Z Workshop! Part 2

It's taken some time to wind down from the week-long workshop with Joseph Zbukvic in Fallbrook, CA.  As I've painted on a few paint-outs since then, Joseph's tips are on my mind.  Now just to put what I've learned into practice.  Looking through my pages of notes, some Joseph quotes jump out like, "Watercolor puts you in your place!" "Speed is good, haste is Not!"

As I mentioned in my last post, Z Workshop! Part1, after Joseph's demos in the studio, we then tried to paint the same scenes ourselves.  But twice we went out plein air painting and chose our own subjects to paint.  I'll post my two watercolors here. 

After we watched Joseph paint a street view just outside the art school, we were on our own.  The view he painted was intimidating to me so I chose the car wash across the street.  Another quote, "If your subject is wrong, you're Doomed!"  So true.  When Joseph came by to see how I was doing he gave me some great advice to narrow down what I had in mind and simplify.  He was encouraging when he saw the piece almost finished.  Not so much the way he would do it of course, but I learned a lot.  

The next morning we all met at a beautiful property in the hilly vineyard area.  After watching Joseph paint a gorgeous view of the valley, we were free to choose our subjects.  "Impact and illusion of depth through contrasts of edge and tone." "You must be in the moment.  Don't paint a picture."  I had fun with this view and Joseph seemed to think it was OK.  He warned about judging a plein air piece when you're out in nature since they can't compete.  More good advice.  

The workshop was so much fun and I learned so much from Joseph.  He's such a down to earth person. He rode a borrowed bicycle to the studio every day.  And he invited us all to the local pub after class each day.  I went once and he passed around his sketchbook.  Wow.  I'm ready for the next time he comes to California!