This group is always so enthusiastic and always give me a lovely welcome so not surprising I enjoy going there!!! Dave Hendry who runs the group seems to be a victim of his own success and now has a waiting list of people who want to join....
I decided to do the barn door again as it is a good exercise to show mixing paint on the paper, isn't a difficult drawing and is possible to complete in one session.
I don't know about the members of the group but I was absolutely delighted with the work they produced and having forgotten to take some photos at Heaton last week remembered today and asked for permission to post here. This is the image we worked from, the old barn door is courtesy of Max Hemingway from PMP
This was the version I did today
I kept to a limited palette of UB, burnt sienna, schmincke violet, and raw sienna with some cad red for the door and a tiny touch of cad yellow for the foliage at the bottom..... and here are the stars of the show!!!
Lovely stonework on this especially in the lintel above the door and good light on the door with really rich darks underneath.
Fabulous colour choices, we chatted about this and I agreed with the suggestion that a red door wouldn't work as well and what did I think about a blue door... fab, that's what I think!!!
Lovely soft subtle effects on this and gorgeous stonework, lovely colour mixing on the paper!!
Some great light on this in contrast to the rich darks under the step, nice rough brush textures on the door.
This has some really beautiful paint mixing wet in wet for the stonework and though looks a bit pale on here created a lovely effect in "Real Life." Not quite finished, we chatted about adding some more darks to the stonework to give the impression of the dark crevices between the stones.
I love the bright colours on this...... fearlessly applied...... looks like someone really had fun doing this!!!
Some gorgeous colour mixing going on here on the stonework and lovely foliage particularly bottom left.
Like the stonework on the left in particular... looks very effective and again nice effect of the light on the door.
Slightly different palette on this but works nicely...... good dry brush on the door, nice rich darks and well painted foliage... nice colour mixing there especially...
I think from seeing all these it is quite obvious that the group were all keen to give mixing the paint on the paper a really good go.....these paintings show just how well they did even though I don't think any of them are really used to working that way and am hoping to have convinced them to keep trying. I am the first one to say that it isn't easy and it takes some practice but I hope I managed to show them it is worth persevering with this way of painting because once you have grasped it, it really does make your work come alive... well done to you all and hope to see you again soon!!!
Judith these all look fabulous. The work shows the enjoyment happening in your class. Really pleased for you that it's going so well. Lucky them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura, have to say Dave has given me some lovely feedback and have been invited back once again so really pleased with that as it means the group are enjoying and getting something out of it.
DeleteLovely work from the group, could you share how you mix the paint on the paper? Wet paper first, or dry paper with watery paint?
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine good to hear from you..... no I don't wet the paper first and although I do like the effects of a wet in wet wash, the paint gets diluted more than I might want so I find it better to use the paint on dry paper. I start with fairly wet paint applied to the paper and touch the edges with a different colour letting the two then mix by themselves on the paper. If it looks too strong I can then add water... as long as everything is kept quite wet you can do anything with it. What I don't do is fiddle with the brush or go back in again before it is completely dry... most paint effects are spoiled by not leaving alone especially when something good is happening on the paper... hope that helps?
DeleteWow Judith, each and everyone of these paintings is uniquely beautiful! I'm always impressed when I see the same theme from different artists; a great story is hidden within the details and differences, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI rarelly mix the paint on the paper, but, I do agree, one can get wonders working this way. As you perfectly said, watercolour is a temperamental mistress and I'm still trying to win its favor :)
I'm not quite settled just yet, but I'm getting there any day now, thank you for asking. I really-really need to finish the house so I can have time and peace to paint again!
Hugs and smiles.
In my opinion mixing on the paper is the single most important thing in moving your work to another level!!! So as soon as you are straight.... start practising with it!!! Do some of the little colour planets like I have on here and see how it happens on the paper, good to hear things are coming together Tina and you will soon be back to painting again!!
DeleteI love how different they all are - how differently everybody 'saw' that initial photo.
ReplyDeleteIt really is so interesting and each and every person had something quite lovely about what they'd done, was thrilled with their efforts!!!
DeleteThese are beautiful works and I like the different and vibrant colors that your students used. It seemed you had a lot of fun with the group. BTW, I like to include your blog in my blog list if it is alright for you. Greetings!
ReplyDeleteThanks you for the lovely comments Cora, I would be delighted if you followed my blog and I hope you find it helpful and interesting....
DeleteHello Judith:) Beautiful to see how your students did this door! So many people, so many styles. They did a great job! Thanks for sharing, so nice to see!
ReplyDeleteThank you Renate they did so well didn't they? It really is inspiring to see it happen as a result of what I shared with them!!
DeleteAll I can say is well done Judith. The session had everything …..... we were shown that a pre-painting sketch isn't always required, that "just going for it" isn't as scary as we may have thought, that the introduction of some quite radical colour mixing isn't something to be timid of. I know that the group really enjoyed it and , as you quite rightly point out, a lot of beautiful work was created. We'd love to have you back…… your relaxed and friendly style is a real tonic.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you Judith…..now an honorary WAG
Dave Hendry
What a brilliant testimonial, thank you so much Dave!!! May well use it when advertising my classes... with your permission of course!!! And of course I would love to come back..... I will always appreciate you giving me the chance to give it a go in the first place and just so pleased the group seem to like what I do and have to share with them!!!
DeleteWhat a brilliant uplifting post - Judith you're inspiring - great to see all the different interpretations of the subject, well done on the great feedback from Dave - well deserved x
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, thanks for that, yes Dave is very generous in his feedback.. has given me some more since from someone at the group which is really good for me to hear as I am still in the very early stages of this and to know that people are really enjoying and getting something out of it it music to my ears and gives me confidence when I go to new groups. I have had some more enquiries probably for the New Year and will be revisiting Hindley at the end of August... all good stuff!!
DeleteHello Judith!See how the image is for everyone, just a starting point,it's the excitement of working in a group!
ReplyDeleteWatercolours all charming ... You are right,let mix the colours on paper is so beautiful and effective!!!
For me Rita, it's the only way to work in watercolour..... once I discovered how to do this, my work really improved!!!
DeleteThese are all very beautiful, it's fascinating how many different interpretations there are of the same scene, each unique and amazing! It looks to me like all these artists thoroughly enjoyed themselves to!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips about mixing paint on the paper, sounds very exciting!
Thanks Margaret,they are good aren't they? It was such a good session and I did get the feeling they had all enjoyed, and I have been invited back in January...just hope they don't get fed up of me!!! Need to make sure I keep offering something new and different.
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