Happy New Year!
January 2024, Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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"Aftermath"
22"x 30" Watercolor
So when is it finished?
This is a question that all artists probably ask themselves when working on a painting; if they don't, maybe they should. There seems to be a fine line between a painting that is tastefully executed and one that is overworked. I would venture to say just about everyone one of you has been guilty of overworking a piece from time to time. It's incredibly easy to do and requires very little effort. We work on a piece that seems to have great potential which feeds our ego into thinking that this is an excellent opportunity to show the world just how good we really are. So you keep working on it and keep working on it. Eventually, however; you come to the realization that it's too much. You should have stopped working on the piece a while back when it was fresh and clearly illustrated what a good and disciplined artist you are. But the bottom line is that you kept going and, once again, went too far. If you are working in an opaque medium such as oils or acrylics, you can easily paint over the areas that you do not like or that became too overworked. It's a common practice and we all do it from time to time. If done well, the viewer will never suspect that parts of the painting were reworked. If you are working in watercolors, you most likely will not have that option. The medium is basically transparent; rather than covering up your mistakes you will most likely end up making them more visible.
So what is the solution that will help us to avoid over working our paintings?
I'm often asked this question in my workshops. The bottom line is that I don't think that there is a magic cure-all solution that would apply to every artist because what looks overworked to one artist may not appear that way to another. I have seen many paintings that were created by very accomplished artist, and sold for tons of money, that I personally thought looked a little overworked. But as a said, they were marked "sold". What I found to be a distraction was apparently not a big deal to the person that purchased the painting. So it's another one of those "subjective" things about art. Don't you hate that word? I do because all too often, when someone wants to justify something they say just refer to it as "subjective".
Personally and in my teaching, I have always referred to my thirty minute rule. Simply put, most paintings were finished thirty minutes ago. It' just a catchy little phrase that I came up with years ago, but it has kept me inline and focused when I am painting. It's not written in stone and you probably won't see it in a book but if you can remember it, you might not overwork so many paintings. In my case, it is always in the back of my mind when I am working on a piece, especially as the painting is nearing completion. This is the critical point where you can easily overdo it. Lay the brush down and step away from the painting for a few minutes to clear your mind and let your eyes rest. When you return to the painting ask yourself honestly,
" Is my composition strong, are my colors and values well defined and fresh, does this piece say what I want it to say, is it a good representation of my ability based on my skill level, and most importantly, would anything else that I am considering really enhance the painting?" Try and prevent yourself from getting into the mindset that just a little more of this or that will make it perfect. Truthfully, it's never going to be perfect because art is not an exact science. There is not a all encompassing standard that would dictate that one painting is "perfect" but another is not.
In other words, it's subjective. There's that word again.
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4th Annual Watercolor Live Online
I'm very proud to have been selected to participate in the 4th Annual Watercolor Live Online event January 24-26, 2024. This annual event is being hosted by several well know art magazines including Plein Air Magazine, International Artist Magazine, American Watercolor, and a host of others. Online courses will feature a selection of known artists demonstrating prerecorded painting sessions and participating in Live Chats Rooms. Click the link below to see their website to register or learn more.
Click the link below to register or learn more:
When you register, you will save 10% if you type my code; EDWARDS
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Here's what I've been up to lately
December was a busy but fun month. I taught a three-day Live Zoom Watercolor Workshop titled "Painting Nature's Beauty". It was all about landscapes using tradition watercolor techniques. I also taught a one-day Live Zoom Class on painting mixed media using watercolor, acrylics, and graphite. In between teaching we took time to catch up with friends and enjoy the holidays with our family.
My video series on Introduction into Watercolor Abstracts produced by The Artefacto School of Art was officially made available for purchase in August. with outstanding results. Here is a link to go directly to my Artefacto page;
I'm also pleased to announce that I have also produced a video series on how to create a "Painterly" acrylic landscape, floral, and still life. This NEW series is now available through the Artefacto School of Art and can be purchased at the following link. The painting below is an example of a "Painterly" piece of art.
Click below to learn more...
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"The Art of Acrylics"
New video series available through the Artefacto School of Art.
This is a "Painterly" acrylic on gessoed watercolor paper. Painterly works of art generally exhibit strong brushwork and little detail. They capture the essence of a subject in an artistic and somewhat interpretive style.
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Upcoming Live Zoom Classes from our studio
All my Live Zoom Classes and Workshops are designed to illustrate and explain a multitude of creative techniques. There will be plenty of painting time for each participant. I am available throughout the entire class to offer suggestions and/or critiques as you work on your paintings. As an added bonus, you will receive an unedited video of each class and photographs for future study.
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"Stylizing the Landscape"
Space is limited
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If you're tired of your landscapes looking like everyone else's landscapes then you will definitely benefit from this creative and expressive three-day Live Zoom Watercolor Workshop with renowned watermedia master artist Sterling Edwards.
Sterling will show his process for taking ordinary landscape elements and giving them movement and design to create something unique. Stylized works of art that are in Sterling's signature style of painting. In this workshop he will show and explain exactly how he designs them.
