Beginning Critique and Through the Water class results

Clear Water Stones, 5" x 7", gouache on Arches #300 c/p

It was so good to get back to class again!

We began with a  critique, looking at 3 or 4 paintings from each student to determine the direction and improvements each one wants to make, not only in individual paintings but on the whole. I really have a talented and enthusiastic group of students.

Following that, I gave a short lecture on how to paint rocks underwater, with a demonstration that was done mostly using PanPastels. Above is a painting I prepared to show how effectively you can paint this subject using gouache, and below is an example of how you can approach this subject in pastel.

High and Dry, 9"x 12", pastel on Pastelmat

To paint underwater rocks I suggest you begin with a photograph that inspires you. Find a photo that shows large and small, wet and dry rocks, has shadows caused by interesting light, and features some reflections on the water to indicate its movement.

Choose a medium tone that will allow you to build both light and dark areas. Do a good sketch showing the placement of the rocks, either in charcoal or pastel. It’s not necessary to draw every single stone, but locate the major players, and then loosely indicate the size and general placement of scattered stones in non-essential regions.

Don’t be afraid to go dark in the early stages. Using saturated colors of the proper value will also work to your advantage when you mute the underwater rocks with further layers of pastel.

To create the impression of water over rocks is really a fairly simple process. Select a color that will portray the water, whether it’s a blue-gray or green-tea color, and lightly glaze or feather over the color in place. Don’t cover the lights and darks beneath, and don’t obscure all the color with a thick layer.

Then add highlights in the reflections, bubbles, floating objects, and ripple lines in the water. A reflection obscures what is beneath, so paint from bottom to top, but leave room for paler areas on top. To paint a ripple, think of two mirrors pointed in different directions, catching the color of the object they’re pointed at. Use sharp edges to create the impression of liquidity. To paint a floating bubble, draw an ellipse on the water in a color darker than the surface, then ring it with light and carefully draw in the light colored dome. Pay attention to the direction of the light and shadows, and where you see highlights. 

Keep going, gang!

Deborah

August 11--Beginning Critique & Through the Water -- New Location

As I was out walking this morning there was just a hint of a taste of a bit of a cooler feeling in the air, and I realized fall is actually headed our way. We still have a few weeks of warm weather to come, and I hope some more rain, but fall is waiting in the wings! 

So, are you ready to settle down and start to paint again? I know I am.

This week we're going to have a beginning critique. We've come to think of a critique as a way to end a class or workshop but Iet's shift our thinking a bit. What is a critique meant to accomplish? I think it should be a means to keep or get you moving. I often talk about finding the "point of friction", that place where as you let out the clutch the engine engages, so look over the work you plan to bring and see where you think you'd like to go. Usually that means finding the place where you need to know or need to grow. We'll certainly look at each piece with an eye to improving it, if you're still in the process of working on it, but try to paint the 'big picture', too. 

Rock photo to use in class.

Then I'll do a lecture and demonstration about how to paint underwater rocks. If you would like to, you have  permission to copy and print the photograph here and use it for the class lesson. We'll examine the way the colors change in and out of the water, how the edges shift and the values mute when the rock is beneath the water. There's a bit more to it--things like refraction and ripples and light patterns, but come to the class to learn about those! 

Please RSVP (clickable link) if you haven't already. The class is $25.00 and you may pay at the door. 

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Now for the big news: we're going to start meeting in a NEW LOCATION this week!

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

We will be meeting in a nice room inside Christ Community Fellowship, 5908 Anaheim Avenue NE, located off of San Pedro north of Paseo del Norte Blvd. So many of you responded positively to the idea of relocating to a more central spot that I’m even more enthused than I was about this change. 

The classroom is quiet and private, has plenty of tables and chairs, a nice little kitchen for coffee and tea (plus a microwave if you want to heat your lunch), and the parking gives us easy access. You can come via Interstate-25 or travel on surface streets. If you plan to come to this class, let me know and I'll email directions. 

Class will be the same time as always 11:30-2:30. I'll open the classroom around 11:00 if you'd like to come and set up ahead of time. 

See you Thursday!
Deborah

Rocks Under Water

Yesterday's class was intense, with not just one but really two demonstrations. First I did a couple of quick drawings in pencil to show how to sort out rock shapes, especially finding the three planes: light, medium (or half-light), and dark.

Then using a sheet of white Pastelmat paper about 9" square I did a charcoal underdrawing, changing it from a rectangular format (see photo and sketch at bottom) to a square, and painted using PanPastels. Here's the result, which is still in progress:

In order to paint rocks underwater it's necessary to consider the rocks first. I suggest drawing them well, showing the underwater rocks with their shadows, if they're visible, and then consider the water's action, reflections, and ripples.

A drawing will help you see more accurately. Do a good sketch showing the placement of the rocks, either in charcoal or pastel. It’s not necessary to draw every single stone, but locate the major players, and then loosely indicate the size and general placement of scattered stones in non-essential regions.

Ask yourself what makes the rocks look wet. In the sketch above you can see that the dry rocks are generally lighter in value, while submerged ones are slightly darker. The water line indicates the shape of the rock, as well. You can clearly see the shapes and shadows cast by those beneath the water, although the contrasts are not as dramatic.

WetCanvas RIL pic by Godzoned

Also notice  that underwater rocks take on a monotone, colored by the prevailing light and any sediments carried by the water, influenced by the local colors of the rocks themselves. Ripples cast additional lines of light that sculpt stones underwater.

Reflections, along with light and shadow, affect how you see the water and stones under the surface.

I suggest you paint from bottom to top, beginning with the river bottom, any stones seen beneath the water, then its surface and any rocks above water.

I saw some wonderful pencil drawings begun in class as my students started to sort out rocks, both wet and dry, water and its reflections, bubbles and foam, and the shoreline rocks and trees.

Keep going, gang!
Deborah

New Class Session This Week

Sketch on gray Pastelmat, charcoal, white and sienna pastels

Class 1— Mar. 17 – Rocks Under Water

Find a photo that shows rocks under the water, including large and small, wet and dry rocks. It’s nice if it also has some shadows caused by interesting light, and features some reflections on the water to indicate its movement, if possible.

In this class, which launches our next eight week session, we'll take a nice, long look at some of the special characteristics of rocks under and out of the water. I don't want you to think of it as a painting of a stream, or even as a painting of rocks, but as a study of the habits of light and shadow, value and color,  texture and detail, that creates the illusion of wet and dry rocks.

Find a photo something like these (found in the  WetCanvasReference Image Library The images posted below are free for you to use, per the agreement at  WC RIL.)

by tonyjazz

by Stalksthedawn

by Kathryn Wilson

by a friend

In this class we'll begin with a drawing demo, to explore how a simple pencil sketch can express the needed elements. Print out your photo and bring it along so that you can examine the details. Bring a sketch pad and pencils, or whatever you would like to use for the drawing. 

In addition, I'll also demonstrate a study painting on Pastelmat (available for sale in class by the sheet) using PanPastels, charcoal and two or three stick pastels, much like you see at the top of the blog today. I'd like this to remain a good study, rather than trying to complete it as a painting, and may use several photographs for various sketches to show you how to approach this study and teach the rules about rocks and water.

Oh, and if you want to join our class this week, we're in the same place as always, at Paradise Methodist church on the west side of Albuquerque. We meet at 11:00 to set up and the demo starts at 11:30. Class goes until 2:30. The cost is only $25.00 per class.

See you  on Thursday!

Deborah