Guy Magallanes

Picking at the Pansy

2012-02-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

Ok! I just couldn't leave well enough alone!
I've added colors to each images in the following order
Permanent Rose - Transparent Yellow - Thalo Blue - Winsor Violet

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The finish line?

2012-02-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

At the close of the first day, after all of the exercises were completed, I showed the class what we were gonna paint. I showed the following image and they were a little concerned about their abilities and if they would finish. I handed out their photo reference and gave them their image already sketched and let them think about the opportunities in store for the next 2 days....I also let them know that we would paint beyond the image I showed them. Most didn't believe me....

Here's where we left off! And to think some of them thought the above image was a lot to reach for and out of their grasp. This was a fun, friendly, intensive workshop for beginners.

While the above image is finished and fine, I want to continue working on this image and will post the steps to get to a wow finish.

Thanks for stopping by....

Finishing the floral at Filoli!

2012-02-11T20:46:00.000-08:00

Here's how we finished! This was a great workshop filled with folks that easily picked up the techniques that were demonstrated. We worked it and I am so proud of all of their results. What I loved is they were all willing to keep on painting.... whew, I'm all worn out.
The above picture has me in the center (thanks Susan!) and I took the bottom photo so Susan (what a great workshop assistant) could be pictured with her group! Thanks for all your work.

Thanks also to everyone for breathing, taking chances, going on an adventure and sharing you stories, I am so happy that I got to paint with you all!

Filoli Beginner Workshop

2012-02-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

The sun was out for the first day of the Filoli Watercolor Workshop for Beginners. After class I was able to take some shots of this incredible magnolia tree in full bloom. The air was scented with their fragrance - to me they smell like candy....

Here's two overhead shots showing what neat artists showed up! Clean water and clean workstations, showing all the tools we use to finish our paintings. What is so great (I think) about this workshop is all you have to do is show up, learn and paint! Everything is provided for you...

Here's a partial group shot of the classroom! Look at the focus.... love it.

This is day 2 and we started to paint the pansy image. Yesterday was getting acquainted with water, color, paper, brush strokes, working wet on wet, wet on dry, hard edges, soft edges and everything else!

Can't wait to finish the image tomorrow with everyone!

Thanks for stopping by....

Applying Varnish

2012-02-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

This is what I've learned from Joyce Faulknor, and she is the one behind the camera shooting me with full (not fool!) concentration. It's been a couple of years since I last varnished watercolor!

I first "set-in" the watercolor with a few coats of spray varnish, and let that cure for a day.

Now that the watercolor is set, I can apply the liquid varnish which comes in Matte, Satin or Gloss. I'm using a Satin finish here to start off with. I just pour it directly onto the canvas and spread it with a foam brush. Let each layer dry completely before adding the next layer. This is the first application.

The next glazes I'll move the brush in one direction in the opposite direction of the previous application.

Thanks for stopping by....

Last look before varnishing

2012-01-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

This is where I left off from all of the softening, scrubbing and building the darks in the center. I thought the lower highlights in the shadows needed to be "toned" as my eye would immediately be drawn there. The lower picture is how I toned the highlights. Now I can finally start to varnish this piece and get onto the next image!

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Findings and Finishings

2012-01-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

Here is where I have left off for today... Some explanations follow...

After removing the masking there were quite a few jiggety jaggety edges that needed smoothing and refining. I used a scrubber brush, clean water and facial tissue paper to soften the edges. Below is a picture of the area with the shapes before softening and scrubbing.

The center needed more work to define the shapes a bit. The big paper white shapes of the highlights in the shadow areas needed toning down too. So I rimmed the inside edge with a light amount of Quinacridone Magenta and let it dry, then wet the entire area with water and dropped Quin' Magenta into the shape keeping the color towards the bottom letting gravity do all the work by tilting the canvas, moving it back on forth until it settled into the paper.

I'm pretty happy with this image now, I just need to clean up some of my softening areas (it's so rough on the paper) and add darks to the center.

On another note, I did find my way into the Friday Class image - if you want to follow the progression just go to the Friday WIP tab to see what we're up to. Forgive the shots, I was so excited I forgot to check my camera settings. It won't happen again.... sheesh!

