Graham Berry

April 16th, 2013

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From illustration to Fine Art

Graham Berry studied Graphic Design at Blackpool College of Art, and later studied Illustration at Wimbledon College of Art. After graduating in 1971 he was employed as the Illustrator at a small design studio in Soho, London and has gone on to have a very successful illustration career.

Doing the rounds – Graham Berry

He’s had to move with the times and all his commercial illustration is now done digitally. It was this fact and the downturn in the economy that has allowed him time to concentrate on water colour painting.

Graham says ’I've only recently began to consider myself a painter, although I’ve drawn and painted most days for the past 30+ years it was as an illustrator, any painting I did in my spare time was done to promote my illustration career. It as only been since my illustration work is now 100% digital that I can separate myself as a painter. So I only consider I started my career as a painter 2 years ago. My digital illustration is done in my downstairs office and my paintings are done in my studio upstairs, totally separate physically and mentally which is very important to me.’

Cotswold sunshine – Graham Berry

About the inspiration for his work, Graham says ‘My paintings are inspired by the effect of light and shadow on our environment, creating dynamic shapes and colours, I especially enjoy painting people going about their everyday lives.

My experience working as an Illustrator has refined my drawing ability that is the foundation to my work, I believe the ability to draw is fundamental to painting.

I attend a ‘Life Drawing‘ class every week to sharpen my drawing and observation skills. I’m always on the look out for images that will make interesting paintings, I try to take my camera with me at all times just in case I see something that appeals. At other times I will go to a specific place or event with the intention of getting material for painting, usually I will do a number of paintings from those photos or sketches, at the moment most of my paintings are studio based.‘

Two on bench – Graham Berry

After years working as an illustrator, with the restrictions of working to a brief, it feels great to be painting for myself and when a painting is not going as I would like I now have the freedom to rip it up and start afresh. Somedays you feel you’ll never paint anything decent but you’ve just got to work through it, every painting you produce adds to your knowledge of what works or doesn’t work.

Painting with watercolour is never easy and every painting provides a fresh challenge, it’s a very exciting medium to work with and when a painting turns out as you would like it’s very satisfying.

I’ve had work selected for the latest edition of North Light Books’ Best of Watercolor contest, Splash 14: Light and Color and Splash 15: Creative Solutions.

Meeting in the pub – Graham Berry

To see more of Graham Berry work visit his web site: grahamberrystudio.com

Watercolors Painting

Javier Zorrilla

April 9th, 2013

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Watercolors from Spain

Javier Zorrilla, Born in Madrid (Spain) studied painting in the workshops of the painters José Luis Ferrer and Teresa Muniz. Talleres del Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid (Workshops of the Fine Arts in Madrid).

Mercadillo de Navidad – Javier Zorrilla

Javier Zorrilla is a member of the Association of Painters and Sculptors, Agrupación Española de Acuarelistas (Spanish Association of watercolorists) and Agrupación de Acuarelistas Vascos (Association of Basque watercolorists).

He teaches watercolor workshops at the Cultural Center of Guadalajara IberCaja. He also teaches at the gallery Becuadro of Madrid. He has given numerous workshops fairs in various places in Spain.

Paseando por Bravo Murillo – Javier Zorrilla

Javier has received a long list of awards among which we mention the first prize painting Timanfaya National Park, First prize Juan Fontanal watercolor, Watercolor Award of Caja Madrid “Madrid Threads,” First Prize “Villa de Mijas” , Tisa Award Tormo in Watercolor, Watercolor award pimer MAP and MAGRAMA etc

His work has been acquired by institutions like Ferrandiz Foundation, Municipalities, National Museums of Watercolor or National Heritage.
He has been selected to represent the Spanish Association Biennial Watercolor on watercolor Spain, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Colombia, Canada and Korea.

Palacio Real – Javier Zorrilla

A characteristic of his painting is light achieved in every scene he paints. With a loose style, he does simplify complex scenes allowing the viewer to complete the picture in his mind.
You can find more information on the activities of Javier Zorrilla and new paintings by accessing your blog, enjoy it.

San Martín – Javier Zorrilla

Watercolors Painting

Iain Stewart, NWS

March 19th, 2013

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His view of the world in Watercolor

Iain Stewart is an award winning watercolor artist and a signature member of the National
Watercolor Society (NWS).

Charing Cross Mansions – Glasgow – Iain Stewart

His work has received numerous awards in international competition. Most recently his watercolor “Thurlow Dam, Tallassee Alabama” was honored with a Purchase Award from the National Watercolor Society, his work “5th Avenue in Rain” was selected for inclusion in the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial Exhibition, and his watercolor Grace.
Church will be on exhibition at the Salmagundi Club in New York for the American Watercolor Society’s 146th Annual International Exhibition in April 2013.

