| Author | Message | ||
  Deecubed Member Username: Deecubed Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2007 |
Eugene, I haven't taken a Frank Francese workshop, but I have a dear artist friend/mentor who has taken him, and is going to take him again this summer at Art in the Mountains in Bend, OR. My ninety-one-year-old friend has taken from all the top watercolorists over the years, and considers Frank Francese one of her all-time favorites. She has some beautiful work she did in Francese's workshop, and can't wait to do more. Francese works with huge brushes, and has students completing two paintings a day! I understand he is a little powerhouse of a guy with an infectiously bright manner and attitude. My friend does not suffer fools gladly, so his manner and style in workshops is important to her. She has been painting over sixty years,with all the greats, including Rex Brandt, Tony Couch, Zolton Szabo, to mention a few. Here it is only January and she is already so excited she will be painting with Frank again. If I could join her, I would, because the pieces she did in his workshop are exceptional. If you think Ted Nuttall loosened you up, be prepared for major loosening up with Frank Francese! But as I understand it, you will enjoy the experience! | ||
Marie Senior Member Username: Marie Post Number: 476 Registered: 8-2006 |
I haven't taken a workshop from him, but I recall a discussion here about his workshops. Take a look at this thread: http://community.cheapjoes.com/forum/messages/25/1561.html. | ||
Eugene Senior Member Username: Eugene Post Number: 489 Registered: 8-2006 |
Has anyone taken a workshop with Frank Francese? I really like his work. He's giving one in Vermont in September and I'm very tempted but the package price is almost $1,500 for 5 nights with instructions and lodging with meals. A little steep,for me. Would appreciate any advice. Answer anon if you don't want to be identified. | ||
Grizrev Senior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 652 Registered: 8-2006 |
Whitewatercolor, I seem to remember that you wrote on one of these threads that you were buying a stash of instructional DVDs and would give us a review of the ones you thought were especially good -- I think it was the way you were going to hiberate last winter. Did you ever get through the stack? If you did, would you have time to summarize the strengths (or weaknesses) of what you saw, and give us your recommendations? What are you going to do this winter? | ||
Marie Senior Member Username: Marie Post Number: 302 Registered: 8-2006 |
I just splurged on the John Salminen DVD on abstract painting in watercolor, and it's excellent! He uses a little acrylic, and does lots of masking, and it's totally non-representional -- not my usual style. All the same, it's the best tutorial on design I have come across. I had to order it from the publisher. I don't think CJAS carries it. The big drawback is that it was $60, but it was worth every penny. I usually don't get very excited about watercolor videos and DVD's, but this one is one of the best. Or maybe it's just the right thing at the right time for me. | ||
Landscaper Junior Member Username: Landscaper Post Number: 22 Registered: 12-2006 |
Grizrev, I have all three Watson videos. They are great. Here is a link. http://www.artist-videos.com/index.php?target=products&mode=search&subcats=Y&type=extended&avail=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&cid=14&q=watson | ||
Raliegh Intermediate Member Username: Raliegh Post Number: 77 Registered: 8-2006 |
Julie has a wonderful way of demonstrating how much water she adds to the paint, and the paper and the brush. She gives a name to each process. It's very basic beginner instruction that is not often illustrated by other instructors. | ||
Grizrev Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 35 Registered: 8-2006 |
Has anyone seen James Fletcher Watson's DVD? It seems to be available only from English sources -- will the format used in England play in the USA? Can someone who has seen Julie Cohn's DVD give a review in some details, particularly in light of Jay's post on this thread about the problems in most DVDs he has seen? | ||
Jay Unregistered guest |
Thx a mil, Raliegh...definitely will get a copy then. Do pre-c-8 it. ~8) /J | ||
Raliegh Intermediate Member Username: Raliegh Post Number: 74 Registered: 8-2006 |
Jay, viewing Julie Cohn DVD 'The Dance of Watercolor' is almost exclusive palette. How much water vs. paint, etc. Very basic but good. I found CJ catalog www.juliecohnproductions.com | ||
Raliegh Intermediate Member Username: Raliegh Post Number: 70 Registered: 8-2006 |
Last night I was paging thru CJ's catalog and found juliecohnproductions/w/c video. This appears to be a very extensive teaching on color mixing. Her subjects are close to my own so I think I'm going to order one. | ||
Rekha Advanced Member Username: Rekha Post Number: 131 Registered: 8-2006 |
I had been meaning to get back to correct my mistake. It's Jo Tarabula. sorry | ||
Grizrev Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 26 Registered: 8-2006 |
Rekha, Who (or where on the internet) is Jo Karabula -- I've googled, but can't find anything. | ||
Landscaper New member Username: Landscaper Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2006 |
In James Fletcher Watson's videos, he comments, and it is shown, nearly every color he mixes. One whom I considered a master. | ||
