More George James Lessons

George spent another lesson working with scale. He drew the two front figures in a way that you saw their totality and so they related to one another. He then added the head and neck of a woman, quite large behind them. To the left, he added a large hand. Since the picture plane is 2 dimensional, one need not be constrained by the precepts of reality. The large head and hand add a lot of interest to the design, filling the space with something unexpected that makes the viewer puzzled and pondering about the picture. George used the opportunity to demonstrate how he sculpted the features of the face.

George And The Women

As we were lucky enough to have models, George was able to do his demo with subjects we had all shared. He drew to the figures with water soluble pencil and proceeded to lay in grey tones to develop the value pattern and design. I loved watching him do this as it is so different from the way I work. I constantly find myself lost in Mid-value Land, where the colors bright and intense, mostly seem to live. I know value is probably a better way to design and I am willing to learn intellectually but my artistic self is reluctant.

George established the values with greys and then went back and added color based on that pattern. I have not tried the grey thing; perhaps that is a means for me to learn this lesson.

BACK IN SPRINGMAID

After an uneventful flight down to Myrtle Beach, I arrived back in a special place that has enriched my life with numerous workshops. This year, I am studying with George James, a wonderful artist and teacher from southern California.

George is an expert at working on Yupo paper. More like a sheet of plastic than paper. George did several demonstrations of technique. First he showed a flat wash and a graded wash.

He then showed lots of ways to manipulate the paint: lifting, painting over, squeegeeing. He made it look easy but the practice is not easy. I am struggling to get a handle on all of this but not being too successful. I spent the day playing with it.

George also talked about the most important parts if the picture, the diagram shown here with the numbers reversed (it was taken in the mirror.)

REFILLING THE WELL

Right now I am busy helping my students finish up their projects. The work is fun and challenging, both for me and, hopefully, my students. But as I give so much creative energy to them, it is sometimes difficult to stay on track with my own artwork.

 

It is time to refill the well. That's what I'm planning on as I get ready to go to Springmaid for a week's workshop with George James. That is where this blog began and it is interesting to see its and my journey this year.

The painting above is another in the Magical Minis series. She was there at the beginning, launching the series and she's close to my heart.

"BUTTERFLY BABY" 8" x 5" watercolor. Matted and framed to 14" x 11". $100.

Busy Time

While February is the shortest month, it was also one of my busiest. Took a week on the road to do the Pennsylvania tour of colleges + Delaware with my daughter who is junior in high school. No art got done on the road; the car does not make a serviceable mobile studio.

However, art has still been happening. Another one of Magical Minis seen above.

"Sunshine" watercolor, 5" x 8", professionally matted and framed to 11" x 14". $100. Regardless of the weather, each day should be filled with sunshine.