Frank Eber Workshop!

I was lucky to be able to take a recent workshop from Frank Eber.  I took a class from Frank three years ago which was before I started plein air painting and had little confidence.  I was really hoping another workshop with Frank would come my way.  It finally happened, a three day workshop at the National Watercolor Society headquarters in San Pedro.

The first day, after watching Frank paint, we all tried a coastal scene from one of his photos.  A fun scene, lots of green.  In the afternoon, from Frank's photo, we started a pastoral scene with a barn and cows.  Frank loves to paint cows and he had a big board illustrated with basic cow shapes to share.  The next day we met at the Pt. Fermin Lighthouse.  The morning started out cloudy but cleared up and we could add some sun to our paintings.  We watched Frank paint morning and afternoon demos which turned out so beautifully and were so inpsiring.  The last day we all met at the channel next to Ports O' Call and tried a harbor scene.  There is no shade at that location so lucky for me it was overcast.  My boats and water still need practice.  We all chose our views and Frank painted another wonderful piece.  We went back to the NWS studio and Frank advised us on finishing our pieces.  My barn and cows aren't finished yet.  This workshop was such a wonderful experience, and Frank is so generous with his tips and guidance.  So much fun!   

The view I chose - 10" x 8" Watercolor

Frank Eber

The view I chose - 10" x 8" Watercolor

Frank Eber

After Frank's studio demo

Frank Eber

Art Blogs = Inspiration

I'm starting off September with something different.  A few weeks ago my friend and fellow (fabulous) watercolor artist Brienne Brown asked me to be a part of an "Art Blog Hop".  Brienne posted links to my blog and two other artist's blogs along with answering some thoughtful questions about her paintings.  In turn I do the same, answering the same questions and linking to three other artist's blogs that I find inspiring.  

I'll start with the questions, which are ones I usually don't think about!

1. Why do I create what I do?

Although I haven't met Brienne in person, we share a love of plein air painting, painting outdoors.  Watercolor was always the medium that I was drawn to and had a knack for, and plein air painting seemed to be the perfect means of expression.  Since finding several local paint-out groups, it's been a big change for me.  It's just what I've always wanted to do.  While I'm outside painting on location with a group, that's all I'm thinking about.  So much fun and so peaceful.

This is a recent piece of the Castle Green Hotel in Pasadena, California which I think turned out well, where a couple year's plein air experience felt like it was finally working out.

I must say that what I've created over the years has changed a lot.  Thirty years ago, I started doing free-lance watercolor illustrations for a greeting card company.  I did thousands (yes!) of designs, all in watercolor with added, colorful calligraphy for the outside and inside verses.  A very small sampling -

During all those years of working in commercial art, I just KNEW plein air painting was what I really wanted to be doing.  Since the greeting card work trickled away, if I hadn't found local paint-out groups, I probably wouldn't be doing much painting today.

2.  How does my creative process work?

Plein air painting is a very personal and expressive way to paint.  Arriving at our location, I spend quite awhile walking around, getting a feel for the area and taking some snapshots of possible views to try.  Of course I look for certain subjects that appeal to me.  There are also sun and shadow, and color to take into account.  It took me some months to learn that what helps my paintings a lot is to have a foreground, middle-ground, and background in my choice of what to paint.

3.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I think my paintings differ just as everyone else's do.  We all have a certain way of applying our paint.  Our brushstrokes differ as our handwriting does.  I do like to use some drier, fast brushstrokes where I can.  Our attention to certain details (like architectural) and our loose or "tight" style varies with each of us.  I've been told that I have a certain color range, which seems to only be the colors as I see them!    

4.  What am I working on?

Of course I'm always working on improving my watercolor techniques.  It seems there is always so much to learn.  The medium is challenging so there is always something to strive for.  Seeing other artist's pieces, in watercolor, oil, or even pastel, I see things to try.  Also, for almost two years I've been experimenting with gouache which is opaque watercolor.  It's another challenge but I'm enjoying the results.  Here is a gouache piece of the same Green Hotel as my watercolor above.

