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 website https://birgitoconnor.com/

Birgit O'Connor and The World of Watercolor Painting

#044 Let's talk watercolor, with Guest artist Sterling Edwards

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 and opegue yup and what the difference is and the weight she prefers is 144lb. Tamar suggests for beginners another wonderful surface to try is mineral paper and for the finer details try any kind of scratch tools, Tamar likes the dental tools that she gets from her dentist. Another option is a Probe/Pick Set - Double Ended, Stainless Steel. For more information about upcoming workshops visit her website About Tamar Tamra Sheline, Artist  (FB) Fine Artist · Camas, Washington / Smile. inspire. create. Website https://www.tamrasheline.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_happy_artist_/   Currenty illustrating for PEPTalk Publishing Illustrating for Today I Will... an inspiring gift book for women =] G2 Fit Illustrator, package design, graphics · 2009 to 2012 · Long Beach, California. illustrating exercises for various mats, mouse pads, core balls, etc. Package design working with printers in Taiwan and Finland. Graphics for marketing and photo touch ups for Paula Abdul and Natalie Gulbis About Yupo paper: Yupo USA website  https://yupousa.com/ Cheap Joes Art supplier https://www.cheapjoes.com/yupo-watercolor-paper.html Quick Overview Yupo Synthetic Paper is 100% recyclable, waterproof and tree-free. It is incredibly durable and stain-resistant. This extraordinary surface also resists tearing and buckling and it remains perfectly flat.   Dick Blick Art supplier: https://www.dickblick.com/products/legion-yupo-watercolor-paper/ Description and sales page Yupo is a compelling and unique alternative to traditional art papers. It's a synthetic paper, machine-made in the USA of 100% polypropylene. It is waterproof, stain-resistant, and extremely strong and durable. This extraordinary, non-absorbent surface resists tearing and buckling and remains perfectly flat, eliminating the need for soaking, stretching, or taping. Watercolor professionals have found Yupo to be receptive to a variety of aqueous techniques, but it is also ideal for offset printing, silkscreen, debossing, drawing, acrylic painting, and more. Pigments applied to the Bright White sheet retain their true clarity and brilliance. Yupo is pH-neutral, flawlessly smooth, and recyclable. Because of the unique qualities of this paper, dirt and oils hinder its performance. We recommend removing spots and fingerprints with soap and water before use.

#043 Painting on Yupo paper / Guest Tamra Sheline

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,")

#042 How to Paint a Desert Path in Watercolor

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

#041 Guest interview with Ingrid Butler / The Business of Art

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 300gsmBrushes:  Mops, Fans, Rounds, Hakes, Flats, Riggers.  Variety of sizes. Just a couple of riggers for fine lines. Colours: Cobalt Blue, French Ultramarine, Verditer or Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Turquoise, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow, Pyrol Red, Alizarin Crimson (or Carmine), Lavender (Holbien is great), Indigo, Juane Brilliante (Holbein),White Gouache. Gel Pens: White and Black* Towels* Tissues* Spray Bottle* Old card or palette knife for scraping Website: Birgit O'Connor Watercolors 

#040 Guest interview with Tony White Watercolor Artist from Tasmania

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. 

#039 Video painting review - Students getting loose

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.

# 038 The Yellow Chair

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 

#037 Foot prints in the Sand, and keep them simple

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 is very challenging! The worksheets have been a helpful addition and I've already ordered a tube of paint and brushes from the link you sent. I never dreamed an online class could be so helpful. Thanks for all your help. You've made this journey amazing." Lisa Oliver "I was so surprised I was able to paint it without a drawing. It’s so different -Love this style of painting. As you said it’s gives use more chance to be creative." Margaret Murphy "I am a long time fan of yours. I have been painting in watercolor consistently for about ten years and for a long time I have been struggling with “loosening up” my work and not painting every detail. Finally, thanks to you, something has switched on in my artist brain and I am finally beginning to “get it.” You have no idea how excited I am. Thank you so much!!!!! Annie Glacken "I find Birgit's online school offers many extra advantages: working at my own pace, ability to repeat lessons as many times as I like (with lifetime access), plus the interaction with other students and Birgit during the class session (and beyond via Facebook). They all provide easy access to those who have physical limitations that prevent sitting/standing for extended time periods, or who cannot travel well for any number of reasons. Thanks, Birgit! Can you tell I am excited to be back early?" Sue Warnock 

#036 Video Part 2 Loose Painting Pear

#035 Video Part 1 Loose Painting (Pear)

How to get past feeling stuck, find your creativity and remove obstacles. Sometimes you just don't feel like painting, or life events get in the way, or maybe you're just afraid of making a mistake and ruining a piece of paper. So how can we get past that get you started again?  Technique and skill always improve with practice, and most often you need to make those mistakes so you can learn from them. Let's talk about some options to get that creativity going again. www.birgitoconnor.com Magic paper View basic material list

#034 How to get Past obstacles and get to your Creativity

Today we are meeting with some students to go over their paintings, talk about shadows, value and placement along with a demonstration. For more information about the full course go to Rocks Sand & Sea Glass e-course

#33 Video: Shadows & Highlights (Rocks Sand Sea Glass)

Jane's Ultimate Mixing Set - now available from Daniel Smith : Jane: "I have often been asked what colours I recommend for people to buy to get started in watercolour or to upgrade to artist quality watercolours so I created this palette to address that question. It is intended as a universal palette, suitable for any subject. It is also suitable for anyone from a beginner to an experienced artist. It is rather a Goldilocks palette - not so few colours that you have to spend the whole time mixing everything together, nor so many that you lose track of what you have and how to mix them. Too many colours in a painting leads to a lack of colour harmony. My goal was to find single pigment colours that would mix together efficiently so that most colours could be produced by mixing just two pigments. Many people find that if they mix too many pigments, they end up creating 'mud'. With this set, generally two, but at most three colours may be needed to create any hue you want. The palette colours are also useful alone. The set is painted out using Daniel Smith professional watercolours. Alternative brands are given below. The Ultimate Mixing Palette is not intended as a limited palette but as a basic set to work with. You only need to buy 14 tubes of paint. You may wish to buy other colours for convenience, or you may choose to create you own custom-mixes of convenience colours with these original tubes by making up an orange or a purple or some greens if you work with them a lot. You should find you can make pretty much any hue you choose. " More info  Website Janes Book Janes Grey  New watercolors from Poland that Jane is trying Roman Szmal Aquarius watercolours 

#032 Video: Guest interview with Jane Blundell - All about color

A fantastic idea of making a downloadable low commitment print on Etsy to create a passive income, how to find a image to paint and entering a show 

#031 Conversation with students

Inspired by one of my students on how to paint footprints in the snow

Bonus Episode Footprints in the snow

Watercolor tips, guest interviews, demonstrations, marketing, techniques, how to stay motivated

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Birgit O'Connor and The World of Watercolor Painting

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