Workshop with Deb Quinn-Munson

The Foxboro Art Association hosted a workshop with Deb Quinn-Munson Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Studio East, Walpole. 

Deb Quinn-Munson begins with an oil underpainting on
Wallis (or UART -- can't remember which) paper

Having attended last year's workshop, I was excited that Deb was invited back to lead a class focusing specifically on techniques for painting water.

Students in rapt attention

Assessing references

Deb had many wonderful tidbits about painting water. She shared this quote by Don Demers, " Study the water until you understand what it looks like, then paint how it feels." I personally love stuff like this!

Deb made two underpaintings, this photo shows watercolor on
watercolor paper. Another was in oil on Wallis paper.

Deb continues to develop her underpainting

Deb shared her 80/20 Guide with us, asking us to consider this ratio when making decisions regarding composition, shape, value, color, line, texture, and rhythm.

Karole Nicholson came up to see the painting in progress and make inquiries

We have so much to think of when making good paintings. Often this is done intuitively, but Deb's insight encourages artists to slow down and consider the options for deliberate choices -- a smart thing to do.

The painting with the introduction of pastel shows lovely sparkle.

Deb, again with the group in rapt attention, shows the two paintings and discusses their  attributes.

One tidbit Deb shared has sat in my head as a good default for making these decisions:
What will make someone walk across a room to see the painting? Of course you should choose the options that would do that!

Pastel painting by Deb Quinn-Munson -- what shimmer! 

Deb offers instruction

As important as composition is, Deb mentioned that composition doesn't get credit for its role in good paintings. No one really says, "Wow! What composition in that painting!"

Workshop attendees give each other guidance 

Diane Scotti with her pastel of waterlilies

Diane Scotti's work in progress

She encouraged us to be deliberate with our marks and to make bold, decisive paintings:
"You only get to hit it once -- maybe twice. That's it."

Workshop in full swing with everyone painting!

The start of my painting - Kim Morin Weineck 

Kathy Hutchinson's work-in-progress
(apologies for the crooked photo)

The day ended all too soon. Perhaps Deb will be invited yet again to instruct another aspect of pastel painting!

Deb Quinn-Munson and I at the end of a great day

Thanks for reading! ~kmw

Pastel workshop overview :: Deb Quinn-Munson

Saturday, St Patrick's Day, Foxboro Art Association offered a pastel workshop with Deb Quinn-Munson. The focus was on underpainting and Deb demonstrated the technique of underpainting with oil for a pastel painting. Very interesting and vibrant!

Cindy Kerr listens to Deb's demo

Those in attendance were privy to a plethora of helpful information about painting, composition, underpainting options, etc. Deb even provided each participating artist with a sample piece of Ampersand PastelBord. How wonderful free gifts are! 

Deb mixes her underpainting colors in oil. 

Deb is an acclaimed artist and was well-known to many workshop participants. She's been the cover artist for the Artist's magazine and will be featured in an article in the same magazine this coming fall. 

The cover was beautiful and only the light on the water
and the boater is done in pastel - the rest is oil underpaiting! 

Deb is a consummate professional and came to the workshop thoroughly prepared with examples of her planned demonstration. Watching her develop her sheet of blank Wallis paper to nearly the level of completed pastel she brought to show us was a wonderful learning experience for everyone there.

Deb's pastel demo on easel and the completed piece near the window. 

Personally I was so busy working I didn't get to take photos of everyone working or their individual pieces except for this one of Kathy working on her successful venture and mine below. 

Kathy Hutchinson's successful workshop creation. 

Kim Weineck's workshop creation. What fun this was! 

Some pearls of wisdom from the workshop:

Put as little pastel on the piece as you can. 

Use a light touch at the beginning.

Flirt with applying the pastel at the onset. 

To remove a mistaken application of pastel, just brush it off. 

No color exists in a vacuum. 

Something is appealing about lighter colors on top of darker ones. 

Skies are good places to experiment with color. 

Always watch shapes and marks you create. 

Museum glass is wonderful but expensive. 

Think about the re-doing something as losing it and finding it again. 

Move around the painting so things develop at a consistent pace. 

Go for it and don't be afraid!

Blue tape can adversely affect your color decisions. 

Remove the wrappers to your pastels and break them up!

Color gets all the glory. Value does all the work. 

Start with the focal point. Don't paint yourself into a corner. 

Thank you, Nancy Bacevich, for organizing this fantastic day!