In class Tuesday, I worked on this while my students were working on their paintings. Two had already done the Notan study and then, using the photo and the study, they were painting their swans in whatever color they chose. Since I had already done one in cool colors, I chose warms for this one.
Since I only have 3 students, I can gear the lessons around what they want - if they have any ideas or suggestions. When I asked if there was anything special they wanted to learn, they said they had a hard time getting their darks dark enough so would like to learn how to mix darks or what darks to use out of the tube. That will be our next lesson and I'll be making charts of my darks out of the tube and mixed to give them some ideas. Of course, it's all a matter of using a strong enough mix of pigment and water on the paper and not diluting it down too much - and not painting too dry so the paint won't flow. It never hurts to return to the basics for me - to try out some new colors I have and see what they will do.
Today is Maggie Latham's last day of her 31 Days of Colour. If you haven't checked out her blog, go over there and gain some very valuable information, whether you're a beginning student or an old hand at watercolor!
7 comments:
Rhonda, this is absolutely gorgeous, with the randomly-preserved whites and the flow of color on the swan!!!!!
Rhonda...It never does hurt to go back to the basics to show someone else...we tend to take the skill sets for granted, and then we realize that there are one or two steps we had forgotten along the way! Good for your working with your students, it keeps you fresh and challenged.
I've thought these swans have been beautiful since you first began posting them. I still feel the same and your drawing skill on the bird is evident!
Haven't been able to keep up with you Rhonda. This is fantastic. You have to be happy with this one.
Have loved these swan studies and completely agree about sometimes going back to basics... I did a session on tips and techniques at my group the other week, started off with flat and variegated washes, used wax, salt, cling film etc, etc.....think they really enjoyed and it helps to reinforce their skills. Also it is so easy to assume they know how to do something when in fact they have never been shown so really good to go back sometimes.
Thanks so much, Kathryn, Susan, Sherry, Kevin and Judith! I was pleased with this series although it's not my own photo so can't do anything with these but use them for teaching. But I'm hoping it gives the students a good foundation for the next painting - and the next :)
Here, here to all of the above!
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