Emma Paints in Grandpa's Studio

My daughter Jennie and my two little granddaughters Emma and Ellie came to spend the week with us. I always like to let the grandkids have a turn painting in my studio. Today it was Emma's turn. She carefully put on the apron, then dove right in -- grabbing explosive colors and painting with wild exuberance. It's amazing how children have no fear of making art. They love the tools and they love the process. That's the way it should be for all of us. Art is a joy!

Winter Reflections Workshop Demonstration

"Winter Reflections" 14 x 21 transparent watercolor by Roland Lee

This is the painting I demonstrated in my February workshop. I had the class participants work from the same resource material which I shot last weekend along the Sevier River near Richfield, Utah. My emphasis was how to use natural wet in wet techniques along with drybrush to create realism in the landscape.

February Watercolor Workshop

I enjoyed spending the last two days with some wonderful artists at my February watercolor workshop. I took a different approach with this group, and we did a lot more hands-on work actually completing two paintings in class. It was a test run of sorts for me, since I usually approach my classes with a little more discussion and theory using powerpoint demonstrations. This time I used actual examples and demonstrated on the spot. I think it was successful judging by the student comments.



Students included: front row - Shari Cannon, Lola Krummenacher, Karen Bettilyon, Gwendolyn Joy Mitchell, Luzon Glines. Back row - Gary Fawson, Roland Lee, Glen Bessenette. Not pictured - Viona Wilson, who won Best of Show at the Southern Utah Watercolor Society juried show currently on display in Mesquite Nevada. We are all proud of her.



Karen Bettilyon (above), a fine watercolor painter, became a second-time collector by purchasing my demonstration painting from January called "Classic Clouds."



"Classic Clouds" (above) watercolor painting by Roland Lee

Zion Canyon Reflections Painting Step by Step Watercolor Demonstration

In late fall Zion Canyon is peaceful and quiet. The crowds are gone, the streams have dwindled to standing pools, and the leaves have begun to fall. In this scene the afternoon glow on the cliffs above is reflected in the shallow water of a shaded canyon. The worn rocks and strewn boulders are evidence that at certain times of the year this little stream is a raging torrent. But right now all is at peace.

The painting begins with a pencil sketch on 140lb Arches watercolor paper. Following my usual pattern I begin to lay in broad washes of color, adding texture in the rocks by flipping clear water into the glazes with my brush. I also allow some of the pigment to mingle and blend on the paper.

Now I lay in the distant cliffs and some of the background area using the same tecniques as I used in the rocks. I am establishing value patterns, at the same time building up a sense of texture in the foliage and rocks. I will refine many of these areas with darker glazes as the painting progresses.



The foreground grasses are painted using a technique called "back painting" or "negative painting." In objects that appear light in a watercolor painting they must be preserved and established by painting the dark (or negative) areas around them.



Once the negative shapes are in place we can see the grasses emerge in a random fashion. Now I create a little more detail by overpainting additional shapes on the weeds.

Exhibit Opening at the Mission Gallery

Jane Juber, owner of the Mission Gallery and Authentique Gallery in St. George, Utah, put on a wonderful three-day show featuring six of her gallery artists. Last night she invited about 80 of her good collectors for a full-menu dinner at Painted Pony Restaurant which was fabulous, followed by a private gallery preview for her chosen guests. Tonight the show opened to the general public and both galleries were packed! I had a chance to meet some new collectors as well as visit with some of my previous collectors. I had a surprise visit from Charles and Jeanne Kasper from Madison, Wisconsin, who own one of my paintings. They were anxious to have a photo taken with me (above), and I had fun visiting with them.



My wife Nellie isn't crazy about art receptions but she is always a good sport and comes with me for moral support. She is a great partner and patiently accompanies me on all my painting expeditions.

Last Light at Wahweap Painting Demonstration: How to paint a graded wash in watercolor

This is a small painting in the Lake Powell Series. I hope to have about ten small paintings ready for the Museum show in March. However right now I am concentrating on some of the larger pieces which will anchor the show.




I am using a graded wash for the sky and water areas on this painting. This is done by wetting the entire surface of the sky area with clear water and letting it soak in. I then start at the horizon with a light wash of yellow ochre and tip the paper upside down to let it flow upwards into the sky area. I add a tiny touch of Quinacridone Coral by Daniel Smith along the horizon and let it mingle with the yellow ochre to give a warm glow. Then I come in with a wash of Ultramarine blue and work from the top (zenith) of the sky down towards the horizon and tip the paper to let the blue flow into the yellow and coral. I help it along with broad strokes of a 1-inch flat aquarelle brush going back and forth from left to right and from the top down. The whole process takes only a couple of minutes, and I leave it alone to dry. I repeat the process for the water using the same basic colors. After the sky and water is completely dry I can lay in the warm oranges on the cliffs and cut in a sharp edge against the sky. Since the paper is no longer wet, the edges will not bleed.

UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT THE MISSION GALLERY
Tonight we have an exhbit opening at the Mission Gallery in Ancestor Square. Jane Juber, the gallery owner is hosting about 30 couples including some of her best collectors along with six artists and their wives for a special dinner at the Painted Pony restaurant, followed by a gallery preview.

Desert Reflections Watercolor Painting

I put the finishing touches on a painting of Ivins Reservoir today. It's a place I love to visit and paint. A tiny reservoir in the middle of the desert at Kayenta, Utah. It's too small for skiing, only sometimes fishable, and a haven for migrating waterfowl at certain times of the year. But the amazing thing is the reflections of the red cliffs and yellow cottonwoods in the fall. Just right for watercolor!

Rio Virgin in Zion Canyon

Fall is a glorious time at Zion National Park. The already spectacular scenery is brightened by the display of yellow cottonwoods and red oaks. The Virgin River wanders peacefully through Zion Canyon at this time of year and the banks and water are strewn with colored leaves. The crowds are gone and the whole place is wonderful! This painting will be part of my one man show in March at the St. George Art Museum. "Rio Virgin in Zion" 21 x 29. Purchase information

New painting of Zion National Park

The subject of this painting is a relatively insignificant cliff formation in Zion. I'm not even sure this particular spot has a name. But anyplace in Zion becomes a star when the lighting is right. My favorite time in Zion National Park is the end of the day when the cliffs catch on fire and even a rockface becomes a star for a few minutes. "5 minutes of Fame," watercolor by Roland Lee, 19" x 29." Purchase Information

Watercolor Painting of Lake Powell Panorama

While attending a painting workshop with David Drummond at Lake Powell we experienced an incredible three day rainstorm that wreaked havoc on the lake. However when it finally passed, the air was clear and you could see forever. I painted the panorama above from photos I shot near Wahweap. I was standing on a high ridge overlooking the bay as the sun shot its last rays across the water. The distant cliffs turned many colors as the light danced across them, and the shadows told the story in various hues of purple and blue. The still water glowed pink from the reflections of the warm rocks above. Purchase Information