Tom Lynch - Watercolor Master

Finally, I took a Tom Lynch watercolor workshop this afternoon. Tom has taught all over the world for 25 years and has authored many books, video, DVD’s and artist’s materials. He is a very savvy marketer of his workshops and art. One thing he does is work with various artist supply companies to use his name on a specific product he designs, or they’ll hire him to teach workshops on their unique products. His latest favorite product is Fredrix Watercolor Canvases. Watercolor CANVAS? you say. Yup, this company has figured out a way to coat a canvas with an emulsion that allows watery media to sit on top without beading up. A regular canvas primed with gesso (acrylic paint) would do just that. This is kind of across between a clayboard and Yupo board. Don’t know what these items are? Google them or go to http://www.dickblick.com/categories/watercolorpapers/#watercolorpanels and click on the name on this page. In Tom’s workshops you follow his lead and paint what he paints. Great for beginners and this is the way the Japanese teach art; follow the master. In this case it is his technique the student is trying to master, not creativity; that comes when you return to your own studio and play with his tricks on your own compositions. See Tom's website at: http://www.tomlynch.com/

A number of other artist's workshops were awesome, although I've talked about them previously I'll mention them again. One is Caroline Jasper, author of Power Color, a fabulous resource for artists on using color in their work. This workshop was in oil and my work is drying in my car at the moment so I don't want to go out in the 95 degree heat and photograph it. Caroline's website is: http://www.carolinejasper.com/

Jeanne Carbonetti is an extremely thoughtful and fluid watercolorist. Her book The Zen of Watercolor explains her "tummy jumps" and "heart-mind" approach to painting. She is a master of awareness of her process and her workshops are kind of like art meditations. Jeanne's site is: http://www.crowhillgallery.com/

Bob Burridge is always fun. He's the wild man of art, encouraging artists to get loose and let their creative juices flow! He's a one man cheerleader for having fun while you make art and his techniques and workshops are super fun and freeing. Bob's site is: http://www.robertburridge.com/index.html You can sign up for his free "artsy fartsy" email newsletter.