Tuesday, April 10, 2012

LANDSCAPES??

If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you know I rarely do landscapes.  I mean I do them about 1 in 50 paintings!  Landscapes are not my thing - although I really love looking at other artists' landscapes.  So...my 2 beginning students want to learn to do landscapes.  Oh, dear!!!


So today's lesson will be about mixing colors to get a range of greens to prepare for the landscapes that we may do.  I've had to do a little homework to prepare for this and I hope it goes well. 

I keep telling myself it's not about landscapes but about watercolor - how to make it work for you, the right mix of water and pigment, washes, drybrush, texture techniques, etc. 

After we do some swatches and they choose some good greens, we'll do a very simplified landscape (taken from the Jeanne Dobie book I've had for years) and see how they like it. 




This is the start of my landscape (with a few color swatches below) - which they will copy.  I want them to mix their colors, not use them right out of the tube.  I think it saves you tons of money in the long run and it helps you learn your colors.

When they get to this stage in their paintings, we'll add in some darks - which will allow me to talk about values and color temperature.

12 comments:

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

For someone who "doesn't do landscapes", this looks to be a great start! I love the composition.

Teresa Palomar Lois said...

Oh I'm so happy to hear that you've taken some students under your wings! Also.... GREENS XD

RH Carpenter said...

Susan, thanks. I can't take credit for the composition because it's basically just a copy from the Jeanne Dobie book of a grey-scale painting showing variety of values (which this doesn't have yet).

Teresa, as long as they are beginners, I think I'm okay! ha ha Yes, those scary greens!!!

Carol Blackburn said...

How interesting to be sharing your knowledge and teaching. Have fun!

Gaylynn said...

It looks like you have everything under control. I wish I was one of your students.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Nothing like a little colour practice to get the juices flowing.

Funny how greens scare so many people isn't it? I don't know why. I know that I just don't like the colour green as a colour and don't do much in the way of landscapes, so that's my excuse for not tackling it. :)

Autumn Leaves said...

I love landscapes best, I think. This demonstration piece is exquisite, Rhonda. You are doing so beautifully with your lesson planning. I hope you have fun with it and learn a few things in your own research for the lesson.

jgr said...

I think you do landscapes beautifully!! I'm sure your students will learn alot.

Anonymous said...

Looking good to me too, Rhonda!!!!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Carol!

Gaylynn, there's nothing I could teach you!!! ha ha

Jeanette, I think greens are difficult because we don't see that many varieties and there is so much green out there when we look outside, it's overwhelming. I guess the trick is to simplify as much as possible and keep changing those colors.

Thanks, Sherry, Jane and Maggie :)

Debbie Nolan said...

Green's are hard for me too. Landscapes can be so gorgeous but overwhelming. Your blog is great Rhonda.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Debbie, for taking the time to stop by and comment! I enjoyed seeing your blog, too :) Is that your motorcycle?