Houston, TX 77007
Opens at 10 am
Additional information is emailed to those who register.
Painting a mansion and its garden in watercolor provides an opportunity to
capture the grandeur and elegance of the architecture along with the natural beauty of the landscape. How to go about it? You might want to begin by sketching the mansion's architectural features, such as columns, windows, and intricate details, then use light washes to establish the overall color scheme. Gradually build up layers to add depth and texture to the building, highlighting its materials and the play of light and shadow. For the garden, apply vibrant greens and florals, using a variety of brushstrokes to depict lush foliage, blooming flowers, and manicured lawns. Watercolor's translucence allows for a beautiful rendering of the sunlight filtering through trees and casting dappled shadows. The contrast between the solid structure of the mansion and the soft, organic forms of the garden creates a balanced and harmonious scene, bringing the stately setting to life on paper.
Bayou Bend Gardens are located in the River Oaks area. The Gardens are a 14-acre facility of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. Bayou Bend is the former home of philanthropist Ima Hogg. The mansion, designed by architect John Staub, was built in 1928. Staub's plan for Bayou Bend combined 18th-century Georgian architecture with elements that are distinctly Southern and of Spanish Creole architecture. Other aspects of Bayou Bend's design are borrowed from Southern plantation houses.
During construction, Ima Hogg insisted that as many trees as possible be kept. Only one tree was sacrificed to make room for the house, and the gardens were created around the existing trees. Miss Hogg created a series of gardens that were intended as outdoor rooms for living and entertaining. In 1957, Miss Hogg donated her home and her collection to the Museum of Fine Arts. Bayou Bend opened to the public in 1966.
This Plein Air event will focus on painting a building, garden, and people.
Plein Air - Recommended Supply List: Plein Air - Supply List.docx
Below are some helpful YouTube video demos to practice at home before going to this event on location. With YouTube videos, I usually first watch the entire demo to see the result and make notes of important points. Then, I start the video again and paint along. I like the convenience of YouTube demos that they can be paused and so I can paint and learn in my pace.
I hope you enjoy practicing in advance and are excited about our topic – painting a building, garden, and people in Plein Air!
Painting a Country House in Watercolor by Charles Evans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCB-Qc_h7FE
Painting Demonstration Summer Bridge in Ohio by Thomas Schaller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrHN-2KEIu4
How to Draw and Paint Houses in Watercolor by Chris Petri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBlKI_3-Vk8
How to Paint a Garden Ruin in Watercolor and Exaggerate Your greens by Paul Clark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhncu8UAamA
Understanding Color Temperature by Painting a White Marble Sculpture with Watercolor by Yong Hong Zhong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L3WpSHMcfA
How to Simplify a Flower Garden Watercolor Painting by Kerrie Woodhouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTIC7fcMj2g
Painting in Watercolor – Boules by Graham Berry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbHB6QH2F4A
Painting a Watercolor – Drinks on the Green by Graham Berry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMgroKjQmtk
Watercolor Painting – Couple on Bench by Graham Berry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmye88MKBYw
