Episodes
Saturday Feb 19, 2022
Plein air painting, Getting started
Saturday Feb 19, 2022
Saturday Feb 19, 2022
First get rid of the expecations of what you do in the studio, and be willing to learn a lot about creativity, focus and a get ready to have some fun, consider Plein air painting.
Here easle I used is a Traveler Series Watercolor Package click here
View the Beach painting demo on Youtube
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Feeling ”Fearless” or fearful?
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Thursday Feb 10, 2022
Based on my "Fearless flowers" courses, in this episode, we explore when painting how to get out of your comfort zone, and grow to be more bold and dynamic.
In the Fearless Flowers series, both the interactive and independent study options are available. For immediate access to any of the lessons I suggest the independent study option, full courses
Schedule of interactive courses
Join my mailing list, courses, brushes and more at www.birgitoconnor.com
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Reference photos and licensing
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Sunday Feb 06, 2022
Today were talking about what if you’re doing a painting and use photos that someone else took as your reference material, can you use it for a show, can you sell it, can you claim it as your own?
Are you using your artistic vision or copying an image?
What if you took a class and are inspired by the instructor, and use their lesson and reference material, is it now yours?
Is there a subject matter that you would like to hear about? Drop us a line and let us know
Wednesday Feb 02, 2022
Pushing through the fear, do you need to be perfect?
Wednesday Feb 02, 2022
Wednesday Feb 02, 2022
Pushing through the fear.
Do you feel the need to always be perfect?
What kind of artist do you want to be?
Do you want to have the control you want over your brushstrokes, and if you don’t it can depend on the brush and the amount of water it’s holding?
Are your paintings to weak and wimpy, and are you afraid of the darks? Try to relax and think of every painting as an experiment.
We will be looking at a few white flower paintings and talking about the brushstrokestrokes, background and where do you want to direct the viewers eye?
How to get the wobble out of the paper, try ironing it.
Framing options
When painting on a half sheet size painting 15"x22" the standard size frame I usually use is a standard 22"x28".
The standard mat never seems to work as well so I have mine custom.
You can go to your local craft store or framer for more information or custom frames, which can be pricy.
I was looking online for online frame options, and the standard frame size can work but again, I'm not sure if the online mat option is as good as custom cut.
I like Cheap Pete's but they don't ship the larger size frames
Here are some online companies you can try, but you may want to call them before ordering.
Website www.birgitoconnor.com
Online courses Watercolor courses
The course we reviewed today was from the interactive 6-week course
Interactive white flower (runs in sessions)
Friday Jan 21, 2022
How to get motivated when you’re just not feeling it
Friday Jan 21, 2022
Friday Jan 21, 2022
Sometimes it’s difficult to get started and paint again, it can be because of some life circumstance, the holidays, or we're just not inspired. Not everyone enjoys the isolation of the studio or is a self-motivated artist, some enjoy painting with other artists, especially watercolor.
With the pandemic, many people haven’t felt creative and have been absolutely paralyzed, so what are some of the things you can do, let’s talk about it.
If you’re interested in taking an online course, or joining “Watercolor in Motion” take a look at my upcoming schedule on my website or go directly to my school
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Realism or Abstraction, painting a cluster of Monarch Butterflies
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
Tuesday Dec 28, 2021
In this episode, we discuss the approach of painting a cluster of Monarch Butterflies.
We will be covering what you might think might be a failure could be an incredible abstraction, along with paper surfaces and color mingling.
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Why values are important in a painting
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Values help to invite the viewer into the painting, so in today's episode we are having a discussion about why they are important, to help create a push pull effect and prevent paintings from looking flat.
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Grow your creativity
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
In today's meeting will talk a little bit about how to get that fine spray in a painting by using an atomizer, a Kemper tool or a toothbrush.
We will also discuss a value study app and talk about some of the challenges you can face when doing a plein air competition, and how all these challenges can help you grow in your creativity.
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Are you painting from your heart or your head?
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
In this episode will be having a conversation about where your inspiration come from?
Have you ever thought of where you painting from in your body? Is it your head, your heart, your fingertips, wrist, arm, full body and what kind of experience is it for you?
What about commissions, do you enjoy doing them or is it a chore, and how can you move away from realism into something more painterly.
These are just some of the things that will be talking about in today's episode we're going to be talking
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Ranger inks, what’s the difference between Inks and Watercolor pigment
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Today Ann told us today about Ranger inks, and how much she is enjoying them, especially the distressed inks. Then our conversation took a turn into what's the difference of inks, alcohol inks and water color pigments and can alcohol inks be used in watercolor competitions. Personally, I found this fascinating information, I hope you will too.