Simplifying A Landscape In Terms of Temperature

When painting a landscape in watercolor , oils etc, it can be overwhelming to grasp all the detail and the color variants for anyone, much more so a beginner.  Let me give you a way to see and breakdown the subject easily.  See it NOT as a landscape, but as a series of colors going from warm (the light side of an object-ie: the sun) to the cool side of an object ( less sun , so blue ).
So see the image and the color bar at the lower left.  It starts with warm light- bismuth yellow, orange, moves to raw sienna, olive greens (for this bush exercise) then starts to get to sap green, and then hookers, chrome and greens that you add cobalt blue , or indigo to to darken.  Let these different colors interact as the move around the object by placing them next to each other, sometimes mixing, sometimes not.

On Doing Demonstrations of Your Painting Techniques

Doing a watercolor demo for a large group of people can be frightening, but if you prepare, you can minimize the fear.  I did this by preparing for three days before hand.  I painted a lot and experimented so I would have a sharp edge to the presentation and maybe bring something fresh to the table. My theme was Abstract Watercolors.  I had an idea of several compositions beforehand that would also demonstrate a variety of different principals and techniques at the same time.  I wanted my timing to be worked out so that the demo would be fast, informative and exciting.  I used brighter colors than I might usually since the viewers would be seeing the image upside down and from a distance and possibly in poor light conditions.  

There is nothing more boring than watching paint dry or watching someone noisily use a blow drier.  So I enlisted a student/friend volunteer to do the drying in a side room while I moved to the next stage on another watercolor block.  I also used the opportunity to display a few other types of abstract approaches that I have tried in the past, but would not address that night. 

It is important to keep the energy moving, funny if possible.  I finished 5 pieces in 1 hour by having several blocks and themes in the ready.  I wasn't exactly sure how it would all time out, so I had back up material in case I moved too quickly, but moving too slowly was my biggest fear!  

People hear more when they are laughing and having fun.  Tap into your inner comedian by paying close attention to your feelings and even your fears.  We are all a bit nervous to be in front of the spotlight, no one wants to make a mistake or bore people.  Our fears can be a source of great self deprecating fun, since everyone can identify with your fears, they have them too!  

Enjoy the process and be prepared by knowing clearly what your message is.  I penned an outline in bullet points so I didn't get off track risking losing my message.  I like to balance example with description, too much explanation can lose people, too much demonstration can get deadly quiet.  I try to remind myself to make some eye contact, which is hard, because it takes a lot of concentration to do a painting in the first place, and in front of a crowd, but keep that connection with the group.  Don't mumble, do a sound check, and make sure they can see your work.  Most important keep it fun light, informative and colorful, know your message, and drive home the point to wrap it up with a bang!  

Here is what the Jacksonville Watercolor Society said in their recent newsletter about my demonstration at the Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach Florida:

"Thank you to Gordon Meggison for a vibrant and playful demonstration.  His work with masking fluid, saran wrap and emotion made for a lively evening of learning.  For Gordon, "play" is the key word and we all certainly enjoyed watching him play with color, fluid, and paper.  Two lucky winners went home with wonderful pieces of artwork from Gordon's collection."

It was all great fun and went by too fast, I am grateful the JWS wanted to see what I do and how I do it.  

Jacksonville Watercolor Society demo in progress

Artists Block

We all know what it is like to have trouble getting motivated. It is easier to go get something from the fridge, watch a movie or clean house. They can be beneficial and are often even necessary, but when we divert our creativity too much to these types of activities, we can dilute our creative energy. This can stop the energy from building up in us to the point where we simply "must" paint. I love it when I am on one of those creative rolls where I just can't stop painting, time slips by and I am letting one painting inform another. I wrestle with artist block in one form or another every day. Sometimes cleaning house can help me, by making me feel active and productive, but ultimately it must translate into activity and time spent in the studio and wet paint to get a painting started. Starting is the hard part. I don't always have clarity or energy when I go into the studio. I find (like exercise!) when I just show up and start puttering around in my "sanctuary" I start to feel the muse emerge. She begins to manifest in my thoughts, and seduces me into believing that if I start this or that I will be a great artist and everyone will love me! While that might be comical and an overstatement, it is more or less true. First I have to get myself "set up for success", all the tools positioned and appropriated, a canvas primed and in place. I also like to get other stretched canvases ready to go ( I prefer to create a "body" of work, and this psychological trick can show yourself you mean business, it says to your subconscious ..."when" I get fired up not ..."if" I get fired up. That assumptive position harnesses the power of your mind and ultimately your body.It is also important to ask yourself quality questions . Here's a few:

