Watercolor Workshop Demonstration Paintings

The painting above was done during our watercolor class to demonstrate a highly effective watercolor technique for painting skies in five minutes or less. Using a wet-into-wet technique, I allowed the paint to mingle freely on the wet paper, leaving areas of light for contrast and drama. I had the students paint three different skies this way.



I began this painting as a watercolor art lesson during the painting workshop showing how to use the technique of negative painting or backpainting to depict desert shrubs and sage. Even though the foreground is in shadow, you can still clearly see the effects of the sky light coming from the left side of the painting. The highlight side of each shrub is identified by the value conrast with the shadow side of the shrub behind it. The example we used had a desert style home in it, but I changed it into a distant cliff to add more interest.

Click on the inset photo to see how I laid in broad loose washes first, then defined the edges with a pencil after the initial washes had dried. This is a technique I often use to help me find where the contrast of values will be. The pencil lines will be obliterated by the paint since they appear only where an edge will be.



This was an art class demonstration of How to paint skies in watercolor. The sky only took five minutes. But the rest of the painting took another day! This painting is entirely made up without any reference material.

Another Good Watercolor Workshop

Above: Bernice Payne, Paula Wadsworth, and Luzon Glines at work in the workshop. Below: John Mangels

Monday and Tuesday I conducted a watercolor workshop at Passion for Painting Gallery with a great group of artists. It's always fun to spend two full days with my peers and feel the energy that comes when a group of like-minded artists get together. But what I really enjoy is seeing the variety of styles and techniques that is generated in class. What an art show! Students included: Karen Bettilyon, Luzon glines, John Mangels, Bernice Payne, Paula Wadsworth, Lexie Boyce, and Barbara Withelder.

1981 Watercolor Painting

Today I was visited by Donna and Dale Burrill who recently inherited one of my older watercolor paintings from Donna's deceased mother. The painting, "Desert Rainbow", was purchased by her mother at the George Phippen Memorial Art Show held each memorial day weekend in Prescott Arizona. I painted it in April 1981, and she purchased it in May 1981. the painting is #107, and I am currently on painting #1041, so it was truly one of the earlier paintings. The painting looks great with no fading, and even the original mats are in good shape. The Burrills report that the painting fits perfectly with their Southwest decor and they are delighted with it.

San Antonio Texas Watercolor Workshop

I will be presenting a four-day watercolor landscape painting workshop for the San Antonio Watercolor Group February 20-23, 2008. The workshop will consist of painting demonstrations, powerpoint presentations, and plenty of student one-on-one time as we explore methods for making fantastic landscape paintings in watercolor. Click here for more watercolor workshop information

My New Grandson

Early this morning we celebrated the arrival of a new grandson. He is our 16th grandchild, so we are very experienced grandparents--professionals actually. We had no idea our grandkids would be so cute. My wife Nellie headed north this morning to help out with the other kids. I'll join them on Thursday and see the little guy first hand. But until then, here's a photo, compliments of Jason's cell phone camera.

Painting of Temple and Utah History Paintings in Pioneer Magazine

Pioneer Magazine featured my painting of the St. George LDS Temple on the cover of the current issue. In addition two more paintings were used in double page layouts on the interior articles. "Temple Morning" is also available as a limited edition print through my website.



Washington Cotton Factory is available as a limited edition print.



"Bus Stop on Temple Street" is available as a limited edition print.

Old Red Barn Painting -- Painting Demonstration How to Paint a Sky in Watercolor

I started this painting earlier in a watercolor class at Passion for Painting Art Gallery. I was demonstrating how to paint skies in watercolor in just five minutes using a wet-into-wet technique. Of course the reason it only takes five minutes is because by then the watercolor paper is dry, and I cannot get soft edges anymore.This sky was actually done by adding a second glaze after the first was dry to give the clouds more contrast and drama. The barn is the same one I used previously in another painting, "Open Barn."

Watercolor Painting Demonstration at Dixie State College -- 2 New Paintings

Painting above: "Desert Study"


Painting above: "Zion Light West Temple"

I finished up a couple of small studies today and took them with me to give a guest presentation at the art department of Dixie State College. I gave examples of how to plan a painting, and the importance of preparing value studies. We also talked about negative painting techniques and how to use aerial perspective to create depth. I then let them choose one of my value studies and did a painting demonstration for them. Although it was a beginning watercolor class, I was impressed with their level of skill and dedication. Their teacher Mindy Deschamps had been encouraging them to begin with a good value sketch, and I reinforced that message with my painting demonstration.

National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas

Roland Lee with #1 Saddle-bronc rider Cody Wright at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

My son Jon, his dad-in-law Dan Chidester, my grandson Travis, and I slipped away to the National Finals Rodeo last night in Las Vegas and had a great time. We stopped by the Cowboy Christmas Show at the Las Vegas convention center where we saw some great cowboy paintings and sculpture, and Travis picked out some new boots. I visited for a few minutes with NFR Saddle Bronc competitor Cody Wright from Utah (photo above) who took 3rd place in his event tonight. We'll go back down on Monday night to see another go-around.

Virgin River Painting Study in Zion Canyon

I was inspired by our trip to Zion National Park and did a little study today from the photos and sketches I made last week. The yellow leaves were still on the Cottonwoods then, but most are gone now with the cold snap that brought snow to Zion. I hope to work this up into a larger painting later. I loved the deep shadows and the warm glow of sunlight hitting the canyon wall.

(Click on the photos for full-size view) I am working on Arches 140 lb and the image size is 8 in. x 12 in. A quick pencil sketch on the paper is all I need to brush on the first wet-in-wet glazes.

After putting a second glaze on the cliffs I sketch out the tree trunks which will be easy to paint dark over light.