Woody’s Watercolor Blog

Irony 3 – Original Watercolor by Woody Hansen
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This watercolor was painted during a span of three days, February 23, February 27, and March 7 of 2009. Irony 3 is based on a tonal value plan done on location along the American River. The value study was completed August 13, 2008, about six weeks before experiencing a loss of vision near the end of September, 2009.

The tonal value plan was originally created on a 3 x 3-inch Post-It Note (the usual approach prior to October 2008). Since I can no longer clearly see something that small, I enlarged the Post-It Note sketch onto a 26-inch computer screen and then drew the pattern (free hand) directly onto watercolor paper and the color values were added. After the paint dried the final touches were added with black ink line.

Several weeks after completing Irony 3, I accidentally discovered two other paintings (Irony 1 and Irony 2) based on the same value plan (see below). I had completed those works about six weeks prior to my change in vision! I was surprised to note I had inadvertently used a similar color approach in all three paintings. However, that was not the only visual surprise!

Ah, the irony of it all.

Irony 1 (Above)

Irony 2 (Above)

Next Watercolor Workshop:
Sacramento, CA., June 13 & 14, 2009. Click here for details

Steroid Drip 2 - DETAIL – Original Watercolor by Woody Hansen
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Like its predecessor (Steroid Drip 1), Steroid Drip 2 (15″ x 22″), is based on shapes seen along the American River in Sacramento. This second work also begins without a preliminary sketch or tonal value plan, and takes on a non-objective direction early..

The painting process is similar to Steroid Drip 1 (see previous post), however unlike Steroid Drip 1 the line work in this painting is not ink line but pure watercolor. It might also interest some readers to Know most of this painting was accomplished with an old, three-inch house painting brush which helps to provide numerous interesting, textural brush marks.

For more information, including price and availability, click here.

Next Watercolor Workshop:
Sacramento, CA., June 13 & 14, 2009. Click here for details

Steroid Drip 1 - DETAIL – Original Watercolor by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting)

Just a reminder that the images seen on this blog are, for the most part, detail images from selected parts of larger images. The complete painting and further information is viewed by clicking on the detail image.

Steroid Drip 1(15″ x 22″), is initially based on images along the American River in Sacramento, CA. ˇThe work begins without a preliminary sketch or value plan and takes on a non-objective direction during the early stage of the painting.

By placing the easel in a near vertical position, the painting begins to take on a non-objective look as paint is applied liberally and allowed to mix on the paper. The steep incline contributes to the blending and dripping of color. The black ink line work is added during the final stages of the painting. I have a second work, Steroid Drip 2, which I hope to post in the near future.

For more information, including price and availability, click here.

Blue and Gold - DETAIL – Watercolor by Woody Hansen
(Click image to view entire painting

Blue and Gold, was completed on February 15, 2009. I’m late in getting it posted, but as you might imagine it has been a bit hectic around here in this new world of mine.

Despite more medical appointments than I care to document, many good things have occurred between the beginning of October, 2008, and now. I’ve been fortunate to have been invited to do a demo for the Folsom Art Association, a demo for the Sacramento Fine Arts Center, taken a Frank Webb workshop, and accepted an invitation to do the May 4, Keeler demo at this year’s Henry Fukuhara Manzanar Watercolor Workshop.

My painting Manzanar insight, was part of a group exhibition of watercolors accompanying the Community Read Program for Inyo and Mono Counties. The exhibition (currently on view at the Manzanar Interpretive Center through Sunday, May 3, 2008) was part of a series of educational programs around the Farewell to Manzanar book which was the selected reading.
Parents, children and visitors to the area gained new insight about
the Japanese American experience during WWII.

On April 15, 2009, I concluded ten, weekly watercolor classes at my studio-gallery. I think it fair to state that everyone made progress in meeting the goals of the classes. The next ten sessions begin Wednesday, April 22, 2009. As much as I enjoyed the last group of participants I can’t wait for the new classes to begin!

During all the above, I have been quite productive in the painting department. I have a respectable stack of watercolor paintings waiting to be posted in the near future. So many paintings, so little time (grin)! These days I can’t post as quickly or as easily as in the past, but I’m gradually getting the upper hand on the re-learning curve. I expect to be back up to speed soon.

NOTE: It might interest you to know that I recently linked my 17-inch laptop to a 55-inch HDTV LCD screen with the hope that a larger format might provide a major assist with my visual impairment. However, after giving the large format a trial for a couple of weeks I have come to the conclusion that any visual assist is - at best - extremely minimal to non-existent. In fact, the 55-inch screen is turned off as I write this entry on my laptop! I would not have believed the test result had I not actually experience the process. Fortunately, Costco offers a 90-day return policy and no re-stocking fee. So back goes the LCD TV next week (consider this a positive endorsement of Costco).

As the saying goes, stay tuned for further details…