August 2024, Newsletter

Click on the images for a larger view

"A Colorful Walk"

22" x 15" Acrylic on watercolor paper.

Acrylic on paper

The above painting is an acrylic on ungessoed 300lb cold pressed watercolor paper. It was a demonstration painting that I did at a recent workshop in Alma, MI on "Creative and Expressive Acrylics". This piece was a lesson on layering opaque pigments to create depth and texture. The paper I used for this painting was Fabriano Artistico but, in reality, I could have used a much less expensive paper. Since I was using an opaque paint, as opposed to transparent watercolor where I would count on the quality of the paper to produce beautiful washes of color, any application of paint would be stationary rather than fluid. I still had the option of using a blending brush to move the paint wherever I wanted in either a thick body or thinned consistency.

For the last several years I have been painting large acrylic abstracts on canvas to fulfill the requests of art galleries that cater to those looking for a center piece in a room or office. I enjoy painting them and it has proven to be a lucrative way of marketing my art. Previously everything I painted on paper were watercolors. When I was asked to do an acrylic demonstration on watercolor paper I was surprised to see how easy it was to move the paint with some stiff brushes and create a wash type effect similar to watercolors. This would then be enhanced by introducing some heavy body applications of acrylic paint in thick layers that produced incredible textures in my paintings. Next I experimented with using gesso on the watercolor paper prior to applying the paint. The gesso also produced beautiful underlying textures and sealed the watercolor paper from absorbing most of the water in the acrylic mix. This was especially helpful when laying in wet washes of color.

A side benefit of coating my paper with gesso prior to painting was that I could repurpose old or failed watercolor paintings instead of always using a new sheet of expensive paper. The gesso covered the old painting and presented me with a new white textured, surface. Nowadays I have very little waste and merely hang on to my old or failed watercolor paintings so that they can be converted to a new and successful acrylic painting on watercolor paper. I also need to mention that my acrylic paintings are framed with a single white mat under plexiglass for protection. A lot of artists glue the paper to a mounting board or canvas and simply frame the their paintings without the mat and glass or plexiglass. Personally, I like the pieces that are matted and under plexiglass. They have a beautiful and rich look because the plexiglass accentuates the exciting brushwork on the painting.

If you have never experimented with acrylic paint consider giving it a try. It is a water based paint that can be used in a thin consistency for color washes or in a heavy impasto application very similar to oils. Unlike oil painting, however, it dries quickly and is easy to clean up afterwards using soap and water.

If you have a suggestion for a future editorial please email us at;

sterling@sterlingedwards.com

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.

We have had a lot of qualified collectors requesting to be added to the list. If you qualify please let us know. The benefits are substantial.

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.

*Please keep in mind that the price for all of our Live Zoom Classes is per person.

ALSO

Upon taking a Zoom Class you will become eligible to purchase many of my original paintings at a special student price.

Please Note: Many of our Live Zoom Classes fill quickly. Early registration is recommended.

You can also see our Live Zoom schedule on our website; www.sterlingedwards.com

The following is a quote from one of my Live Zoom Class participants.

"I have a photo of an unusual, dilapidated old building that I’m going to paint, and I wanted to review your stylized and negative painting techniques first, so I replayed the video from your class—something I hadn’t done in some time. Not only did that refresh those specific techniques, but surprisingly I discovered many of your helpful hints that hadn’t really registered on me at the time.

Your lessons are far from one-dimensional, and there’s much to learn from your asides and commentary. Reviewing your instructional videos after a lapse of time is like obtaining a rich, new lesson."

Regards,

Art S.

(Reprinted with permission)

"Painting a Rustic Watercolor Barn"

Click here to register or learn more.

In this Live Zoom Workshop Sterling Edwards will take you through his processes for creating a rural landscape similar to this painting with watercolors. You will see how to paint an old barn, trees, grass, shadows, and more. From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the finished painting, you'll see it all live.

There will be a lot of techniques including negative painting, layering washes of color, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, painting with large brushes, and more.

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 watercolor artist.

August 6, 2024,...Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time

$100

"Negative Painting on Steroids V"

Click here to register or learn more

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 stylized landscape to illustrate how negative painting skills can be employed in both landscape as well as architectural scenes to elevate your art to a higher level of professionalism.

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 four 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.

August 12, 2024 Noon til 4:00pm (U.S. Eastern Time)

$100

"Painting an Atmospheric Acrylic Landscape"

Click here to register or learn more

This will be a one-day Live Zoom Acrylic Watercolor Class that will focus on painting a dynamic and attention grabbing atmospheric landscape on gessoed watercolor paper similar to this painting.

Join renowned watermedia artist Sterling Edwards as he explains and demonstrates his techniques for designing and painting a unique and expressive impressionist painting that commands attention.

There will be a lot of techniques, discussions on composition, color theory, overlapping shapes, texturing, 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 INTENDED FOR THE INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED WATERCOLOR OR ACRYLICS ARTIST.

August 21, 2024...noon til 4:00pm (U.S. Eastern Time)

$100

"Acrylic Abstract Expressionism"

Click here to register or learn more

Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards in this acrylic Live Zoom Workshop as he shows his processes and techniques for creating an exciting and interpretive Abstract Expressionist paint with acrylic paint on watercolor paper similar to this painting.

There will be a lot of techniques including color mixing, layering washes of color, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, sgraffito and calligraphy 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 all skill levels, however, experience with acrylic paint will be beneficial.

September 10, 2024 Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.

$100

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

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.

Contact; Meghann Williams, meghann@cheapjoes.com

800-227-2788 Click here to register or learn more

Sioux Falls, SD September 17-September 18, 2024 WAIT LIST

Painting a Stylized Watercolor

Contact; Janice Bartels

jncbartels897@gmail.com

605-222-8033

Sioux Falls, SD September 19-September 20, 2024
WAIT LIST

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

jncbartels897@gmail.com

605-222-8033

Ocean City, MD, October 21-24

Art League of Ocean City... Creative, Expressive, and Dynamic Watercolors.

This workshop will focus on creating a stylized or abstract painting using a wide variety of watercolor techniques.

Contact; Katrin Huber.

katrin@artleagueofoceancity.org

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, mkukral@icloud.com 815-708-3128

36" x 36" Acrylic on canvas.

11" x 15" Sepia watercolor value study.

22" x 30" Watercolor

This is a photo of me and Diane taken at the Nantahala River in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina near Bryson City. It's one of our favorite places to just relax and get back to nature.

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

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others."

Jonathon Swift

E-mail: sterling@sterlingedwards.com

Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC

230 Sunny Acres Drive

Lewisville, NC 27023

USA

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