Advancing with Watercolor: Winter Meditations ; "Fading Light"

Fading Light

Over the next 6 weeks together we will be looking a series of winter themes and finding some inspiration in the coldest season of the year. Typically this is a down time and a time for reflection - contemplation.These two activities are a part of our creative process as well and as such giving ourselves time for preparation and reflection is just as important for the growth of each artist. I will also be using the series to talk and demonstrate more on edges. In the previous series the graded wash was illuminated in all of our exercises and so this term I will focus on more on edges - especially important for the watercolorist as the different edges require a different technique

What will we do this week

Our goal this week is to return to painting!! Ha ha - we just escaped the holiday season and many of us are picking up our brushes after a bit of a rest - I hope to inspire to you to spend a little more time in the studio these next 6 weeks with a variety of winter themes and exercises focused on edge control

This weeks Drill

We start by looking at our image and starting to place it on the paper

Getting the placement and proportion to our liking is just as important as beautiful washes and interesting colors. - after the drawing I begin by simplifying the subject into simple areas - based loosely on a light shape a mid tone shape and a dark shape. Its amazing to me what we can accomplish with these simple shapes - think Notan!!

Lets Start!!