watercolor painting classes Archives

September 23, 2024September 23, 2024

Personal choices of colors and style

Watercolor autumn landscape, fall colors and style

Bright and cheerful colors and style

Our personal preferences change all the time when it comes to colors which surround us. That goes even beyond mood or life situation. I usually prefer the following: the worse I feel, the more brightness, sunny colors and uplifting experiences I require. We all know that sometimes there’s not enough energy for anything, but a good outfit, sun and warmth outdoors and cheerful settings indoors can be very soothing. I’m always implementing this approach also in my art. To lift my own mood, to help others.

Watercolor pencil and watercolor wash painting of red barn

Not only colors and style

There’s one group of people who will only notice colors, but not the compositional excellence, quality of paint application and brushstroke. Well, when viewing something online, colors can be deceiving. Any image editing aps and cameras aim for unnatural look so that more attention is drawn to contrast, brightness and saturation of any image. The most difficult thing is to make something look as it is. I am really trying, but not often successfully.

Autumn colors and their matches in nature

Filling all walls with art

Different cultures prefer different things on their walls. In Latvia which is my native country, people usually do not display photos, unless it’s something extra artistic and rather art than photography. At least that was when I resided there. We keep family photos in albums, on our devices and so forth. Therefore, more paintings are displayed. My home is my studio also, and paintings are everywhere, on walls, leaning against the walls, on shelves and so forth. One might think that it feels overwhelming, but, in fact, it absolutely doesn’t.

Enjoy the autumn in art

I am allowing art of different seasons and subjects fill any room. It feels great thanks to the good energy flow from my original art. Every painting has its history, process of creation and associated emotions attached to it. I know from experience that my visitors can view a painting for quite a while. This post has attached a few original watercolors which I started painting for art classes as a demo. In this case, these were private art classes. They all have brightness, uplifting colors and style.

Specific features of attached watercolor paintings

All attached images are of large watercolor paintings – 24 x 18” or 61 x 46 cm. I use Strathmore 400 series watercolor paper in art classes. It is heavy, firm, cold press paper with some texture and allows for easy paint lifting. That’s important for me since I do not use any masking fluid. I don’t use masking fluid even on cotton paper, that’s just to see how well I can master paint application. I paint large which I advise anybody who wants to ever properly use not only watercolor, but any paint.

Autumn colors, fall landscape, art for sale

My own preferences and students’ choices

Would I have chosen the same subjects, colors and style if I had done these paintings on my own? Probably not. For art classes, I have to take into account the ease of paint application and mixing properties of paints. Also, I have to go with student’s choice, especially if it is a private class. Still, I think these paintings are worth to display and potentially sell because they are worked out quite nicely. Just one more thing: many people believe that one cannot correct watercolor painting. That’s wrong. You can, you just need to know how to do that.

I hope you enjoyed the post and paintings!

Original watercolor paintings for sale

Private art lessons

Group art classes

Art collections by Inese Poga

April 26, 2023October 16, 2024

Creating art collections

Choosing artworks for collections

If you have been painting for a decade or longer as I am, it’s possible to see how all artworks fit into art collections. What are the criteria for creating art collections? There are many, and any large body of artworks can be sorted out by medium, style, certain color or particular subject. The best example is my Fine Art America art collections. I have put together art by medium, by subject, like floral art, still life, landscape and also by color. There will be black and white art collection available soon, as well. See link below or on Menu.

Spring landscape paintings, landscape watercolor

Painting from imagination

The spring as always is arriving slowly in Ontario. We see long periods of grey and earthy colors around us. The more grasses and trees wake up, the more patches of bright green are visible. Therefore, my grey and abstract watercolors were a good match for my surroundings. As I have mentioned many times, I prefer not to use any photos for my art. The spontaneous watercolors are simply watercolor washes at first, and I sort them out as I go and add definition. It is extremely easy to create art collections of abstracted art.

