|
June 2025, Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
| | |
"When Good Mines Go Bad"
30" x 22" Watercolor
Composition,
it can often make or break a painting.
I realize that there are a lot of artists that do not fully understand the significance or theory behind developing a strong composition in your paintings. Fortunately there were artistic scholars thousands of years ago that came up with a simple formula that explains the legendary "Center of Interest" in a painting and how we, as artists, can elevate the quality of our painting by subscribing to their simple formula. Here it is: It is often referred to as "The Golden Rule of Means".
(a +b) / a=a/b
Got it? Neither do I. It refers to the length of the painting and the width of the painting and how the visual space can be divided to accentuate one specific area that will be the main character in a painting known as "The Center of Interest". Someone long ago discovered that the formula could be simplified by dividing the length of the painting into equal thirds and doing the same with the width. Any place that the imaginary lines crossed would essentially create a strong center of interest and subscribe to the Golden Rule of means. It was even assigned a new name, "The Rule of Thirds".
Before I go any further let me point out the there have been many books written about Composition. The Rule of Thirds is not the only way to develop a strong composition but it is the one that I have used throughout my entire career as an artist and it is universally accepted as a standard for artists. In the above painting "When Good Mines Go Bad" you will notice that the area of the painting that stands out the most is the upper left third where the light is hitting the structure. I intentionally chose this area as my center of interest and used the lighter values to pull the eye of the viewer to this spot on my painting. So I was not only placing my center of interest in an acceptable location I was also manipulating the viewer with the values in the painting. This is something that I have done for years and found it to be a very effective way to further embellish a painting and create an undeniable and strong center of interest.
Here are some examples of using this concept. These are all small studies for larger paintings. They are value studies but in each of them I have also established a strong center of interest using the Rule of Thirds. Most of them were painted using Payne's Gray but I have converted the images to a black and white format to emphasize the contrasting values, specifically the lighter values in the center of interest.
| |
This is the "Golden Rule of Means" that is broken down into the "Rule of Thirds". Any place that two lines cross would be an appropriate location for the center of interest in a painting. It is recommended that it not be directly in the center of your painting. The following studies all follow that principle.
| | | |
This is a 15" x 15" study of an abstract expressionist painting with a center of interest in the lower right one third of the painting. The lighter values direct the viewer to my center of interest.
| | | This is a 1/4 sheet small study of trees and an outcropping of rocks on the California coast. I chose to place my center of interest in the upper right one third of my study and intentionally relied on the strong contrast of the lighter trees against the darker background to pull the eye to that area. | | |
In this 1/4sheet study, I made the two figures in the lower right third of the painting my center of interest by placing them against a light and open background.
| | | |
This is a 1/4 sheet study of the rock formations in Monument Valley. The formation in the upper left third is my center of interest. I intentionally used the size of the shapes and the strong contrasting values to direct the viewer where I wanted them to go.
| | |
In this 1/4 sheet study I chose to make the smaller buildings in the lower left third of my painting the center of interest. I used the lighter values that are silhouetted against the extreme darker values to pull the viewers eye to the specific spot.
| | |
This is a 1/4 sheet study of a lake in Ontario. I chose the upper left as my center of interest and used strong and contrasting values to manipulate the viewer to that area of the painting.
| | | |
All of these small monochromatic studies took less than thirty minutes to paint but contain a storehouse of information. In each of them my composition has been established along with the values that I will use in my actual and larger painting. All that is missing is color which can be decided later.
Anyone who has studied with me has had to endure my discussions on composition because I consider it one of the most important aspects of any painting. In fact, when I judge competitions, it is the first thing that I look for when viewing the artwork.
| | Upcoming LIVE ZOOM CLASSES | | |
There are so many wonderful things that add to the charm of small villages in the tropics. The colors, the unusual architecture, the shapes, and the ways that it all seems to fit together into a pleasing and relaxing manner. Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS where he will show how to paint such a scene with watercolors similar to this stylized painting.
