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Watercolor tips, guest interviews, demonstrations, marketing, techniques, how to stay motivated
Episodes
Dec 23, 2021
Dec 23, 2021
26 min
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.
Nov 18, 2021
Nov 18, 2021
39 min
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.
Nov 10, 2021
Nov 10, 2021
36 min
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
Aug 17, 2021
Aug 17, 2021
13 min
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.
Aug 12, 2021
Aug 12, 2021
12 min
When I first started painting years ago, the art store where I did my first demonstration gifted me with the largest brush that I had ever seen, a #30.
I had no idea what to do with it, or how to use it, it wasn't terribly comfortable in my hand, I thought the brush they gave me was nice, so I just put it to the side, because most of my brushes that I worked with at that time, were the smaller #3, #8, #10 and maybe the largest brush being a #12.
Then one day, I was a little tired of being fiddly with my strokes and I wanted to simplify my painting style and expand the size of my paintings. I found it challenging to get the results that I wanted with most of my brushes and I learned quite a bit just by testing different brands and types of brushes.
Most were either be too soft and wimpy or stiff, so, I gave the brush from the demonstration a try, and it worked beautifully, I was not only able to expand the size of my paintings but grew as an artist.
View on YouTube https://youtu.be/6BP7z-o_ocs
If you have seen any of my earlier videos or demonstrations then you would have noticed my white handled brush, and over the years the ferrule loosened, and I wanted to share this great brush with my students, so I searched and it was nowhere to be found. I found an alternative that worked almost as well but I still loved my original white handle brush, and since I was not able to direct my students to this brush I put it to the side and focused on other ones.
The funny thing is after 20 years or so, one day I found myself struggling with a piece of paper for a demonstration where the sizing just wasn't working for me, I grabbed that old brush, and it felt like an old friend, the comfort and ease of how well it worked, I thought just take another look around, and I found it, I was stunned.
In the video you will be able to see the brush as I tested it again for the first time and it may be something that you might like to explore for yourself.
You will now be able to find them in my store. am now carrying the brushes in my store on my website www.birgitconnor.com
Visit my store Cats Tongue Wash Brush
Aug 11, 2021
Aug 11, 2021
11 min
Today I will give you a glimpse inside my process as I discuss an article by Cherie Dawn Hass from Realism live and how my work has changed over the last decade. Click here to see the full online article
For online courses and workshops visit my website
Aug 8, 2021
Aug 8, 2021
33 min
Today we discuss how to get focused after being distracted with summer, and should you use black in a painting?
If you use a black, should you use it from the tube or mix your own? will it look harmonious, like a black hole and what happens to the surrounding colors.
When it comes to figures should you outline them or work with values, and what do you do when you see someone on the street that you want to paint?
Try a Free online course at www.birgitoconnor.com
Jul 22, 2021
Jul 22, 2021
34 min
Today we discuss backgrounds and ideas of how to approach them. More problem solving, what do is the masking sticks to paper and what about the magic eraser.
Jul 21, 2021
Jul 21, 2021
16 min
Many people think that watercolor is weak and wimpy, let’s look at how to bring up the color, lift highlights and make smooth washes. For workshops and online courses go to https://birgitoconnor.com
Jul 13, 2021
Jul 13, 2021
13 min
Today we visit Ingrid in her home studio, and discuss what art projects she has been up to during Covid. You can find out more about Ingrid in one of our past inteviews, or on my Podcast The World of Watercolor Painting with Birgit O'Connor
Past interview #041
Guest interview with Ingrid Butler / The Business of Art Oct 6th, 2019 by Birgit O'Connor Watercolors Join me as I sit down with Ingrid Butler of Moth Mablers and discuss a little about the business of art. Even though she isn't a watercolor artist her papers and designs are internationally recognized. Her work has been included in many museums and collections throughout the world.
View some of her Youtube videos
Website
Ingrid Burler Artist https://ingridbutler.com/
Birgit O'Connor https://birgitoconnor.com/