Thursday, September 29, 2011

Month-Long Workshop - plein air studies in watercolor/gouache

Tiny set of watercolors

2 plein air studies in watercolor/gouache

Students by the brook
Students along the path
The month-long workshop consisted of outdoor landscape painting in oils, outdoor landscape painting in watercolor/gouache and indoor still life.  I always paint when I teach, demonstrating and explaining as I go.  For me, the outdoor painting in watercolor/gouache is relaxing.  It is the easiest medium to transport, because it is lightweight, and you can do several studies on a simple hike.  These studies can then act as a catalyst to further composition/color ideas, which in turn can be made into larger (more finished) studio pieces.

I posted a picture of my tiniest set of watercolors.  If you need to go light, this set fits the bill, because it can be tucked into a small bag.  With it, a few brushes, paper and small clipboard, you are all set.  The nice thing about this way of working, is that the painting dries and can be placed in a folder right away without damage.  

The 2 little plein air studies were done as demos during my class.

4 comments:

Judy P. said...

These are great ideas, thanks for showing us your cute little set-up.
Do you prefer watercolor paint in tubes, or as hard cakes? I see you have squeezed paint; I have a gift set of hard paints, and I wonder if having to work the water into them is not the easiest way. Painting outdoors is tough enough!

Karen Winslow said...

Hi Judy. I use both hard (pan) and tube colors. I bought the empty box and squeezed in colors that could be useful in this limited space. This tiny set can be tucked away in a purse and used on the fly...when inspiration hits.Having an empty box let's you choose the colors, rather than having them chosen for you. That said, though, I use some pan sets with pre-arranged colors, and they work just fine.

My normal watercolor box is bigger than this tiny set. It consists of fuller range of colors that are also tube colors squeezed into empty slots. I replace them as needed. Sometimes, I just use a large enamel tray, and the colors run into each other.

Unknown said...

Hi Karen, Can you tell me where you bought a tiny, metal w/c box like that? thanks......Carolyn

Karen Winslow said...

Hi Carolyn, Of course, I bought the tiny, empty watercolor box at an art supply store in Vermont called Artists Mediums. The store is located in Williston, VT.