Message from Eric

2024 Messages from Eric:

Eric shares his expertise and insights into watercolor painting to help you grow as an artist and find your own style.  He will happily address any of your questions and talk about his own experiences gained since he started on this journey over 30 years ago.

A new article is published every month. You can also sign up to receive MESSAGE FROM ERIC as part of our Artists Newsletter HERE.

If you have a question that you would like Eric to answer, just send it to wiegardtwatercolors@gmail.com with “Message from Eric” in the subject line.

January 2024

4592 From My Duck Blind, Original Watercolor Painting by Eric Wiegardt AWS-DF, NWS

HOW TO START A NEW PAINTING

To kick off the New Year let’s think about how to start a new painting. Here are a few hints that help me begin a new painting.

First and foremost, I always paint what is exciting and interesting to me. I paint with the attitude that if this is the last painting I will ever do, what shall it be? It has never made much sense to me to drudgingly paint an uninspiring subject for academic reasons. Life is too short.

Second, a prepared value study will eliminate much of the guesswork in the painting process. My studies are done quickly with a soft pencil. I allow myself only three values: lights, mid-tones and darks. This avoids the risk of the painting having a scattered look or becoming confused.

The value pattern also saved time: a five minute sketch can save me an hour of trying to salvage a poorly planned painting. Most importantly, a value study gives me confidence. It helps me develop the right attitude of boldness and directness needed in my work. With a good value study the painting will be strong…. as long as I keep focused on it!

To be continued…

Keep your brush wet,

Eric

February 2024

HOW TO START A NEW PAINTING – Part 2

Welcome back for part two on how I begin a new painting. If you missed part one you can find it on my website,  Part 1

When beginning, don’t look at a blank white piece of paper as a painting to be made. That creates too much pressure. Instead, I focus on it as a study, a problem to be solved, an emotion to be communicated.

A painting is something of value, to be admired by our peers, to put on the wall–hopefully not to match the couch! I have an idea to communicate, and if it ends up as a painting of worth, that will be a nice bonus.

This freedom of thought has not come easily for me. I have struggled with the strain and tension of appealing to the tastes of others. I try to keep in mind what a Southern Belle once told me, “Honey, you have between here and here (pointing to my ears) people living that ain’t payin’ rent. It’s time to evict them!”

Finally, the first few strokes set the tone for the rest of the painting. Attack large shapes with boldness–not necessarily with speed, but with directness and a large brush. I don’t pull my punches. I guess it is a statement to the paper that I am in charge, and if I go down in flames, it’s going with me. Don’t let it take you down! This attitude helps break the ice to creative expression.

Keep your brush wet,

Eric

March 2024

THE LIFE OF AN ARTIST

Many people think the life of an artist is full of fun and exotic adventures. Sometimes that is true but other times not at all. Let me tell you a story.

Years ago when I was just starting out doing workshops, I went to teach in Florida in December. I was looking forward to a nice break from winter in the PNW. On the first leg of my journey, I caught the puddle jumper flight from Astoria to Portland. It was such a small plane the copilot gave me the safety instructions. I was the only passenger on the flight.

Trouble started as I broke the arm off my glasses in Portland. I stuck them in my backpack to fix when I arrived in Florida. I woke up at 3:45 to catch my plane. Our original plane was stuck on the east coast due to weather, so they gave us a smaller plane. I considered myself lucky to get a seat–one of the last assigned, in the very back of the plane by the toilets. I sat next to a pilot hitching a ride home. I learned about his fascination with the screen that displays the aircraft’s speed, the temperature outside, and so on. I think watching Laverne and Shirley would have been more exciting.

Somehow my luggage ended up in Monroe, AL. I guess the airlines thought Monroe is a lot like Melbourne, Florida: they both have gators. So with my crooked glasses on, I talked to the ticket agent about getting my luggage back. Luckily I had brought my carry-on art supplies and my portfolio made it.

The sweet desk clerk at my hotel offered me toiletry items after I told her my situation. I gratefully accepted them and then she handed me a comb. I was a little afraid to look in the mirror, thinking there must have been a reason for the offer. The deodorant concerned me too, but she assured me it was not lilac scented.

You can imagine my surprise when I stepped outside, and instead of the sun drenched escape I had anticipated, there was snow on the palm trees! Apparently, they set all kinds of records during my time there.

My 80 students did very well, although a few seemed distracted. I could see it in their eyes: “How long has this guy been wearing those clothes, and why does he have his glasses strapped to his head with masking tape?”

Fortunately I was reunited with my luggage the next day. The workshop and students were wonderful. When I arrived home in Washington, it was warmer than Florida!

Keep your brush wet,

Eric