Jay Unregistered guest |
Grizrev - I can't fully answer, especially w/o taking the considerable time to review the many tapes & DVDs I have. I'll just say that all are lacking in some respect as far as showing every detail of the mixing process - most just 'do it' without commentary on the details, beyond saying what colors they're using...."Cad Yellow with some / a little / a touch of Phthalo....maybe some Alizarin to gray it..." etc. And of course, for those single-camera works I mentioned, you usually get to see little or nothing of the process. Now, all that's not to say that some very helpful tips aren't given -- Szabo for instance frequently shows his 'invention' of a couple of lintless paper towels wrapped around a de-cored roll of toilet tissue, used as a blotter before touching loaded brushes to paper (unless it's an intentionally 'juicy' application like an initial wash or 'charging' process). Many or most others do this in some form, 'blotting', more usually onto a paper towel or tissue or scrap cloth. Ranson frequently mentions picking up paint "neat" or "almost neat", which in case you don't pick up on it means "pure" paint from the well rather than the liquified pool - a term I've noticed other Brits using, too. For the most part, they are sorely lacking in water content & management in the mixing process - something I'd very much like to see more of, as the lack of instruction forces you to learn by trial & error....a hurdle I think the instructor(s) could very easily help you with in a few seconds with a few more details. They are, after all, supposed to be instructional. So much so -- of the first few tapes I bought, a couple of 'em were by Susan Scheewe, covering techniques. She busily goes on chatting about what she's going to do, while mixing the paints & telling what she's using...without telling how to go about it. I seriously considered calling or writing to her to tell her something we really need & would like to see, is a 'class' on this very thing -- the how-to's of water & paint management. I'll close by saying, if I learn of a demo that covers it in full detail, I'll be the first to buy one! HTH, /Jay | ||
Rekha Advanced Member Username: Rekha Post Number: 127 Registered: 8-2006 |
Grizrev, Jo Karabula's VHS demonstrate step by step of everything | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
Grizrev- There's a Tony Couch video/dvd that shows an entire workshop demonstration that shows everything from start to finish. It's about two hours long. I forgot the name of it, but it's a snow scene with a barn. | ||
Grizrev Junior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 25 Registered: 8-2006 |
Jay, Great posts. Thanks for taking the time. I'm really interested in DVD demos that show everything the artist is doing, from how much water is kept in the brush, the mixing process, etc. You said: "In the better (in my opinion) ones, the camerawork shows the mixing process, but in many as a way (I presume) to keep production costs down, the single camera is pointed at & remains on the painting surface, & you have to rely on the artist's off-camera commentary to tell you what he's doing/using...and some are better at that than others." I'm interested in the "better ones." Do you have any particular ones to recommend? | ||
Jay Unregistered guest |
Addendum -- thought just occurred...thought it best I point out: When I describe the VHS/DVD's - these of course refer to the ones I've seen....and it should be noted I'm primarily interested in landscape, so most are on that subject. A couple cover still life, wildlife forms; a 'building blocks of paintings'; nothing on human form in specific, only as 'figures' added to landscapes, etc. For clarity's sake..... /Jay | ||
Jay Unregistered guest |
Grizrev -- to the best of my memory, nearly all or at least, most all of 'em do. The large majority of 'em are demos of one painting, so naturally cover the individual steps...& in some, 2 or 3 paintings. Most run approx an hour, hence only time for one, for the most part. Some that demonstrate only techniques of course cover several 'items' -- wood & other textures, water, mixing & using greens, etc --rather than a complete painting. Some even cover the base basics, ie papers, brushes used, the (hard) palette; almost always the pigments used, & sometimes the 'whys'. In the better (in my opinion) ones, the camerawork shows the mixing process, but in many as a way (I presume) to keep production costs down, the single camera is pointed at & remains on the painting surface, & you have to rely on the artist's off-camera commentary to tell you what he's doing/using...and some are better at that than others. And most as I recall show you the subject matter also, whether plein air where you're usu. 'looking over his shoulder' w/ single-camera work, else photo(s) or studio model etc. Some of the 'better' (again, me) also demo prelim value sketches of the scene. Then there's the challenge of hearing and/or comprehending what I call "the mutters" when they start, like, 'thinking aloud' (but not too!) or talking more to themselves than their audience about what they're doing. Ranson's kinda bad about this - as are others....