Charles Reid's Checklist

Having attended three CR courses, own most of his books and videos, I have compiled a list of bullet points that Charles constantly emphasizes. Here they are in no particular order.

1. First Squint - less is more -is image dark against light - light against dark?

2. Vary finish. Adjust value and colour intensity throughout painting.

3. When short of time begin with darks.

4. Shadow and cast shadow shapes are painting foundation, close in tonal value, but colours varied and mixed on paper.

5. Accurate shapes.

6. Patience and timing! Don't hurry!

7. Basics. Shapes, good tonal value, first try and lose boundaries when two similar tonal values meet.

8. Magic Triangle (1). Three dominant colours or local value shapes form a triangle within painting, two near two of the boundaries and third nearer third boundary or closer to edge.

9. Mix on paper. Less mixing cleaner and clearer colours.

10. Magic Triangle (2). Find two or three elements that you really want to paint. Paint as carefully as possible then omit or simplify rest.

11. Design your page. using areas of explicit detail.

12. Place People first.

13. Edge Control. Soften edges when painting. Squint if easy to see make it hard, if difficult  soften.

14. Paint what's offbeat.

15. Background should support subject but not dominate! Is something in background essential or potentially dangerous? If so leave out!

16. Buildings. Darker tones and detailed towards top. Simplify and lighten middle section, darker tones and more detail at base.

17. Creating success. A. Shapes, local value and edges. B. Colour.

18. When outdoors always paint from dark to light.

19. Buildings. NEVER paint your minds conception of a building. Paint a collection of beautiful colour and shapes, that suggest a building.

20. Loosening up is a state of the mind!

21. Clean palette regularly when painting.

I've just added  points 20 and 21 (20 -09 -10). I should have said earlier that while I would like to say I follow all the above religiously that isn't always the case. One gets carried away - at least I do - and sometimes (often?) plunge in where others fear to tread. There is a dilemma with watercolour that centres around the spontaneous nature of it. Charles and others talk about `happy' accidents (and unhappy ones) and to adopt an over deliberate approach can mitigate against the wonderful possibilities of this medium. Many will disagree, especially those who go in for super realism. Each to his own I say. One of the points above says don't hurry but take your time. In the two artists I mostly lean to, Charles Reid and Judi Whitton, they both take regular breaks when painting.   

I should emphasize that the above is the Charles Reid way. Other artists may well differ and offer completely opposite `rules'. When I read my first CR book, the 2001 flower painting one, I found it difficult to assimilate the quite different approach he advocated. I put it to one side but found myself returning  and gradually becoming interested and then a convert. I should say I am not a sycophantic follower, some of whom you meet on his courses. I don't  rave about everything Charles does, being especially interested in his portrait, figure, and still life work, the latter combining flowers and other objects. There is good stuff in the other subjects he paints but those are my priorities.

I mentioned different approaches. This is something the would-be artist should beware. Different artists say different things and some of it is very contradictory. It is easy to become confused and this - to me - is the problem. Don't take what anyone says as gospel - they aren't always right. This is particularly so regarding things like paint choices. I may post something more on these lines at a future date with examples to prove my point. Regarding the above though I feel much of what Charles says can be usefully applied, regardless of whatever style you choose.

Portrait Painting in Watercolor by Charles Reid

This is my most recent acquisition, obtained from the USA via Abebooks http://www.abebooks.co.uk/ . The copy I've received is in mint condition in every way. It even has the original dustcover (see above) encased in clear cellophane! I paid just under £30, of which carriage was slightly more than half! The original carriage cost quoted was increased due to the weight of the book and this may apply to some of the prices listed below.

 I was lucky as a search today brought up prices from £30.14 + £9.31 carriage  to an eye watering £196 + £9.98! There are a few copies around but not that many. Alibris UK http://www.alibris.co.uk/ have one copy  at £34 plus carriage and NEW at £240.54 would you believe. My copy is as new. Amazon UK  list 5 used from £58.90 and the USA site 19 used from $43.99, 2 NEW $207.34. Incredible isn't it.  However read on, I discovered another possible source http://www.ebookee.com/Portrait which lists this title as a download. According to the page there is a link to Usenet where you can download it for free. What snags are there in taking this route?  I'm not aware of any never having downloaded a book but caution is advised.

Before proceeding to the book review be aware that when you search for this book the title that often appears is `Portraits and Figures in Watercolor', a quite different animal. This is an 80 page paperback as opposed to the 156 page  hardback `Portrait Painting in Watercolor. It appears to be a truncated  amalgam of the Portrait book and the slightly earlier `Figure Painting in Watercolor'. The prices quoted for this one are similar to the larger book. The second-hand book trade never ceases to amaze me although it is true that you frequently get a much better deal from the USA than UK booksellers, if they have the book(s) you want.  Availability is much better in the USA of this type of book.

On the ebookee page (Portrait Painting in Watercolor_68843.html) is a review by  someone hiding behind a pseudonym. This is a brief extract of what they say:

`Not Charles best book -but quite good none the less...`The book is brown in colour and concept. Charles's book on Natural painting in much more appealing..........nevertheless a good book'

`The Natural Way to Paint', one of my favourite CR books, was first published in 1994, whereas `Portraits' is a 1973 book.  The difference in approach is immediately obvious. In one word COLOUR! Whereas the earlier `Figures' and `Portrait' books are mainly in a sort of monochrome, brown, sepia tone, colour leaps out of the pages of Charles later books. Another difference is that the portraits have become a lot more abstract, once you get beyond essential detail.

I'm glad I bought it although I wouldn't pay much more that it actually cost.. I'm sure it will be very useful but I do hope Charles is already working on a new version which brings together and summarizes all the information currently spread over several of his later books. I also recommend the Mel Stabin book `The Figure in Watercolor'. It struck me that Stabin's style reflected Charles Reid although the only influence he credits is Edgar Whitney. When I asked CR about this he replied Stabin had been one of his students.