The Filoli Beginner Workshop is filling up, there are 5 spaces left. This is one of my favorite workshops, it's designed to give you a clear understanding of the dynamics of water, paper, brushes and watercolor. It's a few days filled with challenge and discovery and the materials are all provided within the cost of the workshop! All you have to do is show up and paint.
You can follow the link to Filoli from the Workshop/Demo tab.

Thanks for stopping by...

Took it all off!

2012-01-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

Here's the last shot before taking the masking and sheeting frisket off!
I've added many glazes of color, and I'm just not thrilled with the results. But I will give the painting the gift of distance... I can be too too much at times. Distance will be better for the both of us. I was actually thinking of taking this painting home and going after it with the hose and a spray nozzle to remove most of the pigment. Who knows I still may do just that? But first let's see what it'll look like without the masking...

Here's what the image looks like with the frisket and masking carefully removed! I'm already liking the image much better! I have some cleaning up to do and now I'm ready to add some delicious darks to the center.

I will post the techniques I use to clean up edges, soften or sharpen and determine how to make this image a wow! But as I stated earlier, I want to give this image and myself a rest. I had a certain idea of how I wanted this to look, and now I need to let that intention go.... Now I must let the image tell me how to finish.

I have a class image that needs a little focus from me, and also a workshop to prepare for - the first Beginning Watercolor Workshop of the season at the lovely Filoli Center... so this will be a great place to take a little break...

Thanks for stopping by...

Wet on Wet in action!

2012-01-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the written word just isn't enough

ALSO

Sometimes the spoken word is too too much

this was intended as a test but I decided to show it anyway, there are no spoken words...

Click on the link below in case the video doesn't play:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMqlxaYq-Rw

Thanks for stopping by....

Getting ready to take it off!

2012-01-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

The masking that is! I just have a couple of little tweaks that have to be done first.

I am having a wonderful time painting this image. I have to sharpen up some lines and some transitions, add a little more detail and then I can remove the frisket. It's weird because you never really know what it's going to look like until it comes off.

I have to prepare sketches for the Friday Class, going to Kinkos to print out the photo references and also the line drawings. And then go through all the materials needed for class. The next image is on the Friday WIP page, and there are two new colors since the last class - Winsor Orange-red shade and Winsor Violet! All the materials are listed on the Friday Materials page.

Tomorrow is the first Tuesday class of the year too! Can't wait to see my Tuesday folks.... I know that four of us are painting roses!

Thanks for stopping by....

Au Revior La Vie en Rose

2012-01-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

First I must get back to my other duties as an instructor!
I've been ignoring the fact that this Friday is the first day of class. I've been enjoying painting so much that I've been completely immersed in one image. But now I have to find a wonderful new image to step into for my fantastic Friday bunch!

Here's where I left "Rosa Grande'" (Thanks Nora) for the time being. It will be good to give the surface a rest and let the pigments really settle into the paper.

Following are four shots: the first two shots were taken with my camera set on "Vivid Colors" so they are pretty bright and way too saturated. But it's just to share an idea...

Begin adding Thalo Blue to the center and softening out
Adding Thalo Blue to the outside edges and softening in towards the center.
Getting the whole thing saturated with clean water and adding Quinacridone Magenta from the outside edges and working in towards the center. This was a unifying glaze to settle down the jumpiness of previous passes.
Adding Burnt Sienna to the "parts" and then adding a mad mix of Burnt Sienna, Sepia & Thalo Blue indicating where the background will be. It's light enough that I can still change the bottom edge of the petals and background if I want. It will be good to have some distance... both time and proximity.... sigh

Thanks for stopping by...

Again with La Vie en Rose?

2012-01-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

It's been a rose kinda day - All DAY
Here's where I left off....but I'm still in the painting mood so I'm gonna keep painting....

Just so you have a better idea of the size, here is the painting next to little ole me! Egads! the color is a bit saturated, but this is just to give you an idea of where I'm at.

I might be adding more shots later this evening, but regardless - thanks for stopping by....

