Posts Tagged ‘painting’

New Zealand Watercolor Workshops

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

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

New Painting Released

Monday, September 27th, 2010

"Etched in Time"
Watercolor painting
size: 11" x 5 1/4"  - 280 mm x 135 mm
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

I seem to have a preoccupation with timelessness. My paintings have opened my eyes to this fact - rather than the ‘fact’ being the conscious precursor to my paintings.

A good example of this is my painting of a well-used door.

Do you ever ponder the people who have contributed to the history etched on such functional things as a simple door? The worn paint, the bare wood, the scratches, the inventive but crude additions all conjure thoughts of people whose feet are firmly planted on the ground. Hard-working, honest, genuine, practical people. These people were our forebears. What better tribute than to show their lives etched in the structures they created? This is a portrait that speaks of the struggles, the triumphs and the story that says they were here and they made a difference.

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

Rhododendron Paintings in watercolor and Thank you for the titles

Thursday, August 26th, 2010


"Floral Dance"
Rhododendron Flower Painting in watercolor
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

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Watercolor painting of a white pigeon

Thursday, June 24th, 2010


"Liberty"
Watercolor on Arches 300 gsm Hot Pressed paper
19" x 11" (480 mm x 280 mm)
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

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

I thought you may like to see another sneak preview of one of my latest paintings that will feature in my 2011 "Recollections exhibition":

I love to paint wildlife. Particularly bird studies.

Let me introduce "Liberty'.

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