Monday, March 26, 2012

Workshop Awareness

The past two Saturday's I have been teaching a watercolor workshop at Montserrat College. The class is small, 5 students total, which makes for more time to give individualized help. Unfortunately, I have not been "turned on" by my demo work this session. I decided to do some homework and I plan on bringing in "Crevices" to the last class this Saturday. It exemplifies several of the techniques I have been teaching and because I worked dryer, the painting looks a little different from my usual. I continuously used 2 brushes - one wet with water, the other wet with pigment, and was able to move and contour the crevices in a more dramatic way.

"Crevices", 24" x 18" watercolor on paper


At home this weekend I also completed one of my demo paintings by adding spatter to brighten what was a too subdued Buddha bust. I am happier with this piece now that I added color.


"Seven Chakras" 16" x 12" watercolor on paper


The meditative mood conveyed in this painting ties into all of the chakra treescape paintings by use of colorful spatter representing each chakra level and is going to be an addition to the series. 

My students let me photograph what they were working on in class this past Saturday (some are works in progress) and as you can see there is a wide variety of style.






4 comments:

  1. Love how you chose to tie your seven chakra paintings together, Robin. And your students' work is magnificent. I also love your crevices piece; the shrubs and scrub trees growing up the rocky side are gorgeous!

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  2. Thanks, Sherry. I actually read about the Huangshan mountains in China, and the crevices formed by geological "wear and tear" are the reason these bonsai trees can grab root and grow sideways. It truly amazes me and I love painting these mountains and trees.

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  3. I hope I remember your two-brush method next time I try watercolor. The spatters really add to the Buddha painting--a wonderful addition to your series. I'm impressed with your students' works.

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  4. One of the benefits of photographing work (students work too) is after I view paintings on a monitor I am able to see better and the things that can make the painting stronger pop out to me, focusing is easier. Hopefully I will have a successful new demo and finished student work from Saturday to share next week.

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