"Pisa Range"
Oil on board
495mm x 295mm
19½" x 11½"
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

The first light fall of Autumn snow dusts the peaks of the Pisa mountain range. Snow clouds begin to envelope the pinnacles bringing with it, the excitement of the change of season.  We call this place “Central” (Central Otago, New Zealand) - austere, raw, beautiful, haunting, vast skies above rugged ranges. Captivating, compelling and beckoning.

The oil painting technique I used for this painting began with an underglaze of a grey/purple. Once dry, I then used the block-in oil painting method of creating the basic 'local' color of each area. I used these colors as the basic mix to establish the different areas in the painting: variations of greys with tints of purple for the clouds, dark grey/greens for the foreground, pale purple/greys for the light areas of the mountains and of course blue for the sky - all helped me establish the basic painting layers. I left my underpainting to show through in some areas - especially in the mid toned mountain peaks.

The next step is to observe the changing colors within each section, mix those colors and apply the detail - keeping it true to nature. Each area has a myriad of hues that describe this light snow fall, the forms - with sharp as well as rolling edges and shapes.  There are many painting lessons within each of these subjects. Too many to write here of course. For those of you who are artists and would love to learn how to paint skies, clouds, mountains, falling snow  - I hope to release an oil painting DVD in 2012 that will cover all these things and so much more.

I also plan to release a new watercolor DVD. This one will focus on mini studies of many subjects: capturing numerous subjects. If you are not currently on my mailing list - do join up.

My newsletters are infrequent but they are full of valuable information, painting breakthroughs and discoveries, news on exhibitions, new DVDs, workshops, European tours (next one will be in 2013), newspaper, magazine, TV and radio appearances etc etc.

In my Art Lessons section you will find helpful articles.

If you want to learn more about Watercolor Painting and Watercolor Technique check out my Watercolor DVDs.

Happy Painting!
Susan

One of the most common things Susan is asked about her paintings is this: "Is it an oil or a watercolor painting?"

In this newly released issue (#78 April/May) of the prestigious International Artist Magazine, Susan reveals her decision making process when and how she forms her choice of painting medium for her numerous subjects. Susan paints many subjects: floral, bird, still life, portrait, figurative, interior, landscape - anything and everything that nature presents to her.

In this in-depth feature Susan shares her vast experience with the color palette and art materials she uses, the methods, techniques, hints and tips that have all been breakthroughs to her in both watercolor and oil painting. Susan discusses the all important composition and framing that make her paintings stand out. Susan's understand of color theory and the importance of warm and cool colors is a major influence on her work. Learn this and more in this 15 page article in the International Artist Magazine. This article is written for you - the artist and will help you lift your work to the next level.

Here is the International Artist website where you will be able to purchase this April/May 2011 issue : http://www.international-artist.com/splash.aspx

This magazine is also available in good bookshops in the US.

Susan highly recommends the International Artist Magazine. NOT just because they have published this feature. Susan has many features published in numerous International magazines and books. Susan buys this magazine because the quality of this publication is superb, the content is diverse, always excellent and it is an art magazine that offers help, instruction, information and inspiration for all levels of skill and expertise. Susan has subscribed to this magazine since the very first publication of it.

She hopes you enjoy her article - it is written with you all in mind.

You can see more of Susan's publications in International Artist Magazine and other Magazines by visiting her Publications/Press page on this website.

Susan's watercolor painting techniques and methods are shown and described in great detail and depth in her  Watercolor Technique DVDs. Don't forget to check the Free Art Lessons Page for more information about watercolor painting. Of course the very best way to learn is to watch over Susan's shoulder and listen to her thought processes as she paints and deliberates each step, method, technique and stroke of the brush, and mix of color.

All these things are explained in great detail on Susan's 3 DVD sets (each set has two discs).

Each set offers three + hours of tuition, ideally suited to artists of all levels. Observing how Susan uses her brushes in her unique way, how she applies her paint, the specific color mixing she uses to create paintings of naturalistic realism - and to listen to her thought processes give invaluable insight and reveal why Susan's paintings are so much in demand.

These things cannot be condensed into text. These invaluable DVD sets concentrate on 'why' each of her techniques work and this will help you to lift your painting level to reach your full potential. This is the next best thing to a one-on-one workshop with Susan.

With over 20,000 copies of Susan's DVDs sold and sent to countries all around the world, Susan now also has her DVDs manufactured and dispatched from the US. Delivery within the US usually takes two to four days. For other countries, the shipping is from NZ and delivery is usually within 3 - 7 days.

To celebrate another article in the International Artist magazine, for a short time Susan is offering free shipping anywhere in the world.

