Hello
Welcome to the FLOAT-YOUR-PIGMENT Newsletter #307, Learn from the Master's
This pandemic may have done some real damage to the live workshop scene but I have to say because of the pandemic I have learned so much when it comes to teaching in front of the camera. Little by little I am getting more comfortable with learning how to teach my students from a distance. I still like teaching live but teaching online is starting to feel better and as a teacher, I always strive to learn new ways of teaching.
The Thursday evening paint-a-longs have been slowly building to large groups of people and I am very happy that so many of you are learning from them. See the newsletter below or this link to my Paint-a-longs.
Yes to Class at the Civic Center in Libertyville April 8th 1pm to 3:30pm
Yes to Class at The Studio in McHenry April 10th 9:00am to 11:30am
Learning from the Master's
Let me tell you a little secret about how to succeed in learning how to paint super great watercolors... copy a lot of masters watercolor paintings
Yep, it's that simple! I spend so many days back when I was a student and even now copying and studying the watercolor works of the old masters that I think are amazing watercolorists. When it comes to what teaching method has taught me the most about watercolor and design it would probably be copying a master's work... it may not be the #1 reason but it is way up there on the list.
The reason it helps you out so much to paint what a master had already painted is that the master has worked out the hard parts of the painting and the designing of that painting. When you copy the painting you may not do it exactly like the artist did in the original but it gives you the knowledge of how that artist took that particular subject matter and turned it into a painting.
Below you see a copy I did of the modern master Alvaro Castagnet. Paint his scene helped me so much when it came to learning how to simplify a complicated scene.
If there are certain master's works that you love, take time to copy some of that master's work. One thing you don't want to do is claim it as your own, that is an infringement on the copyright of that master's work. But if you just use it to learn from and if you acknowledge and give credit to that master artist there will be no problems or worry about copyright infringement. Even masters have learned from other masters and they credit those other masters for their success in creating
their own styles. Use the old and young master's works to help you better your works but please credit them and never claim it as your own work.
The painting above was a copy I did of the work by Alvaro Castagnet where I wanted to learn how he simplified his city scenes.
BeckerArt Live in Person WORKSHOPS and DEMOS of 2021
WORKSHOP Michigan Water Color Society, Battle Creek, MI. June 1st, 2nd and 3rd POSTPONED TO 2022
WORKSHOP Dillman's, Lac Du Flambeau, W/C, Wisconsin, June28th - July 1st INFO HERE
WORKSHOP Thousand Island Arts Center, W/C, Clayton NY Aug 10,11,12 INFO HERE
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I have always loved to study Homers watercolors. This book from the Art Institute has always been a good one for me. BUY HERE
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Winslow Homer A true master of the medium of watercolor along with mastering oils too. Last week when I was studying waves I noticed I show also study how the mastered painted waves. Homer was a master at painting waves!
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FREE BeckerArt Paint-a-long
photo by Roland Lösslein of Unsplash.com
BECKERART DAILY PAINTINGS
Original Watercolor Paintings
Daily paintings are available for purchase, on sale $150 now $90 dollars, order on my website.
The sales of these original paintings will help me keep my art business going.
Thank you in advance if you purchase one!
Click HERE to buy my original daily painting below or there are 100s of others
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If you are looking to help me fund my BeckerArt business during this Pandemic may I suggest purchasing a daily painting and for those that want to help my small business stay in business click the Donate button below.
For those wishing to send a donation you can do it to:
BeckerArt 3316 Pearl Street, McHenry, IL.60050
THANK YOU!
For any other info please email me at david@davidrbecker.com
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