WATER COLOUR NEWSLETTER 2023 – 01 January-February

Our yearly symposium is in the works!  This live event will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Watch our website for more information in the coming weeks.

Here we are, with another year well underway, and fast approaching the end of my tenure. 

So much is happening as we gear up for the Annual General Meeting. With lots of details large and small to coordinate and organize, more about the AGM later in this post.

Let me begin by once again praising our Education Committee. This team of enthusiastic volunteers have been working diligently to offer some amazing content, exclusively for our membership and associates, as well as to the greater world of watercolour. If you haven’t yet accessed any of these offerings, you must!  The team is gearing up for several free events to assist in the development of your art career. The first is scheduled for February 23rd, 8pm EDT.  You would have already received an email link to register. I want to thank CSPWC Elected Member Poppy Balser for her leadership of this team.

It’s heart month! And Valentines’ Day and Family Day are around the corner.  In our February issue last year, several of our life members shared their much-loved watercolour paint colour.  This year I asked a similar question about brushes. 

The artist’s brush becomes a beloved tool the more it’s used.  It may have started out as a purchase we’ve treaded ourselves to, but over the years they can become life-long companions.  An essential and irreplaceable tool that you intuitively know how to maneuver to express all that you want your artwork to say.

Here, three of our members share their relationship with their much loved and cared for brushes.

A big thank you to each of you for your time and contribution to this issue! – CSPWC Admin.

Gail Sutherland

Gail Sutherland is a Fine Artist living in Bedford, Nova Scotia. She studied arts in college and then completed her BFA at Concordia University, specializing in graphic design.  She has been an elected member of CSPC since 2011.

“One of my favourite watercolour brushes is affectionately called Helmut (named after my first teacher, Helmut Gerth). He’s a white synthetic sable, 2-inch, short-handle, flat wash brush. We’ve been together for over 35 years (where does the time go!), and I must confess, I’ve tried to replace him over the years, but he appears to be one of a kind. 

Unlike Quiller or Simmons… (and yes, there are others), his belly is twice as large (I know you’re wondering), which allows him to hold a lot of water/pigment and release it steadily. Not only has Helmut kept all his white (well, now grey), sable bristles, he still tapers to his original fine sharp edge and has retained his spring and flexibility. Quite impressive for a brush his age! 

If you felt just how softly he can touch the surface of the paper or how quickly he can cover very large areas in such a short time, I believe you’d be impressed. I have learned (the hard way), that if I pick him up, I’d better know what our plans are!

Unfortunately, his age and fragility show, especially between his handle and ferrule, but with a duct tape brace, he’s as good as new. His bright red handle with the white stripe has also chipped away over time, but the pink fluorescent tape ensures I will never leave him behind on our many excursions.

“Helmut” may no longer look or appear useful, but in my eyes, he’s perfect, irreplaceable and will always be one of my favourite brushes.

You can view Gail Sutherland’s work on her website: www.gailsutherland.ca

Marney-Rose Edge

Though born in New Zealand, after several moves, Marney-Rose now lives in Vancouver, BC.  She has been an elected member of CSPC since 2013 and a senior signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.  In 2020 she was featured on Stella’s Studio a television show out of Toronto, which you can view here: Marney-Rose on Stella’s Studio

“I paint florals and animals in watercolour and my favourite brush is a round. I love rounds for the sensuous brushstroke as I flow one colour into another leaving  flats for more masculine subjects

I use a few different sizes in every painting and they are a #12, 16 and 20 plus a #10 for animal eyes.  The brand I use is the Black Velvet series from the Silver Brush Co. and for my process and style these are the best brushes I have ever used.  I love them for the long point and fat belly.  The long point enables me to use a larger brush for tight spaces instead of needing a battery of small brushes.  They are made from are a blend of black squirrel and synthetic fiber.  Being a blend gives me the best of both worlds; strength and endurance with the ability to release water/paint at a preferred pace. Synthetic brushes tend to release quickly needing you to reload more often. I originally started painting with Series 7 kolinsky brushes and the points broke off within 6 months leaving a brush with a flat top hairdo like Grace Jones. I am tough on my brushes and the Black velvet series have stood up to the riggers of painting with me.  The balanced handle is light and easy to maneuver as it dances across the paper and the silver band is perfectly placed to stop students form gripping the metal ferrule.

