"Bright and Pink"

4" x 5" Whiskey Painting. This tiny little piece was painted with watercolor pigments and Vodka.

Different instructors, different styles.

It goes without saying that there are a lot of very qualified and very good painting instructors in the U. S. and abroad. Each of them has mastered a specific style of painting that suits their individual preferences and also developed a specific style of teaching that they feel is best for their students. I have done the same and have been teaching my style for the past twenty-five years. Some instructors will have the students do a very detailed sketch of their own or one that has been provided by the instructor. They then learn about color mixing and edge control as they work within the lines of the sketch. They are also sometimes instructed as to which brushes to use in different areas of the painting. It's a regimented style of teaching where everyone works from the same reference and learns many of the basics of painting.

Other instructors encourage the student to learn through observation as the instructor works on a painting and narrates what he or she is doing and why. Upon completion of a demonstration painting, the students have the option of painting what the instructor painted or choosing a different subject. They are often instructed to make their own choices about about colors and brushes while trying out some of the new techniques and processes that they had just seen demonstrated. This puts the student in the position of making their own decisions. Much of producing a successful piece of art is learning to think your way through the process. There are a lot of decisions that must be made prior to putting the first brush to the paper or canvas such as the size that you want to paint, what kind of paper or canvas , colors, composition, which brushes would work best, etc. .

These, I think, are the two most popular styles of teaching others to paint. They are widely used and appeal to students with different needs or wants. Some students need more guidance and a structured way of learning whereas others need the freedom to trust their own decision making processes and explore. It doesn't matter which road they take; there are certain fundamental processes and theories that must be learned to paint successfully. Without an understanding of the basics of painting a student will struggle regardless of which style of instructor the choose. I'm speaking from experience when I say this because I also struggled when I decided to embark on my watercolor journey. I had always been an oil painter and did not realize how different and demanding watercolor can be. I took an evening adult continuing education course at our local Community College. It was a basic beginners watercolor class that met every Wednesday evening for six weeks. We all did a simple painting each session as we learned how to mix color, work with wet and dry paper, and try different size brushes. I actually took that course three times. Everything that I painted was small and looked just like everyone else's painting in the class. I eventually decided to step up my game and move forward.

One day I was talking with another artist and he loaned me a book by Zoltan Szabo. I had never heard of Zoltan but upon looking through his book was intrigued by his style of painting and wanted to learn how he was able to paint those beautiful and expressive watercolors. I tried painting some of the images in the book but had no idea what I was doing and didn't even come close to his level of achievement. It was very frustrating and I was ready to give up when I read an advertisement in the Artist Magazine that said Zoltan was going to be conducting a five-day watercolor workshop in Asheville, NC which is only a couple of hours drive from my home. At the time he lived in Tempe, AZ so this was a rare opportunity that I could not pass up. I saved my money for for several months and was able to take a week off of work and spend five days with a master artist. It was probably the best investment of my life. The first day of the workshop Zoltan painted an entire full sheet watercolor that began at 9:00 in the morning and was finished by Noon. It was beautiful and I learned so much more than I anticipated by just watching how he mixed his colors when he worked on wet or dry paper and how he manipulated his brushes, how he built a strong composition, and so much more. It was almost magical and I couldn't wait to give it a try. In the afternoons we would all work on our own paintings as we tried to incorporate some of the techniques and processes what we had seen that morning. I think that was the fastest week of my life. By the time I returned home I was painting things that I would have never had the nerve or knowledge to paint before. Over a span of twenty years I attended sixteen Zoltan Szabo workshops as well as several other well know artists; each one taught in the same method. They taught by example just like Zoltan did.

When I started teaching classes and workshops twenty-five years ago I followed their lead. I do a complete painting in the morning and narrate the entire time as to what I am thinking as well as explaining what I am doing and why. I always welcome questions while I am painting and know how important it is to clarify something if it was not made clear the first time. By Noon my painting is complete. Following my demonstration, the students are encouraged to work on their own painting with assistance and critiques if requested. This style of teaching has worked quite well for me over the years and many of my students have become wonderful artists using the techniques and processes that I have taught. Quite a few of them have learned how to experiment with the techniques that I teach and develop their own style. Teaching others has made me a better artist because I not only need to think my way through each painting but also verbalize my thoughts. It keeps you aware of what you are doing so that you can express your thoughts to others and answer the multitude of questions that you receive.

At the end of his year I will no longer be traveling and teaching. Instead, I will be be teaching through my Live Zoom Classes and Workshops conducted from my home studio in North Carolina. My style of teaching, however, will remain the same. As the old saying goes; "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".



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

sterling@sterlingedwards.com

Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards as he shows how to paint a semi-abstracted watercolor landscape with watercolors. There will be a lot of techniques explained and demonstrated including color mixing, layering washes of color, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, sgraffito, negative painting, working on wet paper, painting with large brushes, and more. From the initial sketch and discussion on composition to the finished painting, you'll see it all live.

There will be plenty of painting time with assistance and critiques.

Join us and see for yourself why Sterling Edwards, with his relaxed and approachable style of teaching, is one of the most sought-after watermedia instructors in the U.S. and abroad.

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 30, 2024 Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.

$100