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• Next Level Watercolors Workshop with Thomas DeSomer, WSI

  • When
    Tuesday, April 04, 2023
  •  
    9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Art Association of Henry Co., Shaffer Studio 1501 Broad St., New Castle, IN 47362
  • Spaces left
    0

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  "Next Level Watercolors" Beginner to Intermediate Workshop with WSI Signature Member Tom De Somer.

  Art Center & Art Association of Henry County, Shaffer Studio, 1501 Broad St., New Castle, IN 47362.

  Tuesday, April 4, 2023 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.

  Adult Class Ages 18+.

  
  

  Join Tom De Somer, WSI for this one-day workshop where you will be inspired and encouraged to develop your skills as a watercolor artist and take them to the next level. Designed with the beginner as well as the intermediate artist in mind, this workshop will introduce Tom's DESIGN, INTERPRET, CONTROL, SAVE, LAYER approach. We will discuss why we paint, what we paint, and the 3 levels of development as a fine artist. Tom will lead participants through various exercises and class demonstrations. Tom has been teaching adult watercolor classes since 2014 both in Simi Valley, California and Fort Wayne, Indiana and is known for his encouraging and enthusiastic instructional style.

  Students should bring:

  • their own supplies. CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLY LIST
  • their own reference material for landscape, still life, or figure. Tom will bring extras in case students forget. 
  • a packed lunch for a 30-minute break. 

  Space is limited. You do not have to be a member of WSI to sign up. Registration through The Watercolor Society of Indiana is required. 

        

  Learn more about The Art Association of Henry County Here: https://www.henrycountyarts.org/

  LIVE DEMO FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC

  3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

  After the workshop, Tom will perform a painting demo. This is separate from the workshop and open to all. If you are unable to attend, you may watch the demo through WSI's Livestream Video on WSI's YouTube Channel. A recording will be available.

  
  

   

  Biography Tom grew up on the south side of Chicago where he discovered a love for art. After graduating high school, he attended the American Academy of Art (Chicago) to study both commercial and fine art. The instruction he received moved him beyond simple amateur approaches and provided him with the tools to pursue a career as a commercial illustrator. It was at the Academy where he was highly influenced and inspired by Irving Shapiro, Robert Krajecki and Bill Parks as well as other talented art instructors. Shortly after completing the program, Tom was hired at Eaton & Iwen, an illustration studio located on Michigan Ave. and East Adams where he created hand illustrated storyboards for animated features and commercials as well as a variety of work for print ad campaigns. He worked alongside of art directors and marketing specialists providing high quality marker renderings and illustrations for several clients including Suave, Kraft Foods, Oldsmobile, Keebler, McDonalds, Quaker Oats and Kellogg's. Tom later left his career as an illustrator to study theology. He has since served in a variety of ministry leadership roles in New York, Chicago, Simi Valley, California and Fort Wayne, Indiana where he and his family now call home. Tom has presented live painting demonstrations onstage at major conferences and public events and has also offered classroom and workshop art instruction for adults, teens, and elementary students. He participates in juried exhibitions and has been the recipient of a number of local and regional awards for his work. Tom is a signature member of the Watercolor Society of Indiana (WSI) and an associate member of both the American Watercolor Society (AWS) and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA). He is also an active member in the Fort Wayne Artists Guild and the Indiana Plein Art Painters Association (IPAPA). Artist Statement My desire as a visual artist is to bring a skilled interpretation and personal impression of the world around me through my brush and palette. I strive to optimize the qualities of watercolor while simplifying the painting process. I know that each expressive mark must be made to count. A painting must first be planned out and the strength of the painting realized in each brushstroke. A mark made creates the symbol; symbols combine to create an image and, images composed with well-intentioned design will provide insight into the artist’s inspiration. I am convinced that art is a window into one’s soul and the creative outcomes I desire must reflect the wonder I have for the world and the joy it offers me as an artist. Watercolor was the medium of choice for fine art masters such as Wyeth, Homer, Sargent, Hopper, Pleissner, Whitney and Brandt. It was the late Irving Shapiro who first introduced me to the challenge and beauty of watercolor, and it was Tony Couch who showed me the way back after I cast my brush aside for twenty years. As a fine artist, I am committed to mastering my craft and live in a way that inspires others to do the same.

   
  

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• Beginners' Workshop with Watercolors

  • When
    Sunday, June 11, 2023
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    Jewish Community Center, 6701 Hoover Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46260
  • Spaces left
    15

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  BEGINNING WATERCOLOR CLASS with Jo Atkinson Belmont. At the JCC Indy, 6701 Hoover Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46260

  Sunday, June 11 from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Adults and Teens Ages 14+.

