tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post6851109754880271697..comments2024-03-23T08:53:29.282-07:00Comments on The Watercolour Log: Book Review - Ann Blockley's Watercolour WorkshopPeter Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451951778074071828noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-41831972819856044352018-05-25T23:48:16.183-07:002018-05-25T23:48:16.183-07:00Hi Oscar Ann Blockley and Shirley Trevena are two ...Hi Oscar Ann Blockley and Shirley Trevena are two of the top watercolour artists over here. Very difficult to emulate though.Peter Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07451951778074071828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-58308724487843242542018-05-24T09:47:42.798-07:002018-05-24T09:47:42.798-07:00Just thought I'd drop a note. I happened to ru...Just thought I'd drop a note. I happened to run across some Youtube videos featuring Shirley Trevena and Ann Blockley. I realized that perhaps I was a little too dogmatic (which now surprises me, considering I've always been, like you, a member of the "no rules" group). I saw thought and consideration in their approaches, not just throw paint for the sake of it. I wish I'd not posted in haste. So, there you go. I now fully reclaim my "No Rules" badge. <br /><br />PS, I ended up getting a new drawing table. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.Oscar Solishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05266668061798353541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-39706529391790794342018-04-28T10:16:03.073-07:002018-04-28T10:16:03.073-07:00It can go too far Oscar. When does it change from ...It can go too far Oscar. When does it change from a meaning-full painting to a collection of special effects? There is a place for these things so I'm not dogmatic about it as I'm a believer in the 'there are no rules ' school of thought. Should I now put my tin helmet on? Just joking do what you want I say.Peter Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07451951778074071828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-6249839089510872722018-04-20T18:14:17.398-07:002018-04-20T18:14:17.398-07:00Thanks Peter and I'm doing well, although, at ...Thanks Peter and I'm doing well, although, at present, part of me wants to chuck out the ancient drawing table I'm reassembling (It's about 90 years old, give or take a few years). Regarding many of the books published as of late, at least the ones I've seen when I browse through them, it does seem that "the medium is the message" rather than using the medium to make a statement. I also find that there is a trend toward "crafty" like watercolors. Maybe this is the new audience. I don't know. I do find that when someone wants solid information I usually point them toward books published in the past decade and even further back (I work in a library part time), including those of Charles Reid, Don Lawrence, Ian Sideway, John Blockley (those books he wrote are priceless) as well as a few others. But if it seems they want to spill paint and see what happens well there's the new crop of books...Oscar Solishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05266668061798353541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-16692619071918586282018-04-20T02:29:45.563-07:002018-04-20T02:29:45.563-07:00Nice to hear from you Oscar. Hope all is well with...Nice to hear from you Oscar. Hope all is well with you. I have some sympathy with your comments here. I some years ago bought the Cathy Johnson book that detailed all sorts of 'special effects' and different 'tools' to use. It is easy to become hooked on this sort of thing so while I don't dismiss them I think they should be used with caution and moderation. Only for a specific purpose in other words.Peter Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07451951778074071828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-89524888062544314542018-04-19T16:30:43.515-07:002018-04-19T16:30:43.515-07:00I've seen Ann Blockley's books here in the...I've seen Ann Blockley's books here in the States and while they have a lot in them to recommend them I find that much of her work is like many others lately, in that it seems to rely a whole heck of a lot on "effects", rather than just painting directly. I've noticed this trend in several watercolor books that have come out. Maybe this is the new watercolor. Oscar Solishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05266668061798353541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-28767008725816170482018-04-07T02:35:01.084-07:002018-04-07T02:35:01.084-07:00Thanks for comments Rose. I think you confirm my v...Thanks for comments Rose. I think you confirm my view that you need to buy into this approach to benefit from it. It isn't isn't for the faint hearted or beginners. Much to be learned though if you wish yo go down this routePeter Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07451951778074071828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2891643331061427318.post-15735666253731402412018-04-06T06:52:01.007-07:002018-04-06T06:52:01.007-07:00Hi Peter. I am a big fan of Ann's work and hav...Hi Peter. I am a big fan of Ann's work and have her two previous books that are in this style. I also have found copies of most of her father's books as well. <br /><br />I loved this book. I was very challenged by things she said in the book - it has come for me at the right time. She gives some step by step, although honestly that isn't all that useful in her loose approach. Her own results would be different every time, based on how she handles the medium.<br /><br />Her thoughts on how she approaches a painting, thinking about the emotions and descriptions of what she is conveying, were very helpful. She says at one point that the subject is watercolor not flowers - that thought really opened up my thinking and will really help me. Truly, my fascination is with what I can do with watercolor, not so much what I am painting. <br /><br />She does have some good tips and tricks also...I am finally meeting with some success with cling wrap.<br /><br />And, I believe she has another book coming out, a retrospective on her father.<br /><br />And as you mention, although her work is loose and appears "messy" there is an incredible amount of skill behind it. Her work exploits her understanding of watercolor, ink paper, drying times, and very precise technical points. As well, her drawing skill is behind her ability to so briefly (loosely) convey the presence of a tree. It takes years to train the eye to see images in paint splotches and then emphasize them just enough.<br /><br />I'm sorry I've rather gone on here!Rose Weltyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00313411909909580181noreply@blogger.com