Virgin Islands
Hawk Mountain, Pa
OntarioI'm back and exhausted from my five-day workshop. The teacher, Ken Hosmer, was really very good--his demonstrations were astounding and he covered a lot of information on value, design, and color, which it'll take me some time to absorb!
The first day we did ink value sketches using a water-soluble brush-pen, which I enjoyed very much.
Ken suggested we stick to only three values: dark, middle, and light. We were to exaggerate and simplify, and to notice or accentuate details that occur on the edge of a value change, e.g., the dark edge of the trees against the light sky in the Ontario sketch, or the foreground rocks in the VI one.
These black-and-white studies were probably the best work I did: it was rainy or humid all week--not optimal for watercolors!
I never expect to come home with good paintings from a workshop, and it was a great time, nonetheless, thanks to my friends Betsy, Lori, and Shelby, whose house we all stayed at and who kept us in coffee, sandwiches, and wine--no small feat!
I'll post a few of the watercolors--even though most were, and will remain, unfinished!--tomorrow.
These are all wonderful! I love the black and white aspect of them but they still have a watercolor look. Did you use a Tombow pen? Looking forward to seeing more after you rest and get back in the groove.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Laura! Wow, I love these. There's a gentleness of the washes combined with strength of values that is very appealing.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, and thanks for sharing a bit about how you achieved the striking value differences in the ink studies.
ReplyDeleteI like all of them, but I especially like the geese. Nice work, Laura.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you back. Is that Ontario, Canada? It feels like it. I felt deeply moved looking at the ink painting. What glorious work.
Take care,
Barbara
Wow--these look GREAT, Laura! I love my painting--thanks again, so much. You look like your got some excellent training in this class! Excellent. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteThey are all wonderful, they remind me a bit of vintage postcards. The workshop sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI'm love the look of value sketches and monochromatic work, and these are lovely! Was it a pastel or watercolour workshop?
ReplyDeleteMaggie
What an impact these b & w studies have! It looks like the workshop was successful and fun :)
ReplyDeleteStudies have always been my favorite work of artists. I like the simplicity and value focus. Lovely work, especially the geese.
ReplyDeleteHello all, I am Shelby who was with Laura at the workshop..what she won't tell you is that Ken Hosmer, who makes gorgeous ink sketches himself, said that Laura's are better than his, and that she should be teaching that part of the workshop! And Laura DID make some lovely paintings too, weaving her tropical colors into our cool spring days.
ReplyDeleteI never do my best work at workshops. I really look forward to them & then it's like watercolor overload. These are wonderful, you should be very proud!
ReplyDeleteHa...The word verification for my comment is "splat"!
Simple, but very striking Laura. I particularly like "Ontario" - nice range of values. I've always been attracted to monochromatic paintings. It sounds like you had a wonderful time with your friends. A well deserved break for you!
ReplyDeleteI like your ink sketches. It really helps to understand values in painting. I wish we had such great workshops in our area. It's a great help in making one grow as an artist.
ReplyDeleteJean
Wonderful place for a workshop. Love all you show, but especially these which hold up the possibilities of ink and wash to me. These posts are like a mini-workshop for all of us so thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteannie