As a watercolourist, Winslow Homer inspired me early in my journey as an artist. I was enthralled by his “Canoe in the Rapids” for its clarity, effect and equally, in its casual and informal appeal.
Underlying the watercolour, lies a line drawing. This is well defined for the canoe and canoeists, however Homer only made some indicative marks to guide his hand for the water and sky. He may have gone straight to watercolour for many of the landscape effects. Notice how simple the colours are: mainly blue-green gray and just a touch of brown. In effect, it’s almost a monochrome painting. Here we have classic central balance – there is no mistaking the focus of this picture. A simple, clearly conceived composition, adroitly drawn and masterfully executed.
You’re transported there…….wait!……where are we?……in a following canoe?……we’d better start paddling!
France & I are pleased to announce a new Weekend Workshop!
The Landscape and Tom Thomson: Plein-Air and Studio | All Levels | Sat + Sun, June 15 + 16 | 9:30am-4:30pm – Shenkman Centre, Orleans:
There could be no The Jack Pine nor The West Wind without Tom’s dedication to plein-air: that first rush of inspiration and feeling for his surroundings bearing the richest of artistic fruit. We’ll explore the romance of Canadian landscape motifs with Tom Thomson as our catalyst. We will cover sound practices as they apply to both plein-air and studio endeavours. Weather permitting, this 2-day workshop will include optional “plein-air” sketching and painting expeditions at nearby scenic locations. Oil, acrylic, watercolour and pastel artists are all welcome!
Details and Registration: https://registration.artottawa.ca/course/detail/11128
Or by phone, Ottawa School of Art: Tel. (613) 580-2765
Book now for July: Wakefield Wednesdays!
We’re pleased to announce the return of popular plein-air sessions in Wakefield, Quebec! Get ready with plenty of crimson to paint that famous covered bridge, powder tones for the colourful village and greens galore to capture nature’s harmony – without forgetting those cool, deep blues for the mighty Gatineau river.
We’re planning three one-day sessions: Wednesdays 3, 10 and 17 July with contingency rain-days on the following Thursdays. Cost is $75.00 per day for both morning and afternoon plein-air sessions at separate locations! Cost is $200 for the three days booked together.
Book directly via Credit, Visa debit or PayPal on our website: https://www.davidkearn.com/workshops/
or by Interac to david@davidkearn.com noting the dates being booked.
Beautiful Wakefield is only 20 minutes from downtown, so leave the hustle and bustle and come to tarry and enjoy all that Wakefield has to offer: https://www.destinationwakefield.com/
Next Appearance on Rogers Daytime Ottawa
David is appearing this Thursday, June 6th: transmission 2pm, 6pm and 11pm.
Catch it on Rogers cable, or from the live stream on the RogersTV website: https://www.rogerstv.com/ Click on the live stream at top left.
145th Anniversary OSA Birthday Bash
The Ottawa School of Art invites you to celebrate our 145th anniversary. Please join us on Friday, June 14th (7:00pm -10:00pm) at our Downtown Campus (35 George St.) for an evening of art, dancing, and fun activities. There will be an art battle, a pottery throwdown, silent auction, Dj, and antique cars! All proceeds will help support the Outreach and Bursary program. Details: https://www.artottawa.ca/event-details/ottawa-school-of-art-145th-birthday-bash
In the wider world of art:
The Canadian War Museum Exhibition. Outside the Lines: Women Artists at War: https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/new-museum-exhibition-celebrates-women-war-artists/
Portraits Causing Controversy!
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68981200
https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/16/style/gina-rinehart-namatjira-portrait-australia-intl-scli/index.html
It’s Baaaack! – Green is Everywhere
Drawing on some of my previous advice on painting greenery: for me, the key is twofold: paint things rather than colours, a bush and a tree need to relate, however they also need to be distinct. Perhaps most importantly is not think of green as a colour at all. Only combinations of yellow and blue, toned, darkened and underpinned with brown (In the above painting the under layer is Burnt Sienna) and perhaps washed out with white. Voilà! the problem is gone. No more “Green”!
Break-a-Brush!
David & France