There is more to painting watercolor roses and rose oil paintings than meets the eye. Here I have captured pink roses in oil and red roses in watercolor. It is difficult to tell which medium I have used for which rose.

'A côte de la Fontaine'
- Oil on Belgian Linen -
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

'Josephine Bruce'
Watercolor on Arches hot pressed paper
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

You will find it is easier to determine whether a painting is watercolor painting or whether it is an oil painting - if you view it in an art gallery of course.
Looking on-line - you will find the background probably helps you to determine which is which. The red rose is the watercolor.
I am sure you are wondering how can these velvet-looking red roses can be painted in watercolor.

Art on line Lesson:
Observation is the key. These are the things you need to ask yourself:

• What does the surface of the rose petals tell you
• What does the texture of the rose petals tell you
• Are they opaque or are they semi-transparent?
• How does is the light affected by the surface - is it absorbed into the surface or reflected and bouncing off the surface?
• Are the highlights hard-edged or muted and flared? Compare the front vertical surface of the upper, right red rose. Does that have the same texture as the inside surface of the rose? Is it as velvety? How do you know it is more shiny and smooth?
• You will have now established that the surface of the inner side of the petals is velvety. Velvet absorbs light and gently flairs the highlight rather than allowing it to appear hard-edged.
• Compare the upper leaf - on the right hand side of the painting. Can you see how that appears shiny?

Now let's take a look at the pink rose:
Ask yourself questions about the surface and textures you see on the pink rose petals:

• Are the petals opaque or semi transparent? How can you tell?
• Do the petals have a velvety texture or are they smooth surfaced?
• In this case the main bloom has a few petals that are wet from the nearby fountain. How can you tell the top left petal is wet? Think about how I have suggested a wet surface?

We can be the best artist in the world at welding a watercolor brush and mixing color - but if we do not observe and analyse our subjects well - our paintings will struggle to be more than just an attractive wall hanging.
As artists we are story tellers. Become as adept in observation as you are at painting, and you will have a winning combination.
This is how to watercolor and how to oil paint - but it is also how to create paintings that speak to the viewers of your work.
There are just a few of the considerations we artists need to be aware of when wanting to know how to paint watercolor and how to paint oil paintings of roses or anything at all for that matter. Teach yourself to understand what is in front of you and you will find your paintings will eventually become masterworks.

These are just some of the observations, good analysis of art will reveal to you. Without this information and analysis, artists would find it difficult to capture the 'feel' and the sumptuous nature of this rose - or any other subject.

Teaching watercolor and oil painting is a passion for me. My teachings, on-line workshops, one on one workshops and of course my art instruction DVDs - all with their sound and in-depth teaching - give the artist a solid base to grown from exponentially. Knowledge and understanding bring confidence and drive to move out of the usual comfort zone, off that plateau and to discover a whole new world of possibilities and artistic potential.
Have fun!
Susan

"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

"Back From the Brink"
Oil on Belgian Linen
size: 660 mm x 510 mm - 26"x20"
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Time for sneak preview of another exhibition painting.

On the 'Endangered Species' list, the New Zealand takahe was thought to be extinct. In the 1948 a small number were found in the Murcheson Mountains.
Inspired by the prehistoric appearance of the large red beak and iridescent plumage, my oil painting grew from a drive to create greater awareness of this incredibly fascinating creature.

Crouched down and hidden by tussock, I was awed to see such a stunningly beautiful and large, rarely-seen bird come out of native bush into the tussock. It was a breath taking experience, not just because it is a rare bird - but also because the bird is incredibly beautiful with it's luminous opalescent blue and green plumage. I am sure I stopped breathing for a while as I didn't want to make a sound or intrude. To scare them or to influence their behaviour would have altered their demeanour. I felt privileged to be there at that instant when three (one adult and two juvenile) emerged from the bush. I lay silent, observing, sketching and studying how best to portray this bird, while trying to draw the detail and make field notes before the moment was gone.

I love my paintings to say something about the subject I am portraying. In this case this painting composition speaks of the journey of these beautiful birds which were, until recently, thought to be extinct. With the help of the Department of Conservation in Te Anau, New Zealand - these birds are slowly coming back from the brink of extinction. There are still only 280 birds in existance so they are on the endangered species list of New Zealand birds. My composition epitomizes this part of their journey as they emerge from the bush and tussock - back into the light. I wanted to depict the takahe in a natural setting, foraging, unaware that we, the viewers of the painting are observing in silence, just behind the broken fern frond.

I wanted to celebrate that we still have these stunning creatures. Help build the awareness of the takahe and to paint a tribute to them that will go on for generations to enjoy. To see these creatures was breathtaking and to capture them in oil paint and on canvas is an honour.

