Answering Some Questions

I'm often asked how I flatten my watercolor paper once it's become buckled and warped from all the washes.  I've explained this in writing plenty of times for people who've messaged me and figured it was probably time to make a video explaining how I do this.  I'm sure it makes a lot more sense actually seeing it as well.   At least I hope so.  Below I'll post two new videos.  One on flattening my art and another short demo on my painting technique.  The second demo also addresses how I adhere my painting to the gator board.  It's really simple but I get this question quite often.  Hope this clears some things up.

Here's a work in progress shot of my new piece "The Secret of Oz".  It's for an upcoming tribute to "The Wizard of Oz" group show at Gallery Nucleus.

Quick Update

...and back to work

Wicked Witch Work in Progress

Gallery Nucleus is having a tribute show for The Wizard of Oz and I'll be contributing for the show.  I could hardly say no.  I'm fascinated with the story and some very interesting speculations about the author, L. Frank Baum's intentions.  So while I'm flattening out another piece I'm jumping on this one.  Lots of work to do still.  Just a reminder, the number one thing I offer students when doing reviews is get good reference, preferably your own so that your not at the mercy of some googled image.  If you don't need it cool, if you need it and you don't have it your work may suffer, and it tends to show.

"LOOK AT WHAT I HAVE CREATED!!!" aka painting fire

Been having some great fun on this piece recently.  Of course it starts off just staring at the rather blank space where the fire would be(see previous post).  It's sort of like looking at a subtley textured ceiling and waiting for an image to show itself.  I tend to slowly reinforce what is emerging and constantly step back to make sure it's flowing the way I want it to.  It's fun because even though I have a vague idea of what I thought I wanted something unexpected always comes through.  It's like solving a puzzle that can have a million proper answers. 

Unfortunately, this type of refinement tends to happen towards the end of a painting and before you know it's done and gone.  It makes all the grinding and slow build up worth it.  It's also the reason I'm always trying to work on painting faster or trying to loosen up a bit so that the build up stage can fly by and I can spend more time refining.  Working smaller helps too.  The burning tree still needs some work.  Will post more as I progress.

New Work in Progress

I was pulled away from this piece for a bit but I'm back on it and hoping to wrap it up soon.  Currently I'm working on the tree's form shadows and cast shadows and shortly some flames.  I'll post more soon.  Back to painting!