Workshop 1: “Working with Gouache”

Friday, March 7, 2008

Time: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

A chance to work with the other watercolor...gouache. Due to its opacity, soft matte finish and ease of handling, this ancient medium is recently enjoying a resurgence. Working like acrylic or oil, it remains water soluble yet offers all the advantage of a covering medium. Use it with your transparent watercolors as John Singer Sargent did or use alone. It’s time to try this exciting medium.

Workshop 2: Watercolor on Gesso

Friday, May 2, 2008

Time: 9:30AM TO 3:00 PM

Focus: Exploring a different surface for watercolor.

Working with transparent watercolor on gesso offers many of the advantages of working with opaque mediums yet retains the elements that make transparent watercolor so unique. The spontaneity, mingling, and vibrancy of working on watercolor paper remain, with easier lifting and the ability to recapturing white paper added as bonuses. The varied texture that can be employed add another element of excitement.

Bring 10--20 landscape photos and pieces of mat board to paint on.

Gesso will be provided.

Note: This class will extend the concepts offered by Ed in his very successful October 2007 class. Work from your own photos or those supplied by the instructor. We cannot see depth without shadows. We cannot paint shadows without a knowledge of the “illusions of color perspective. Learn the powerful concepts that define the focus of your painting with believable shadow patterns.

• Add dynamic realism

• Understanding the perceived color of shadows

• Cloud shadows over land and sea

• Simplifying your compositions with shadows

• Glazing your shadows for overall richness

• Learn about cast shadows vs. form shadows.

• Explore “ atmospheric” shadows.

• Powerful demonstrations and hands on teaching by an exceptional teacher.

There is nothing technical about this class. It is truly a “hands-on “ and “How-to” class taught by a master teacher.

Note: Another repeat performance of October 2007….back by popular request; by a man who has painted seascapes for over 50 years. Surf, white water streams boats and quiet reflections in a lake - They all need knowledge to execute with authority. This class will focus again on: how to approach these most difficult of subjects and finally take the mystery out of them for good. Bring your own photos to choose from and the instructor will work with you to develop your approach and review the basics of water or use those supplied by the instructor.

Subjects for discussion:

• How reflections work in still water

• How reflections are painted in active water

• How boats sit in water and their reflections

• How surf and foam are painted

• The color of water and how it affects reflections.

• Rocks and turbulence

• Tree reflections

A non-technical easy ways to gain color power and increase emotional response to your paintings. Come prepared to experiment. Pointers to be taught and discussed in this workshop:

• Too many of us believe that the sky is blue, that clouds are white and water and trees are blue or green. That may be true of a photograph but not of a great painting.

• Drawing is important and so is perspective but they do not come alive without vibrant color.

Painting in winter or autumn, or deep summer…each requires a knowledge of the ability to meet the challenge of color.

• Mixing and painting with complementary colors:

red vs green, blue vs. orange, violet vs yellow isn’t just part of the art…it is the art.

Learning the power of black and gray. duotone and tri tone. Underpainting and glazing instead of mixing color.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Instructor: Sue Ketcham

The workshop will start with a quick demonstration for those new to the medium of pastel. I will provide a still life set up and we will touch on many of the following points of interest: backgrounds, shadows, reflected lights, highlights, texture, glass, silver or brass, cloth and much more. We will learn about the different types of pastels and grounds. There will be at least one group critique at the end of the day with the possibility of one at lunch if time allows. We will work hard, but it will be in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Come and join me and learn all of the reasons why I love working with pastel.

Sue, has Pastels you may rent for the class. See, if this is the medium for you.

Call Sue at 215-766-0731 for rental supplies.