Horner Art Workshop

The young lady is discerning whether or not what she is hearing is true or if the gentlemen is just trying to fulfill another agenda of his own. She is using good judgment by listening and not just being attracted by appearances.

This is a watercolor painted on to sheets of 300 lb Arches cold press paper.

This watercolor was painted in my studio. It is from a photo reference shot taken from a cruise ship looking down on the dock. What I liked most was the diagonal elongated shadow patterns. I watched and noticed, while people were sitting and standing waiting, that they developed there own small communication pockets.The festive color of the peoples garments add nice color movement on the gray field. Compositionally, I like placing the weight of the picture towards the top. This was a result of the influence of my graphic design background.The newspaper is a graphic arts element. You can demonstrate it for yourself. Notice that your newspaper headlines  are bold at the top while the body copy text is not bold and smaller. If you squint your eyes you will see the dark boldness at the top and the gray at the bottom.The point I am trying to make is that we are all influenced by things in our experience and around us.

This watercolor was painted of a man who modeled the characteristics of a preacher. He actually is a Deacon at my church who quietly goes about ministering to others without the accolades. His reward is knowing he is serving his Lord. So I photographed him in a time of reflection. This was done without him knowing that I was going to make a painting of him later. I later presented the painting to him. This painting is now displayed in his home for all of his family and friends to see.

This is the first of the florals that I painted and feel this one is the stronger of the two. What do you think? My mother who of course was my biggest fan said I didn’t know you did florals, I love your flowers. I will probably paint some more, but a little at a time. I just took a fresh look at the images again and noticed that both used two dominant flowers. This is something that I can honestly say was not intentional.

One of two florals that were created, this one was a commission, the other was actually the first that was done because of compositional exploration. I will post the image next. Painting flowers was not one of my strengths, but I liked the use of the weight of the image being placed at the top. Like a double portrait, this painting could have just as well have been a couple in love. The floral represent the same sentiment, but it can be given to the same couple.

This painting was started on location and then finished in the studio from memory. It is done in a few colors with the final layering of paint done in a lighter glaze of the color. This layer is semi-dry-brush allowing the under painting to come through to impact the color.