There will be a multitude of watercolor techniques taught in the workshop such as negative painting, saving white paper, building rich dark values, stylizing shapes, expressive color mixing, working with large brushes including stiff bristle brushes, charging and glazing colors, and much more.
Don't miss this exciting opportunity.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, HOWEVER; PREVIOUS WATERCOLOR EXPERIENCE IS ALWAYS BENEFICIAL
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of each day of the workshop.
January 8, 10, 12, 2024 from noon til 4:00 Daily.
$300
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"Stylized and Abstract Watercolors" |
This will be a three-day Live Zoom Watercolor Workshop that will focus on creating unique and expressive works of art that command attention. If you're ready to jump out of the ordinary and show the world your creative side then you will not want to miss this opportunity.
Renowned artist Sterling Edwards is well known for his abstract interpretations and is going to show you exactly how he designs and formulates his abstracted pieces. There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, brushwork, and much much more.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, HOWEVER; PREVIOUS WATERCOLOR EXPERIENCE IS ALWAYS BENEFICIAL.
Jan. 29, 31, and Feb. 2, 2024 from noon til 4:00pm each day. (U.S. Eastern Time)
This workshop is hosted by Cheap Joe's. Registration begins on December 4, 2023
Contact: Edwina@cheapjoes.com for prices and more information.
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"Painting a Glaring Sunset with Watercolors"
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This will be a one-day Live Zoom Watercolor Class that will focus on painting a strong and glaring sunset with watercolors that will command attention.
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards as he explains and demonstrates his techniques of layering colors, diffusing edges, and creating contrast with rich dark values. There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, brushwork, and much much more. You'll also enjoy Sterling's laid back and very informative style of teaching.
THIS CLASS IS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED WATERCOLOR ARTIST.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
February 12, 2024, from Noon til 4:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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"Painting a Bright and Stylized Watercolor Floral"
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This will be a one-day Live Zoom Watercolor Class that will focus on painting a bright and glowing stylized floral with watercolors.
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards as he explains and demonstrates his techniques for creating movement and stylized shapes with expressive brushwork when painting an eye catching floral. There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, brushwork, and much much more. You'll also enjoy Sterling's laid back and very informative style of teaching.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED WATERCOLOR ARTIST
February 16, 2024 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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"Watercolor Abstract Expressionism"
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This will be a one-day Live Zoom Watercolor Class that will focus on painting a dynamic and attention grabbing watercolor abstract expressionist painting similar to this piece.
Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards as he explains and demonstrates his techniques for designing and painting a unique and expressive abstract painting that commands attention and triggers the imagination. If you're tired of painting the same ol same ol, then you will enjoy and benefit from this very creative class. There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, overlapping shapes, negative painting, expressive brushwork, and much much more. You'll also enjoy Sterling's laid back and very informative style of teaching.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS, HOWEVER; PREVIOUS WATERCOLOR EXPERIENCE IS ALWAYS BENEFICIAL.
March 13, 2024 from noon til 4:00pm (U.S. Eastern Time)
$100
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Diane and I have decided that 2024 will essentially be my last year of traveling and teaching on-location workshops. I have a couple of long term commitments that we will honor then we will primarily be doing LIVE ZOOM CLASSES from our studio.
2024 Workshops
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The Villages, FL February 26-27, 2024...Watercolor Landscapes and Floral
- The Villages, FL February 28 - March 1, 2024
Acrylic Abstracts
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
- Grifton, NC March 20-March 24, 2024...
Watercolors From A to Z WAIT LIST
Painting loose landscapes, flowers, and stylized watercolors
- Littleton, CO April 12-April 14., 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
- Littleton, CO April 16-April 18, 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
- Vilano Beach (St. Augustine), Florida May 20-23, 2024, Creative and Expressive Watercolors
This is a four-day watercolor workshop that will focus on tapping into your creative side and creating exciting and expressive watercolors that stand out in a crowd. This workshop is being hosted by Sterling and Diane Edwards.
- Alma, MI, July 15-18, 2024, Abstract Acrylics
This workshop will cover several styles of abstraction using acrylic paint on paper or canvas.
Contact: Kathy Litwiller, litwi1km@gmail.com
989-236-5368
- Boone, NC (Cheap Joe's) August 26-August 30, 2024
Creative and Expressive Watercolors
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
- Sioux Falls, SD September 17-September 18, 2024
Painting a Stylized Watercolor
Contact; Janice Bartels
605-222-8033
- Sioux Falls, SD September 19-September 20, 2024
Watercolor Abstracts
This creative workshop will show you how to push design and color to create a unique and thought provoking visual statement. You'll learn a multitude of watercolor techniques and design principles.
Contact; Janice Bartels
605-222-8033
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This is a photo of Diane and me taken at Lake Louise in Alberta recently. We had the pleasure of spending a week exploring the Canadian Rocky's and were totally mesmerized by it's beauty.
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.
We wish all of you a wonderful, prosperous, and happy new year.
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
"One can speak poetry well just by arranging colors"
Vincent Van Gogh
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
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