• 1."what can I do to set myself up for a fun painting experience,"
• 2."what new technique can I approach this medium with or subject that I haven't tried before to make this more rewarding,"
• 3. "how fast  can I paint this subject so that I only capture the essentials of energy and light, so that my viewing experience is enhanced".

Try some others by writing them down for clarity of purpose though unfortunately few do this (many are called but few are chosen). Writing it down works, sketching rough thumbnails helps, and having a sketchbook at the ready helps that!  Anyway you get the idea.
I find a bit of regular art related periodicals or books throw fuel on your fire. Start your creativity off with good mental attitude with mind food so that your vision will be sharpened, your mood enhanced and your chances of success increased.
When I finally get excited, the spark sets a glow at first, then as I get clarity and focus (we are all a bit ADD these days with modern distractions!) and I know what I am doing a bit better, one sketch piece informs another ( I often paint 4-10 pieces at a time) . That's when a firestorm of creative ideas can build excitement and sustain you through a body of work and a narrative that maintains your curiosity and interest for some time.
What I look for in painting, is a subject that I can explore, that widens my visionary skills while challenging me technically in order to bring fresh techniques, and ultimately fresh impetus to my work overall.  The subject is less important than the "feeling" for your subject.  Your goal should be to translate the feeling into the paint strokes through skill and honesty (not doing it just for the money), and the passion will become obvious in the work one stroke at a time.
I am presenting here a selection of paintings done within a three day period as I prepared for a Jacksonville Watercolor Society demo at the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach Florida.  You can explore how one piece informed another.  This process of self discovery opened up a whole new area of interest and technical discovery for me.

     

The last, and a breakthrough for me!

Winter Class and Workshop Schedules with Gordon Meggison For The Season JANUARY - APRIL 2013

WATERCOLOR Classes at Gordon's  BARN STUDIO
(at 3920 Sierra Madre Dr S, Jacksonville Fl 32217) 

Congratulations! We have all survived the changing of the MAYA millenia!
Now let's celebrate life and the changing of the seasons by creating brilliant,
compelling watercolors at Gordon Meggison's Barn Studio.  Gordon will guide you
through simple step by step techniques and themes designed to help you
acquire the skills to produce colorful vibrant watercolors. 
Classes times are - Starting Jan 15 -Feb 19-Tuesdays 10 am - 1pm
New Students $ 200. previous students $180.!  Limit 6 students.
To sign up for this season: email- gordonmeggison@att.net, or gordonmeggison@gmail.com,   or call (904) 739-0251
To see Gordon's work see www.gordonmeggison.com under the Fine Art tab.

for materials list info see http://www.gordonmeggison.blogspot.com

"Four Seasons" Watercolor, a class lesson/ demo at the Barn Studio

OTHER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS with Gordon Meggison featured below:

Other Upcoming Class Schedules and Workshops 2013

REDDI ARTS WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP & CAFE
1 day only      Saturday Jan 12 , 9:30 am- 5 pm  $120.

One Day watercolor Fast Track Watercolor BRUSH UP!

We'll break for a visit to a local San Marco Cafe for Lunch and I will do a watercolor at the cafe- "I am always in search of the Ultimate Cafe!"  A chance to get personal help to achieve control of your watercolor medium for beautiful luminous results.

Limited to 10 persons, basic watercolor supplies needed.

 Contact John Cummings, www.ReddiArts.com , (904) 398-3161 ex303
http://www.reddiarts.com/ClassesandWorkshops.com 

Below: Watercolor Workshop  with the Art Guild of Orange Park at Green Cove Springs

                                     EVENT:  1 day  Workshop opportunity!    Jan. 26th - Sat.  9:30am - 3:30pm.                                              ABSTRACT WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP 

with the Art Guild of Orange Park
at Green Cove Springs
Explore the abstract relationships and techniques that you can use to create beautiful abstract watercolors.