Getting composition right

Classic painting consists of background, middle ground and foreground. Plus, we need something to capture viewer’s attention with. It’s called a focal point in art. Everything including lines and colors of different values is organized in accordance with our composition. I believe that composition is difficult to implement when the artist doesn’t feel visual balance and natural flow of their image. I personally do not use any view finders or similar tools; I just adjust my composition as I feel it. Some of my art collections include highlights of compositional elements.

Simplicity versus complexity

Fragmented art can look better sometimes than very accomplished and compositionally perfect painting. Art collections can include simplicity or complexity of a particular subject, use of color and compositional elements. The blue period art collection displays exactly that – simplicity and strategically placed watercolor washes.

Abstract watercolor painting art collections

Art reflecting the season

Most of my art also goes by season, therefore, I have seasonal art collections, as well. Spring and summer landscapes, fall colors and snow paintings, they are all interesting on their own and placed in art collection. Floral art is a very big part of everything I have ever painted, I think it deserves a separate post. I know people who have painted a few artworks, some five or six paintings, and they try to immediately sell them and even teach painting. Well, it’s better to allow our skills to mature so that we are represented by what we do well, not by our first attempts at painting.

Buy original painting?

Original paintings have never been more affordable than they are now. I looked at my price charts from 2013, and my paintings sold for double the price I have listed now. That’s a horrible thing because everything has become at least 5 times more expensive. That includes watercolor paper, paints and I won’t even mention framing. There are inexpensive options, but I simply have too many paintings to frame each one. Therefore, I’m offering some framed art and some – unframed.

Available watercolor painting originals are posted on this page:

Original watercolor paintings for sale

All available art prints can be purchased here:

Art collections by Inese Poga

Want to learn watercolor painting? Check out this page:

Group art classes

October 12, 2022October 21, 2024

Watercolor – fantastic medium for any painting style

Fall tree painting in watercolor, art classes

Watercolor: good choice for any style artist

Watercolor has been one of my most favorite painting medium options for more than 5 decades. I still have a few of my first paintings somewhere, deep in my numerous art folders. I was about 10 years old, I was drawing very well, just like I do now, but my watercolors were not sparkling. I come from a family which didn’t have any relationship with art. In the neighboring house, an artist was renting a room. Her watercolor paintings were way larger and way brighter. They had more volume and more contrast. I asked her to see her paints. She showed me the most fantastic box of watercolor paints. Back then, they were Leningrad watercolor paints which later transitioned to St. Petersburg, and then White night paints. The difference was astounding. Clarity and saturation of pigment charmed me on the spot.

Watercolor painting of rose hips, I used these colors

Why to invest in good art supplies

Ever since I tried St. Petersburg watercolor paints, I always tried to find them and use. When I relocated to Canada 18 years ago, I had only a tiny paint box with me, but I quickly realized I will need more paints. So, I shopped the brands available in North America. Expensive they were, the artist grade paints, but they didn’t come even close to my favorite brand. Now with all the Russian issues, I’m in trouble again, but I hope to get some replacement paints. The most understated feature when learning to paint with watercolor is the quality. That refers to quality of paints and quality of watercolor paper. With bad paints and using them on a bad paper, all we can get is unsatisfactory color and contrast, plus bad paper simply cannot take layers and corrections and it buckles and warps. It is limiting.

Watercolor still life, rowan berries, fall still life painting

Captures of fall using watercolor washes and fine detail

Importance of good watercolor paper

Good watercolor paper is very expensive in Canada. The 300 lb cotton cold pressed paper comes to almost $30 or more (with taxes) per 1 sheet. Sheet is approximately 29 to 30 inches x 22 to 23 inches depending on brand. The use of bad paper and weak paints might be the main reason many potential watercolor users give up. Well, I am using sometimes non-cotton papers, too, but no other paper compares to the real thing when you need to apply a wash, gradual wash and fine detail. I prefer using the large size and full-sheet paper since there’s no way to paint something meaningful on tiny size paper.

