It's YUPOssible!

"Thinking Pink Orchids" 9x12 watercolor on YUPO (collection artist)

Happy Hump Day everyone! Looking forward to my presentation/demo tonight for the Heritage Fine Arts Guild in preparation for my upcoming YUPO workshop! And on that note, I've been talking about it but the official workshop registration link is now live so here's the save the date info:

Workshop: Spread Your Wings with YUPO
When: SAT. November 16
Where: Littleton, Colorado
Time: 9A-3P
Cost: $30 members/$50 non members
You can find the supply list on the workshop page the Scarlet Owl Studio website.
To Register please visit the Heritage Fine Arts Guild workshop page.

Painting Workshop Description:
We'll warm up with YUPO (which you may purchase from me on that day) but the rest of the day will be dedicated to helping you with a bird themed painting in any watermedia of your choosing--so watercolor, acrylic, etc. You may also choose to work on YUPO for the rest of the day or you can paint an acrylic on canvas.

Space may be limited so please don't wait to reserve your space. Questions about the workshop? Please feel free to contact me (you can email or call) through the SOS website.

Challenge Day 20: Colors on the Fly

YUPO and watercolor negative painting exercise

Am continuing to prepare for my upcoming bird themed November workshop. Here’s how I painted this easy and fun “negative” YUPO painting in less than 10 easy steps:

Materials: YUPO pad (9x12), transparent watercolors, large and small acrylic flat brush printer paper (Legion Paper has a YUPO sample pack for just $3.00.)

1. I tape the back of my YUPO sheet to a foam core board so I can easily move it around without touching it. YUPO doesn't buckle so you don't need to stretch it.
2. To start, I applied a variety of transparent watercolors (blues, reds, golds) with a big flat (over 1 inch). A sponge brush also works.  Remember, colors don’t fade much on the YUPO so don't be shy!
3. For more dynamic color blends tilt your board diagonally at a 45 degree angle.
4. Paint rolls off the YUPO quickly so it helps to have an old beach towel, etc. handy to catch the drips or go outside.
5. When the I get the colors the way I want them I let the painting dry flat overnight (I prefer this to hairdryer).
6. Then I printed out a simple bird, branch, leaves shape on plain printer paper and cut around image to make quick stencil.  (You could also use heavier printer paper or transfer your design/drawing to stencil paper.)
7. Using  an 8x10 window white mat, I decide where I want the stencil over the painting.
8. When I’m happy with the placement, I gently tack on the stencil over the painting with a small piece of tape.
9. Then carefully use a damp (not too much water) small  acrylic brush and a tissue to “erase” around the stencil.You could certainly add more detail to the painting at this point as well.

Also, you can seal your YUPO on watercolor with an archival acrylic spray so it's protected from water. This exercise will also help to fine tune your negative painting skills which come in handy no matter what medium and subject you prefer. Thanks for stopping by, have fun, and keep painting!

Challenge Day 12: Visiting an Old Friend...

"YUPO Chickadee" Transparent WC on YUPO 9x12 (collection artist)

Hmm..You may notice a gap between um Challenge Day 5 and today. OK. About a week. The good news is that one reason I got a little behind in the challenge (in addition to out of town guests) is that I've been planning my new November workshop which will be bird themed and feature painting on YUPO--one of my all time favorite painting surfaces. (Sorry for the all caps that's just how YUPO is.)

Briefly, YUPO is a synthetic waterproof "paper." It's super smooth, clean bright white, and you can much more easily make value corrections such as lifting out your lights. It can feel a little strange at first and like any other new art technique take some adjustment, but now I just love it.

A few years ago when I became more of a "daily painter" I moved away from watermedia to oils. But I've always had a special place in my heart for watercolor and fluid acrylics. So you can imagine my delight when I was asked to teach a workshop that featured watercolors and YUPO and birds. Honestly, I can't think of a more exciting combination.

There was only one tiny problem. I had to confess I hadn't painted with YUPO recently but even as I was saying this I was heading toward the garage so I could run up to the Guiry's art store by my studio and buy a pad. (YUPO comes in pads and large sheets--online at Dick Blick.)

So today's painting is a watercolor and YUPO study of a chickadee in my backyard aspen trees. One quick YUPO tip: Use just 3 primaries (red,yellow, blue) because this takes a while to dry and it will run around on you. The 3 primaries will create wonderful harmonious mixes on their own.

If you have any questions about my SAT., November 16 YUPO workshop please email me. I'll have a link for it soon as well. Happy Challenge Painting everyone--we're almost half way there!