April 2024, Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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"Loving the Low Country"
22" x 15" Watercolor
Why do some paintings work while others do not?
A four part conversation.
Part Two: Values
In the March Newsletter we discussed composition and how it can often make or break a painting. Let's face it, good paintings don't just happen; they're planned. Typically, we get an idea for a painting and can't wait to get the show on the road. But the planning phase is one of the most important steps in creating a strong piece of art. Some simple sketches are a great way to work out any problems with composition and values. Once we have selected the sketch that we find has the best composition, its a good idea to take a few minutes longer and determine where the darker and lighter areas of the design will best tell the story. The "values", light, dark and mid-tones, essentially form the substance of your painting. Regardless of the style or subject matter of the painting, the values bring it all together. I have noticed in many of my paintings that the mid-tones make up roughly 75% of the painting with around 15% dark values and maybe 10% light or white values.
This is not true of every painting and I don't intentionally do this. It's just the way it usually works out.
When I refer to light values, I include areas of white unpainted paper. Since most watercolor artists do not use white paint, the value study helps to establish where to leave your white paper or lightest values. When speaking of mid-tones it's important to mention that some can be lighter in value and some darker in value. However; they will not be as light as the white paper nor as dark as your darkest values. This is easily noticeable in the above painting.
Most of the time before I began painting I will do three or four small thumbnail sketches using a pencil. This allows me an opportunity to play with the values and sometimes rearrange the shapes to establish a strong composition and determine where I will leave my lightest value (unpainted white paper) and where to place my darkest dark values. Everything else will fall into the category of a mid-tone. These small studies usually do not take more than a few minutes and they provide a visual roadmap that will guide me through the painting process.
Another thing that I do quite often is to put my reference photograph away before I begin my painting and only use the study as a reference. This allows me to use use whatever colors I choose in the painting rather than becoming too obsessed with the actual colors in the photograph. When I was a photo realist I would often torture myself trying to get the exact green or brown in a painting so that it looked exactly like my reference photograph. Artistic license is a wonderful thing if we allow ourselves the freedom to use it.
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This is a 3" x 4" pencil study that I used to design the above painting. My main objective was to provide myself with visual image to see how the composition would work. I also used the pencil to establish where my darkest values were to be located in the painting. This little study took about five minutes to complete but formed the basis for the above painting.
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This is a monochromatic study using a mix of Burnt Sienna and Payne's Gray on 140 lb cold press Fabriano paper. These are a great way to get a sneak preview of the way that the values and composition will look in the finished painting. They also allow and opportunity to see how the piece will look when using paint instead of pencil lines.
This small study only took about twenty minutes to paint but contains a ton of useful information.
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The painting top center, "Loving the Low Country", is a demonstration painting the I recently did at a workshop in The Villages in Florida. I painted this piece from memory rather than using a photograph as a reference so it was necessary to do a few small thumbnail sketches to assure myself that my composition was strong and to work out where my light or white unpainted paper, mid-tones, and dark values were to be placed. As you can see I used the Rule of Thirds as my compositional guide but I was also very careful to make sure the that background looked very atmospheric by painting the distant trees much lighter in value than the bushes and trees in the foreground. By exaggerating the darkest values in the foreground, I was able to create the illusion of a dramatic and very atmospheric marsh scene. I should also point out that there is not a great deal of color in the painting. It is mostly muted greens and blue/grays. So the values are what REALLY make the painting work, not color or details.
There is an old saying in the art world that "Color gets all of the credit while values do all of the work". I chose this painting as my centerpiece in this newsletter because it clearly illustrates that philosophy.
In my May newsletter we will discuss color.
NEW
***Collectors List***
If you have purchased three or more original paintings from us over the years we would like to add you to our "Collectors List". Please email us at www.sterling@sterlingedwards.com so that we will have your your name and contact information.
Upon receiving your information we will send you information about a new offer that is only available to those on our Collectors List in appreciation of your support.
I have recently 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.
Click below to learn more...
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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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"Acrylic Abstract Expressionism" |
Please note; many of our Live Zoom Classes fill very quickly so early registration is recommended.