  

Sacred Heart Church Parish Hall 207 palmetto St.  Green cove Springs

  

Art Guild Members $55.00 / Non-members $75.00 
Contact Beth Haizlip haizart@comcast.net 535-9525 

       

SPECIAL UPCOMING Demo February 26th:

JACKSONVILLE WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
Abstract Watercolor Demo 

February 26 Tuesday night at 7pm Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra

Contact Karen Zelenkov, Jacksonville Watercolor Society,  skzelenkov@comcast.net
 http://jacksonvillewatercolorsociety.org    (904) 287-5411,  (904) 614-4399 Cell

Jewish Community Alliance Winter Class Schedule 2013

WATERCOLOR Class
At JCA ( www.jcajax.org )
$102. for members, $153 for non members

For beginner to intermediate watercolor enthusiasts. Basic color theory, color washes, composition will be taught while exploring simple but exciting themes.
Session 1

Times:
Mon mornings 10 am - 12 pm, 
Jan 7,14,21,28- Feb 4, 11  
Wed evenings 7pm - 9 pm

Jan 9,16,23,30- Feb 6, 13

Session 2

Mon mornings 10 am - 12 pm,
Feb 18,25- Mar 4,11,18,25
Wed evenings 7pm - 9 pm

Feb 20, 27- Mar , 13, 20- Apr 3 (no class Mar 27)

OIL Class at JCA  ( www.jcajax.org ): Learning to paint in oils using simple techniques and materials to achieve beautiful results fast! Gordon employs a simple easy to  follow step by step process to use the fundamentals of sketch to color mixing to finished oil painting.

6 sessions each -
Session 1 Times:

Mon evenings 7pm- 9 pm 

Jan 7,14, 21, 2- Feb 4, 11

 Wed mornings 10 am-12 pm
Jan 9t, 16, 23, 30- Feb 6, 13
Session 2
Mon evenings, 7pm- 9pm
Feb 18, 25 - Mar 4,11, 18, Apr 8 (no class Mar 25, April 1) 
Wed mornings 10 am - 12 pm
Feb 20, 27- Mar 6, 13, 20, Apr 3 (no class Mar 27)

Signup with JCA www.jcajax.org Thelma Nied, Cultural Arts Director Jewish Community Alliance
8505 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Phone 904 730 2100, x 227, Fax 904 730 2444

Orange Park Fine Arts Guild Watercolor Workshop

• I started the Workshop with a lesson on the value scales to draw a relationship between developing color wash gradations to a landscape outcome. http://gordonmeggison.com/

  We then took that lesson to another (imaginary) landscape to illustrate how 

that value scale relates to creating depth.

Fall Class Schedule Sept-Oct-Nov 2012

I had intended to publish the schedule a bit sooner, but like most of you I have been running around trying hard to keep all the balls in the air so to speak. So at long last here is the schedule as I see it currently. My mainstay is the classes at Jewish Community Alliance, JCA for watercolor and oil classes. I will be doing classes for acrylics and watercolors at my barn studio on 3920 Sierra Madre Dr S, Jacksonville Fl 32217 as well. Call (904)739-0251, or email gordonmeggison@att.net Classes there will be limited to six participants. see the website for more http://gordonmeggison.com/

AT THE BARN STUDIO Only: NEW! Watermedia Acrylics and Watercolor Techniques! 6 weeks only $200. Starting Sept 18 Oct 23- Tuesdays 10 am to 1 pm Many times I have been asked to include an acrylic workshop. Well at long last here it is! Build on your watercolor techniques or start fresh, in combination with unique acrylic techniques and rich impastos I will broaden your range of skill sets for painting. We will use washes as in watercolors, but add the opaque techniques that are only available in acrylic media. I have extensive history with acrylics, so peek in on this first rare opportunity to master a few of the secrets that have worked so well for me in the last 40 years of painting fine art and murals for a living. Materials: a few basic 11"X 14" small canvases to start, your standard basic acrylic painting kit Red, yellow, blue, white. We will build on these as class progresses if needed. A few ranges of large to small white nylon bright white flat brushes, and a fan brush. I will be do examples from my extensive art supplies, and many of these supplies will be made available to the students. To review works I have done in the past in acrylic and watercolor see the new website at www.gordonmeggison.com

