The Watercolor Bible

      Recently, my grandmother bought The Watercolor Bible by Joe Garcia to use at our Thursday night painting 'party'. Inside there are tutorials on how to create pictures, what colors to use and at the same time, learn a new technique to make our picture look more realistic or to simply improve the pictures. I have done four of the tutorials from the book and I will post my finished results in the next couple of posts.
      Just remember, that when looking through his tutorials, you will never be able to accurately recreate what he has done. So please, do not get discouraged. Make it your own and have fun.

Bob Ross

      Bob Ross was an American painter born October 29th 1942 and died July 4th 1995. He was also an art instructor and television host. He was best known for his show that he both created and hosted call The Joys of Painting that aired for over a decade on PBS in both Canada and the United States.
      Ross utilised the "wet on wet" techniques of oil paintings - which means that the painter continues to add paint on top of wet paint without waiting the lengthy time of the first layer to dry fully. In his show, he didn't use a huge variety of different colors but instead used basic colors and mixed them that way the viewer didn't have to spend a large amount of money to paint with him. He was inspired to do his most famous paintings of the lakes and mountains and trees when he spent his years living in Alaska. "I got a letter from somebody here a while back, and they said, 'Bob, everything in your world seems to be happy.' That's for sure. That's why I paint. It's because I can create the kind of world that I want, and I can make this world as happy as I want it. Shoot, if you want bad stuff, watch the news."

 

       The reason I decided to write about him is because I remember watching the reruns on T.V. and watching how fast and easy he made his paintings look, and I was amazed by it every time. I remember thinking to myself that I wish I could do that and maybe one day I could start. Although I don't do oil paintings like him, he does teach techniques that can be used for all paintings.

      He also has books on landscape and other paintings. He has oil painting kits as well. My father has one of his kits and has his oil paints as well as other family members like my grandmother. 

The Rules of Watercolor

      There are not many "Rules" to watercolor paint, but here are a few you must know if you want to tackle watercolor:

Rule #1: Paint from light to dark. With watercolor, you cannot correct a mistake or lighten a part of your picture. The colors are very transparent. You darken the areas you want darker after (shadows, dark lines, etc.) Paint everything you want light first, then darken to how you want.

Rule #2: Saving Whites. If you have white in your picture, you can't paint it after. The paper you are painting on is your white. If you are confidant enough, paint around the areas you want to leave white. If you are not, like me, use "Frisket". This protects your white areas so you can paint over them with no worries. When you're done in with color, you can erase it off - I use tape to peel it off. If worse comes to worse, you can use acrylic white, but try not to cheat! I only use it when I am creating snowflakes.

Rule #3: When painting, add clean water to the entire section of where you want to paint. The color will only go where the water is. (Unless of course you use dry brush, and purposely paint directly on a section.) But with watercolor, try to avoid dry brush unless you are doing fine lines and little details.

      Other than that, your painting is yours. Do what you like and find what works best for you. Watercolor is the most difficult kind of painting because its very unforgiving, so be patient, it will only get better. Practise, actually does make perfect.

Number Three

      This is the third painting I have done. This one did not take nearly as long as my other two paintings. There are hardly any major details. The clouds took me the longest. I had to keep darkening them by dabbing on the paint using a scrubbing, swirl motion. Then in the top left corner dab on a darker purple.
      I thought the grass was going to be difficult. But I have learnt that I am more of a softer painter then an extremely detailing painter. Or at least that is what I prefer. So instead I just added different shades of the green and brown and the little red flowers.
      The sky was easy. For the sun rays, while the paint was wet, I took a piece of paper towel and wiped it off in a line. Every time I wanted to darken the sky, I repeated the step.
      The tree I kept avoiding cause just look how dark it is! But once I got the basic shape, it was surprisingly easy.
      My fourth one is still in the works today. So I wont have that one posted for a few but I will post some of my tutorial paintings that I have done later.   

Music and Art

    Many of us - and I probably could say all - listen to music everyday. There are so many different types of genres like rock, pop, country, rap, classical, jazz and that's only naming so little of what is out there. We all have our favourites, and definitely like more that one type - maybe not, but I know I do. Some of us enjoy the rhythm, and some of us listen for the lyrics. A lot people look at music as an entertainment factor. Something they can sing a long with, dance to, and even help you get past through times. You're right. But there is more to music then you think.