  This class will cover the basics of transparent watercolor painting. Items that will be discussed and used will include watercolor paints, brushes, paper, palettes, other tools used in watercolor, and techniques of application.

  Students will be involved in learning how to mix paints, paint the color wheel, color charts, different washes, application of techniques, and painting a simple object. Concentration will be focused on learning how to control the paint, how to mix the paint, and how to apply the paint. 

  A “finished painting” will not be the desired end of this class, but this class will prepare each student to continue their watercolor pursuit. This workshop is open to adults and teens ages 14 and up. You do not need to be a member of The Watercolor Society to attend!

  Supply List for this Workshop

  • 2 full sheets of 140 lb. paper (22 x 30) cut into halves (Arches, Fabriano, Saunders, Bockingford, Stonehenge, Canson Moulin.)  Paper quality is the single most important part of successful watercolor results.
  • Watercolor paint in tubes (no pan cakes please): reds, yellows, blues, greens (preferably brands such as Winsor Newton, Daniel Smith, Sennelier, Schminke, Graham, Holbein, or Qor.  
  • Brushes - rounds with good points, sizes 2,4, 6 and a mop brush, flat brush, or bigger brush for washes (synthetics are fine, just no plastic fiber brushes). Anything that you already have and like.
  • Palette - something that has some wells and flat areas for mixing.
  • Painting board - something like a piece of thin masonite, sheet of plastic, drawing board, etc. that is slightly bigger than your half sheet of paper.
  • Two water jars.
  • Pencil, ruler, and a pair of scissors.
  • Jar of masking fluid (rubber cement can be used if you don't want the expense of masking fluid and don't think you will ever use it again).
  • Roll of masking tape.

  Learn more about Artist and Instructor Jo Atkinson Belmont

  Education:

  B.S. in Education, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois Major: Art Education’. Minor: Art History

  M.S. in Art Education, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

  Profession:

  Art teacher and Chairman of the Art Department

  Mt. Vernon Community High School, Fortville, Indiana

  Grant:

  Fulbright Hayes Grant to study Art and Art History in Belgium and Holland

  Organizations:

  Watercolor Society of Indiana

  Indiana Artists Club

  Hoosier Salon

  Hoosier Heritage Arts

  Irvington Art League

  Kentucky Watercolor Society

  Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society

  American Watercolor Society

  Transparent Watercolor Society of American

  Northwest Watercolor Society

  National Watercolor Society

  About the Artist:

  Born and raised in Indiana, I was lucky enough to grow up having parents and grandparents who appreciated art. My paternal grandmother was an oil painter and my maternal grandmother like to do botanical drawings. I have been drawing since I can remember. I took as many art classes as I could in high school and went on to major in art in college. It was in college that I took my first formal watercolor class with Dr. Lynn E. Trank.

  
  

  From then on I was hooked on watercolor.   Later in life I took a class at the then Indianapolis Art League and studied with Shirley Werner Carr. My two artistic loves have been watercolor and clay. Early on I painted in a very abstract style, experimenting with paint and what it could do. As I have aged, my style has become more realistic to the point of hyper-realistism. I love detail, detail, detail, and high contrast of light and the play of light on objects. The dramatic lighting of the Baroque period in art history, combined with the infinite detail used by the 16^th century Dutch and Flemish painters are characteristics that inspire me and I try to incorporate in my work.

  
  

  I taught at Mt. Vernon High School, Fortville, Indiana, for 31 years. It was a wonderful time and one of my greatest pleasures as a teacher is to see the trail of art educators, illustrators, photographers, graphic artists, and professional artists who have followed in my wake. In 2006 my husband and I retired to Mexico, where we lived for six years. There I devoted myself to art full time. To be an artist in Mexico is quite a different experience than in the U.S. In Mexico I worked in clay, being inspired by the ancient Mesoamerican cultures. I created over twenty full sized handbuilt ceramic masks based on myths and legends of the ancient cultures of that country. I also painted during that time, switching from one medium to the other.

  
  

  Since 2012 we have been back in the U.S. and watercolor has been my primary medium. My subjects range from florals, still life, landscapes, and occasionally animals. Visual art remains the strongest contender in how I share my thoughts and experiences. I think of my work as remembrances in time, of places I have traveled, of encountered experiences and beauty. I enjoy painting the ordinary in hopes the viewer will pause and notice things that are often overlooked. The intrigue of simple things is often lost to many. I like to challenge myself to create complex and beautiful images with simple subjects.

  Painting for me is not just about technique and abilities but getting pleasure from the process and the final project, starting with the things and places I have enjoyed. That is what drives me to paint. Paint gives a voice to images without the use of words.