Now for some fun, adding links to three blogs that I find inspiring!

The first has to be Frank Eber's blog.  I took a 3-day workshop from Frank early in my new, non-commercial watercolor direction.  I had not found any plein air groups when I took that workshop and I was learning so many new things.  Thanks to Frank's blog I have inspiration and reminders from him with each of his posts!  He's such a generous teacher as well as wonderful painter.  His watercolors are something to study.

The next two exciting blogs are written by friends I "met" in an online watercolor class a few years ago.

My friend from South Australia, Lorraine Brown, paints such a variety of subjects from florals to animals.  Her approach to pieces can be an adventure in mixed media techniques, very exciting.  And Lorraine is usually working in a series, an inspiration to me.  I haven't attempted that yet!

Here is Terry Freemark who paints figurative watercolors inspired by everyday moments.  Terry is expert at capturing her subject's subtle looks and gestures.  Her pieces are always filled with emotion which is something I'm trying to work into my landscapes if possible.

I'm grateful to know these three artists, and Brienne too of course!  It's been fun to think about the tough questions and my inspirations.

Saturday in the Park

It was a busy Saturday!  I didn't want to miss the Saturday paint-out group's morning at Arlington Garden in Pasadena.  Some varieties of the spring flowers there are fading already.  Also taking place on Saturday was the ninth annual "Saturday in the Park with the Masters" event.  The Mid-Valley Arts League puts on this lovely event with a dozen invited oil and watercolor master painters.  It takes place in a gorgeous setting in Pasadena.  Anyone can paint there if they want to, or they can walk around and watch some favorite artists paint in plein air.    

I decided to do a small (5x7") gouache at Arlington Garden to try to capture the feeling of the red and orange poppies blooming.  Then I'd go to the Masters event which was close-by.  The umbrella in the view I chose at the garden was actually white with blue stripes, but I had to change it to red.  I thought of adding a figure in the distance but the piece is small with enough going on.  Next time I'll plan better.  I've painted there a few times before, noted in this post Saturday Paint-Out.  

The Masters event was a lot of fun.  The grounds are beautiful with grand old structures, streams, waterfalls, and koi ponds.  Nothing better than being able to watch artists I admire do a painting to see their choices first-hand.  Looking forward to next year!         

5 x 7" gouache

Pete Morris in the foreground.

Brenda Swenson and Chuck Kovacic painting one of the models.

Tom Fong at a koi pond.

Frank Eber and Jose De Juan.

Demos!

I'm lucky to live near the National Watercolor Society headquarters in San Pedro, CA.  Their headquarters is in a wonderful building which is taken up mostly by a large gallery.  There is a spacious back room and patio where they feature prominent watercolor artists teaching workshops and giving demonstrations.

In conjunction with the 2012 Annual Exhibition they offered three demonstrations.  I signed up for two of them given by Thomas Schaller and Frank Eber.  They are two of my favorite watercolor artists.  What a great opportunity to watch them paint, and answer questions.  And, they also bring in paintings that I've only seen online.  It's enlightening to see the pieces in person.

Thomas Schaller also demonstrated last year and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to see him again.  I have to share a photo I took of Tom while he was painting.  I think it's very exciting to watch him paint.  With his background of years of painting detailed architectural watercolors, his brush handling is amazing.  Just a flick of the brush.  Tom also has a great sense of humor and offers many painting tips.  He painted on a full sheet of watercolor paper, 22" x 30" taped to a wood board, so he didn't hold the painting up very much and I didn't get a good photo, but here he is.      

Today was the demo given by Frank Eber.  Besides painting amazing watercolors, Frank is such a generous and fun person.  It was really a treat to watch him paint and see how he goes about getting his gorgeous effects.  All of our questions answered as well.  Frank painted two pieces, an involved harbor scene, and later a quick lesson on earth and sky.  It helps me so much to see the way Frank proceeds and plans his watercolors.  It was invaluable to see him painting water, skies and clouds.  Now to put all my new knowledge into my own artwork!