Painting The City At Swinton’s

Last weekend I taught an in-person workshop at Swinton’s Art Supplies in Calgary.  It was a fabulous weekend.  The participants were an excellent group, very enthusiastic and very friendly.  Quite unusually there were many watercolour beginners in the group.  That turned out to be an advantage because we were able to proceed at a very appropriate pace.  Here are some photos of the class at work.

 

Rex Beanland, Workshop photos, Swinton
Rex Beanland, Workshop photos, Swinton
Rex Beanland, Workshop photos, Swinton
Rex Beanland, Workshop photos, Swinton
Rex Beanland, Class at work, Swinton

First Painting: Piazza del Popolo

This is an excellent subject because it teaches so many valuable lessons such as how to create a luminous wash, how to paint all types of figures as well as the often unrecognized idea of ‘eye level’.  Whenever we paint a group of people basically all the eyes need to be on the same line which we call eye level.

Here are an assortment of the particpants’ paintings.  They are all works in progress.

  

Rex Beanland, watercolour workshop, Swinton's 2021
Rex Beanland, watercolour workshop, Swinton's 2021
Rex Beanland, watercolour workshop, Swinton's 2021

My Demo Paintings:  Piazza del Popolo

Here are the 2 paintings I did.  I’m including how the painting looked at the end of the workshop for reference and then the final version.

Rex Beanland, Piazza del Popolo, watercolour, 20 x 15
End of workshop
Rex Beanland, Piazza del Popolo, watercolour, 20 x 15
Final Version

New York City Scene with Yellow Cabs

I made some significant changes to the composition.  When I got it home and looked at it I realized it needed the buildings to go back further down the road.  So I added a couple of extras and it helped.

Rex Beanland, NYC Street, watercolour, 15 x 20
End of workshop

Rex Beanland, NYC Street, watercolour, 15 x 20
Final version with extra buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class Photo

Such a great group and such and enjoyable workshop.  It seems so odd but also so familiar to see all the masks.

Rex Beanland, Class Photo, Swinton

4 thoughts on “Painting The City At Swinton’s

  1. Suzanna Chapman

    Thanks Rex for a great class. I really liked the way you taught value and Mr. Bead. Finally understood it and feel much more confident in taking on new projects.
    The people and cars were also a great lesson!

    Reply
  2. Suzanna

    Good morning Rex
    I was in your class at swintons recently. Great class.
    Can you please send a video on painting the cars in the New York City scene. The video that was sent is a bit different than the instruction in class. Short memory!!
    Thanks
    Suzanna
    Suzchap@telus.net

    Reply
    1. Rex Beanland Post author

      I just got your comment. For some reason I don’t get notifications of comments. I’ll look into the video. Thanks for your comments.

      Reply

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