& even tho the 'loud' parts are invaluable keys & compose the large part, we/I'd of course still like to be able to hear the 'thoughts' they're expressing. I've replayed passages several times to pick up on it. This might not affect some as much as me....I'm deaf as a post. ~;) Another aspect of the audio....many of 'em are Brits, with their many dialects....so you'd better have a good tunable ear if you know what I mean. I do....but sometimes for me, watching say a Brit sitcom?....you're halfway thru the proggy before you're really receiving all channels, eh mate? Or...ahem..."know whut I mean, Verne?" <G> Example...I have this one tape on Chinese W/C techniques. In addition to the poor 'echo-y' audio quality, the lady is speaking a low baritone brogue that sounds more like the tape's dragging, or 'half-male', while holding & trying to talk around a mouthful of hot soup! It's g'dawful, moiyte! <G> Despite numerous restarts, at the end of the hour I don't think I'd understood much more'n a dozen words she spoke the entire time! Lynch is such a chatterbox & has so many asides you have a hard time taking it all in...but that's ok, it's there to be replayed -- *LOL*. As might be surmised, the quality of various productions & various artists runs the gamut....and unfortunately(?) price isn't always a guarantee of good. Trust me on that!! & & & Kind've a different tack here.... I'd had an idea about this subject, before, when this or another thread brought up the topic. I's kinda surprised how many said they'd never seen these kinda demos. Presuming we're a rather trustworthy lot, I thought we might set up some kinda 'share' arrangement where we could lend material to one another. Of course there should be some system of guaranteeing safe return...but the most hesitancy I had was that it might not be too well received by "the landlord", seein' as how he sells these. Any thoughts? Enuff! for now. /Jay | ||
Grizrev Junior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 24 Registered: 8-2006 |
What DVDs have you seen by any of the artists mentioned in this forum that actually give you pictures of each step in the process of creating a painting? I have in mind squeezing out the preferred colors, seeing the brush access and mix the paints on the palette as well as the paper, closeups, etc. I think there is some value for the beginning artist in experimenting with the techniques of accomplished artists, somewhat like the traditional eaching method of the old days of having students copy the great masters. After that, they can go any direction they please. | ||
Marie Advanced Member Username: Marie Post Number: 132 Registered: 8-2006 |
I don't have any of the Frank Webb DVD's, but I would buy the one on design, which is really his strong point. | ||
Rekha Advanced Member Username: Rekha Post Number: 118 Registered: 8-2006 |
If you could afford to buy only one video/DVD by Frank Webb which one would it be? http://www.artshow.com/webb/dvds.html | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
WWColor- I'm not positive, but I think that the "Hows and Whys" book was Whitney's first and his "Complete Guide to Watercolor" was his updated version of the first book. "Complete Guide" is available on Amazon. And yes, it is good. | ||
Anon. Unregistered guest |
Stabin does too--I've take one from him recently. Most practical info. and inspiration in my experience. He's also a consumate artist. | ||
Whitewatercolor Intermediate Member Username: Whitewatercolor Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2006 |
Does anyone have Edgar Whitney's "Watercolor, the Hows and Whys"? Would you recommend it? What does anyone know about it? | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
Since I haven't taken workshops from most of these teachers I can't rate them. But aside from the already mentioned Webb, Stabin and Couch, three more who were students of Whitney include Judi Wagner, Tony Van Hasselt and Tom Lynch. I'm not familiar enough with Stabin to comment, but I believe Couch and Webb stick pretty close to the Whitney message. | ||
Anonymous Unregistered guest |
They do. Stabin is a true master--one of the few. Check out his two books and two videos. | ||
Grizrev Junior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2006 |
Thanks for the Mel Stabin reference. I accessed the site -- great paintings. They look a lot like Tony Couch too! | ||
Grizrev Junior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 18 Registered: 8-2006 |
Jay, Thanks for the Ron Ranson reference. Somehow the link doesn't work even when I cut and paste it in the address bar. Can you check again to see if it is accurate? | ||
Anonymous Unregistered guest |
Hmm--hypertext didn't post--there must still be a problem-- Go to melstabin.com. He is a direct student of Whitney's and a great workshop teacher--in high demand, BTW so register immediately. | ||
Anonymous Unregistered guest |
Absolutely: Mel Stabin-- http://www.melstabin.com/Paintings1.html | ||
Jay Unregistered guest |
This doesn't answer your question directly, but should give you a direction. I was looking for something Whitney had done, and ran a Google on "Edgar Whitney" (with the quote marks). I was amazed at the number of artists that state in their resume/bio's that they studied under him. So much so, I'd be tempted to answer you, "Dang near everybody!" <G> You probably know of it, but there's also the book 'Learn Watercolor the Edgar Whitney Way' which was compiled by Ron Ranson, in which each chapter was written by a Whitney student. Prolly available thru your local library - check the names, see which are teaching (websites, Joe's workshop listings, etc). Good chance to test the URL posting fix - here's something on the book: http://personales.upv.es/gbenet/teoria%20del%20color/water_color/book4.html Good Luck! /Jay | ||
