Do it again, but better! First Attempt In the watercolor class, Watercolor Essentials, taught by Eric Yi Lin, we had the subject above, the grand canal, Venice, to draw and paint. My first approach was in watercolor. I hated the sky.When I first started painting I didn’t paint the same subject twice. As I continued, … Read more Different Strokes
Getting Out of My Comfort Zone! First a Value Sketch Spent a tense but fun-filled three days with Colorado Watercolor Artist, Frank Francese and 17 excited workshop attendees. The workshop, sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, was about painting fast and loose. Frank does not draw on the watercolor paper, but does do … Read more Frank Francese Workshop SCVWS
Opaque Watercolor Paint Following my introduction to gouache as a design element in a transparent watercolor painting, I decided to make a painting entirely with gouache. The first thing I learned is that the information on using the medium is limited. There are few books on the subject. While painting with gouache is sometimes mentioned in … Read more Working With Gouache
evolution of a painting Painted on Site It is very difficult to execute a finished painting on site for many reasons: Weather, lighting, equipment, fatigue, etc. Even when the weather is perfect, as it was when we visited Clo La Chance, there can be impediments. In my case, I didn’t use the right paper. I … Read more Clo La Chance Vineyard
Online drawing and watercolor Course First Wash I signed on for an online art and watercolor class with Eric Yi Lin. The course consists of several self-study lessons on drawing and watercolor painting done at the student’s pace. They’re short, and helpful in understanding underlying concepts. Some examples are shown, but the challenge to the … Read more Painting with Eric
Difference between Plein Aire (outdoors) and Studio First Attempt Last October, SCVWS painted at the Ardenwood Farm in Fremont. Painting on site is a struggle with weather, lighting, setup, carting all your “stuff”, finding the right subject, etc. We had a beautiful autumn day, not too hot, no wind. I selected the Granary because I … Read more Ardenwood Granery
Approaching a Subject by practicing “skills” Pumpkins The Subject This was an exercise recorded by one of my favorite YouTube instructors, Rick Surowicz. He has a unique and useful teaching technique that he uses for some of his online demonstrations. I have taken to adopting this method for my own works. For some subjects, Rick … Read more Wagon of Pumpkins
How I got my favorite palette Placing the Order I love palettes! I have maybe a dozen? My latest is a jewel purchased from a small factory in India.I found the palette, or paint box, on the BPI Facebook page. The price was $260. With shipping, currency exchange, and PayPal charges, it came to $320. I … Read more Brass Palette India Paint Box
Lessons Learned and Learning Improving and Growing in Art Reading about art is not the same as doing it! Show up! Spend time on the board, play with the tools, experiment with the medium! Set goals – immediate, short and long term. Connect with the artist community – visit fora, share ideas, ask questions, join … Read more Getting Started