Autumn leaves and sunflower, both are 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm

Fall colors for beginner artists

Fall season is a great time to consider painting in colors because it is very simple to apply warm and cold opposites and create something great. It is easy to use more abstracted style or add definite detail when necessary. Inspiration is everywhere assuming you get a chance to be in an area which has trees and other landscape elements. Even a few leaves can create a good composition and then you can just add fence, brick wall or washes for background. It is definitely more rewarding to use real things as models for painting. Not everybody knows how to use photo, and your style will emerge sooner when you are not affected by pre-set colors and composition. You have more freedom.

Watercolor painting of golden birch path

Relaxing experience with watercolor paints

I usually do not participate in challenges because days are filled with numerous tasks as it is. I cannot be sure I will have enough time to paint something of decent quality every day. For me, it makes sense working when the time is right and I don’t feel rushed. People who have similar conditions to mine, frequently experience depression. It comes and goes, and can be of different severity grades. I noticed, however, a few days ago when I finished up the Fall tree on lake shore, I felt simply excellent. For me personally, painting with watercolor is an extremely relaxing and calming experience. Creating the bright color transitions makes me feeling way better than usually. I could say, using bright colors cures and soothes upset mood.

Birch path is large, 30 x 22.5 in or 76 x 57 cm

Dark colors without actual black in watercolor

I never use black color in watercolor painting, and I do not like dark watercolor paintings also. The reason is simple: black color indicates areas absent of light. If you are in a totally dark and black space no light waves are coming through. Generally speaking, I don’t like dark spaces, dark clothes and dark living environment. From the practical painting perspective, black color can make other colors muddy in watercolor painting. For extra strong values, we can use raw umber (very dark tone of brown), Payne’s grey (almost black blue), sepia (practically black with brown undertone) and mixes of dark blue, dark violet with other colors of your palette. The safest combinations in my experience are with Payne’s grey.

Art classes for adults in Ajax, Ontario

While there are many art classes, it’s so that lots of them are the paint-night type where there is no actual learning. Good painting takes time and skill. You might want to paint more abstract art, but you still need to know how your paint pigments interact and what your brush, sponge, other tools and materials, as well as paints can do on that particular paper you’re using. Every type of paper acts differently. With globalization, art classes have become part of online domain. However, I’ve never met a student who was able to paint whatever they had intended after watching online instruction videos. In reality, you need to obtain some habits which facilitate painting. My art classes are different. And I provide students with skills which root in my many-decades-long experience.

Fall watercolor painting, bright autumn colors watercolor

Lake tree watercolor is 24 x 18 in or 61 x 45 cm

Adult artists in and around Ajax, Ontario! You might find your passion this fall season engaging in creation of colorful watercolor art. Calming, soothing and very uplifting! Especially when the days get shorter. Thanks and have a good fall season!

5 stages you can count on

Fall still life

Group art classes

Private art lessons

September 17, 2021October 16, 2024

Enjoyable watercolor painting ideas

I decided to share watercolor reference paintings and, perhaps, suggest a few simple watercolor painting ideas since there’s no shortage of passionate self-educating artists. I took many pictures of these paintings in numerous combinations, invested lots of time, and I love how they came out. I’m doing all of this in hopes to get something more happening at my studio.

When I was about to publish the new schedule, I noticed I have no suitable images to illustrate the new art classes and their subjects. The truth is that any pictures taken even 3-5 years ago, are not that bright. They look dark or pale, but never really on spot. Refreshed look is always beneficial, and in this visually-engaging era even more so. I suppose you know me by now, and the fact that I do not prefer minimalism in any area of my life. Therefore, I need my images to look rich, inviting and colorful, attention grabbing.

Taking pictures for images that represent what I do is not that simple as it might seem. I have plenty of material, that’s for sure. However, I need to choose small size artworks and add something that ties it all together. The glue for tying together images this year, is the color swatches on good quality watercolor paper.

