Mrs. Wise: THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM THE WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

I’ve always been interested in the process of creation. But so far, I am successful only in creating, using my mind – that is why, I have countless concepts – that have been produced or just lingering inside handy little notebook. But when it comes to creating art, using my hands – it is a totally different story. I am not that good in drawing, sketching or painting. But I am not afraid to try...

So I was excited to attend the watercolor workshop last Saturday, at the Crafters Marketplace in Shangrila Mall. So excited that I was there at exactly 9:30am, for the 10am class.

Our art teacher for the day is Ian de Jesus, a Fine Arts graduate from the University of the East. He graduated Magna cum Laude, and I thought, maybe he can make a Picasso out of me! Just kidding :)

Ian explained that the higher the pigment content of a watercolor, the more expensive it is. That explains the different prices of watercolor brands in the market today. Oh well... that is an interesting info, especially for someone like me whose only exposure to the medium is – using that yellow Artex brand from my elementary days hahaha!

And happy that we won’t be using that yellow brand on this workshop :)

After Ian explained to us the principle of the Color Wheel, we proceeded to the practice exercises.

First, he asked us to paint our very own Color Wheel. We started by painting the primary colors then eventually blending them together to produce other colors.

Second, he asked us to try the different techniques, wet-on-wet, dry-on-dry. Of course I’ve heard this before. I remember teaching this on the set of PROMIL PRESCHOOL I-SHINE TALENT CAMP, I wrote the script for the art series. But Teacher Christina Dy and I, didn’t achieve the effect that we wanted, because we didn’t use watercolor paper. Happy to have seen the effect of this on this workshop.

Third, we were taught how to paint simple leaves. Frustrated because I didn’t achieve the right shape.

THE PAINTING THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW

I did try to make flowers, based from the “point-brush-pull” stroke taught by Ian, but still, my flowers looked weird.

THREE THINGS I LEARNED FROM THE WORKSHOP

1. In holding the brush, remember to - Relax - Chill - "Huwag manggigil". Treat the brush with gentleness. And create gentle strokes. I was holding the brush with such force, there was a a slight pain in my hand after the session. Lesson: treat life with such gentleness and don't stress yourself with everyday things. The more stressed you are, the more pain you are inflicting in your mind and body

CAUGHT ON CAM, THE STRESS ON MY ARM :)

2. Be patient. I drew a picture of the sea, and I wanted to add an island and some trees. I didn't wait for the blue sea to dry. I was impatient. And the colors bleeded. It always pay to be patient, in all aspects of our lives.

SEE THE WAY I AM LOOKING AT MY PAINTING? FRUSTRATED WHEN THE COLORS BLEEDED

3. If you didn't achieve the right color, let it dry, wait awhile, and put another color until you get what you want. Just like in life, if you committed a mistake, you can always go back and correct it. Nothing is permanent. Practice makes perfect.

With that, I must admit, I need a LOT of practice to at least polish my watercolor strokes.

Thank you to mommy bloggers philippines, for the opportunity to try out watercolor with Ian de Jesus. And thank you to