WATERCOLOR Class At JCA ( www.jcajax.org ) $102. for JCA member, $153. for non members. For beginner to intermediate watercolor enthusiasts. Basic color theory, color washes, composition will be taught while exploring simple but exciting themes. Times: Monday mornings from 10 am - 12: noon Sept. 24, Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12 (no class Oct. 1 & 8) or Wed Evenings from 7 pm - 9 pm Sept.19, Oct. 3,10,17,24,31 (no class Sept 26)

OILS at JCA ( www.jcajax.org )  $102. for JCA member, $153. for non members. Learning to paint in oils using simple techniques and materials to achieve beautiful results fast! Gordon employs a simple easy to remember and follow step by step process to use the fundamentals of sketch to color mixing to finished oil painting. Times: Monday evenings from 7 pm - 9 pm Mondays Sept 24, Oct.15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12 (no class on Oct. 1& 8) or Wed Mornings 10 am -12 noon- from Sept.19, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (no class on Sept 26)

REDDI ARTS John Cummings, www.ReddiArts.com, (904) 398-3161 x 303 One Day watercolor Fast Track Watercolor
BRUSH UP! Saturday Oct 13 $100. per day 9 am - 5pm Arrive 15 minutes early for setup, we'll break for a visit to TIDBITS for Lunch and a watercolor at the cafe- "I am always in search of the Ultimate Cafe!" Limited to six, basic watercolor supplies needed .


Special announcements UPCOMING WORKSHOPS and Demos:
Sept 4 Watercolor Demo at the Orange Park Arts Guild 7-9 pm
Saturday Sept 22, 9:30 am to 3 pm All Day Watercolor Workshop Orange Park Artists Guild contact Beth Haizlip, http://bethdhaizlip.home.comcast.net 904-535-9525

Materials list
Winsor & Newton Pro grade is best , It is more expensive but with less fillers and richer color, or Holbein paints   (14 ) Preferred Palette-Colors -
Cadmium Red, Rose Madder, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue , Indigo, Horizon Blue, Olive Green, Hookers Green, Sap Green, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Orange , Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow, Bismuth Yellow, (NOTE: If $ Cost is a real problem we can make most (7) colors from:   Rose Madder, Cadmium Yellow, Sap Green, Burnt umber,  Burnt sienna,  Yellow ochre,  Cobalt Blue)
Pallet pan - Medium size folding plastic palette
Paper 140lb Cold Pressed Arches Watercolor Paper Block suggested size 10”x 14”
Brushes - #12 Sable, (that comes to a point not too cheap not too expensive)
1" Nylon Synthetic or Hake Brush (Japanese Brush for washes), get a pkg  with a range of bright whites rounds and flats mixed, a one inch flat bright white should be there (get a brush holder folding cloth too.
Low adhesion masking tape painters style 1" or drafting tape
#2 pencil , kneaded eraser, Semi coarse salt in a small shaker, Flat 3” X 5” kitchen sponge (not the kind with coarse scrub texture on backside), Plastic water cup for cleaning ( make sure it has a stable base), Paper towels, Masking Fluid

LATE SPRING JCA CLASS SCHEDULE

Classes for OILS at JCA : (www.jcajax.org)
Mondays 7pm - 9pm Starting April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, June 4 (no class on May 28 )



Classes for WATERCOLORS at JCA : (www.jcajax.org)
Mondays 7pm - 9pm Starting April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, June 4 (no class on May 28)
Wednesdays 7 pm - 9 pm April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Cost: JCA members $102., $153 for non members
or call Thelma Neid at (904)730-2100 ext 227 or email - thelma.nied@jcajax.org

Always Learning on The Run!