I have painted exclusively with them for over 15 years and still use the first ones I purchased. (see pic of brushes on my palette, the original 2 brushes on the left)

You can see more of Marney-Rose Edge’s work on her website: ww.marneyroseedge.com

Rex Beanland

Rex has been a CSPWC elected member since 2013. He’s also a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Society of Canadian Artists.  Residing in Calgary, Alberta, he started painting urban landscapes over 20 years and enjoys teaching others in the watercolour medium.

“As a watercolourist I need 2 things in my brushes.  I need a good point for detail and calligraphy and I need brushes that hold lots of water so I can create luscious washes.  I’ve never found any one brush that does both of these well so I use 2 types of brushes.

The first is the Escoda Perla series synthetic brushes.  They are incredibly durable and can stand up to a lot of abuse.  I have never had a brush that will hold as good a point for as long as these brushes.  After a year of fairly hard use, they are still very useful for fine detail.  Their downside is that they don’t hold as much water as a sable so are not as good for washes.

The second type of brush I consider essential is a sable brush.  When they are new, they have a wonderful point and they are a pleasure to use for a wash.  However, they have 2 problems.  Firstly, I am fairly aggressive with my brushes and I use rough paper so they only hold that point for a short time (1 – 2 months). After that they are still great for washes but not for detail.  Their main drawback, however, is cost.  The price of a good sable brush has gone through the ceiling recently ($150 – 600).  Therefore, I’m trying out a much cheaper option. It is a synthetic brush but is designed to mimic a sable brush more closely.  It’s a Richeson Professional 7000 and so far, I’m really enjoying it.  It costs about $30.  I have a video comparing an Escoda Perla brush and a Kolinsky Sable brush showing what each of them is best at: https://vimeo.com/546850484

This painting was done with the Richeson brush and a wet in wet technique. 

You can view Rex Beanland’s art on his website: rexbeanland.com

Are you looking for a bit of wisdom for how to proceed with your art?  Alan Brain shares tips that have stuck with him over the years.  He has been an elected member of CSPWC since 2017 and resides in Dorset UK. He is a self-taught artist whose work has developed through geometric abstraction to surrealism and is now painting minimalism.  View Alan’s work on his website: https://alanbrainart.com/

“I have heard truckloads of tips for artists  since I started painting, a lot of it has been valuable and some downright harmful. In other words I have had a normal education. I have forgotten the bad and absorbed the good.

Some points really hit the spot and are truly memorable. Maybe I heard them at the right time or respected the tutor who said them, it was probably both, but whatever it was they had an impact that has given me real impetus. I hope they help you too.

My mentor and friend Topher Schink said, “Don’t bother with Does it Look Right, just ask yourself Does it FEEL right?”  This artists tip has helped me so much. As his advice took hold I felt “released” from getting it right, I could focus on how it felt. It was easier to do and far more satisfying. I never looked back. I used to write it on the top of my painting so as not to forget it, I don’t have to do that now, it is ingrained in me.

Alex Powers whom I admired immensely said to me at a class – “Find your passion! -When we paint something that really interests us it shows and we feel good.”  This artists tip was more of a command from Alex and I am English so I don’t talk much about passion except in hushed tones, but seriously, if you think about what you really care about long before you start painting it begins to crystalize in your mind and then on paper. And they you are flying! And better, you don’t have to land!  If you think your painting is getting quirky just think of the greats like Picasso and you realize you have a long way to go. As I moved away from realism into uncharted territory, I got to thinking that my paintings were becoming whacky. I was reluctant to push on and then I heard this tip. Now I can be as whacky as I like.

You don’t have to be well known to make great art.   Us lesser-known artists can make great art – yes, we can! Genuine original art is made by those who really want to, irrespective of who they are. I manage something special about once a year and always when I am not trying to do that.

Every Painting is an experiment.  I hear myself saying this a lot at workshops to painters who are besotted by the need to create a good one.  I say it to myself from time to time when I am in a similar mind set. This artist’s tip reminds me that the painting is an experiment so I am going to do something I have never done before. Experiments fail sometimes but they also lead to wonderful discoveries. I have given myself permission to fail and to make new advances in my work. What a combo?!

Look at the work of artists who really draw you...you will probably paint with their influence. Many great artists influenced each other, Matisse and Diebenkorn for example, it did not limit their own identity but enhanced it. We can do the same and it is easy to find the work of your favourites thanks to Google. Enjoy their artwork and sometime later you may well find it has influenced your own work – and that’s fine!