      Music helps your creative thought. As long as you don't abuse the privilege. Music stimulates the creative side of your brain allowing you to concentrate, and pour your ideas out faster. It helps you relax. Of course, when the teacher is talking, listening to music actually distracts you from what she is saying, it prevents you from taking in what is being said. But when it is independent work like writing, drawing, coloring etc... listening to music is perfect.
      When I paint, we listen to soft quiet music that helps us relax and concentrate on what we are doing. It keeps you thinking creatively. Music is great for so many things, and yes, you can now say music helps you learn. But sitting there playing with your iPod constantly defeats the whole purpose. Make a playlist and don't touch it afterwards.

Second Painting

Here is a photograph that I took while in Quebec at my Grandmaman's house.

       I decided to paint my own photograph. I drew the basic shape of the flower, then started to paint. It took a long time for me to finish this painting cause there is a lot of details in the flower. I've always been afraid to add bold colors but as you can see, there are many dark areas in the background and bold colors in the flower. 

My Finished Result.

Be Inspired

      To be inspired is to be affected, guided or aroused by a greater influence. You can be inspired by many things in your life: from people to books, or from music to nature. Find that one thing or person in your life that makes you want to be a better person, or that one thing that makes you happy. Something that lets you get lost in your thoughts; guides you through your dreams. Find something that makes your heart lighter; your head clearer. That one thing that has changed who you are, how you think, and how you act. Close your eyes. Imagine.

      Now, put it on paper. How you choose to express it is your choice. Don't think to hard. Let your heart guide you, not your mind. Stay relaxed; loose. Draw, paint, sculpt, create. Get all your thoughts down on your piece of paper, keeping in mind of your inspiration. 

      Fill your room with what inspires you. Play music, look at photographs. Don't let things disturb or interrupt your thoughts. Turn your phone off; hide it so it doesn't taunt you. If you choose to, paint with other people, sometimes its nice to have others with you, so you don't feel alone.  

      Don't rush. Sometimes it can take a few days for something to inspire you, then really think how you can put it down on paper effectively so your thoughts come clear to the person admiring your art work. Take a few days create. A painting does not have to be finished the day you start it. Personally, my big paintings take up to a couple of months to finish - mind you again, that I only paint Thursdays with my grandmother. 

      Note things that become an inspiration in your life. Don't forget them because they were an inspiration to you for a reason. You may not know why right away, but deep down, there is a message waiting to be discovered. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Ignore the people who judge, because somewhere in this world, you're the inspiration. Be yourself. Be happy. Be inspired.   

Art Plagiarism

      The definition of plagiarism is taking someone else's work or  ideas and passing them off as your own and not crediting the original author. We all know that in school, our teachers get pretty tough on us about crediting the original authors in bibliographies and if we don't we get accused of plagiarism, piracy, theft, etcetera...
      When painting, drawing, or doing any other form of visual arts, you too still have to be careful of plagiarism. If you want to sell your art work to other people and you used another persons photograph or recreated another persons painting, you HAVE TO get permission from the photographer, or other artist, to actually sell it. If you sell your painting without the permission, they could sue/fine you for plagiarism. If you are creating your art work for personal use - to hang up in your house, or have it in a personal, private portfolio, etcetera... - then you don't need to get permission to paint it. 
      My first painting of the bird - seen in my earlier post - is another persons photograph. I am using it for personal use and not selling it. So I didn't need to find the original photographer. My flower that I will post on my next blog is my own photograph I took in my grandmothers garden and now I would be allowed to sell it - but I won't. 

Avoiding Plagiarism

      The most effective way to avoid plagiarizing is to budget enough time for thorough research, take careful notes, and allow enough time for paper revisions.
       Please see Handouts for Students for tips on research and writing, how to paraphrase and quote, how to evaluate Internet sources, and a definition of "common knowledge". For additional help and suggestions, please see Terminology andResearch and Writing Help.