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

Learn  about my Watercolor Painting Technique in my Watercolor DVDs.

Learn about how to paint in my Free Art Lessons.

"The Flute Guy"
Oil on Belgian Linen
size: 10"x12" - 255 cm x 305 cm
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

'THE FLUTE GUY'
While visiting the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, I found myself drawn by the exquisite strains of a flute being played. They lead me to a high floor above the main gallery foyer where I stood, mesmerized by the scene before me: A gentle man with shoulder-length white hair, light dancing in the lens of his glasses and passion in his eyes: 'The Flute Guy'.

He was so totally immersed in his music that he was unaware of the people around him. He swayed with his music and we watched and felt touched by the great emotion he was able to impart with his flute. I knew I needed to put all of my oil painting skills, old master's methods and techniques into creating a very special painting to celebrate this meeting. My oil painting of 'The Flute Guy' and that magical moment will be in my October 2011 'Recollection' exhibition.

A wonderful thing has come from that meeting.

I can now announce that Ross Bachelder (The Flute Guy) is coming to New Zealand to play at my exhibition! It is a great honour to have him play for us.

So it is fitting that I now release this new painting for a sneak preview. I hope you are able to join us at this exhibition and hear his sublime music. My exhibitions are rare - it has been four years since my previous show. You can see this exhibition is going to be something very special. We usually see between 3000 - 5000 visitors to my exhibition over the two days the works are on show. Many people travel from all over New Zealand, Australia and North America, so I try to make the exhibition something very special that will remain in the memories of those who visit it. With all the usual exhibition build-up, I need to back this wonderful drum roll up with some new paintings - so here is my oil painting of 'The Flute Guy'.

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

"La Confidente"
Oil Painting
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

I truly was humbled by the wonderful response to the Painting Title Competition to provide a title for my painting of the scene in New York’s SoHo Boom Bar. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Thanks to all of you who obviously gave it much thought and consideration,   then wrote and submitted your wonderful title suggestions for my oil painting. I would love to have written to you all individually to thank you, but sheer numbers made that impossible.

We were thrilled to receive so many fantastic submissions! Often we hear competition judges say how difficult it has been to choose a winner. In this case it was nearly impossible to choose as the entries have been fabulous as so many of the titles would be ideal for this painting. It was particularly interesting to see how different people had interpreted the painting in different ways, bringing their own experiences and emotions to bear on its appreciation.

But I’ve had to choose one and my final choice is:

‘Confidente’ or perhaps I will make it ‘La confidente’

Submitted by Jorge Gonzalez. Congratulations Jorge!

The title is short but I think it conveys quite a lot about the scene and suggests some of the narrative taking place, without revealing too much. The girl with the beret has a French air about her, so I think the French spelling of the title is appropriate. But, there were other titles which were equally as suitable, including:

- Meet me at 7?

- SoHo Rendezvous

- I’ll Be There

- Quiet Rapport

- A Little Bit of Paris in New York

- Paris in New York

- Absent Friends

Congratulations Jorge. Thank you and well done to you. This is a major oil painting in my 2011 exhibition and will always carry this fabulous title you have submitted.

I am very aware of the importance of a title as it needs to challenge and intrigue the viewer, but also invite the viewer to interpret the painting themselves and apply their own history to it. I was thrilled to see so many submissions did exactly this. You are experts at this – so I may ask you all again to put your thinking caps on and help me search for that perfect title for future paintings I am struggling to title. It is lovely to see how you all rose to the challenge!

Can you help me choose a title for my new painting?

31 ½” x 21 “ - 800 mm x 530 mm
Oil on Belgian Linen

Do you like a challenge?

Here is a fun opportunity to help choose a title for my large oil painting of the Boom Bar in Soho, New York. I finished this oil painting of a New York cafe scene some time ago and have been trying to come up with the perfect title.  Easier said than done!

(more...)

Susan Harrison-Tustain exhibition of new oil and watercolor paintings in 2011

‘Recollection’

28^th 29^th & 30^th October 2011

More information on my Events Page on the Fine Art Site

I know many of you like to plan your overseas holidays in advance and are waiting to hear the dates of my next major exhibition of oil and watercolor paintings in 2011.

"Faraway"
Medium: Oil on Belgian Linen
Size: 22"x16" inch
(560 mm x 410 mm)

I am really pleased to make this announcement as I create my new pieces for my collection of paintings. The works are challenging and exciting! I like to think they will engage viewers to interpret and apply their own history to them. I love to see my patrons become absorbed in the world inside the frame. For me the real truth and meaning of art is measured in the long silences it creates.

I will share one of my new oil paintings here with you now.

You are the first  to see this new painting from my ‘Recollection’ exhibition.