Exploring Watercolor - New Mexico Ranch House

I had a very short time to paint yesterday afternoon...a good opportunity to continue exploring watercolors while keeping it loose.  It's hard to express the sense of freedom I've enjoyed while painting these small watercolor 'experiments'.   It feels just like what the Doctor ordered.  I have been so bound up, so confused with oils lately.  The watercolors have come along at just the right time. I am aware that I am painting them like an oil painter...and missing the subtle magic inherent in w/c ....but just letting it go and seeing what happens has been a terrific feeling. 

This 1/2 sheet was done in less than an hour....including clean-up, which mercifully is almost non-existent.  I used a photograph and oil painting I had done of an abandoned ranch house on the Acoma Reservation in New Mexico simply because both were right there when I decided I had an hour to "play."  I'm still very much re-learning watercolor process and technique, but for this sketch, I tried not to think too much.  One or two minutes of object placement with a pencil was all that went into the planning.  After that it was placing color with one of those wonderful razor sharp flats...whether that was the right brush or not!  Many mistakes and just a whole lot of FUN!

New Mexico Ranch House   watercolor approx.  14 x 20

My Art Site: Bruce Hancock Fine Art

New Mexico Reservation Ranch House

One of the most memorable places I visited in New Mexico was the Acoma Pueblo Indian Reservation.  The Acoma Pueblo, sometimes called "Sky City" is perhaps the oldest continuingly operational 'city' in the Northern American continent.  After my visit to Sky City, my cousin Karen and I hiked down from the top of the Pueblo rather than ride the bus back.  (Non-tribal members may only visit the Acoma Pueblo as a part of a guided tour.  If you have a chance, don't miss it.  And don't be put off by the fact that you have to buy a photo license.  Buy it.  The photos you get will be spectacular....and the money goes to help the tribe.  A win-win for all.)

On the way down, we passed several abandoned (I think) ranch houses and small huts.  This was one of them.  The fence, the tree and the impressive rocks behind the ranch house made a natural painting subject.  

Acoma Pueblo Ranch House   12" x 16" oil on canvas panel. 

I painted this in the Fongwei workshop and published it in an earlier post.  I've since had a chance to revisit it and make a few changes Fongwei suggested and a couple of my own. 

I'd love to return to this spot again.   There's something about the American Southwest that is unique and unforgettable. 

Workshop with Fongwei Liu

Oak Park artist and gallery owner Patris arranged for Fongwei Liu to conduct a three day workshop at her studio.   I was excited to sign up...Fongwei is one of those Chinese painters who so intrigue me.  I've been following his blog for some time, so I couldn't miss the opportunity to meet him and benefit from his experience and skill.

We spend the first day in the Studio.  Fongwei gave a  lecture on the components of a painting....composition, value, edges, paint application.  After that we painted from photo references we brought from home.

Fongwei Liu (white shirt) at Patris Studio August 2012

My painting for the day was from a photo I took while in New Mexico several years ago.  It's 12 x 16 on a Raymar panel.  Time about 3 hours.  Early on in this painting, I felt I had lost it, but with some suggestions from Fongwei, I think I brought it back.  While I worked on this I was very conscious of composition and value.  There are parts of this painting that would benefit from additional work, which I may yet do.   Overall, however,  I was pleased with the outcome.

New Mexico ranch house 12 x 16 oil on canvas panel. 

I'll post additional paintings done at the workshop over the next day or two.