I’ve been attending a beginning watercolor class at Merritt College since August. I enjoyed the journal-style sketching and watercolor classes with Jane LaFazio (see the Sketch/Watercolor category for posts on those classes) so much that I thought something more ‘formal’ would improve my skills, especially mixing and using color.
Instructor Pablo Villicana Lara is soft-spoken, humble and completely supportive — just what every beginning student hopes for. Following Pablo’s recommendations, I’m using Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper and Winsor & Newton professional water-color paints.
I finally have a few paintings that are worth sharing. Here is a small study using one color to achieve 5 distinct shades. I’ve used Payne’s gray. Hover your cursor over images for more information.
Last week we focused on using 2 colors to create small snow scenes. The ‘snow’ was achieved by sprinkling table salt onto the wet paint and letting it dry. I’ve been using rock salt on my fabric paintings for several years so it was fun to see small-grained salt work here. The sky and hill were painted and allowed to completely dry. The trees were then painted using a fan brush.
That’s quite a storm. Here’s the second attempt. I wonder what animal left those tracks.
Then I spied a sheet of paper already creased down the center. I tore it in half to take advantage of the crease so I could use the 2 pieces as cards.
The last painting looks a bit like there are some fireworks going on. Don’t you just love serendipity?
The techniques and results from this class are very different from the journal-style that Jane teaches. I’m looking forward to blending what I’ve learned from both instructors.
Class is Friday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. We have a lecture/demonstration the first hour, then 3 hours of lab to work on the techniques just shared. Our syllabus doesn’t outline specific assignments so each week is a surprise. I like that.
This is an Off the Wall Friday posting.
Lovely and the image you have chosen for the blog header is just perfect – also for the next couple of months.
Ha! More true for where you live Gurli. But the image is a ‘mood setter.’ I’ll have to think about that.
Exciting! Love the effect you get with salt. I am addicted to watercolor now. All I want to do is paint and continue to learn. What is it about this medium?!
I am really enjoying the watercolor work but my heart still belong to the fabric in my studio. I’m hoping the work with color will help my fabric work.
I plucked the lines below from your post — I love all those words together, I love the elegance of your materials! Thank you and Dave for coming out to Orinda Books last weekend — was so lovely to see those beautiful Kohler faces! sending you both love and thanks, Linda
You are so right, Linda! The materials we’re using are just plain elegant. It makes me feel ‘successful’ just to be using them. It was our pleasure to see and hear you at the book store. Sorry we missed Ken. Next time!
How fun! I love watercolor, though am all elbows when it comes to anything other than wall paint. In fact, I just bought a watercolor yesterday, for my husband’s Christmas present…and it has trees on it!! Thank you for sharing your watercolor journey. Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to try it again…
I don’t pretend to be any good, just tenatious. And since I have very reasonable goals for this class, I’m easily pleased.
What a wonderful class and your work is terrific. Your idea of combining Jane’s techniques and adding new ones is fantastic! I look forward to seeing how you combine your new talents and your quilting. I’ll bet new and wonderful work will result!
Thanks for the support Loretta. Stay tuned for developments.
How cool ! Very interesting seeing the process. Any of these would make a great card. Sounds like a great class.
It has been a very challenging and fun class. I would encourage any artist to branch out from their primary medium and try something that will stretch their skills and view. It’s most rewarding.
What beautiful simplicity in your images… watercolor lends itself to that does it not? I took Jane’s class some time ago and loved it.
Yes, indeed, I go for simplicity and this medium lends itself nicely to my approach. Jane’s classes were my first attempts at sketching and watercolor and I surprised myself with what I produced. She is also a very fine instructor!
Very nice, Franki. Watercolor is a favorite medium of mine but it’s also one of the most difficult. I took a class awhile back and worked on a single one-color painting for five sessions! It’s kind of fascinating to find out all the things you can do to affect the outcome. Love your work here.
Oh yes, this is difficult! I’m definitely not up to producing the kind of art that Pablo does, but I know that I can improve on where I am — that’s the goal. Thank you for the kind words about these attempts.
Franki – You are lucky to take from Pablo. He is an exceptional artist and wonderful person. I know him from our days at Gallery Concord. Say hi to him for me! – Denise
I will send your greetings Denise. And, yes, I feel very lucky. I enjoy him as an instructor and artist. It’s obvious that the entire class feels the same.
I can just feel the blizzard approaching. Great stuff…love the salt effect hugs….not so gimpy
The sky on the first one was so dark that I really got a chill from the night snow scene. And it took the tiniest amount of salt!