Watercolor Artist Blog favicon.ico 2010-03-05T16:41:47.4747905-05:00 F+W Media http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/ DasBlog The World of Watercolor http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,e4249ded-b490-45bc-8f5f-8d7b25e6c3bf.aspx 2010-03-05T16:40:41.517-05:00 2010-03-05T16:41:47.4747905-05:00 Jessica
_Odyssey_ by Su Y.jpg The Fallbrook Art Center, in Fallbrook, California, is currently celebrating the "World of Watercolor" with a double-bill of top-notch shows on view through March 28.

The Center's inaugural Signature American Watercolor Exhibition showcases works by 29 artists who have, as the exhibition name suggests, achieved signature membership status in a recognized U.S. watercolor society or association. The event is held in conjunction with the National Watercolor Society's 89th Annual Exhibition Travel Show—an additional 30 masterpieces—which is on its first stop of the 2010 tour.

The NWS show travels next to South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, in April; Zanesville, Ohio, in June; Kerrville, Texas, in August; and Pleasanton, California, in October. Find more details at the NWS website.

Pictured: Odyssey, by Su Y. Kown. Fallbrook Art Center 1st Award


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 Your Emergency Inspiration Kits http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,89c49c64-0997-4e86-b7eb-4d97a8005ad8.aspx 2010-03-02T10:11:27.093-05:00 2010-03-02T10:12:46.5756425-05:00 Sarah


In one of the funnest Creativity Workshop challenges to date, artist Deborah Secor encouraged readers to make the most of the conditions we're handed in life by creating an Emergency Inspiration Kit and using it to paint in a new format. Now it's time to celebrate the artists who rose to the challenge. The editors' choice and the winner of our prize is Andrew Palmer of Portland, Oregon. That's his Emergency Inspiration Kit above. Visit our site to see the painting that netted him the prize and to find out who our runners up were in this round. Congratulations to all those who entered!

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 Watercolor Artist April 2010 Issue http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,42df6463-550e-4f7b-8ead-c569aabb9537.aspx 2010-02-24T10:19:38.374-05:00 2010-02-24T10:20:08.7638214-05:00 Jessica
0410WCA_300.jpg The April 2010 issue of Watercolor Artist magazine is in the house—er, our office, newsstands, and our online shop! Inside you'll find plenty of fresh ideas for the spring painting season.

Read the story of modern master, Carolyn Brady (1937-2005), whose work continues to influence and inspire, and meet a rising star on the watercolor scene, Mario Robinson, whose portraits will take you back to a bygone era. Plus, learns the ins and outs of watercolor workshops with our "Workshops 101" primer, learn how to paint an eye in just six simple steps, and much more!

Featured artists include Kathleen Alexander, Zhou Tianya,  Kathleen Ballard, Paul McCormack and others.

Need the issue right away? You can download a digital version of the magazine by clicking here.

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 5 Quick Tips for Portrait Artists from Mario Robinson http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,41f34a1e-ebcc-4580-9e35-936c764e468e.aspx 2010-02-22T13:50:30.509-05:00 2010-02-22T14:17:14.1997243-05:00 Kelly
ella_sc.jpg

1. Know your models: Painting friends and family members can save you money and time. Plus, your intimacy and familiarity with your subjects will shine through in your work.

2. Limit your social networking and marketing to set periods of time. Waiting for someone to comment on the latest painting you posted online is like watching water boil. It won’t help your artwork.

3. It’s all about momentum. There’s no silver bullet for launching a successful career, but no matter what, you have to keep working. It may happen for you 10 years from now or it may happen tomorrow.

4. Don’t try to do everything yourself. If you can shop certain aspects of your career out, such as the framing of your work, do it to save yourself more time for painting.

5. Set yourself apart. It’s a very competitive field and a retail-based market. Lock into your mission and passion and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.

The subject of Ella (shown above; watercolor on paper, 14x20) is an artist who paints florals. "As a child, I was fascinated by her colorful paintings," says Robinson. "She's in her 90s and is still active in the local arts community."

