Keiko Tanabe "No Fear" Approach to Watercolor Workshop
March 8-12, 2021
Watercolor could be the most exciting medium but is often said to be more unforgiving or difficult than other mediums. This workshop is for those who refuse to believe that myth and are determined to have fun without struggling too much.
Through small studies and step-by-step demonstrations, Keiko explains her methods and techniques that students will apply to their class work. She also shares her decision-making process that enables students to understand key elements and how to make them work in a painting.
Keiko will demonstrate her no-fear approach to take the initial inspiration to an expressive painting that is strong in composition and in content. The goal is to capture the essence of the subject that conveys a certain mood and atmosphere.
Subject matters include landscape, cityscape, waterscape, figures and/or interior, which will be demonstrated in a manner that is more representational and impressionistic. She will choose a specific theme/subject matter each day to focus on.
The introduction touches upon the fundamentals including getting to know our materials and seeing things with an artist’s eye. The areas of topic covered in the workshop include: tonal value studies, a preliminary drawing, planning and intuition, how to edit complex visual information, what makes a good design, understanding of relationship of dark and light values, and a variety of techniques in paint application and brush handling.
Keiko will do one or two demonstrations a day. There will be plenty of one-on-one guidance and a question-and-answer session on a daily basis. A group critique may also be conducted on an as-needed basis.
Multiple-day Course Description (Example):
Day 1 – AM: Introduction. First demo (emphasis on basic techniques and materials). Students paint from the same reference. Individual guidance will follow. Lunch. PM: Second demo (emphasis on drawing and tonal values). Students do a quick value sketch of their subject and work from it to make a painting, which is followed by one-on-one instruction.
Day 2 – AM: Review of Day 1. First demo (emphasis on color mixing). Students paint from the photo reference with one-on-one guidance following. Lunch. PM: Second demo (emphasis on color harmony).
Day 3 – AM: Review of Day 2. First demo (emphasis on edges). Students paint from my demo with my individual guidance following afterwards. Lunch. PM: Second demo (emphasis on mood creation). One-on-one instruction and possibly group critique.
Day 4 – AM: Review of Day 3. First demo (emphasis on perspective). Students paint from the same reference. Lunch. PM: Second demo (emphasis on overall design), followed by one-on-one instruction.
Day 5 – Students paint from their own reference source. Group showing and commentary at the end.
See more of about Keiko and her work at www.ktanabefineart.com.
Supply List:
Keiko Tanabe Supply List 2020-2021.pdf
