Four Day Workshop with Don Andrews

Pushing to a new level in a four day workshop with Don Andrews....

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I have admired the paintings of Don Andrews for years.  His colors sing. He  creates strong design through his use of shapes and values.  I've spent many nights re-reading his book Interpreting the Figure in Watercolor.  Though he is articulate, nothing compares with watching him lay the paint on the paper!

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This painting began as an exercise on the third day, experimenting with granulated washes using abstract shapes leaving a few strong shapes unpainted, exposing the white of the paper.  After applying several layers of granulated washes, the white shape began to suggest a figure.  In the studio, it often takes me hours of throwing, splattering, washing off and tilting before a figure will emerge.  Twenty minutes after applying the first strokes of vivid pigment to the paper, the Medicine Man appeared.  I suggested the eye and mouth before packing up my paints for the day.

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Detail of Medicine Man's head in two stages

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During the first part of the fourth day I softened some edges and suggested more subtle form.

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Medicine Man - two stages

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The differences between the second and last stage may not be obvious at first glance.  The last, careful touches made a world of difference through my eyes.  Of all the painting I did over the four days, this is my favorite.

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Painting:  Medicine Man - watercolor - 9" x 13" image

 

 
Four Day Workshop with Don Andrews