Grizrev Junior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2006 |
Eric, Who are the current watercolor workshop teachers who most represent the Ed Whitney tradition? How would you rate them? | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
If you have both the Whitney and the Couch book, I think you've got it covered. Webb's book is outstanding but it's the same "design principles" as the other two books describe. I don't remember exactly but it might go into more detail than the Couch book, which is more of an all-around book. Couch's out-of-print "Keys to Successful Painting" covers design principles more thoroughly than "You Can Do it". | ||
Grizrev Junior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 15 Registered: 8-2006 |
I do have the Edgar Whitney "Complete Guide to Watercolor Painting," and also Tony Couch's "Watercolor - You Can Do It," which relies heavily on Whitney, his mentor. What, if anything, does Frank Webb's book add, or better communicate? | ||
Marie Intermediate Member Username: Marie Post Number: 60 Registered: 8-2006 |
I have the original edition, named "Strengthen Your Paintings With Dynamic Composition," and it's a keepie. A lot of the material will be familiar to you if you have the Edgar Whitney book. | ||
Grizrev Junior Member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2006 |
I'm still wondering if anyone has read Frank Webb's "Composition for the Painter" by Zack Press? If so, what were your reactions? | ||
Grizrev New member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2006 |
Has anyone read Frank Webb's "Composition for the Painter (Zack Press)?" If so, does it contain the essence of the great things Frank has to teach? | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
Oh yeah, forgot about something from the Couch workshop. Most of his paintings are done with a big brush, 2" and 1 1/2" and 1". Rigger and a 6 or an 8 are only used for a few details toward the end of painting. Ransom, from a video I saw, also is Mr. Big Brush, even more so than Couch. Ransom is from the "make your brushstroke, then leave it alone" school. | ||
Grizrev New member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2006 |
I like the wet into wet style Tony Couch and Joe Miller use as well. My problem is how to use that style when working in a watercolor sketchbook (like American Journey 140 lb.)! You can't wet one of those pages and secure it for stretching in the same way you do a half sheet! Anyone have suggestions on how to deal with that problem? | ||
Sally Unregistered guest |
I spent a week at a workshop with Ron Ranson and his approach, which is a restricted palette and a minimum number of brushes is a great discipline that really improves paintings. He's English, and the palette is a "quiet" one, not brilliant colors, but very effective. He really teaches how to use brush strokes for maximum effect. An excellent teacher for beginners and moderately advanced painters. | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
Grizrev, I've only attended one 5-day workshop, so I don't have much to compare it to. It was Tony Couch. He paints a demo in the morning, then we painted in the afternoon, followed by a critique each day. He starts off by saturating the paper with water,front and back, so the beginning of the painting is done wet-in-wet and he continues to paint as the paper dries. He talks and explains while he paints. He will mention the legendary Ed Whitney a LOT. He'll teach Whitney's principles of design and a big thing with him is VALUE PATTERNS. (a major part of the critiques will be about value patterns) When I came home, my paintings improved a lot. So by that measure, it was a great experience. | ||
Grizrev New member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2006 |
Gary, I love Joe, too. Wonderful personality, encouraging, a truly humble person -- and a great salesman! I enjoy his loose, wet into wet painting style too -- and Joe's Journal. If you had to boil down his workshop into its essence or the things he most emphasized, his core key thoughts and principles, what would they be? Which have you tried to use since taking the workshop? Also, how did he run the workshop. What did you do, and what did he do? Thanks for replying! | ||
Garydoc Junior Member Username: Garydoc Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2006 |
OK, granted I'm a rank beginner and have only been to the one workshop...but, I learned so much from Joe Miller this summer! He is a great teacher and some students have been coming to him for years. He teaches wet on wet mostly, and is very impressionistic, but that's what I needed to loosen up. I have been studying from books for two years and this summer took the workshop plunge. It won't be the last time, either! Gary | ||
Grizrev New member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2006 |