Crail at Low Tide – Scotland – Iain Stewart

Iain will be featured in the March 2013 issue of the international publication The Art of Watercolour.
His paintings have been published in Southern Living, Cottage Living, Better Homes and Gardens, The Robb Report, Watercolor Artist Magazine and the French publication Practique des Arts.

Edinburgh Imagined – Iain Stewart

Iain maintains a studio in Opelika, Alabama, and in addition to gallery work, is an Architectural Illustrator with an international clientele and teaches watercolor and design drawing at Auburn University.
This is his Artist Statement
I rely on instinct a great deal and endeavor not to imbue any false grandeur to the choices I make when working. The lion’s share of my work is done alla prima as my real struggle in painting is to capture the initial vision for any given piece. I am most often motivated by capturing a definitive lighting condition and how it influences shape and value rather than faithfully representing the subject as witnessed. Watercolor is uniquely suited for this task as “light” is reserved from the first brush strokes and must be protected throughout the painting process .

Grace Church NYC – Iain Stewart

The underlying narrative in my work is not based on any theme in particular but quite simply
how “place” is inhabited and used daily.
I often use remembered atmospheric and lighting conditions in my work and would say that I paint from life and memory simultaneously. My watercolors are not only a translation of what I see, but more importantly, an expression of how I choose to view the world.

George Street – Edinburgh – Iain Stewart

You can find additional information visiting his Website

Watercolors Painting

Painting, an Adventure

March 6th, 2013

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Gerard Hendriks, when the end result counts

Painting with watercolour is for me an exciting adventure!!! says Gerard Hendriks with enthusiasm

Gerard Hendriks was born in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

He is married, lives in Beek en Donk a small village near Eindhoven. He wanted to become an artist at the early age of ten. Gerard says “From the very moment that I could hold a pencil, I started to draw. After a while I also began to use the brush and I have never stopped painting since. „Through the years, I have taught myself all the techniques, from abstract to figurative and combinations of both.”

Gerard Hendriks – Chianti met druiven hml 600gr 57x38cm

Sport, dancing and still-lives are themes that Hendriks has painted for years. Nowadays it is wildlife and flowers that inspires him. “For years I have made realistic oil paintings of still-lives and animals, however, after a while this way of painting became less and less satisfactory. Everything was there, true to reality, but to my mind the painting lacked something. I could not put my heart into my work and the results did not surprise me anymore.”

Gerard Hendriks – Birds

Hendriks decided to start working with Watercolor in a “less strict and more relaxed” way. “I really enjoy the free and more abstract style, because I can put my heart into it. Birds, animals, people, still-lives and other objects remain recognisable, but the colour does not have to be necessarily realistic.”

Gerard Hendriks – Cow 38x57cm hm Tiepolo 450gr

The artist puts his subjects down in a flashing and colourful way in watercolour paint, “The way I use the paint, makes it a regular surprise as to how it will look in the end. I also feel free to scribble, sketch and splashing. Only the artistic end-result counts. It is my intention that the spectator is involved in giving his or her own meaning to the painting. For me it’s an exciting adventure, a kind of safari from behind the easel.” I paint every day, partly because I have pleasure in it makes me happy and partly to learn ( an athlete must also work to get better ). I regularly give Workshops en Demonstrations.

Please visit his website for more information www.gerardhendriks.net

Watercolors Painting

Frank Eber

February 14th, 2013

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An Emotional Angle

Frank grew up in Europe and was mentored by Italian master painter Renato Casaro in 1994 and 95. In the ’80s and ’90s Frank worked as a professional illustrator on video cover sleeves and as a portrait artist by commission.

Horse handler near Los Olivos – Frank Eber

His love of travel has given him prime opportunities to paint: he lived for three years in the south of France, and has painted on location in Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

Frank is an award-winning artist and Signature member of the National Watercolor Society. He currently serves as the 2nd Vice President (Traveling Exhibit). He is also a member of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America.

Frank conducts workshops and demonstrations locally and at the national level. His painting ‘Through the very heart of it’ is included in the 146th Annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society in New York City April 2 – 22, 2013.

City views – Frank Eber

He currently teaches at Graphaids, Westchester and at the Palos Verdes Art Center. In October, 2011 Frank sold out 3 all-day classes and a showroom floor demonstration at the Learning & Product Expo: Art! held at the Pasadena Convention Center.
Frank was recently accepted as an artist’s member by the prestigious California Art Club
He is married and lives in Redondo Beach, California.

Frank tells us about his work and vision

I paint what I see, but from an emotional angle.

Atmosphere and light are just the first steps. I see a ‘version’ of what is there. Rather than painting an accurate picture, I am more interested in capturing the underlying energy.