Adding Yellow & Rose to the mix

2012-01-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

After the masking dried completely, I wet the entire painting and added Transparent Yellow, if it needed more intensity I added a creamier amount of yellow, in places near the center of the rose I added after more yellow the painting dried to keep the edges sharp.

Once the yellow glaze was completely dry I began adding Permanent Rose wet on dry and pulled the rose out with a damp brush (sometimes a saturated brush!) to soften the edges.

Not too big of a jump, but I'm getting there! I wonder what color I'm going to add to get these pinks to really scream? It's so good for me to see the image here, and tiny, it really gives the statement "distance and space" weight. It's easier to see what needs work and to critique what the heck I've done so far....

Thanks for stopping by...

Latex for protection!

2012-01-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

We're gonna have some safe painting! Have to protect this painting from me!

Notice the edge of the painting, that's an inch and a half stretcher bars underneath the paper.

I'm gonna save the lightest shapes by covering them with sheeting frisket and then sealing it with liquid frisket. This is the hardest part of the painting.

Thanks for stopping by...

La' Vie en Rose - Partie Deux

2011-12-30T19:45:00.000-08:00

Well I kinda fell in love.... this image haunts me.

I'm leaving for a few days to visit with some friends, say goodbye to this year and to ring in the new year. I am so looking forward to this little get away, but it's so hard to leave while this painting is asking me to stay and play and paint....

Please excuse the lighting but here's how the Permanent Rose Developed today:

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve Celebration and see you in the Next Year

Thanks for stopping by....

La vie en rose

2011-12-29T19:30:00.000-08:00

My life in "Rose" (well permanent rose) and just for today!

Boy it was fun deciding where to start... worked some big shapes, getting 'em wet with clean water and then loading permanent rose into it and then maneuvering the canvas to and fro to get it to move and soften.
It sounds easy enough but this is 4ft by 30 inches! I'm gonna try and get some video as that is so much easier to comprehend.

I will begin to mask some areas for protection from ME!
The last time I worked this size, there was a wonderful edge that divided the image in half. This meant that I could work on half of the image at a time, meaning more options for me, and easier to paint. I am looking for my dividing line.

This has been so much fun to work on... thanks for stopping by

What no masking?

2011-12-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to start off painting right away, I just couldn't wait.

I will add some masking to protect some key areas later, but right now I just want to block in some areas. So I am working my way around the edges, and wetting the area first with clean water and then loading Transparent Yellow into the wet shape and then carefully maneuvering the canvas by tilting it this way and that so there aren't any brushstrokes (just yummy soft transitions!).

At the same time you have to paint down the sides of the canvas!

It's fun getting back into painting on this surface and I am so ready for this challenge...

Thanks for stopping by....

the Filoli Rose Finish

2011-12-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

Don't know why I just can't leave it alone! But I am through with it for now.
I rewet the left side of the background, lifted the petals I painted over yesterday and moved that lifted background color into the rose towards the bottom, which helped to set the rose back into the shade. Then I reworked the rest of the background wet on wet dropping color in. The darks were made with Quinacridone Magenta and Hooker's Green and some Indigo. You can view this paintings progression on the Friday WIP tab...
This image - Filoli Rose is 13 inches wide by 9.5 inches high.

I will concentrate on the big one.... I promise no more postings of this one!

Ok gotta get home for the Christmas Eve happenings... gotta help prepare the Prime Rib rub and other assorted goodies!

Thanks for stopping by....

Woo Hoo! Starting the Winter Project

2011-12-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

Here we go this image is from the Filoli Estate this past October during my texture & depth watercolor workshop. I did crop in real close to the image I might show the original image later...

Projecting the image into my stretched watercolor paper (arches 156 cold press) over 1 1/2 inch stretcher bars. Love this surface when painting large. It's 48 inches tall by 30 inches wide - well it will be when I'm done sketching it!

....and the project begins....

Thanks for stopping by.....

Oh no he didn't!

2011-12-22T16:13:00.000-08:00

If I was smarter than the average bear, I woulda stopped here! But of course I didn't, go to the Friday WIP to see what the heck I did. I am pondering how to fix.....

ta ta for now...

Gotta hand it to him!

