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February 2025, Newsletter
Click on the images for a larger view
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"Entwined"
22" x 15" Watercolor
Sometimes you just have to shout from the rooftop. I am super proud to announce that this painting has been accepted into the
Royal Collection of King Charles, III. As a signature member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour, I was allowed to enter one painting into the 100th anniversary exhibition and competition of the society. This special international show was sponsored by the CSPWC Royal Collection Trust. Only twenty-five paintings were chosen from those submitted. This select collection of watercolor paintings will hang in Royal Library in Windsor Castle. Thank you CSPWC and the panel of jurors for this great opportunity and honor.
Perceived vs. perfection
I think that I can say with absolute certainty that art is not an exact science in-spite of our attempts to make it so. As a former photo-realist painter, I would often spend weeks and sometimes months on a painting that did not satisfy my standards unless it was absolutely perfect and looked exactly like a photograph. At the time, that was pretty much the standard most of my peers were also using as a measure of accomplishment for the paintings. It was tedious and nerve wracking because you knew that every shape, color, value, and brushstroke had to be executed with the same degree of perfection or the painting would not meet your standard. For example, if you were painting a landscape and suddenly you got a back run in your clouds due to an overly wet brush, instant panic would set in. If it was a piece that you had been working on for several days or weeks you might even go into a state of depression worrying about how to fix it, or even if it can be fixed. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for realist painters, but in my case, I had to find something that was more enjoyable and less demanding. My years spent as a photo-realist were time well spent because I learned to have total control of every brush stroke, application, value, and color. I needed that discipline and education to be able to move to my more creative and interpretive paintings. But nevertheless, I had reached a point where I felt that it was time to venture into new territory.
It took a couple of years and dozens of books and classes to finally learn that we can achieve the illusion of details in our paintings without actually painting the details using two hair brushes. In fact, the paintings are often more entertaining to the viewer because we don't give them every little detail. Instead, we give them enough to make a decision and also challenge them to use their imagination a little. This is most easily accomplished by letting the edges of a shape define what the subject is without fixating on color, value, or detail. Has anyone ever seen a purple apple? If I pained a purple apple I think that everyone would easily recognize that it is an apple based on the shape. Unless you're a realist the color is not that important; the outside edges still suggest that it's an apple. The shape in and of itself was all that someone need to decide what it is.
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For example, I think that we can all agree that this is a tree but who has ever seen a purple tree? The shape is very abstract and it is painted in a way that we will never see in nature, yet there is enough information for your mind to instantly interpret the shape as a tree, even though it is purple. So the color doesn't really matter as long as the shape tells the story. | | |
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This little doodle of a tree took about five minutes to paint. Had I painted this as a realist rendering with all of the leaves and branches, it would have taken several hours most likely. This is so much more liberating and creative than stressing over painting a "perfect" tree and trying to replicate the local color in my reference photograph. I am at the point in my life and my career where I want to enjoy the time that I spend painting rather than stressing over every little detail like I did for over twenty years as a photo-realist.
If you are a very tight painter and want to learn how to break out consider taking a few minutes to really study the shapes in your reference. Always remember that the outside edge is what the viewer will typically use to draw a conclusion.
As always, my editorials are merely food for thought and based on my personal and professional experience as an artist. Many of them are written to address questions I have received from my students over the years. If you have a subject that you would like to have addressed please email us at sterling@sterlingedwards.com.
We cannot guarantee that all request will be addressed but all of them will be considered.
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***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.
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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.
*Please keep in mind that the price for all of our Live Zoom Classes are per person.
ALSO
Upon taking a Zoom Class you will become eligible to purchase many of my original unframed paintings on paper at a special student wholesale 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;
LIVE ZOOM CLASSES SCHEDULE
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Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards in this LIVE ZOOM CLASS as he shows how to incorporate negative shapes into your paintings that will elevate the quality of your work.
In addition to the concept of creating negative shapes he will show you how to stack negative shapes to create depth and drama in your paintings.
There will be a lot of techniques explained and demonstrated including color mixing, layering washes of color, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, 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 the intermediate to advanced watercolor artist.
February 12, 2025 Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards in this LIVE ZOOM CLASS as he shows how to paint a pleasing watercolor beach scene with sea grass, sand, surf, and clouds. After all, who doesn't like the beach?
There will be a lot of techniques explained and demonstrated including color mixing, layering washes of color, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, 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 LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for ALL SKILL LEVELS, however, previous watercolor experience is definitely helpful.
February 26, 2025 Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards in this LIVE ZOOM CLASS as he shows how to paint an exciting and thought provoking abstract expressionist painting using acrylic paint. Contrary to popular belief however, they are not as easy to paint as they might look.
In this creative workshop Sterling will share his process for designing an interesting and thought provoking abstract design and then show how he proceeds to paint his abstracts.
There will be a lot of techniques explained and demonstrated including color mixing, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, negative painting, creating various textures, working 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 LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for ALL SKILL LEVELS
March 12, 2025 Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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Join renowned watermedia master Sterling Edwards in this LIVE ZOOM CLASS as he shows how to paint a pleasing watercolor of barns and lots of trees with negative shapes.
There will be a lot of techniques explained and demonstrated including color mixing, layering washes of color, controlling edge quality, building a strong composition, 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 LIVE ZOOM CLASS is for the INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED watercolor artist.
March 26, 2025 Noon til 4:00pm U.S. Eastern Time.
$100
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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.
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 work of art that did not begin with emotion is not art."
Paul Cezanne
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Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC
230 Sunny Acres Drive
Lewisville, NC 27023
USA
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