‘What makes this place’ and ‘how does it feel to be here’ are questions I ask myself. Only by working on location (en plein air) is it possible to be a student of Nature and her laws.

the colors of rain – Frank Eber

As shapes dissolve in patterns of value and light, the painting becomes more of a poetic statement rather than a literal representation. Ultimately, I am jotting down simple marks hoping to tell the story, heavily relying on the magic of the medium to help me. It doesn’t always work, which only deepens my addiction to it.

There is an undeniable connection to everything in life. As human beings we are all connected. While I am painting, I try to be mindful of that and also have those connections in my work.
Painting is my meditation, my refuge. It is in that timeless state, in those fleeting moments you cannot possible hold on to, that I feel whole and as though life actually makes sense. Just for a little while..

San Pedro – Frank Eber

You can visit his WEBSITE for more information on works and workshops

Watercolors Painting

Brushes

February 4th, 2013

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Robert Simmons One Stroke White Sable

Robert Simmons brushes use a unique blend of filaments that perform like pure red sable, hence the name of White Sable.

The One Stroke is a flat series and come in several sizes, 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″ and 1 1/2″.

Brushes – one stroke Robert Simmons

One of the characteristics of these filaments is that when you wet the brush, the fibers become extremely soft. These brushes are suitable for Watercolor and Acrylic.

The handle is thick and very confortable to use

Watercolors Painting

Script brush – Robert Simmons

February 2nd, 2013

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White Sable Script Series 750

Robert Simmons brushes were introduced in 1972 and since then we have seen increased the offer of these brushes.

Today we want to evaluate one of the called “White Sable“, the Script Series 750. It comes in several sizes. The white sable is the term used for this synthetic white filaments. These brushes are characterized for the lenght of the filaments and the capacity to hold water and pigment.

Robert Simmons script brush

The Script Series 750 form a sharp point and can be used in many ways, from the traditional using its point to “draw”, “write” or paint thin to medium lines, and you can use the brush flat to paint one stroke lines of the fiber lenght.

With use, the fiber is dyed mainly by pigments such as prussian blue, but this fact does not affect the characteristics of use of the brush. In the next picture we see a Script brush that has several years of use and remains as useful as the first time.

Script brush with use

Watercolors Painting

Barbara Nechis Watercolor Artist

January 26th, 2013

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Abstract Realism

Barbara Nechis is a contemporary watercolor artist. She holds a BA in History and Fine Arts from the University of Rochesterand an MS from Alfred University. She was a faculty member of Parsons School of Design for many years and has taught seminars at Pratt Institute, throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. She has served as a juror and director of the American Watercolor Society.

Barbara Nechis – Autumn

She is the author of Watercolor From the Heart (Watson-Guptill Publications, 1993) and Watercolor the Creative Experience (North Light Books, 1979). Her work appears in many publications and collections, among them the Butler Institute of American Art, IBM, and Citicorp. She resides in Napa Valley in northern California.

Barbara tells us about her creative process,

‘My work is an exploration based on my response to the entire experience of nature. I use the fundamentally abstract patterns of nature both as a source of inspiration and as a compositional element to produce effects that allude to the proportions and harmonies of the physical landscape without imitating it.

Barbara Nechis – Patterns

My pursuit of the spirit of nature rather than as photographic imitation led me to abstraction and I discovered in the process that often, after painting what I thought to be abstract, I would find similar shapes in nature. I have learned from viewing my photographs how abstract the landscape really is. I combine abstract principles with knowledge of the form and depth of mountains, rock, trees, crevices, and water, to produce an abstract realism. Although none of these objects are actually rendered, my paintings capture the impression of those elements.

By choosing to create my own forms out of the experience of seeing many in nature, I do not compete with the natural beauty of the environment. I do what nature itself cannot do: I use paint, water, edge, layers, gradations, color, shapes and my imagination to produce effects in ways that real rock, mountains, trees and flowers cannot produce. I call my work “Abstract Realism”.

Barbara Nechis – Movement

More than the subject, the joy and frustration that alternate in the course of creating each painting is the hook which keeps me absorbed in my search to express the essence of nature mostly through watercolor: a sometimes elusive medium which in its flow and at its best can imitate a force of nature.’

You will find additional information on Barbara and her work at this WEBSITE

Barbara Nechis – Yosemite Falls

Watercolors Painting

Andy Evansen

January 15th, 2013

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Color and light in loose Watercolor

Andy began painting Watercolors in mid 1990′s. There are two characteristics that identify Andy’s painting, use of color and the light in every watercolor.

Andy Evansen – Evening at Bethesda Fountain

He has studied with well known watercolorists such as Alvaro Castagnet, Skip Lawrence and Eric Weigardt in addition to his self-taught experience. Winner of several important awards, Andy also teaches workshops all around the United States.

You can also find publications in the main watercolor magazines. A detailed description of these can be found at his ejoyable Website.