Thanks for the responses, which by and large are helpful. I still would like to hear more specifics about what you actually were able to take away from workshops you attended (or DVDs you watched) }that significantly improved your own ability as a painter. I guess the essential queston is -- what teachers are most effective in getting getting their ideas across and motivating students, and WHAT did they communicate? Please describe their ideas, teaching methods and technique in detail. Thanks | ||
Eugene Junior Member Username: Eugene Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2006 |
With Skip it's a case of love or hate. A lot of folks like his class, but don't expect to be taught what is in his book. He's a great entertainer, if that's what you want, and are not the brunt of his jokes. ENOUGH! | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
On the topic of Skip Lawrence, yes, his style has changed drastically. I liked his book that came out about ten years ago with the emphasis on strong value contrasts. Then he abruptly changed and is now separating shapes by color. Same value but different color. I have to admit I really dislike his current style. Therefore, if I took a workshop from him I would be wasting my time. But for others that like his paintings, they might get a lot out his classes. | ||
Anne Unregistered guest |
Great advice Eric--one person's guru is another person's deadend. I myself would never go to workshops of certain artists because they go in opposite directions of the direction I choose. Also, there are several conflicting aesthetics among artists--one should discover which is most appealing by looking at their paintings. Most of the presenters listed in Joe's global workshopper have websites with gallery sections. I find bookstore art sections to have plenty of current artists represented, as well as Watercolor Magazine and Watercolor Magic. | ||
Eric Unregistered guest |
Grizrev, I would go to a big library, one that has a huge selection of watercolor instructional books, and dive in and find the style of painting that you prefer. In addition check out Borders or Barnes and Noble to peruse more of the newer books. You'll have to find out yourself what teachers you'll like. Even Suzy will agree (from her posts in the past) that most of the attendees at Zoltan's workshop thought he was the premier watercolor guru, while she thought it was a waste of time. DVDS or videos that were helpful to me: Frank Webb- I own two that are very philosophical. (Don't paint what is, paint what ought to be.) Maybe not the best for a beginner, but great for intermediate or advanced. Tony Couch- If you like wet-into-wet, he's the man. Solid instruction, emphasizes value patterns. Tom Lynch- Has several videos out, some are old from his PBS TV show. Great teacher, big personality. Lots of special effects, like spray bottles. Emphasizes creating a mood. Robert Wade- Great all-around teacher. Marilyn Simandle- Another solid teacher. If you paint too tight, watch her videos. Presently, I think she's more into oils now. John Pike- An old video called "Watercolor Demonstrations" is a strange one. An old grainy film of Pike painting while smoking a cigarette and listening to some type of Spanish classical music. Not a lot of useful instruction, but what I noticed is how effortlessly and casually Pike painted. | ||
Terry Junior Member Username: Terry Post Number: 20 Registered: 8-2006 |
We have had both Skip and Frank at Cheap Joe's for workshops. I know them both and have to say they are both great fellows. Our goal is to get the best instructors for our workshops. I have never taken a workshop from either yet I talk with the people who do and most find both of them engaging and informative. Their styles are very different and Skip has changed his significantly in the past couple of years. | ||
Anne A.N. Unregistered guest |
Grizrev--I would find out what workshops are available that you would be able to attend by browsing Cheap Joe's global workshopper section on the website. Then I would search the web for samples of each workshop artist's work. I would go with the artist I would most wish to paint like. | ||
Suzy Junior Member Username: Suzy Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2006 |
Ditto Eugene.. Best Teacher Frank Webb... Worst: a tie between Skip Lawerence and Zolton Szabo | ||
Eugene Junior Member Username: Eugene Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2006 |
BEST WORKSHOP TEACHER--FRANK WEBB Poorest teacher (my humble opinion)Skip Lawrence | ||
Marie New member Username: Marie Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2006 |
A couple of other comments about the Robert Wade video... he is entertaining and yet informative. He does a terrific job of emphasizing drawing and value, which are so important to a successful watercolor. In his final demonstration he paints a full length figure; it is worth the price of the video/DVD just to watch him wield a brush. Wow! | ||
A.N. Unregistered guest |
Ditto Wade. I would also recommend Robert Lovett's on Design in Watercolour. | ||
Marie New member Username: Marie Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2006 |
I haven't watched many DVD's, but Charles Reid and Robert Wade videos are my favorites so far. I especially liked Robert Wade's video: "Watercolor: Wade's Way." I haven't taken enough watercolor workshops to comment. | ||
Grizrev New member Username: Grizrev Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2006 |
What watercolor workshop teachers and or DVDs have been most helpful to you, and why? |
