Art Landscape - Art News

Watercolor Painting Demonstration

admin — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:51:11 +0000

This painting was completed in a watercolor painting class where I demonstrated the wet-on-wet technique in painting a 5-minute sky. I will be presenting a watercolor painting workshop for the San Antonio Watercolor Society next month in Texas.

Painting a Mural for the Washington County Library

admin — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:40:52 +0000

I finally got started painting the 4′ x 8′ library mural this week. Actually it’s not technically a mural, but a very large painting. It will be mounted on the wall permanently and surrounded by a frame, though, so either term probably works. I ordered Claessons Oil primed Belgian linen from Dick Blick and mounted it on a tempered masonite panel using Demco’s archival adhesive. I then hung the panel on the wall of my frame shop (my studio is too small) so I can work vertically. It’s worked pretty well so far. Here are a few of photos of the process after two days of painting.

From my 10″ x 20″ pencil layout, I transferred the design using grids in red pencil. I did some sketching directly on the linen using pencil, but used a red pencil for the main outlines, since it smears less when the first paint is applied.

I decided to work on the figures first and establish their main values, leaving the background buildings for later. Once the figures are almost complete I will work on the background and return for the final detail work on the figures last.

posted by Roland Lee at 9:45 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Fall Colors in Utah

While Vermont excells in grand displays of reds, Utah puts on a show of yellows and golds in Autumn. Over the weekend I took a little drive over the Alpine Loop up American Fork Canyon and even though it was overcast, the colors still made me marvel.

The Mission Gallery Opens in St. George, Utah

admin — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:36:58 +0000

On Friday September 29 The Mission Art Gallery will hold its ribbon cutting and grand opening in St. George, Utah. The gallery, operated by Jane Juber, will feature the work of Roland Lee along with other regional artists. Unlike other galleries in the area, the Mission Gallery carries only high end original artwork. No prints or reproductions are displayed in the gallery. Roland will be present at the opening reception along with several of the other featured artists. Reception from 6 - 9pm.

Mt. Kineseva View - Zion National Park, is one of Roland Lee’s watercolor paintings on display at the mission gallery. This view is from the nearby ghost town of Grafton, just outside of Rockville.

Mounting your Watercolor paper

admin — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:37:26 +0000

Since the 1970’s I’ve used a heavy cardboard called Upsom Board to mount my watercolor paper. Unfortunately, that useful material (which was used as a type of sheetrock for construction years ago) is no longer made. I’ve tried lots of different types of mounting boards since then and have settled on a new surface called Incredible Art Board. It has the look and feel of very thick Fomecore board but is significantly different. It is much sturdier, will not buckle or bend (although you can break it) and has a surface which repels moisture. It can be taped and stapled on repeatedly and is very, very lightweight. I usually buy a large sheet and cut it into various smaller sizes for different size paintings. It is now readily availlable at most art supply houses such as Dick Blick and others. My local art supply store, “A Passion for Painting” now carries it along with most of the other art supplies I use. I have found that a suggestion to your local store is all that is needed for them to order in and stock just what you want. Give it a try.

Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper

admin — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 04:27:41 +0000

My paper is 140 or 300 lb. Arches cold pressed, soaked and stapled to a board. I have tried other papers in the past and each has its own feel and surface characteristics, but I firmly believe you should find a good paper and stay with it. That will eliminate a lot of the variables when applying your paints. I have discovered a nice mounting board that is lightweight and takes repeated stapling. It is called “Incredible art board” and available from most art supply sources. I get mine from Dick Blick, who I have ordered from online for many years. I will soak my Arches Watercolor Paper in the tub for about 10 minutes to remove the sizing, then staple it wet to the Incredible Art Board. After it dries taught I will tape off the edges, over the staples, with 1 inch masking tape. This gives a nice clean edge around the watercolor when completed which gives me a place to date, number, and title the painting for documentation purposes. The framers like it as well because they have a clean area to use for the mounting corners.

Eldajon Palettes and Daniel Smith Watercolors

admin — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 04:17:33 +0000

Sometime ago I began a quest to find the most permanent watercolor pigments. That led me to Daniel Smith Co. who was working on their own line of high quality paints of which most were rated permanent. I eventually switched my entire palette to Daniel Smith watercolors, and still use them primarily. However I do supplement my colors with some from Winsor & Newton, which I also like a lot.

A word about my palette. I use two Eldajon palettes which each have three deep mixing wells and 12 slant wells for holding paint. One is set up with warm colors, and the other with cool and neutrals. I have used the same palettes for over 25 years. There are several online art supply companies which stock them however I recently learned that the manufacturer is no longer making them. I may just buy up what I can find and stock them myself. There are many other excellent palettes on the market, and at each of my workshops I see as many styles as there are students. The key is to use whatever works for you.

Outdoor Painting with Winsor Newton’s Compact Watercolor Set

admin — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:36:44 +0000

When painting en plein air I use two different set-ups. If I’m going out close to home or in my vehicle, I’ll take a comfortable lawn chair, and the same palettes I use in my studio. However if I am backpacking or traveling in Europe I always carry a neat little folding paint box from Winsor and Newton. I have tried several and this one works the best for me. It has logged jillions of miles all over the globe and has held up well. The key is that it is small enough to carry in my pocket or shoulder bag along with paper, brushes, expandable water jar, towel, and water. I found out a long time ago that unless I am always carrying my paints with me, I won’t be ready when the impulse strikes.

I think by nature artists are “gear junkies” and we want to try out every new thing that comes along. That’s okay if you have the time and money, but if you don’t , just settle in on a few good quality tools and supplies that you can trust. You will find that your work gets better, and you get faster when you equipment works for you.

Check out my Art Supplies page for purchase information

Painting in England

admin — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:19:24 +0000

I have travelled to England several times where I hiked the fells and dales, making drawings in my travel sketchbook and painting on location. In future posts I will chronicle some of these adventures and share a few tips about art materials and techniques that are travel-friendly. Since 911 things have gotten progressively worse for air travel, so I have learned to simplify my art supplies - especially when travelling overseas. I had a most unpleasant experience when I was detained and underwent a bomb search when the x-ray machine couldn’t identify an item in my suitcase. It turned out to be a small stapler that I used to mount watercolor paper. You can bet I don’t bring a stapler with me anymore!

How to paint in watercolor

admin — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 05:04:53 +0000

As a professional artist for the past 30 years I have done a great deal of study and research on art materials and supplies. I have also studied the techniques of many artists, from the old masters, to the contemporary masters. With the advent of the internet, vast resources of knowledge are readily available to anyone worldwide in just seconds. I hope to help share information in future posts about art supplies, art techniques, and painting lessons from a variety of sources. Check back from time to time and let me know what you think. Check out my website to view my watercolor paintings of Europe.