Sunday, October 21, 2012

Qiang Huang's workshop

Where to begin?  I attended a three-day workshop with Qiang Huang in New Braunfels TX this week.  He is such a master painter!   Each day he did a demo and we sat in rapt silence and watched him work.

He told us that he doesn't paint objects, he paints light.  Watching him paint I could understand what he meant.   (But I never managed to do it!)

Here are a few photos I took:




Qiang painting.  The studio had a large mirror above him so we could see what he was doing.  He also had a video camera that projected the painting on a screen.  I have to say that the New Braufels Art League had one of the best facilities of any workshop I've attended.  



This was his set up.  It's pretty complicated for a two-hour painting session.  For his backdrop cloth he uses a brownish green fabric, rather than black.  It is warmer than black, and makes me want to get one that color.



This is his palette.  He mixes a large puddle of black from ultramarine blue and burnt sienna.  For his mid tones he adds naples yellow and cad orange to make it warmer.  

Qiang starts every painting with a value study.  He establishes three tones, dark, mid and light.  After that he begins to add color.  



I forgot to take a picture of the painting before he started adding color.  Here you can see the three areas of light, mid and dark, but he has already starting adding color to the tea pot.


This is his finished painting:





Ok, so what did I do?   I tried to paint using his method of establishing the three areas of value.  I had a 12 X 16 canvas and used a really large brush to try to stay loose.  Here's my first effort:



It's totally unfinished!   I was trying to paint light and dark.  The only thing I liked was the dark shadow of the handle and the little sliver of light on the left side.  I was just happy that I could SEE that!  But gosh it looks amateurish next to his wonderful painting.  More workshops!




25 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing his workshop. Looks like you got a lot out of it!

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  2. Wow, Virginia! Lucky you! Thanks so much for sharing with us. I think your effort looks good. 12x16 seems really big. Did he want you to work that size?

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  3. This is one workshop that I would have loved to have been to.
    His work is amazing! You did a wonderful job on your painting, Virginia! You captured the light and dark shadow beautifully!! I hope to see more paintings like this..

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  4. Thanks for the opportunity to look over your shoulder, Virginia. I have a question: what medium did he use? His strokes seem to have good flow. BTW, You did well.

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  5. Great post, Virginia! Thanks for sharing Qiang's process. You did a wonderful job on your painting!

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  6. Thanks for sharing this. I think I'll get some naples yellow! I think it's very difficult to get a painting done in a workshop that you can be happy with--it's never happened to me. Not sure if it's how we compare ourselves or what?

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  7. Yes, thanks for sharing. What a great opportunity.

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  8. I am surebit was an amzing worshop, thank you very much for sharing your rich experience, your pictures are very successful! Bravo, Virginia!

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  9. Looks like you had a fun time! Thanks for sharing your experience :)

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  10. Thanks for sharing the photos Virginia. I also enjoyed meeting you at Qiang's workshop. Also, thanks for the comments on my blog. K

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  11. Thank you for sharing this with us Virginia! Really interesting ! I love Naples yellow . Things don't get as chalky if you use naples rather than white.

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  12. Looks like an amazing learning experience! So glad you were able to take it . . . love seeing your photos! Keep on painting!

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  13. Looks like it was an amazing learning experience! So glad you were able to take it . . . keep on painting!

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  14. What a treat to attend his workshop. Thanks for sharing and enjoy recounting all you've learned.

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  15. I like your self irony Virginia and I think you did an amazing job..how lucky to attend to one of his lessons !!

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  16. Great post! So informative! Thank you, Virginia, for sharing your workshop with us! Beautful result, too!

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  17. Looks like you got in one Virginia! Would have loved to have been there with you. Thanks for the great review!

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  18. great post, Virginia. I organized two workshops for Qiang and he is as nice a man as he is a wonderful artist.

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  19. Quel stage ! suivre un artiste peintre, le voir offrir sa peinture lors d'un cours c'est souvent des plus enrichissant des instants!
    belle peinture!
    Bises
    cath.

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  20. How how wonderful to go to that workshop, Virginia!! Thank you so much for sharing all in this post. Wishing you the best in 2013!

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  21. Hi Virginia, What are you up to these days.

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  22. Hi Virginia! I keep thinking of you and wonder how you are. Miss seeing posts from you.
    Hope all is well.

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  23. I am so excited to be attending one of his workshops in November. Can't wait. Looks like you really enjoyed it.

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  24. Weekend et coup de brosse says: It's good that you have enjoyed this course! bravo "

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