Roland Lee workshop - How To Draw Anything

Drew uses his sketchbook to study the values and shapes of the red cliffs during a Roland Lee drawing class

Because drawing is so fundamental to all the visual arts, I try to teach at least one drawing workshop during the year. Last week we held that class in St. George and 12 wonderful artists attended. Learning to see with the "Artists Brain" instead of the "Intellectual brain" is critical. The artists brain sees shapes and values while the intellectual brain wants to identify and record data, information, and things. I taught this class how we identify shapes because of their edges. We see edges because of value changes. Once we learn to look for edges, values, and shapes we can draw anything from portraits to landscapes in just a few minutes. I showed the class how I use travel sketchbook vignette drawings to record my experiences, and often use those drawings and my memories to develop larger studio paintings. We also learned how to use small "thumbnail" value studies as a preparation for full-size paintings. This was an exceptional class, and they succeeded in picking it all up very rapidly.

Two students sketch the red rocks during Roland Lee drawing class

Deerdre sketches the Woodward school Tower in Roland Lee's drawing class

Amazing Death Valley

We are in Ridgecrest California for a few days, teaching a watercolor workshop for the Desert Artists League. Yesterday on the way down we took a sidetrip through Death Valley National Park. Being the lowest point in the nation you expect it to be sweltering hot, and it usually is. But with a rare series of heavy rains over the past two days, the valley was inundated with water and we enjoyed a real visual treat both in the sky and on the ground. Enjoy the photos.

Book Signing Planned for Art of the National Parks- Historic Connections, Contemporary Interpretations

Paintings of Roland Lee are included in the book, Art of the National Parks - Historic Connections, Contemporary Interpretations from Fresco Publishing

Last night I was able to have a nice visit with the publisher and designer of the new award-winning book, Art of the National Parks, historic Connections, Contemporary Interpretations. Kay Fowler, owner of Fresco Publishing, and Nancy Stem, publication designer were at the Association of Partners for Public Lands conference in Albuquerque New Mexico to promote the book. Five pages of my watercolor paintings are featured in the new book in the section on art of Zion National Park. The gorgeous coffee-table book was released recently and sales have necessitated a second printing soon. Watch for a special book-signing event and art show by seven of the participating artists in St. George during April 2014.

Left to right: Nancy Stem, book designer; Roland Lee, artist; Kay Fowler, publisher; and Jill Burt, Zion Natural History Association marketing director in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

YouTube Interview with Artist Roland Lee

The Arts to Zion Art Studio Tour recently filmed a short video interview with watercolor artist Roland Lee in his studio. Roland talks about his painting career and how he draws inspiration from nature for his watercolor paintings. Click on the photo to view.

Watch a 3-minute interview with artist Roland Lee in his studio

http://youtu.be/FbuO6n-8NYk

Do You Know the Way to Santa Fe?

Enjoying a few days in beautiful New Mexico with APPL meetings in Albuquerque and gallery hopping in Santa Fe. Santa Fe is one of the great locations for western art with literally hundreds of fabulous galleries. We especially enjoyed the Mountain Trails Gallery and the paintings of fellow artist and Zion National Park Plein Air Invitational participant Dave Santillanes.

Here's a photo in Santa Fe that invites your own caption!