Donna Zagotta's blog is about her watermedia paintings, the artistic journey, art resources, art history, book and exhibition reviews, insights, ideas, information, inspiration, tips for making better paintings and being a better artist . . . and a whole lot of other good stuff.

Blog I am excited to announce that my DVD, The You Factor: Powerful, Personal Design in Opaque Watercolor, filmed for Creative Catalyst Productions, is currently available! To see a sneak preview and a 4-part interview I did with CCP, click HERE

The Silhouette Project

Special Announcement!

I would like to encourage all of you to join me in The Silhouette Project. I think it’s going to be a fun and stimulating way to learn the construction, proportions, and anatomy of the figure. And as an added incentive, I will enter the name of everyone who commits to participating in The Silhouette Project into a drawing, and [...]

The Silhouette Project, Part 3: Balance and the Weight Bearing Leg

The Silhouette Project, Part 3: Balance and the Weight Bearing Leg

 
A standing figure will take one of one 3 basic positions:
1). Straight; weight is distributed equally on both feet. An imaginary vertical plumb line (the orange line above) running from the pit of the neck to the floor will be midway between the two feet. 
2). Weight is on the right leg. The plumb line moves closer to the the right foot. 
3). Weight [...]

The Silhouette Project, Part 2; Constructing a Basic Silhouette

The Silhouette Project, Part 2; Constructing a Basic Silhouette

The shape of a form is its silhouette. Every volume has a shape state. Nathan Goldstein
 

 
To draw or paint a figure (or any subject) convincingly, you have to be able to see it accurately, and you have to understand what you’re seeing.
The human figure contains 16 basic forms: the head, neck, upper torso, lower torso, 2 [...]

It’s Back to School With The Silhouette Project!

It’s Back to School With The Silhouette Project!

 
I don’t know about you, but every year, Labor Day triggers in me a yearning to go back to school! I see all those school supplies in the stores and I find myself drooling! Those packages of notebook paper, brand new 3-ring binders, freshly sharpened pencils, and fabulously chic backpacks fill me with longing and the enthusiasm to begin a brand new [...]

I am excited to announce that my DVD, The You Factor: Powerful, Personal Design in Opaque Watercolor, filmed for Creative Catalyst Productions, will be out very soon! To see a sneak preview, click HERE