Brenda Swenson

Monday, March 10, 2014

Watercolor Collage

Stained Paper Collage with Watercolor
April 4, 5 & 6, 2014 (Fri-Sun), 9am-4pm, $310, Members $280
Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 West Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website: www.pvartcenter.org, E-mail: info@pvartcenter.org

Phone: 310-541-2479

Designed to take you in new directions with watercolor, you’ll strengthen your current knowledge of color and design while discovering new techniques to build stronger paintings. Use vibrant pieces of stained Japanese papers to simplify a scene and develop stronger imagery. Each day you’ll construct a collaged surface, paint back into it with watercolor and create exciting results. Come with an open mind to explore a new and exciting way of seeing and working! Enjoy daily demonstrations and critiques. All Skill Levels

Class Information and Registration

Faculty box click on Brenda Swenson

Class Code BS-1

Saturday, March 1, 2014

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Supplies)

Nothing makes my heart go a flutter more than visiting art supply store in the towns and countries I visit. I love the smell of oil paints, the texture of different papers and the excitement of trying a new brush, pen or paint. I've been hooked since I was a kid. When I was all of 8 years old I'd save my allowance in hopes of going to town with my mom. If I was lucky she would take me to the art supply store. I still have the colored pencils I bought.

I also know some of my favorite sketching experiences have been with nothing more than a small sketchbook and a pen. My most memorable sketch was on the back of a 9x11 envelope drawn with a ball point pen while sitting at the end of a hospital corridor. What I am trying to say is... the experience is what's important. Whether you have meager art supplies or an entire studio filled with supplies, your art supplies aren't going to dictate the type of experience you have…You are!

Here’s my small watercolor sketch kit. It’s small enough to carry in my purse or on my morning walks.

Sketchbook: Stillman & Birn, Beta Series 5.5 x 8.5 Hardbound LINK

Palette: Winsor & Newton Cotman Box. I removed the student grade paint pans and fill with my tube colors. LINK

List of paint colors:

When I list two brands it means I use either brand of paint.

Water Dish: Sea to Summit. I love these light weight collapsible containers. The size shown is the, X Shot. LINK

Waterbrush: Niji size large LINK

Pen: Lamy Fountain Pen, Nib size is your choice. I am currently using the 1.1mm. The nice thing about this pen is you can easily change nibs for very little money. LINK
Ink for Pen: Noodler's Ink Lexington Gray LINK

Brush: Two options here. da Vinci Travel Brush, Size 8. LINK

Less expensive brush option: LINK

Pencil: Any inexpensive mechanical pencil

Misc: Clips to hold sketchbook open. Paper towel for clean up. All my supplies (minus sketchbook) fit into a small clear bag.

Sketching on an airplane!

No more excuses...get out and make some art.

Happy Sketching!

Brenda

Friday, February 7, 2014

Negative Painting with Watercolor

Last summer I filmed my newest DVD, Negative Painting with Watercolor. Many hours of thought, planning...went into preparing before filming day. I'm a nut when it comes to presenting solid and informative teaching material. We have gone through two edits and the final version is complete! We hope to have it available in Spring 2014. I am so happy with the final DVD and I hope you'll like it too.

I showed up for filming at 9:00am. The team and I went over lighting, camera angles, chapter outlines... And then it was time for me to do my thing, teach. Many hours later this little engine began to run out of steam...in serious need of a jump start I hunted down a cup of coffee and a candy bar. A little sugar and caffeine to the rescue! This is far from my regular diet (mid-day coffee YES, sugar no). Within minutes I was fired up and ready to go. Admittedly...kinda scary looking when both kicked in (grin).
In the meantime...as I wait for the DVD to be available I made a short video of negative painting. This isn't part of the DVD just something fun to share.
If you have difficulty opening the video paste this link into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k62KuWhWkaU

Happy Painting!
Brenda

Friday, January 24, 2014

Sketchbook Skool

Have you heard?!!

The new online school is the brain child of Danny Gregory and Koosje Koene. The website was just launched and registration has opened. The first semester begins April 4th. and the second semester early summer. 6-week semester, 6 teachers.

