First get rid of the expecations of what you do in the studio, and be willing to learn a lot about creativity, focus and a get ready to have some fun, consider Plein air painting. Here easle I used is a Traveler Series Watercolor Package click here View the Beach painting demo on Youtube Online courses Join the mailing list on my Home website Instagram...
Based on my "Fearless flowers" courses, in this episode, we explore when painting how to get out of your comfort zone, and grow to be more bold and dynamic. In the Fearless Flowers series, both the interactive and independent study options are available. For immediate access to any of the lessons I suggest the independent study option, full courses Single lessons Schedule of interactive courses Join my mailing list, courses, brushes and more at www.birgitoconnor.com...
Today were talking about what if you’re doing a painting and use photos that someone else took as your reference material, can you use it for a show, can you sell it, can you claim it as your own? Are you using your artistic vision or copying an image? What if you took a class and are inspired by the instructor, and use their lesson and reference material, is it now yours? Is there a subject matter that you would like to hear about? Drop us a line and let us know Online courses Join the mailing ...
Pushing through the fear. Do you feel the need to always be perfect? What kind of artist do you want to be? Do you want to have the control you want over your brushstrokes, and if you don’t it can depend on the brush and the amount of water it’s holding? Are your paintings to weak and wimpy, and are you afraid of the darks? Try to relax and think of every painting as an experiment. We will be looking at a few white flower paintings and talking about the brushstrokestrokes, background and where d...
Sometimes it’s difficult to get started and paint again, it can be because of some life circumstance, the holidays, or we're just not inspired. Not everyone enjoys the isolation of the studio or is a self-motivated artist, some enjoy painting with other artists, especially watercolor. With the pandemic, many people haven’t felt creative and have been absolutely paralyzed, so what are some of the things you can do, let’s talk about it. If you’re interested in taking an online course, or joining “...
In this episode, we discuss the approach of painting a cluster of Monarch Butterflies. We will be covering what you might think might be a failure could be an incredible abstraction, along with paper surfaces and color mingling. Online Courses Website Monarch Butterfly Mug Monarch Tote bag...
Values help to invite the viewer into the painting, so in today's episode we are having a discussion about why they are important, to help create a push pull effect and prevent paintings from looking flat.
In today's meeting will talk a little bit about how to get that fine spray in a painting by using an atomizer, a Kemper tool or a toothbrush. We will also discuss a value study app and talk about some of the challenges you can face when doing a plein air competition, and how all these challenges can help you grow in your creativity. Value study app Kemper spatter tool Monarch garden online course all levels Monarch Migration Full course Shop Home website...
In this episode will be having a conversation about where your inspiration come from? Have you ever thought of where you painting from in your body? Is it your head, your heart, your fingertips, wrist, arm, full body and what kind of experience is it for you? What about commissions, do you enjoy doing them or is it a chore, and how can you move away from realism into something more painterly. These are just some of the things that will be talking about in today's episode we're going to be talkin...
Today Ann told us today about Ranger inks, and how much she is enjoying them, especially the distressed inks. Then our conversation took a turn into what's the difference of inks, alcohol inks and water color pigments and can alcohol inks be used in watercolor competitions. Personally, I found this fascinating information, I hope you will too. www.birgitoconnor.com Birgit's online watercolor courses Ranger inks...
When I first started painting years ago, the art store where I did my first demonstration gifted me with the largest brush that I had ever seen, a #30. I had no idea what to do with it, or how to use it, it wasn't terribly comfortable in my hand, I thought the brush they gave me was nice, so I just put it to the side, because most of my brushes that I worked with at that time, were the smaller #3, #8, #10 and maybe the largest brush being a #12. Then one day, I was a little tired of being fiddly...
Today I will give you a glimpse inside my process as I discuss an article by Cherie Dawn Hass from Realism live and how my work has changed over the last decade. Click here to see the full online article For online courses and workshops visit my website
Today we discuss how to get focused after being distracted with summer, and should you use black in a painting? If you use a black, should you use it from the tube or mix your own? will it look harmonious, like a black hole and what happens to the surrounding colors. When it comes to figures should you outline them or work with values, and what do you do when you see someone on the street that you want to paint? Try a Free online course at www.birgitoconnor.com...
Today we discuss backgrounds and ideas of how to approach them. More problem solving, what do is the masking sticks to paper and what about the magic eraser.
Many people think that watercolor is weak and wimpy, let’s look at how to bring up the color, lift highlights and make smooth washes. For workshops and online courses go to https://birgitoconnor.com
Today we visit Ingrid in her home studio, and discuss what art projects she has been up to during Covid. You can find out more about Ingrid in one of our past inteviews, or on my Podcast The World of Watercolor Painting with Birgit O'Connor Past interview #041 Guest interview with Ingrid Butler / The Business of Art Oct 6th, 2019 by Birgit O'Connor Watercolors Join me as I sit down with Ingrid Butler of Moth Mablers and discuss a little about the business of art. Even though she isn't a watercol...
