The third day of the Dyan Newton Watercolor Workshop a huge stretch for us. Did I say HUGE? I mean REALLY, REALLY HUGE STRETCH!!! The 3 of us paint mostly realism and on day 3 we are supposed to paint this! (see the photo below)
Our third day was jam packed. We had a quick breakfast at our cabin and then drove into Kerrville, TX. Renee wanted us to see the “CROSS”. It was huge, majestic, and breathtaking! The statue that greeted us was “I will make you fishers of men.” We took our time walking around the Prayer Garden. I will share more photos in my next post.
After meandering through the garden, our next stop on Renee’s itinerary was a cute little burger place with a super high rating and oh so delicious hamburgers!!! On my next post I will have more about the retreat part/the tourist part/the eating part.
After we demolished our burgers it was time to head back to the Hill Country Arts Foundation.
There was no sketch or photograph to go by. Yikes!!!
This was a gigantic step out of our artistic comfort zone. And it probably seems funny that within the confines of watercolor realism there is some sense of control. I know that makes no sense whatsoever especially if you have ever tried watercolor and just ended up with a soggy, muddy mess.
One of the reasons I started painting with watercolor was the control issue. The other reason was the easy portability of it. When I started with watercolor so many things in our life at that time were out of control. I had a business that was failing, a grown son going through his second divorce, a teenage son who had just joined the Marines, and raising an 8 year-old son. So, this messy, seemingly uncontrollable medium seemed like a good place to find some control.
From 2000 to 2010 I worked as an inventory coordinator for the Texas prison system. I carried a little tote of watercolors with me and on breaks I would sit in my van and paint.
Details! Details! Details! Tight controlled strokes!
Enrollment for Watercolor FUN-damentals starts Oct 18th
My ONLINE CLASSROOM FOR BEGINNERS – Watercolor FUN-damentals is a self paced class using a limited palette. Enrollment for that course will start SOON. Be sure and check your emails. More details to come. There will be an early bird discount!
.
In the photos below are a few paintings that my travel companions have painted. “Upcycled” has a mix of that painterly effect so popular when painting with watercolor, but there is also the details on the bicycle.
Several years ago I participated in a watercolor workshop taught by Linda Baker. She said, “There are 2 ways to paint. Paint in control with abandon and start with abandonment and gain control. And two ways not to paint – control without abandonment and abandonment with out control.” So a little bit of both makes an interesting work of art.
Renee and Suzan’s paintings
Renee Floyd’s Watercolor Art
On Day 2, I told you, “Often works of art are purchased because the collector loves the art. And then sometimes a painting is acquired because the of the artist. Then there is the sweet spot when the collector loves the art and the artist. I have purchased several pieces for that very reason”. The original of this sweet painting (shown above) hangs in my home!
Suzan’s Watercolor Art
Suzan painted both of these paintings for her grandsons!
Suzan and Renee both love the details, as do I, so when I saw Dyan’s Hollyhocks I knew it would be a challenge for all 3 of us.
This was her first wash. Yep, we were in trouble but we pushed through and wet our watercolors and started painting!
This was my results at the end the watercolor workshop day 3. Hopefully it will look better tomorrow with fresh eyes.
But now it’s time for supper!!! See ya Later!!!
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
’til next time,
Nathalie
Leave a Reply