  
  

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• Watercolor, Wet and Wild Workshop with Karen Knutson

  • When
    Tuesday, July 18, 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46260
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  "Watercolor, Wet and Wild (Watercolor, Collage, and Wire Drawing) with Artist Karen Knutson

  Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46260

  July 18 to 21, 2023. 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. Break for lunch. 

  
  

  4-day Workshop Price: $420 for WSI Members. $480 for Non-Members. 

  Get ready to paint juicy, wet beginnings and then add detail with a process called Wire Drawing.  I named it “wire drawing” because the drawing resembles a wire sculpture.  These are done with permanent markers.  Subjects can vary widely according to the artists’ preferences.  Good examples are birds, fish, people with long hair, abstracts, still life settings, machinery, gears that remind you of steampunk art, etc. Color lessons and lots of design tips make this a win/win workshop!  All in all, this workshop will improve your design skills and imagination. One day, we will do small abstracts, using collage and watercolor.  These are a huge hit in past workshops.  Karen believes that art should be fun and easy.

  
  

  Learn more about Karen Knutson at www.karenknutson.com. 

    
  

  Supply list for this workshop:

  Paper:

  1. 1 full sheet cold press paper.  (I use Arches 140 lb. but you can work on whatever paper you’d like) We will divide this in class.  We will be working on paintings that are size 11” x 15”, (or smaller), so bring a foam core board or other support about 12” x 16”, for attaching paper to.

  Paint: 

  1. Bring your palette filled with your usual colors.  Because everyone always asks, my palette is as follows.  I usually use Winsor Newton brand, transparent colors.  (Please do not feel that you must go out and buy these colors.  The most important 5 colors are listed first.) Aureolin yellow, permanent rose (or DaVinci red rose deep), cobalt blue, winsor green, alizarin crimson, Holbein Opera Pink, antwerp blue, French ultramarine blue, manganese blue, cerulean blue, DS quinacridone gold, burnt sienna, permanent magenta, winsor red, neutral tint, and scarlet lake. 

  Brushes: 

  1. Watercolor brushes (bring your favorites) I use 1” flat and ½ “flat, and a small (#6) round brush.   

  2. Palette knife 

  Miscellaneous:  

  1. Water containers, bring 2. 

  2. Sponge or rag for wiping off your brushes. Masking tape. 

  3. Sketch pad or notebook for taking notes. 

  4. Fine and ultra-fine black permanent marker (I like Twin Top Sharpie markers, available at office supply stores.)

  5. 2 Pencil and eraser 

  6. Tracing paper 

  7. Graphite paper (Saral graphite colored brand is my favorite- available at Dick Blick art supply stores) 

  8. Ruler 

  9. Masking fluid.   (I use Pebeo brand, because of its fluidity and that it is grey in color.) 

  10. Kleenex brand tissues (because they pop up for easy grabbing) 

  11. Margarita salt or table salt 

  12. Spray bottle (I use a push button top, old Windex bottle.  You can usually get these at small convenience gas stations.)

  13. Yes Paste OR Acrylic Matte Medium (Whichever one you prefer) and old brush (for applying it) and a small plastic container with lid (for storing it.)

  14. Collage papers-** bring whatever you have. (Don’t invest if you don’t have these. I will bring some to share.)  I will bring chiri paper (transparent) for everyone.  Unryu fiber paper, which is a milky white fiber paper with strings in it and it is semi-transparent.  Bring whatever other oriental papers you might already have.  Napkins and magazines can be used for collage, also, so start saving those.  My favorite magazine for collaging is Architectural Digest. (It also is very good for some design exercises that we will be doing.)  Try to think of variety in colors and textures. Any metallic ribbons, old books, music books, etc. Also, (old paintings that you don’t like) can be used in collage.

  15. Colorful paper napkins. Cocktail napkins have the best colors and patterns.  (Any papers that have busy patterns and bright colors -for instance, swirls or dots, or checks.) They make great collage material.  

  16. Pebeo porcelain outliner tubes.  My favorite color is gold.  (This is gold paint that is raised when applied.  It usually is for painting on glass.  These are available through Cheap Joes Art supply catalog or at Micheals Art Supply Store.) 

  17. Gold reactive foil (12” rolls available at Hobby Lobby) I use this instead of gold leaf.  It’s easier. :) Another option is gold foil paper available through www.joggles.com 

  18. Double stick tape that is available in the craft section of Michaels.  I use a big one that is used for framing purposes, but a small one will work just fine.  

  19. (Optional). Bring whatever acrylic metallic paints that you have.  My favorite is Lumiere metallic acrylic paints.  I use both copper and gold. 

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