More of the Same, Less of the Old

Now to talk about Day 2 of James Toogood's workshop...

After successfully checking the "painting from model" box on Saturday, I intended to start a painting of water on Sunday. Jim gave an excellent demo Sunday in which he explained how he paints water. He also brought in some of his beautiful, original paintings of Venice for inspiration.

So I sketched out my composition, started putting in my first washes and...couldn't get into the painting. I found that I kept thinking how I would tackle the model painting instead. Fresh from my success the day before, I was anxious to push on, challenge myself some more and keep learning.

Finally around mid-afternoon I gave in. There was less than 2 hours remaining of the workshop, but I got out a new piece of paper and did a quick sketch of the model. Since this time we were working on the whole figure and not just a portrait, I knew I wouldn't finish the whole painting. Instead, I focused on getting down the first application of skin color and then adding the underlying blues, greens and reds. If I had more time, the next step would have been to start adding darks. I am happy with what I accomplished in a short time frame. Here are the results so you can judge for yourself...

Two other interesting things about Day 2 -

Downstairs from where class was held, there was a fabulous exhibition of Cecilia Beaux paintings. Dad and I spent time visiting this exhibition on Sunday to see how a master painted portraits. What amazing works!! I am so glad I took the time to see them. Her use of darks really illustrated what Jim was trying to teach me.

Also on Sunday, one of the women attending the workshop asked me if I had an art blog. I didn't think much of her question since earlier I had been telling Jim how many hits I got on my blog from people searching his name. (He assured me he is working on getting a website together for those of you looking for examples of his great paintings.) Then this woman told me that she had read my blog post about attending this same workshop last year, and it had helped convince her to sign up! She had been concerned that since Mr. Toogood is such an advanced artist he might not be friendly and encouraging. I am so glad I could put some of her fears to rest. Isn't the Internet cool!

Anyone else who might have similar concerns, let me assure you there is no need. Jim not only is knowledgeable and accomplished but he is very nice, extremely helpful and genuinely humble. I would recommend his workshops to anyone who uses watercolors and paints in a realistic style.

Walked Into the Workshop and Out of My Comfort Zone

I firmly believe that workshops should be a time of experimentation and learning, a time to leave behind the familiar for a few days (or hours) and explore the new. If you are going to stick to your same old - same old during a workshop, you might as well save your money and stay home.

And while all of the above sounds great, it didn't stop the unwelcome guests, Fear and Uncertainty, from crashing last weekend's workshop with James Toogood when he recommended that everyone spend at least one day creating a painting of the live model we had in class.

WHAT!?! Me work from the model? But I don't really have any experience painting people. Heck, I barely have any experience drawing people!

Since I didn't want Fear and Uncertainty to follow me home and keep me awake that night, I decided to "get it over with" and paint a portrait of Dave, our Saturday model. Thankfully, Jim is an excellent instructor. He guided us through the entire process -- giving suggestions if drawings needed correction; telling us his formula (paint mix) for the initial wash of skin color, which would become out lightest lights; pointing out where he saw color in the model's skin and, perhaps more importantly, what colors he saw; and teaching us about adding rich darks. From start to finish he made Fear and Uncertainty sit down, be quiet and behave.

Below is my version of Dave's portrait. I am pleased with the outcome of my first ever watercolor portrait. I achieved a good likeness and was bold, for me, with my color application. (The models eyes really were drooping much of the time - modeling can be tiring and boring work - plus I was too far away to see his eyeballs.)

watercolor on paper
approx. 15" x 20"

Dad also painted Dave, but I didn't have my camera with me so I don't have an image of his painting.

More next time about Day 2 of the workshop.

I'm back

The James Toogood workshop was great! As an instructor, Jim does fabulous demonstrations, shares a wealth of information and offers encouragement to all of his students. I took at least 6 pages of notes trying to capture his knowledge so I can refer to it later. I also took a big step out of my comfort zone this weekend...okay, more truthfully I was nudged out. I'll tell you more about that later. I promise to share at least one image too. But right now I have to get to bed. Real life starts back in full swing tomorrow, and I have to be ready to play catch-up from being gone for a weekend.

Too Good to Miss

Last year Dad and I attended Jim Toogood's two day watercolor workshop at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. It was a great two days and I learned a lot. So when the opportunity presented itself for me to attend with my Dad again this year, I jumped at the chance. This weekend Dad and I will be in Philadelphia learning from Jim's demos and harassing each other during painting time. Since we are also celebrating Dad's birthday (a little early), I might even spring for lunch one day.

When I get back home and to my computer, I'll come give you my review of the workshop. But right now I have to rush off and do a line drawing so I have something to paint tomorrow.

The sketch on the left was completed the same day as my bar lights sketch. I did this one sitting in the car in the Steel Ice Center parking lot which is on the old Bethlehem Steel property. The street light is new, but fits right in with the character of the old buildings. That's why I like it.

This is my favorite of the two sketches from that day because I like the highlights caused by the late afternoon sun. Unfortunately, I didn't notice that the bottom ellipse got away from me during the shading process until I saw the scan on the computer screen. Since sketching for me is all about practice (versus finished works), I left the wonky ellipse. It will remind me to recheck my shapes several times during the sketching process.

graphite sketch of street light in large moleskine

Back from the Workshop

Well I'm back from the workshop. Prince Charles didn't show up, but the workshop was great! If you are interested in painting realism in watercolor I highly recommend studying with James Toogood. He is an excellent instructor and is very good at explaining watercolor techniques - not only how to use them, but also why they work. He also is sensitive to each student's artistic goals and targets his individual remarks accordingly.

Now normally I wouldn't show a workshop painting to anyone, except maybe my husband and parents. Taking a workshop is all about trying new things. It might mean trying new painting techniques, new subject matter, new paints or all of the above! All of that experimenting typically results in some pretty... let's just say... interesting paintings. And although they may be mighty interesting, they are not necessarily something I'd share freely.

During this workshop I painted a white porcelain teapot sitting on a box draped with dark fabric. My goals were to capture the dramatic darks in the fabric and the colors being reflected in the pot. And while this isn't my favorite painting ever, I like it enough to put it here to show you how I spent my weekend.

So here's my teapot. I hope you like it too.

Teapot

Approx 6.5" x 7"

Transparent watercolor

copyright Stacy L. Rowan

James Toogood Workshop

I won't be posting here this weekend because I will be too busy painting. Yay!!
My Dad and I are attending a watercolor workshop led by James Toogood. Dad has taken classes from him before, but this is my first time. I do have Mr. Toogood's book, Incredible Light & Texture in Watercolor, and have been reading it to prepare for the workshop. He appears to be very knowledgeable about paints and pigments - a topic I want to learn more about. So hopefully it will be an informative and fun weekend. And hopefully Dad and I won't get stuck in any traffic chaos caused by Prince Charles and Camilla. Turns out they are also going to be in Philadelphia, but not at the workshop. (At least I don't think so - if I'm wrong, I'll try to get an autograph.)













Lilacs - watercolor
Prints available
See "My Art Gallery" link on right
copyright Stacy L. Rowan