️

  • Focus on Features: From lips 💋 to eyes 👁️, our students are capturing emotions through color and texture.

  • Art Materials: Using acrylic paints on canvas, students are layering colors to create dynamic, textured effects. 🌈🖼️

We’re so proud of our talented students! If you’re ready to explore your artistic side, join us at Ashcan Studio! ✨

📞 Call: 718-819-0004
✉️ Email: infolittleneck@ashcanart.com

Perusing Family Rooms & Daniel Moritz Oppenheim 🛋️ 🖼️

 

This week, Little Ashcan students explored the concept of Family Rooms.

Inspired by the artist Daniel Moritz Oppenheim, who celebrated Jewish culture through his depictions of family life and valuable objects, our students created their own interpretations. 🎨✨

This week, Little Ashcan students explored the concept of Family Rooms and how objects in our homes hold personal and cultural significance. Inspired by the artist Daniel Moritz Oppenheim, who celebrated Jewish culture through his depictions of family life and valuable objects, our students created their own interpretations. 🎨✨

About Daniel Moritz Oppenheim

Daniel Moritz Oppenheim's work, which often depicted Jewish life through objects of cultural and personal significance, inspired this project by encouraging students to illustrate meaningful items from their own family rooms, reflecting their unique cultural backgrounds and personal stories. Just as Oppenheim used objects to tell deeper narratives, our students did the same through their artistic interpretations.

The Return of the Jewish Volunteer from the Wars of Liberation to His Family Still Living According to Old Customs (1833–34)

Project Overview:

Each student illustrated six objects from their family room that hold special meaning. Whether it was a treasured family heirloom, a favorite sofa, or an old photograph, the goal was to reflect on what makes their space unique and important. 🌟

Students used watercolor and color pencils to bring their objects to life on bristol paper. The combination of watercolor's fluidity and color pencil's precision allowed the students to capture the details and vibrancy of their chosen items. 🎨🖍️

The final pieces were filled with personal stories, from heirlooms to everyday objects like chairs 🪑 and tables 🏠, each telling a different tale of family and culture. It was amazing to see how each student brought their family room to life in their own creative way! 🏡💫

Project Materials

Bristol Paper

Watercolor

Color Pencils

Schedule a Trial with Ashcan!

Contact us:
📞 718-819-0004
📧 infolittleneck@ashcanart.com

Exploring Abstract Art through the Lens of Robert Motherwell 🎨🇺🇸

At Little Ashcan, we believe in inspiring creativity by diving deep into both art history and personal expression. This week, our young artists are learning about abstract art and how American culture has influenced the art world, with a special focus on one of the key figures in Abstract Expressionism: Robert Motherwell. 🖌️✨

About Robert Motherwell 🖼️

Hollow Men’s Cave, 1986–89/ c. 1990

Acrylic and charcoal on canvas

72 × 84 inches. Private Collection, Minneapolis

Robert Motherwell was an American painter and printmaker, celebrated for his contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement. As one of the youngest members of the New York School—a group that also included the iconic artists Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko—Motherwell became known for his bold, emotive works that explored the power of color and form. 🎨💥 His influence is profound, and it’s essential for our Little Ashcan artists to understand how American artists shaped and were shaped by their environment. 🌍💫 By engaging with Motherwell's work, students not only connect with an essential part of art history but also learn to translate emotions and experiences into abstract forms.

Creating Abstract Art Inspired by Objects 📸🎨

For this project, we’re encouraging our students to look at the world around them through a new lens. Using iPads, the students will take zoomed-in photographs of various objects—ranging from natural elements like leaves 🍃, stones 🪨, and flowers 🌸, to man-made items like tools 🔧, fabric 🧵, or architecture 🏛️. These close-up shots will serve as inspiration for their abstract acrylic paintings. 🎨

But it’s not just about taking a photo! We’re asking students to really engage with their subjects. We want them to focus on patterns, textures, and any sense of movement they can observe within the object. Perhaps they’ll notice the repeating patterns in the veins of a leaf 🍂 or the swirling movement of paint on a painted surface 🎨. The goal is to make them aware of how different sections of an object or the way it interacts with light can suggest something dynamic, even if it’s not immediately obvious. Just like Motherwell did with his own work, students are encouraged to abstract these elements and use them as a springboard to create their own unique pieces of art. ✨💡

Abstract art is a powerful form of self-expression because it removes the need for literal representation. It encourages the viewer (and the artist) to focus on the feelings, emotions, and ideas behind the work, rather than the subject itself. 💫 For our students, this project is an opportunity to experiment, explore, and interpret their world in new and exciting ways. By connecting abstract painting to the cultural and artistic history of America 🇺🇸, they gain a deeper understanding of how art can reflect both personal and collective experiences. 🌟

Let your child’s creativity flourish at Little Ashcan.

If you're interested in our programs or would like to learn more about how we nurture young artists, feel free to contact us at 718-819-0004 or email us at infolittleneck@ashcanart.com. 📞📧

Exploring Ink Through the Art of Nasreen Mohamedi 🖋️✨

 

This past week, our Little Ashcan students dove into the world of modern art with a special focus on the legendary Indian artist, Nasreen Mohamedi. Known for her stunning line-based ink drawings, Mohamedi's work has become a significant part of the modern art movement in India. 🌍🎨

Mohamedi’s minimalistic approach to ink and her use of abstraction made a lasting impression on our students. Her predominantly black-and-white work, which includes both detailed landscapes and abstract pieces, served as the perfect inspiration for our latest project.