In the past I've been asked to teach an online class...I said no. I didn't feel the time was right. Then the day came when Danny asked me. This is the most exciting thing I've seen come around in a long, long time. How could I resist being a part of Sketchbook Skool!
I have agree to be on the Fakulty. I'll be one of the six teachers in the second semester, this summer!
I imagine you have lots of questions and the website has all the answer along with a really great video. The online course is different from anything you've seen before! Check it out...Sketchbook Skool.

Happy Sketching!
Brenda

Monday, January 13, 2014

Don't Give Up!

Thursday mornings I meet with a group of painters on location. Recently the location did nothing for me. The morning was brutally cold (yes it does get cold in California), the sky was gray and the trees were brown. The fact that I had a sore throat dulled my enthusiasm, too. I tried to be positive and stick it out. We'll it comes as no surprise my sketch bombed! I felt defeated. When I got to feeling better I took another look at the sketch. My first impression was correct...it was awful.

I knew the sketch wasn't worth saving but I didn't want to see it every time I opened my book either. Tearing pages out isn't an option for many reasons. For one it's admitting defeat, two it's an opportunity to learn something, third I'm stubborn. I dislike the idea that a piece of paper got the best of me (grin).

Don't walk away when something doesn't go your way...be a problem solver. When you have nothing to lose great things can happen. I decided to try something I hadn't done before. Using clips to hold the sketchbook (Stillman & Birn,Beta) open I used a flat soft brush and water to wash off the image and let dry completely. In a small dish I mixed white gesso with burnt sienna watercolor. With a flat brush I painted the surface leaving white paper exposed at the edges. Now I had a nicely tinted page waiting for the perfect subject to present itself.

Recently I was sketching at Travel Town, a train museum in Griffith Park. A little locomotive named "Charlie Atkins, #1" caught my eye. Painting on a gessoed surface is different than watercolor paper. It took me a few minutes to figure it out but in no time I was happily painting away.

What was a defeat in my eyes is now a success. Why is that?...Because I didn’t give up, I tried something new, and I learned something.

Don't give up...Be a problem solver!

Happy Painting!
Brenda

Saturday, January 4, 2014

The Forbidden Fruit

Being an artist is kind of a funny profession/life. I spend a lot of time alone in my studio working on paintings, collages, and sketches. I get really excited when I explore a new direction in my work. It might be a technique or subject matter. It's hard to know if my work will resonate with others or if it's just me who is excited. I want others to like what I'm doing...that's human nature. And nothing feels more personal than a piece of art. I am exposing my soul on a piece of paper for others to see and judge. It feels all to reveling at times. I know I can't please everyone and I must satisfy my own creative needs, and desires first. If I am afraid of rejection I wont grow. I have to be willing to stretch and take risks. When I take risks...great things happen...not when I play it safe! Its okay to be afraid...as long as I don't let the fear paralyze me.

The Forbidden Fruit, to be featured in a new book, by North Light

A few years ago I took a risk and began exploring stained paper collage with watercolor. Oh my gosh...what fun I've had! These wonderful pieces have taken my work in new directions and opened doors that had been closed to me. All because I was willing to take a risk and stretch in a new direction.

Take a risk and come try something new. I want to share how this wonderful medium of Japanese papers and watercolor can awaken your creative spirit. I am teaching this workshop in San Diego March 10-13 and Palos Verde April 4-5. I promise to inspire, encourage and awaken your creative spirit.

Happy Creating!
Brenda

Friday, January 3, 2014

Watercolor Workshops 2014

Looks like I'm traveling this year! Along the way I look forward to making new friends and seeing old friends. I'm constantly inspired by the people I meet their stories and the creative energy that bubbles up when students are encourage to find their creative voice...LET'S PAINT!

If you have questions please contact the organizer at the email address provided.

Happy Painting!

Brenda

Jan. 31-Feb 2, 2014

Sketching Techniques with Watercolor

Montrose, CA, Contact Brenda: SwensonsArt@gmail.com

February 17-20, 2014

Illustrated Journal with Watercolor

Greenville, SC, Contact Fran: frandehart@att.net , 864-979-3772

March 10-13, 2014

Stained Paper Collage with Watercolor

San Diego Watercolor Society