Some of what you will learn is how to create a strong composition, work with large brushes on wet paper including large stiff bristle brushes, negative painting, controlling edges, blending techniques, introducing rich dark values into your painting, overlapping shapes to build depth in your painting, texturing techniques, and so much more.
From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the completed painting, you'll see it all live and be able to ask questions throughout the class.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards is such a sought-after international watermedia instructor with his very informative and laid back style of teaching.
This LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for the INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED watercolor artist.
Each participant will receive a downloadable video of the entire class plus photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration painting.
Wednesday June 4, 2025 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
| | |
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS where he will show how to paint a colorful and eye catching acrylic painting of bottles and wine glasses similar to this painting gessoed watercolor paper. The same techniques and processes can be used to paint this on a canvas if desired.
Some of what you will learn is how to create a strong composition, working with large brushes, negative painting, controlling edges, blending techniques, introducing rich dark values into your painting, overlapping shapes to build depth in your painting, layering colors, and more.
From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the completed painting, you'll see it all live and be able to ask questions throughout the class.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards is such a sought-after international watermedia instructor with his very informative and laid back and informative style of teaching.
This LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for ALL SKILL LEVELS, however, previous experience with acrylics will be beneficial.
Each participant will receive a downloadable video of the entire class plus photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration painting.
Wednesday June 25, 2025 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
| | |
There are so many wonderful things that add to the charm of small villages in the tropics. The colors, the unusual architecture, the shapes, and the ways that it all seems to fit together into a pleasing and relaxing manner. Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in a four-hour LIVE ZOOM CLASS where he will show how to paint such a scene with watercolors similar to this stylized painting.
Some of what you will learn is how to create a strong composition, work with large brushes on wet paper including large stiff bristle brushes, negative painting, controlling edges, blending techniques, introducing rich dark values into your painting, overlapping shapes to build depth in your painting, texturing techniques, and so much more.
From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the completed painting, you'll see it all live and be able to ask questions throughout the class.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards is such a sought-after international watermedia instructor with his very informative and laid back style of teaching.
This LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for the INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED watercolor artist.
Each participant will receive a downloadable video of the entire class plus photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration painting.
Wednesday July 9, 2025 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
| | |
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards in this ONE-DAY LIVE ZOOM WATERCOLOR CLASS on painting an exciting and totally original abstract piece of art similar to this painting. Sterling considers his abstract paintings his most unique pieces because they are something that he has created rather than something he has copied. Painting an abstract forces the artist to tap into their creative mind and produce a one-of-a-kind piece of art unlike any other. Each painting is unique and it's almost impossible to copy exactly. That is part of what makes abstract paintings so desirable to art collectors and interior designers.
Sterling will take you through every step of his process from the initial sketch and discussion on design and composition to the finished painting with clear and concise instructions and demonstrations.
See for yourself why Sterling Edwards, with his relaxed, approachable, and very informative style of teaching, is one of the most sought-after watermedia instructors in the U.S. and abroad.
** This class is recommended for ALL SKILL LEVELS of watercolor artists. **
There will be plenty of student painting time with critiques and assistance.
Wednesday July 23, 2025
Noon til 4:00pm U.S. EASTERN TIME
As an added bonus, participants will receive an unedited and downloadable video of the workshop along with photographs of Sterling's demonstration painting.
The price of this LIVE ZOOM CLASS is $100
As always, registration is first come first served.
| | |
This is a photo of me and Diane taken at one of the many wonderful vineyards in North Carolina.
A special thank you to Diane for all that you do to manage our business and keep things running smoothly. It's a full-time job and your attention to detail and professionalism is appreciated by all. I couldn't do this without you.
Please Spread the word
Please tell your art loving friends about our website and newsletter; word of mouth referrals are by far the best advertising. They can sign-up for the newsletter on our website; www.sterlingedwards.com . Thank you.
As always, we appreciate your support.
Art; it chooses us
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“Painting is a means of self-enlightenment.”
John Olsen
Unsubscribe
E-mail: sterling@sterlingedwards.com
Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
Please like us on Facebook and Instagram
| | | | |