2011-12-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

Don't think I've shown pictures of the "Shop" as I like to call the new workspace but this is showing my brother Paul, working on the new conduit and he is adding lots of it and boxes and outlets et al. We've had issues with lights, heaters and hair dryers all going at the same time!

Would ya look at all the drafting tables! What a find, they usually live right up against the wall, but we had to move them away so Paul my little brother could install the "juice".

The Shop just gets better and better,

Thanks Paul

Friday Class Work in Progress

2011-12-13T16:05:00.000-08:00

Well here's a little picture from my Friday am class taken on the 2nd! Couldn't fit all the images into the picture. We'll have to work on that, did take the picture first thing in the morning....

Following is where we left off last Friday the 9th

Here's where we should all be for the last Friday class of the year! I had to catch up with most of my students! Everything is in its place it's just that the places could use some intensity and value and loving attention.

I didn't realize until now how much work I actually did.
All of the steps can be found on the Friday WIP tab (work in progress)
I have had a lot of fun working on this image....

Thanks for stopping by

Thanks Giving Challenge

2011-11-22T16:07:00.001-08:00

I am so thankful to have been asked to participate in this latest challenge headed by Pablo Villacana and to have posted along with Jane Freeman. To visit their blogs and see more of their work click on their names under their images. The challenge theme was thanksgiving or harvest....

Pablo paints beautiful portraits, and clever paintings with wordplay, you'll see when you visit his blog and see his images. Look for "cup of flower" you'll see what I mean about clever! ....

"Acorn Harvest" 8 x 10
by Pablo Villiacana Lara

I love the bluejay that Jane included in this challenge, if you follow her on facebook you will find pictures she posts of them. Being an animal lover she feeds them peanuts, if you go way back you can find how she and her husband saved a loon that almost froze in her lake. Go to her blog to see her amazing artistry....

"Give Thanks" 20 1/2 x 15
by Jane Freeman

"Mi Abuelita" 10 x 7
Me!

I didn't want to paint a turkey (unless plucked and dressed in a tutu) or a pilgrim (too grim!)

so I went to harvest and thought about one of the days that I was most thankful for... My grandma was visiting her brother and he had this spread on the top of a mountain and had all kinds of fruit trees (apple, pears, plums, peaches, apricots) blue berry bushes and a spring that never ran dry filled with watercress! Have you ever eaten watercress just picked from a spring? Yum! Anyway my grandma at the time - a very young 80 year old, climbed up into Uncle Joe's Apple Tree and would throw the apples down for me to collect! So the "Harvest" part of the challenge was met, and now for the Thankful part.... I'm thankful that she's still around - kicking and screaming and still being feisty as ever AND she turns 99 years young on the 27th of this month, this Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by..... Thanks for asking Pablo.....

Go for the Glow

2011-11-12T09:50:00.001-08:00

What me a still life artist?
Well finally finished my take on Joyce Faulknor's "Old Blue" still life image from the 3rd Season of Art2Art. I loved this image, it was so much fun and I can't wait to see what Joyce will come up with next.....

I had so much fun with the shadows and the glow, the blue vase and the flowers too (from my Dad's dogwood tree! don't tell), but that *&$#*& red vase just about got me to my wits end (not such a long trip to travel!).
I'm very happy with this lovely piece of glass! ha ha

Thanks for stopping by.....

From Friday Class to Filoli

2011-10-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

This is the image we're going to paint starting this Friday - October 21st!

I'm very excited to work on this and we are not using any masking fluid and I'll be darned if I can print out an image where the colors are true to what I see on my screen! Very frustrating..... Anyway this image comes from the Filoli Gardens.

Here's the image from the Friday Design Wall showing the little gecko that everyone finished. Cute lil' bugger.

Fran Giannattasio is proudly showing her landscape that we painted together this past winter. This image was taken January of this year. I love painting landscapes and this one was challenging for many because of the naked valley oak tree. If you paint what you see vs. what you know - you will have a better finished image and a better time painting. Great job Fran.....

On my way in to instruct the workshop at Filoli, I get in a little early to take pictures of what surprises will greet me.... loved taking this shot of a buck showing off his rack in the clearing... took my breath away, and he stayed there for awhile letting me take picture after picture!

Thanks for stopping by...