Technical perfection is not great art.  We concentrate on how to paint, just get it right and it will be great – that is wrong. A painting needs a feeling and technical brilliance is no substitute for that.

That’s a few really valuable tips for artists that I have collected along my artistic journey, I hope they are helpful to you.  Thanks, Alan Brain

Instagram Hashtags for Artists with guest speaker Dina Brodsky

Check your email for an invitation from us for this special event! Dina’s
presentation is aimed at watercolour artists who want to use Instagram as a
tool to promote their work. It is FREE but only available to our
membership. Learn more here: https://cspwc.ca/cspwc-professional-seriesinstagram-
for-artists/
February 23, 2023, 8 pm EST. Live, online guest presentation

Say it With Feeling: Harnessing the Power of Abstraction

March 8, 2023, 7 pm EST. Live, online watercolour demonstration

The Education Committee of the CSPWC enthusiastically offers this rare and exciting opportunity to watch Master Painter Brent Laycock as he demonstrates his dynamic approach to abstract watercolour!

Let this demonstration help you approach your paintings with a better understanding of the abstract principles that underlie all images. This will be helpful regardless of the style in which you paint.  Register here: https://cspwc.ca/education-say-it-with-feeling-harnessing-the-power-of-abstraction/

Christopher Gorey, from Ingonish, N.S. won a Royal Canadian Mint Competition to design the 2022 Alexander Graham Bell circulating Canadian Dollar. The Coin was unveiled in Ottawa and Baddeck on October 20, 2022. To the right is a photo of Chris and his design during the unveiling at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.

Doreen Renner, from Mississauga Ontario, is happy to have her painting – The Written Word – selected for the Toronto Watercolour Society (TWS) Aquavision Fall Juried show which took place at Todmordon Gallery from Oct 26 – Nov 6’22

Poppy Balser, from Digby Nova Scotia, has released a series of video lessons on how to paint the ocean in watercolour.  In each lesson she describes in a clear and simple fashion not only how she is painting the scene but why. Learn more here: Poppy Balser – Paint the Ocean

Donna Acheson Juillet, in Sartrouville France is offering a painting holiday to the cost of Essaouira, Morocco.

During this workshop, discover the daily life of the inhabitants and the local sites full of charm.  900 euros for workshop, full board accommodation (single room supplement), airport/hotel transfer, side trips in minibus and a Moroccan guide. More info can be found on her website: www.donna-achesonjuillet.com or here for the trip info: Morocco-EcoTravel.com

Tiina Price’s painting, Morning Has Broken, has been accepted into the international watercolour online exhibition,” Watercolor Expression – 2023″.  The show is dedicated to the Global Day of Watercolor, January 23^rd, and in honour of he 11th anniversary of the IWS Globe Network. This is a joint project of  IWS Azerbaijan, IWS Mah Art Gallery, and IWS Mexico.

Sandra Woods’ painting,  Maison au toit rouge, devant la montagne Sainte-Victoire / Red-roofed house, by the Sainte-Victoire Mountain, won First Prize in the “Amateur Watercolour & Gouache” in Montréal’s 2022 Pierrefonds Art Contest.  City of Montréal webpage: “Winning artworks from the 36th edition of Pierrefonds-Roxboro’s Art Competition”; Updated 15 Dec 2022: LINK HERE

Sucharita Maitra is thrilled to share that her painting “Bouquet in Royal Delft Blue “ was juried into the 2022 Fall Aquavison Show of the Toronto Watercolour Society (TWS). It was also selected by a jury panel for Visual Arts Mississauga’s “ Why do you Create” exhibition (Jan 9- June 30 2023). See more on her website: www.SuchFineArt.com

The board extends a thank-you to Carol Westcott for volunteering to present the 2022 Ethel Raicus Award to Emma Lynch on November 9^th, 2022.  This took place at the fall awards ceremony for students at Central Technical School in Toronto.

“It was a pleasure to meet Emma and present the award to her in person.  Her teachers recommended her for the award, which is given annually by the CSPWC for a student’s skill in the watercolour medium”  says Carol Westcott, CSPWC.  The award included a $350 gift card for Curry’s art supplies and a Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour certificate signed by our president, Sam Boehner

Le Venezie – Venice 2023 International Watercolor Festival is accepting submissions January 10th till July 15, 2023.  A global watercolor event exhibiting selected works with onsite demonstrations and daily activities.  For more information email Sandra Miranda at: leveneziefestival@gmail.com

See website here: Shengxinyuart.com