Other tips include:

• Talk to a librarian! They are there to help you with your research and any citation questions you may have.
• If you are unsure of whether or not to cite a source, err on the side of caution and cite it.
• Take the time to learn how to properly para-phrase, summarize, and quote.
• When taking notes always write down the complete bibliographic information and always directly quote. This way there won't be any confusion about where your sources came from and what was directly quoted and what wasn't.
• If you are having problems narrowing down your topic or if need additional guidance, make an appointment with your professor. Being confused by, or not understanding a concept is not an academic offense. Plagiarism or cheating is. Faculty members prefer that students talk to them.
• A low or failing grade is always preferable to a permanent academic offense on a transcript!
•  Remember that you are responsible for your own learning.                     

       -From the University of Alberta

My First Watercolor Painting

      Here is my very first watercolor painting. It took me a couple of months - mind you, I only painted once a week on Thursdays - with the help of my grandma. She taught me how to control the color and the water and saving whites. This is not a picture I took, but someone else's and since I am using it for personal use, I am allowed to paint it.
      It was really hard, especially for my first picture. But it was so much fun and has taught me a lot when doing my other pictures. It takes a lot of patients and practise, but once you grasp the idea it becomes relaxing and it allows you to escape reality.

Family Paints

      I come from a family full of artists. They have painted with all sorts paints. My great-grandmother painted with oil, acrylic and watercolor. My grandmother and my father also paint with oil, acrylic and watercolor. They all have so many paintings done - some big, some small.

      For over a year now, my grandmother has been teaching my aunts and I how to paint with watercolor. And I have really started to love it. Every Thursday we go over to her house and paint. My grandma and my aunt have been working on small tutorials while I'm working on a larger painting. I have already done 3 paintings and am working on my 4th.

            Watercolor                                                    Oil                                                           Acrylic

Art as a form of Therapy

      Art tells stories. Artists use it to show what they're thinking, how their feeling, their views on life. Art expresses the inner emotions. We all do it. Doodle, draw, paint, but what people don't really know, is that art is a form of therapy.
      Art therapy first started to originate in the 20th-century. As an expressive medium, art can be used to help people communicate, overcome stress and explore different aspects of their own personality. In psychology, the use of art to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health is known as art therapy.
      Some situations in which art therapy might be utilised include:

• Children with learning disabilities
• Adults experiencing severe stress
• Children suffering from behavioural or social problems at school or at home
• People experiencing mental health problems
• Individuals suffering from a brain injury
• Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic event

      You might also wonder how an art therapy session differs from the average art class. "In most art therapy sessions, the focus is on your inner experience—your feelings, perceptions, and imagination. While art therapy may involve learning skills or art techniques, the emphasis is generally first on developing and expressing images that come from inside the person, rather than those he or she sees in the outside world," explains Cathy Maldiochi in The Art Therapy Sourcebook.

The Art History

      Art is always around us. Everything you see and hear is some form of art one way or another. Art has started around the Stone Age (30,000 b.c. - 2500 b.c.) They had cave paintings, fertility goddesses, and megalithic structures. The you have: Mesopotamian (3500 b.c.–539 b.c.), Egyptian (3100 b.c.–30 b.c.), Greek and Hellenistic (850 b.c.–31 b.c.), Roman (500 b.c.– a.d. 476), Indian, Chinese, and Japanese(653 b.c.–a.d. 1900), Byzantine and Islamic (a.d. 476–a.d.1453), Middle Ages (500–1400), Early and High Renaissance (1400–1550), Venetian and Northern Renaissance (1430–1550), Mannerism (1527–1580), Baroque (1600–1750), Neoclassical (1750–1850), Romanticism (1780–1850), Realism (1848–1900), Impressionism (1865–1885), Post-Impressionism (1885–1910), Fauvism and Expressionism (1900–1935), Cubism, Futurism, Supremativism, Constructivism, De Stijl (1905–1920), Dada and Surrealism (1917–1950), Abstract Expressionism (1940s–1950s) and Pop Art (1960s), and Postmodernism and Deconstructivism (1970– ) which is art without a center and reworking and mixing past styles.

      Some of the most famous paintings are:

• Monalisa - Leonardo da Vinci 1503-1519
• The Starry Night - Vincent Van Gogh 1889 (One of personal favourites)                   ---->
• The Scream - Edvard Munch 1893
• American Gothic - Grant Wood 1930
• and Group of Seven - Canadian painters who painting our landscapes.