Jo Myers-Walker's Blog

One of our models admiring our artwork

Diana painting from a model

In July’s figure drawing workshop at Summerset Winery, our models posed for about 20 minutes at a time while we sketched and painted. It’s not easy being a model — you have to be in good shape to hold a pose that long! They were positioned to show the slight S-curve of the body, for the figures to seem animated in the artwork.

We began by finding the shadows to create form. The models were well lighted so we could follow the flow of shadow. I talked about proportion using a little paper “head” as a measuring tool to find the figure’s height and the length of the arms and legs. After students figured out the proportions it was much easier to draw how the body goes together.

Using a paper “head”
as a measuring tool

Watercolor sketch of a “sleeping” pose.
Even foreshortening becomes easier
by knowing the proportions.

Murals on the walls at Summerset Winery
celebrate the seasons of the vineyard.

Class members using the overhead mirror to watch me paint. (Photo courtesy of Dianne Liepa)

Using (and trying not to bump) my new demonstration mirror. I used my technique of painting on plastic to show color dominance and values.
(Photo courtesy of Dianne Liepa)

We had a wonderful turnout for last week’s workshop at Summerset Winery, 17 students, strong painters. “Watercolor Sketches and Beyond” emphasized drawing and composing in our journals to start with. Each student received a journal with worksheets that they could follow along. The focus was on composition and planning, finding story, mood and sense of place before starting to paint — like a road map, so people can enjoy the painting experience, not having to fix as much.

I designed my new overhead demonstration mirror just before the workshop so that this size of group could watch me paint. The mirror is Plexiglas reinforced with wood slats, held up for the time being with a fence post and tape! It’s portable and fits into my car. I just need to make it taller so I can stand under it and work.

We had a rainy day at the winery so we painted a still life with flowers and wine by the window overlooking the vineyard. You could just feel the earth ready to pop out the buds on the grape vines.

• Update:  See Tech for teaching (blog post)

Still life for a rainy day. with a favorite white wine. We observed the cylinders on perspective from standing above and at eye level; flowers, glasses, buildings and bottles have form disclosed by light and shadow.
(Photo at left courtesy of Dianne Liepa, and that’s her watercolor “in progress” at far right)

Students’ watercolors from the workshop. We were working with perspective, balance and proportion. I talked about Mary’s good composition and depth (at left), and “following the whites” in Katharine’s work (at right).