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Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards as he walks you through his processes for creating eye-catching and unique abstracts with acrylic paint on watercolor paper. Sterling will teach you how to design and find inspiration for an abstract paintings as we as a multitude of creative techniques.
You will also enjoy Sterling's laid back and casual style of teaching.
If you are ready to dive into the exciting world of abstract art then then you will not want to miss this opportunity.
Each participant will also
receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
This Zoom Class is intended for all skill levels, however; previous painting experience is always helpful.
May 6, 8, 10, 2024 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern time daily.
$300
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"Painting Old Buildings with Loose Watercolor Techniques"
Please note; many of our Live Zoom Classes fill very quickly so early registration is recommended.
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Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards as he walks you through his processes for creating a loose and appealing painting of an old building. There will be a lot of techniques illustrated including saving white paper, building rich dark vales for drama, controlling edges, negative painting, creative color mixing and more.
You'll see it all from from the initial sketch to the completed painting.
Each participant will also
receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
This Zoom Class is intended for the intermediate to advanced water color artist.
June 13, 2024 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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"Painting Stylized Trees with Acrylics"
Please note; many of our Live Zoom Classes fill very quickly so early registration is recommended.
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In this acrylic Live Zoom Workshop Sterling Edwards will take you through his processes for creating an exciting and artistic stylized (semi-abstract) painting of trees similar to this painting on watercolor paper.
There will be a lot of techniques including negative painting, layering washes of color, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, and more. From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the finished painting, you'll see it all live.
Each participant will also
receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
This Zoom Class is intended for the intermediate to advanced artist.
June 18, 2024 from Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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"Watercolor Abstract Expressionism"
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Please note; many of our Live Zoom Classes fill very quickly so early registration is recommended. |
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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 in the style of 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 are ready to jump out of the box and tap into your totally creative side then you will definitely enjoy and benefit from this exciting is 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.
June 27, 2024 from noon til 4:00pm (U.S. Eastern Time)
$100
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"Negative Painting on Steroids IV" |
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This is going to be a four-hour Live Zoom Class that will focus exclusively on learning the skills to include beautiful negative shapes into your paintings. Introducing negative shapes into your paintings will take your work to much higher levels of professionalism. Sterling will paint a piece similar to this floral and really get into the nitty gritty of teaching you how to create and maximize negative shapes.
Sterling Edwards is a world renowned watermedia master and an expert on negative painting. You will find his explanations and demonstrations along with his insight very informative.
You will also enjoy Sterling's laid back and casual style of teaching.
The last three Negative Painting Zoom Classes sold out very quickly. If interested please register early.
Each participant will also receive photographs of the various stages of Sterling's demonstration piece and an unedited downloadable video of the workshop.
There will be plenty of student painting time.
THIS WORKSHOP FOR WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR A BEGINNER AND THEREFORE IS RECOMMENDED FOR INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED WATERCOLOR ARTIST.
June 6, 2024 from noon til 4:00pm (U.S. Eastern Time)
$100
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After almost twenty-five years on the road, Diane and I have decided that 2024 will essentially be my last year of traveling and teaching on-location workshops. We have a few long term commitments that we will honor then we will primarily be doing LIVE ZOOM CLASSES from our studio.
It has always been an honor and a privilege to have worked with so many wonderful groups and artists throughout the U.S. and internationally. Thank you for your support.
2024 Workshops
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Littleton, CO April 12-April 14., 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors WAIT LIST
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.
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Littleton, CO April 16-April 18, 2024 Painting Expressive Watercolors WAIT LIST
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
WAIT LIST
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
- Tellico Village, TN, December 5-7, 2024
Creating Expressive and Dynamic 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.
Contact; Mari Kukral, mkukaral@icloud.com 815-708-3128
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22" x 30" Watercolor
This is a stylized painting of an abandoned gold mine in Colorado.
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"A Touch of Blue"
This is an acrylic painting on watercolor canvas that I painted a few years ago. It was a fun experiment.
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"Seeing the Light"
24" x 30" Acrylic on canvas.
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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.
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
"A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts, and inspires."
Hedy Lamarr
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
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