Susan's latest DVD:
Painting Watercolor My Way
In this 2 disc DVD set Susan teaches how to paint several subjects in one specifically chosen study. This study will introduce you to numerous textures and surfaces using all of Susan's methods, color mixing and techniques, color theory and magical layering to create a translucent reality that glows. Watch as the subject becomes three dimensional with her use of warm and cool hues. Understand how Susan uses hue and color temperature to mold form and create paintings with a true presence. This 2 disc DVD set will show you how to paint a beautiful, delicate rose, leaves and dewdrops, decorated porcelain, woodgrain, rich luminous backgrounds, shiny surfaces, how to create the color of gold and so much more. Most importantly Susan helps you to understand how to adapt these methods to any subject at all.

Susan's Portrait DVD
Susan Harrison- Tustain's Watercolor Portrait Workshop
Learn how to paint a portrait using natural luminous hues so real you feel as if you could touch the skin. Learn how to avoid the traps for young players. Full of all the hints and tips that will help you create portraits that glow with realism, Susan shares her skill and the essential knowledge that will help you paint portraits that speak to the viewers of your work.

Susan's Workshop DVD
Susan Harrison-Tustain's One on One Watercolor Workshop
Learn how to paint several subjects, delicate roses, lilies, leaves, a luscious apple.

Watch as Susan creates backgrounds and explains the benefits of each. Learn about line and creating form, velvet petals, shiny petals, colour mixing and so much more.

Susan is currently offering free shipping on any of her DVDs - no matter where in the world you live.

Click here to view previews and information on Susan's DVDs

After three fun workshops (3 days x 3) I am now relaxing for a day or two before painting withdrawal symptoms set in again!

Over half of the total number of students were from Australia and we also loved having Kathy from Canada aboard too! Our New Zealanders travelled from all over the country so I felt very humbled again by the demand and the response. I find artists are very like-minded and fun, kind, thoughtful people so it is always a joy to meet so many new workshop students and also welcome the return of so many friends from previous workshops.

It is rather surreal to see people using my signature brush and paint sets. They all have my signature on them so you can imagine it looked as if they all belonged to me! Just as well I had dipped the wooden end-tip of mine in nail polish before I left - or I may have picked up a few spares!!!

I saw amazing art. The students learned a huge amount about painting in watercolour as well as a great deal of information that is very generic and relates to all mediums. Color theory is and invaluable tool just as the degree of water used, tone, how to control watercolour, when to let it flow, we used all of my methods, extended them, saw how each can be applied to so many different subjects, mixing colors, lifting color, intelligent composition, observation, observation, observation and so very much more. No workshop is ever long enough is it. The subject of art is huge and I try to impart everything I know to help artists realize the huge potential of the information they receive at my workshops. I know they will now fly and I look forward to watching their journeys.

Marylka's color previewer was a great hit. Marylka took part on the first workshop so it was lovely to see her on my workshops again.

Here is Marylka's website address if you are interested in this incredibly useful tool that helps us determine what color or color mix is needed before we have to commit to a wash:

http://www.marylkaart.kwikdrawsigns.com/services.htm

I also gave a lecture to the Tauranga Art Gallery last Wednesday evening. It has been a huge week.

Thank you to all those who attended my workshops and my lecture. I do hope I was able to inspire you all reach for the stars!

Once the dust has settled and I have my home and studio back in some semblance of order - I will get back on track for my 2011 Exhibition painting. I will release a new image to the website in the next week. So do watch this space!

Susan

Hi Everyone!
Great news! Doris ( my dear friend and also webmaster who has created this wonderful website) has completed my new art instruction DVD pages. I am blown away by the information and images Doris has included. The 'icing on the cake' is the sneak preview videos showing a little of what you can expect on each DVD.

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What do you want to see in a watercolor instruction DVD?

Before I started my new watercolor instruction DVD I wanted to hear what artists would like to learn about watercolors. So I asked YOU what you would like to learn.

You told me where you experience problems when you paint in watercolor. Many artists suggested they would like to see how to paint white on white – a white subject such as a white rose. Others mentioned they would like to see how to paint gold or silver and others were interested in painting reflections. How to create the feeling of Old Master’s still life paintings was very popular. How to paint backgrounds is a common question, just as how to paint leaves is often ask for too.

So after some thought I decided to create a still life subject that incorporates all of these things for you: A beautiful rose, a white porcelain bowl with a lovely gold edge, a rich wooden table top with reflections of the rose, leaves and bowl in the varnished wooden table top and of course a lovely rich dark background. You can also see how to paint dew drops!
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