The Project: Sketching Elephants & Landscapes 🐘🌿

For this week’s project, our students got to work on sketching an elephant, a shy, majestic creature that they brought to life on hot-pressed paper using delicate lines. The challenge was to create an accompanying landscape to support the elephant’s story. 🌾🖋️

The Process: Ink Washes & Abstraction 🌑💧

Students used ink washes to add depth to their elephant illustrations, which brought the animals to life in dynamic, thoughtful ways. The varied tonal values helped convey the gentle nature of the elephant and the vastness of their surrounding landscapes. As they progressed, the students also added abstract elements to their backgrounds, mirroring Nasreen Mohamedi’s ability to balance realism with abstraction. The result was a collection of thoughtful, emotional, and creative artworks that were all their own!

Stay tuned for more creative projects at Little Ashcan!

If you’re interested in learning more or enrolling, feel free to reach out to us at

📞 718-819-0004

📧 infolittleneck@ashcanart.com

Exploring the Legacy of William Ellsworth Artis: Little Ashcan’s Clay Sculpture Project! ✨🎨

This week at Little Ashcan, our young artists are diving into the world of sculpture while drawing inspiration from the incredible William Ellsworth Artis! 🖌️👏

Who is William Ellsworth Artis?
William Ellsworth Artis was a renowned African-American sculptor born in North Carolina. 🏞️ In 1927, he moved to New York, where he studied under legendary artists like Augusta Savage and Selma Burke. 🎨 His work is celebrated for its ability to capture the depth and emotion of his subjects, often portraying them with somber and reflective expressions. 🖤

Our Project: Sculpting with Emotion
Inspired by Artis’s style, our students are creating self-portrait sculptures using air-dry clay. 🧑‍🎨👩‍🎨 Instead of smiling, they’re encouraged to embrace a relaxed, somber expression, just like Artis did in his work. This helps them explore the power of emotion and expression in art. 🎭

Once the sculptures are complete, they’ll be painted with earth-toned acrylic paints, adding a timeless and natural feel to their creations. 🌍🎨

Stay tuned to see their amazing creations! 🖼️✨

📞 Contact Us: 718-819-0004
📧 Email: infolittleneck@ashcanart.com
🌐 Follow us for more updates!

Little Ashcan Explores Contrast: Bamboo Baskets & South African Art

 

Last week, our Little Ashcan students embarked on an exciting project exploring contrast through the lens of South African culture! 🌍✨ Inspired by the intricate craftsmanship of bamboo baskets and the expressive charcoal work of William Kentridge, students practiced their observational drawing skills using a striking black-and-white technique.

Who is William Kentridge?

William Kentridge, a renowned South African artist, is known for his powerful charcoal drawings, animated films, and prints, often addressing themes of colonialism, history, and memory. His immersive works are defined by beautiful line quality, deep shadows, and bold contrasts, making him the perfect inspiration for this project.

William Kentridge | An Embarkation (1988)

The Project: Drawing Bamboo Baskets with Contrast

Using black toned paper and white compressed charcoal, students illustrated sets of bamboo baskets, focusing on:
✅ Direct observational drawing – carefully studying shapes, patterns, and textures
✅ Light and shadow – using the white charcoal for highlights and letting the black paper form natural shadows
✅ Contrast – creating depth and dimension through tonal variation

Stay tuned for more creative adventures from Little Ashcan! 🎨✨

📍 Want your child to explore the world through art? Join us at Ashcan Studio of Art!
📞 718-819-0004 | 📧 infolittleneck@ashcanart.com

Little Ashcan Paints A Still Life 🎨🍊

Our latest Little Ashcan project was inspired by Marcos Beccari, a Brazil-based watercolor artist known for his hyper-realistic depictions of people and nature. 🌍🎨

The Project: Real Food, Real Art 🥕🍊

For this project, students used real food to create large-scale watercolor paintings. The challenge? Start with detailed sketches of red and green peppers, then bring them to life with vibrant watercolor techniques! 🖌️✨

The Process: Sketch, Paint, Observe 🔍

  1. Observation & Sketching: Students closely examined their chosen angle, capturing every curve and detail.

  2. Watercolor Experimentation: They played with techniques to represent textures, colors, and shadows. 🌈

  3. Bringing it to Life: Finally, students added depth and realism, focusing on light and texture to make their peppers pop! 🍉

Stunning Realism ✨

The results were incredible! The students’ paintings were rich with detail, showing off their mastery of light, texture, and form—just like Beccari’s work. Each piece told a story and brought everyday food to life in a whole new way! 🍽️🎨

This project wasn’t just about painting peppers—it was about seeing the world around us with fresh eyes. At Little Ashcan, we believe in learning from nature and creating art that celebrates its beauty. 🌿💫

Join Us!

Inspired by this project? Come join our creative community! Reach out for more details on upcoming classes!

📞 Contact us: 718-819-0004
📧 infolittleneck@ashcanart.com