Andy Evansen – Coming Ashore, Two Harbors

He served as President of the Minnesota Watercolor Society, and his award-winning paintings are in collections on four continents. Recently he was awarded the Bronze Medal of Honor at the 2012 American Watercolor Society Exhibition.

Andy tells us about his career:

“When I decided some 20 years ago to become a painter, there was never any question in my mind what medium I would choose. Watercolor has always fascinated me, the effects of pigment and water mixing on paper are so unique and challenging and the results so beautiful.

Then there were my painting idols; John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, Charles Reid, and Trevor Chamberlain, among others. All managed to make watercolor look so easy despite it being the most difficult medium to master.

Andy Evansen – Coming Ashore, Two Harbors

Watercolor painting, to me, is about making a direct statement. I have no interest in spending 2 months on a painting. That much forced control deprives the medium of its very essence.

I believe the best way to engage a viewer is to pique their interest with strong shapes and a nice composition, then allow them to ‘fill in the blanks’ with implied details.

While learning, I painted strictly from photographs, and am glad I took that route. There are so many pitfalls with watercolor, as it relies on a strong drawing, good timing and tricky wash control. I now paint ‘en plein air’ as well, which has reinforced my efforts of picking a strong, simple subject and working quickly, two important elements in what everyone considers a loose painting style.”

Andy Evansen – Navigating the Pearl

Do not forget to visit his website and enjoy a full range of watercolors.

Watercolors Painting

Stan Miller

January 3rd, 2013

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Watercolor and more

Stan Miller was born in Southeastern South Dakota in 1949.

Stan tells the way he was started in art
“I remember, when I must have been quite young, watching my older brother Greg draw. He was good. In the third grade our teacher taught us perspective, how to make a road go back and disappear into the mountains. I never forgot how to do that. When I was seven or eight years old, our family took a trip to Wisconsin to visit a friend of my Dads. He was a professional watercolorist. I remember the drive through the woods, walking up to his front door, through the entry, looking up at the walls as soon as I entered the house. I wanted to see his paintings. Randy Penner. I’ll never forget that name or that trip and the influence it had on me.

Stan Miller – watercolor – Heathers repose

In Junior High I took some art, mechanical drawing and enjoyed it. I wrote a career paper on becoming an artist but never really thought that it was possible. In college I decided to major in physical education since I considered an art major unrealistic. The second year I switched to a commercial art major since the community college had a good graphics program. It was during the three years of training to become a commercial artist that I took watercolor. My first watercolor class I got a “C”. The worst grade I had ever received in any art class. I was required to take it again the following year and it went much better. Not only did I get an “A”, but I fell in love with it. I started selling my paintings before I graduated for as little as $2. In the fall of 1973 I had made a decision to try to make a living as a full time, professional watercolorist and have managed to do that now for more than thirty years.”

Stan Miller – watercolor – Nick Wyoming

Stan Miller received several awards, beginning in early 1985 with the National Western Art Show, Best of Show, Ellensburg, in Washington and being the most recent 2011 Best in Show – Portland, Oregon – Art in the Pearl.

Stan Miller – watercolor study

His art was exhibited in several One Person Exhibitions as well as in Group ones. We can find articles on Stan Miller in several magazines in America and Europe. You can find a detailed list visiting his Website

Stan Miller – watercolor -Venice calm

Watercolors Painting

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Graham Berry

From illustration to Fine Art

Watercolors Painting

Javier Zorrilla

Watercolors from Spain

Watercolors Painting

Iain Stewart, NWS

His view of the world in Watercolor

Watercolors Painting

Painting, an Adventure

Gerard Hendriks, when the end result counts

Watercolors Painting

Frank Eber

An Emotional Angle

Watercolors Painting

Brushes

Robert Simmons One Stroke White Sable

Watercolors Painting

Script brush – Robert Simmons

White Sable Script Series 750

Watercolors Painting

Barbara Nechis Watercolor Artist

Abstract Realism

You will find additional information on Barbara and her work at this WEBSITE

Watercolors Painting

Andy Evansen

Color and light in loose Watercolor

Andy tells us about his career:

Watercolors Painting

Stan Miller

Watercolor and more

Watercolors Painting

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From illustration to Fine Art

Watercolors Painting

Watercolors from Spain

Watercolors Painting

His view of the world in Watercolor

Watercolors Painting

Gerard Hendriks, when the end result counts

Watercolors Painting

An Emotional Angle

Watercolors Painting

Robert Simmons One Stroke White Sable

Watercolors Painting

White Sable Script Series 750

Watercolors Painting

Abstract Realism

You will find additional information on Barbara and her work at this WEBSITE

Watercolors Painting

Color and light in loose Watercolor

Andy tells us about his career:

Watercolors Painting

Watercolor and more

Watercolors Painting

Featured Video

Google +

Tshirts

Interactive Online Workshops

Paint Your Life

Categories

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