For this season’s watercolor painting ideas, I specifically painted a few new 12 x 16 and 11 x 15 in (a quarter of full sheet watercolor paper) paintings. They are created without drawing, just applying watercolor washes, and then adding a few defining elements which seemed to be fitting. In the past, I used to make new reference paintings for acrylic and watercolor classes every year or even twice a year. Well, classes were ongoing, but COVID caused a major two-year-long disruption, and I lost a lot of contacts.

After about 300 pictures for watercolor and acrylic, I selected a few which I thought were the best. Watercolor wash is a fantastic way to get started with watercolor paints. I’d say the most enjoyable watercolor painting ideas are very basic, using wash, blending colors, allowing water and pigment to work.

For interestingness, you might add a few details which can be painted on top of watercolor washes. The next enjoyable watercolor painting ideas involve keeping your subject uncomplicated and choosing to lift paint instead of masking fluid application. Such artwork won’t be realism, but such techniques make your abstracted art stand out more. When you look at abstracted paintings online, you probably notice how they look very similar. Your personal style and details create difference and recognizability.

One more watercolor painting idea is as follows: paint the subject which you love and in colors you personally prefer. Tutorials might make you believe there are strict rules about using one or another color. There aren’t. You can choose any colors which speak to you. However, when painting with watercolor, I don’t ever use black or Chinese white. They make the look of dark areas muddy and light areas pale and opaque. For strong dark color, use numerous other options starting with Burnt sienna plus any type of dark blue, Payne’s grey plus any other clean color or Sepia on its own. Options for creating personal dark colors are endless.

I hear students saying that watercolor is more difficult than other media which, in fact, it isn’t. You simply practice using your brush to its full capacity, learn how to lift paint and switch between sharp and washed-out edges, as well spend some time just testing water and pigment proportion for watercolor wash. Paint flows only to these areas which are wet. It never goes into dry paper areas unless there’s a puddle of water. Realistically, we maintain control at all times. The number 1 thing to learn when using any medium is how to use your brush or brushes.

If you reside around or not far from Ajax, Ontario, I hope seeing you in my art classes: Art classes, schedule and registration

If you work on your own, try my watercolor painting ideas and let me know what the result was Get inspired by my art and purchase. Artistic products and art prints

Thanks for reading and have a nice September!

October 8, 2018October 17, 2024

Supplies for watercolor painting, sketching and drawing

Less is more efficient!

I have always students who believe that having everything is a guarantee of good result. That is not true! Until you have found your favorite brush, your favorite watercolor paper or your favorite watercolor paint brand, use whatever you already have, and get only things which are necessary.

Graphite pencil drawing

You can use Bristol drawing paper by Strathmore, the small size is 14 x 17 in, 300 Series. The large size is 19 x 24 in which is a great size. Also 300 Series. This paper is fairly smooth and suits drawing well. It makes erasing easy. Other option is using CANSON XL cold press, 140 lb watercolor paper. Size 12 x 18 in. If you rather keep your drawing at a sketch level, you can use CANSON Universal Sketch paper in size 18 x 24 in. That is a perfect size.

Pencils can be just regular pencils from 2H, including HB and up to 3B. Softer pencils leave too much graphite on the paper. You will most often use just HB pencil because it’s not too hard and not too soft. For eraser, please, get the artist grade soft eraser which absorbs graphite. You buy it at the art store. If you feel you have hard times keeping long lines straight, please, take with you a ruler. Paper towel under hand helps not smudging paper on which drawing is created.

Pen and watercolor sketch or color sketch

For sketch without paint, you can use CANSON Universal sketch paper, 65 lb. For pen and watercolor sketch, you can use CANSON XL cold press, 140 lb watercolor paper. Please, note! It will not work for watercolor painting or painting in layers! It is too thin and doesn’t absorb paint or water sufficiently. It can be used for drawing only and with watercolor pencils. Strathmore 300 series paper will work well for pen and watercolor wash.

We use simple graphite pencil, H and HB, they work well because we shouldn’t have too strong pencil lines.