From time to time I get invited to go on the Now and Zen charter boat, with my friends Ralph and Leslie. We decided to collaborate on a project together, something fun and energizing, because he is on the boat more than I and has he opportunity to see amazing early morning views of the beautiful north Florida waterways. He recently showed me his photos of some of them, and I was struck by their simple beauty, the mists in the trees and on the water. It occurred too me how very oriental or "Zen" they were, and how much I would like to paint those types of subjects primarily in watercolor. I decided to try some right on the boat (no easy task!) and see how it went. We got up early and set out from Fernandina harbor, and headed toward Jacksonville (an 8 hour trip!) After witnessing and photographing a glorious sunrise and some series of dolphins (we ultimately spotted 10 throughout the trip), I tried a couple of paintings while the boat was moving, so it was a bit frustrating and challenging. I got more of a feeling than a realistic representation of anything in particular. Well here they are. Next time, we decided, we'd pick a location to anchor and wait for the sunrise, and stay put to get one or two good paintings ( hope springs eternal!) In time I will do a show from the photo reference as well, we have loads from this trip and his others, so something to look forward to!

Watercolor Workshop Cafe -and Materials List

“I am always in search of the Ultimate Cafe!”-
Gordon Meggison

Fast Track Watercolor Workshop
By Gordon Meggison
8 people maximum, 4 people minimum
Itinerary- May 12 Saturday (9:45am) 10 am -5:30 pm

This work shop is a one day watercolor workshop designed to rev up your watercolor skills to the next level. It is designed for the student who has had at least some experience, not necessarily advanced, so that by the end of the day we can have a couple of small 10”x 14” watercolors ( or size of your choice ) and some exercises that give your watercolors a boost , with important principle skills that will apply to every watercolor painting you do in the future.
(Some aspects of this rough itinerary are subject to change as we progress depending on the timing of each event.)

Arrive: 9:45 am to set up 6 people maximum, 4 people minimum
10:00 am -Demonstration -Abstract- which lends itself to include color theory, composition, drawing, that highlights the application skills such as brush control, washes, wet on wet, specialty techniques, moving toward learning the basic and important ways to achieve luminosity and richness in your work, while creating a charming abstraction.
11:00 am Exercise- Students will do the brief exercise from demo reference
12:00 - 1:30am- lunch Demo at restaurant, it is designed to be a precursor for taking your art out of the studio, we will eat at a local restaurant with the Gordon Meggison ( Restaurant location TBD, possibly European Street Cafe , Pizza Palace, or Taverna to create a european “In Search of the Ultimate Cafe” experience! ( restaurant choice is subject to availability).
1:45 pm- return toReddi Arts- DEMO of easel watercolor painting to use wet on wet techniques to create rich soft luminous compelling paintings. (working from photo)
2:30 - 5:00pm -Students will begin to paint (1-2) from the demo to recreate the same effect with guidance. (working from photo provided by Gordon Meggison)
5:00 pm-5:30pm- wrap up, and a discussion re-examining everything covered for the day, and a group photo.



Paint - Winsor & Newton Pro grade is best , It is more expensive but with less fillers and richer color, or Holbein paints (14 ) Preferred Palette-Colors - Cadmium Red, Rose Madder, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue , Indigo, Horizon Blue, Olive Green, Hookers Green, Sap Green, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Orange , Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow, Bismuth Yellow,
(NOTE: If $ Cost is a real problem we can make most (7) colors from: Rose Madder, Cadmium Yellow, Sap Green, Burnt umber, Burnt sienna, Yellow ochre, Cobalt Blue)

Color wheel
Pallet pan - Medium size folding plastic palette

Paper
140lb Cold Pressed Arches Watercolor Paper Block suggested size 10”x 14”
Optional -Inexpensive (8x11 practice watercolor pad for sketches )

Brushes - #12 Sable, (that comes to a point not too cheap not too expensive) 1" Nylon Synthetic or Hake Brush (Japanese Brush for washes), get a pkg with a range of bright whites rounds and flats mixed, a one inch flat bright white should be there. (get a brush holder folding cloth too.

Low adhesion masking tape painters style 1" or drafting tape
#2 pencil
kneaded eraser
Semi coarse salt in a small shaker
Flat 3” X 5” kitchen sponge (not the kind with coarse scrub texture on backside)
Plastic water cup for cleaning ( make sure it has a stable base)
Paper towels

Masking Fluid