Want to Learn Watercolor?

Aquarelle/Watercolor Painting by Joyce Clair

If you want to learn watercolor painting Joyce Clair is one of our talented Artists here at Artworks Gallery who generously shares her knowledge with those who want to learn. She runs a Plein Air painting group here in the North Ga Mountains where she scopes out and procures land owners permission of some of the most beautiful places in our mountain region. The group meets up and shares the joy's of painting in the outdoors. Joyce also teaches watercolor and alcohol ink painting. Be sure to contact ArtWorks if you are interested in a class. The following is the advice Joyce gives students that are just starting out.

Joyce tells her beginner students "These are some things that helped me the most when I was first starting out".

"Forget about perfection. It helps me to remember that my paintings do not have to be perfect. I am not perfect and I will make mistakes. Some of my mistakes will be “happy accidents”, some mistakes will be learning opportunities, and some mistakes can be fixed. Yes, some watercolor mistakes can be fixed! It is my job as an artist to translate what I see, not to copy exactly or perfectly. Imperfections can be interesting!"

"It’s all about water. When painting, I must be conscious of how much water I mix with pigment, how much water is in my brush, and whether my painting surface is wet, damp, or dry. If I want a lighter value, I need more water. If I want a darker value, I use less water. If I want soft edges, the paper should be wet or damp. If I want hard edges, the paper should be dry. The amount of water affects results!"

"Don’t skimp on materials. I learned the hard way, that cheaper paper, paint, and brushes are frustrating. I hate dull paint, paper that shreds, and fallen brush hairs in my paint. Professional grade materials make watercolor painting easier and transparent watercolor pigments are beautiful. Materials really do matter!"

"Plan ahead. In my first attempts at watercolor painting, I would immediately jump in with only a general idea of what I wanted to paint. Often I would get lost and not know what to do next. Successes were infrequent. I learned later that if I take time up front to plan composition, values, colors, and approach; my successes increased. My small preliminary sketch is my map that gets me to my destination."

"Go with the flow. I found that watercolor painting, like life, does not always go according to plan. After all, I am using a medium that flows. So when the unexpected happens, I have to be flexible and perhaps make some changes. The beauty of watercolor is transparency and movement. If I try to control watercolor too much, my painting becomes dull and lifeless. Allow watercolor to move and blend without using a brush to blend. Let it flow!"

"Less is More. I talk to myself (and my students) while painting and it goes like this. Keep it simple, don’t fuss, put down the brush, don’t overdo it, use fewer brush strokes, use a bigger brush, stop before finished, take a break, step back, stop now, STOP! In watercolor, fewer brush strokes make a better painting. That final touch will not make my painting better."

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Make Your House a Home: 9 Expert Tips to Upgrade Your Home’s Style

By Pam Coste • September 26, 2021

Your home’s design is a reflection of who you are. So why not upgrade its style to showcase your personality? From thoughtfully sourcing beautiful art pieces to adding new trim to your walls, simple additions can make your home feel lived in, inviting, and uniquely your own. If you want to make changes to your home’s design but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. We reached out to experts across North America, from Bellingham, WA to Calgary, AB , to give us their best tips on how to upgrade your home’s style. Keep reading to see what they had to say. 1) Create a stunning entranceway Freshen up your hallway or stairway by creating a theme or scene that evokes good memories, celebrates your favorite artist, or transports you to your favorite place or time. Whether you upcycle, buy new, create from scratch, or a combination of techniques, you can create an entrance that leaves the stress of the day at the door and makes your soul sigh with contentment. – Tracy’s Bespoke Creations 2) Bring the outside in to upgrade your home Bringing the outside in helps homeowners develop a stronger connection to nature and has become an essential component of modern interior design over the past year. Mature trees and lush landscaping can boost exterior curb appeal, while also inspiring the look and color palette of your interior. – Pinnacle Renovations 3) Incorporate architecture into your design Repainting, replacing, or adding new trim and moldings to your space will instantly transform the atmosphere and vibe of a room. Adding applied moldings to a wall to create paneling, and then painting a contrasting color to your wall color will instantly give your space depth and character. – Dexter Dolores Interiors 4) Invest in your favorite pieces Don’t wait on your forever home to start purchasing a thought-provoking piece of art, a carved side table, or a few pieces of favorite china. Start collecting good-quality heirloom pieces now so your pocketbook won’t take a hit when you’re faced with filling a new home with furniture and accessories. – The Blushing Saguaro 5) Start with the kitchen Modernize your kitchen by including cutting-edge integrated appliances, unique flooring materials, interesting backsplash designs, and a dramatic range hood. By renovating your kitchen with modern design features, you can upgrade your home while giving your kitchen a new energy and an enhanced central gathering point. – Severn Woods 6) Add unique art pieces to your home Whether displaying local artist creations in wall hangings or utilizing elegant, handmade crafts to create a relaxing atmosphere, artwork is always a great conversation starter. And many times, arts and crafts can speak volumes without ever saying a word. – Debra Harris Marketing Chairperson for Artworks Artisan Center 7) Contrast is key If you want to upgrade your home decor, contrast is key. We’re not talking about contrasting with bold colors, rather make sure that your color scheme has enough colors so that not everything is grey or cream. It’s always nice to add 1 or 2 wood tones to your space to make your space feel warmer and more inviting. – Victory Interiors 8) Reuse old materials to upgrade your home style When upgrading your homestyle, consider reusing materials to add a new look without breaking the bank and also saving the environment. There are thousands of ways to reuse materials. All it takes is a little creativity and inspiration. – Arts & Scraps 9) Use paper to add a splash of color Use handmade papers for privacy windows, lighting fixtures, or lampshades. You can modernize any home by using colorful paper to bring in color. – Art and Happiness Originally published on Redfin.com