For pen, you can use any black pen which does not bleed with application of water, but I am using MICRON from 02-05. You can test pen before buying it and see which one you like.

We use only the soft, flexible, artist’s grade eraser. It is very important to have such eraser.

Watercolor painting supplies

We use in watercolor painting classes the following art supplies.

Watercolor paper

Strathmore 140 lb, cold press watercolor paper, 400 Series. 400 series paper is thick watercolor paper which is important. I use it in size 18 x 24″ for all demonstrations You can cut the paper sheet in half, and you get 12 x 18 inch paper. Perfect size for beginners!

Strathmore sells also 12 x 18 inch paper blocks, cold press. It works well for starting out with watercolor painting. However, if you’d like the best, you could use Arches 140 lb, cold press watercolor paper. It comes in sheets and blocks and is expensive.

Please, make sure your paper is at least 12 x 16 inches in size or larger.

We cannot create anything meaningful on a tiny size paper. Saunders-Waterford is also an option, but bright white is not always available, but it is a cotton paper, therefore, results are better than using watercolor paper for beginners. For this purpose, Canson, Fluid or similar papers do not work. Never have paper lighter than 140 lb. It will warp, buckle and there are many things you simply cannot do on thin paper.

Brushes

We need 2 round brushes with fine tips for watercolor painting (soft, synthetic), size 12-14 and size 4-6. Some brushes don’t bounce back, so they won’t do what you need. Especially, lifting. It’s best to test. Synthetic brushes work very well and are very suitable for watercolor painting. Just make sure it is not oil brush with stiff and rough bristles, but the tapered drop-like watercolor brush.

Watercolor paints

If you have paints in tubes, you will need palette. It must have a decent size mixing area. Small kids’ palettes do not work well because they have too tiny mixing wells.

Essential watercolor paint colors

Cold yellow, like Hansa yellow or Lemon yellow

Warm yellow, such as Brilliant yellow or Cadmium medium yellow,

Burnt Sienna,

Payne’s Grey,

Quinacridone Crimson,

Carmine Lake or similar red,

Cerulean blue,

Cobalt blue

and Prussian blue

It’s possible to mix absolutely any other colors from these ones. Primary colors are yellow, red and blue. Any secondary color is already a mix and can be got.

Yellow or Gold Ochre is optional, as well as more red colors. If you can have only 1 blue, get Cobalt blue.

Set of watercolor paints

Sets of ready to use watercolor paints are fantastic for beginners.

You can use them easier than tube paints, and you most likely will have all basic colors in a set (12 color set, for instance). You can get started faster also. Which brand you choose, probably depends on how much you intend to spend on paints. Please, do not use chalky kids’ or craft watercolor paints, they do not have the specific pigments which we use and they do not have the ability to create good washes. That would be all sets which do not list name of a particular paint. Half-pans are popular, but painting is very difficult. They are too close together, and there’s too little paint.

Supplies for watercolor painting and sketching

Pencil and eraser

You will need graphite pencil. HB pencil works well. We do not want too much graphite on watercolor paper, therefore, avoid using soft and very soft pencils. We use only the soft, flexible, artist’s grade eraser which is sold in art stores. It is very important to have this eraser which absorbs graphite, not damages paper.

Extras

We need quite a lot of paper towels.

Paper towel has many functions with watercolor painting, so, definitely do not forget that, 6-10 sheets per class. You will learn how essential paper towel is with spontaneous watercolor and watercolor washes, as well correcting some areas. Finally, attach your watercolor paper to a firm, light base, thick cardboard or similar with painter’s (green) tape. Having paper for testing colors helps.

You will eventually find your brand and your most favorite brushes, paints, pencils and papers. The better quality your watercolor paper, brushes and paints are, the easier it is to paint and create good art.

I hope seeing you in my art classes: Sign up for art classes

Private art classes: One-on-one class

Check out the other benefits of drawing and watercolor art: Drawing for ageless brain