BeckerArt FLOAT-YOUR-PIGMENT Newsletter August 2nd, Opaque Washes

Published: Tue, 08/02/16

 
Hello 

Welcome to the FLOAT-YOUR-PIGMENT Newsletter #66, Opaque Washes

What an amazing week the Vermont Art Event was last week in Vermont. I would like to thank all the wonderful artists that came out to the Vermont Art Event.
Thanks to all of you that took a class from me, it was so wonderful seeing those of you that I have met from years past and also the wonderful new artists.  I don't have a final count of how many artists took my classes in the 5 days I was there, but it was close to 95 to 100 people.
I had many take multiple classes and some took just one but I am so grateful to all of you. I hope everyone learned a lot, and like I tell all my students past and present, "if you ever have a question or problem with your art, email me and I will help you out". 
I also want to thank everyone at Holbein for making the event another super great success, I sure hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.
Pictured throughout this newsletter you can find most of my paintings from my classes that I taught  last week.

My next event Like the Vermont Art Event will be in Santa Fe, NM for the Artisan Materials Expo Sept.29th - Oct. 1st at these classes you also don't have to bring supply's and there are many different mediums and instructors to choose from. 

This week I talk a little about the use of watercolors that are more opaque and putting them over dark washes.

Happy Painting!
David

Yes to CLASS this coming Thursday, August  4th at the Civic Center in Libertyville
Yes to CLASS this coming Saturday, August 6th at The Studio in McHenry.

 
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Opaque Watercolor Washes
As a student of watercolor, I was always told that washes had to be transparent and the use of white was not allowed. I have recently become very fond of using watercolors that have a little opaque color to them.
I allow white and other opaque colors to be used by my students if it is to enhance a painting and not to fix or go over a problem. In a show at the Art Institute of Chicago, I saw a John Singer Sargent watercolor that had the use of white in it, I started thinking that if Sargent could use white why can't I.

Holbein has colors like Horizon Blue and Compose Green that are somewhat opaque and have a very pastel feel to them. These are colors that are beautiful and when floated over a dark can give you some spectacular washes.

The one thing you need to know about using a light opaque color over a dark color is that you have to have the paper wet and the pigment has to be floated into the wash of water for it to look fresh. Do not put it on a dry surface because then that would make it look like an opaque watercolor or as most would call it Gouache.


  BeckerArt Watercolor Opague Wash
Video
 
There is still time available to sign up for my workshop to the Greek Islands 2016 and to the Danube in 2017, but sign-up ASAP

​​​​​​​Cruising the Aegean: A Classic Greek Islands Cruise
Sign-up for my Greek Islands Workshop HERE

River Cruising the Danube in 2017 HERE
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Artist of the Week
Ogden M Pleissner is another master watercolorist that I admired while I was a student and I had copied many of Pleissner's works. 
I went to see the Pleissner Gallery at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT, just south of Burlington. If you are a watercolorist this gallery is a must see. You can also see his studio at the gallery.
 
App of the Week
Get the iMuseum app when you want to learn about what is happening at a certain art museum you may be interested in.
 
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Get your amazing Superior Synthetic Blend BeckerArt Brushes today.

1 1/4" Flat Series 020, #16 Round and a #4 Rigger Holbein Gold, Short Handle, Superior Synthetic Blend Watercolor Brushes. Made to my specifications, which were, The point of the 1 1/4" flat brush and the # 16 round had to come to a razor sharp point, along with a bounce back to straight action when applying watercolor to paper. The # 4 Rigger had to be the perfect length, the perfect thickness, and the perfect point.

Click Here to Purchase​​​​​​​

 
Artwork Archive.com and get 20% off your first year. 
It's time to get your artistic life organized.
They also have a great newsletter about the art business when you sign up.
 
 For any other info please email me at david@davidrbecker.com