WC0410.jpgFor more great advice and examples of Mario Robinson's portrait work, check out the April 2010 issue of Watercolor Artist magazine, on newsstands this week.



 Twitter for Artists on Tuesday http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,fc382819-5008-40d3-b6e6-7f8d75a8a3cc.aspx 2010-02-19T10:49:10.716-05:00 2010-02-19T11:29:42.1634465-05:00 Sarah
If you're interested in joining the fun with Twitter, but you're nervous about navigating the social networking scene, we've got the seminar for you: Twitter for Artists (2/23/10 at 1 p.m. EST) will show you what Twitter is all about and how to use it to promote yourself and your art online. You'll learn:

-How to get started and what to expect
-Proper etiquette
-Traffic promotion
-Product promotion
-Time management

There are also a few additional benefits to registering for the seminar: Everyone who registers will receive free online access to the session, as well as a coupon for two free months with Artspan, which provides custom websites for artists who want to sell their work online.

If you register by midnight Sunday (2/21/10), you can save $10 by using this coupon code: nn8xh2kc05. (Note: be sure to copy and paste the code when prompted at registration, rather than entering it manually, as letters and numbers may be difficult to distinguish.) Register now!

This week's newsletter http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,b07fd593-3a2b-4b5b-a289-e3928542a902.aspx 2010-02-12T14:40:03.5933621-05:00 2010-02-12T14:40:03.5933621-05:00 Sarah Free Acylics Tutorial http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,c76ef258-79f8-467b-881c-53be582abbf1.aspx 2010-02-09T13:09:34.2922313-05:00 2010-02-09T13:09:34.2922313-05:00 Sarah
Looking for an easy way to spice up your acrylics? Try treating the medium more like oil. Terry Harrison shows you how to paint trees using two variations on this technique in this free video sample.

Henry Fukuhara (1914-2010) http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,4e6a11b2-01fd-4c61-89d1-d1daa7ee417c.aspx 2010-02-05T10:39:23.008-05:00 2010-02-05T10:45:04.900367-05:00 Jessica
Henry_smiling.jpg Thanks to Tom Fong, fellow artist and friend of Henry Fukuhara, for informing us of Fukuhara's death on Jan. 31. Click here to read the L.A. Times obituary. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 7, at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica.

The beloved watercolor painter and teacher was featured in the October 2008 issue of Watercolor Artist; click here to watch a slide show of some of the artist's works.

Please feel free to leave a comment and share how Fukuhara inspired you and your own creative pursuits.






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 Amazing Watercolors by a 7-Year Old http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,07479a7b-806c-4650-b3e0-c479546cc4b4.aspx 2010-02-03T10:27:22.784-05:00 2010-02-03T10:31:27.5498424-05:00 Jessica
KieronWilliamson.jpg Last summer The Daily Mail introduced us to the watercolors of then 6-year-old Kieron Williamson. The young British artist is now represented exclusively by Picturecraft Gallery, who's hosting an exhibition of his paintings in August—and a documentary is slated to be produced this year, according to the gallery.

Check out his incredible works here and here.

Photo courtesy of Picturecraft Gallery













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 Must-See Show: Robert Highsmith Watercolors http://watercolorblog.artistsnetwork.com/PermaLink,guid,be4785da-2b89-4dde-98e0-fa9d8004f318.aspx 2010-02-01T14:18:44.362-05:00 2010-02-01T14:19:45.0783613-05:00 Jessica


Marigold Arts (in Santa Fe, N.M.) presents a solo exhibition of watercolors by Robert Highsmith Feb. 5-March 18. The landscapes, such as On Route 28 (above), portray New Mexico in fall and winter seasons. (You might recall Highsmith's work from the February 2007 issue of Watercolor Magic.)

Stop by and meet the artist at the opening reception, 5-7 p.m. this Friday.


pictured: On Route 28 (watercolor on paper, 7x21) by Robert Highsmith


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