Wet into wet how to paint a fluffy cat, discussing paper, drying time. Do you attach paper to a board? Painting with one color, values, dampness of the paper. Working on a full sheet painting Discussing how to separate from the analytical mind into more of the creative mind Why highlights make a difference Review of handmade Indian paper What about the judging process in shows Where to get art supplies during the Covid shortage.
Painting with a piece of paper The best way to experience this method is either by enrolling in the independent course on Seascapes or you can always join the interactive course later. Interactive courses run in sessions. How to handle painting in dry enviornments Humidifier: TAOTRONIS model: TT-AH043 Tao Tronics Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier from Amazon about $60.00...
Interview with Andy Rycroft of Creative Productivity and his upcoming event later this month. Purpose, productivity and creative value. With the support of the creative community and strategic daily activities, you will identify your creative value, the potential it has for others, and make powerful steps towards living your creative life on your own terms. The Creative Canvas course offers you the opportunity to get clear about your purpose, get engaged with your audience, and build an actionab...
Today we discuss how to let the color find its own path through the water on the surface, and how with a simple touch you can allow dissolve an edge, to the color to escape. Do you want hard or soft edges? Do you want to keep it light, soft and pretty, or do you want to create depth? Have you tried tools other than a brush? What about paintings that aren't working, you don't need to throw them away or turn it into a collage. When your frustrated, put them away for a while, then repurpose them la...
Let's talk about how you can remove some of the invisible obstacles that happen, when life gets in the way. How can you find the time to paint? Does every painting need to be a a masterpiece or can you think about it as an experiment? Have you recognized where your fear comes from, is it the cost of the materials, or fear of failure? Either way there's some simple things that we can do to overcome the obstacles that hold us back.
If you have ever wanted to know more about what it's like to be a successful professional watercolor artist, come and join me and Sterling Edwards in the studio. We will be discussing how we got started, what inspired us, can you make a living as an artist, should you be in a gallery, workshops, art markets, shipping ideas, art shipping companies, building creates, and is art now disposable? Contact Sterling Edwards here at https://www.sterlingedwards.com/ or visit me Birgit O'Connor on my websi...
Today we visit Tamra in her studio in Camas, Washington to discuss her work and techniques on Yupo Paper. When designing she uses a watercolor pencil instead of lead, and many different kinds of salt hymalaian, pink, table, kosher, rock, epson salt, basically any kind you can imagine. To get really interesting effects she also uses red paper flakes, hydrogen peroxide, sea sponges, regular sponges, make up sponges, you name it, she uses Viva paper towels to lift color out, we discuss translucent ...
Website: www.birgitoconnor.com Join us as we take a look at how to simplify a desert path using the learned techniques then applying them into a students photograph. For the full demonstration join us in the Desert Landscape course or view as a premium download (from one of our live meetings in the "Desert landscape course,")
Join me as I sit down with Ingrid Butler of Moth Mablers and discuss a little about the business of art. Even though she isn't a watercolor artist her papers and designs are internationally recognized. Her work has been included in many museums and collections throughout the world. For more information visit her website http://www.ingridbutler.com View some of her Youtube videos https://youtu.be/Bb0YyISfMY4 https://youtu.be/K3eLAIoCpfU https://youtu.be/RN-rD_aEGZM https://youtu.be/2Q_FbLluRMs...
Join me as I interview with Tony White from Tasmania, about his beautiful watercolor paintings, we will discuss his artistic journey and the leap of faith of leaving a 9-5 job as a banker to become a successful watercolor artist that now travels the world and teaches. Tony was a lot of fun to talk to, down and see how he transformed a painting with staining colors into an amazing piece of art (and sold it). Tony's Website Tony's YouTube channel Material list Paper: Arches or Saunders Rough 300gs...
When it come to painting loose, it seems much easier than it really is. We are all so use to painting everything that we see and all the little details, so letting those blooms happen and loosing edges can feel a little unnerving. Come and join me and take a peek inside a live online meeting where we review student paintings.
Looking at a students painting from the "Develop your own Paintings e-course" where we discuss the approach and how to get the results that she wants. Coming soon an expanded version with continuing education for those that have already enrolled.
Keep it simple using the same concept as the shadows and highlight on the rocks, this time we will apply it into Foot prints in the Sand. www.birgitoconnor.com
When it comes to this painting style as many of you have found, it's not always as easy as it looks. I'll share a secret with you, much of it has to do with the drawing, materials you're using and the real magic happens in the brushstroke and since this looser painting style is more subjective to the artist, you will find that this course is a little different than many of my others. Go at your own Pace "The Joy of Painting Loose & Free" What students say: "Loving this class even though it i...
