Studio Chambers

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Did you enjoy seeing these vegetables grow from a blank canvas to ripe beauties? I had a great time painting these luscious wonders. If you would like to have these in your own home or share as a gift, they are available to hang in your home or garden room (or wherever!)- just visit my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/ChambersFineArtCo. They come as originals and prints, framed and unframed. Next week I'll share oil painting tips! #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #americanacademyofart #colorist #stilllife #beauty #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interiordesignart #contemporarypaintimgs @archespapers @winsorandnewton @avantgardevegan @evolvingvegan @hotforfood @genesisbutler_ @veg_md @ellenfisher @the_buddhist_chef @rachelama_ @ohsheglows @sovegan @elsas_wholesomelife @iamtabithabrown @hilariabaldwin @deliciouslyella @earthyandy @fullyrawkristina @nimai_delgado @chocolatecoveredkatie @frommybowl @happyskinkitchen https://www.instagram.com/p/CSxGi3Xrfjo/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Wrapping up my "healthy veggies" still-life series with a pair of cherry tomatoes from our garden. Scroll for my previous vegetable watercolors My watercolor method is somewhere between the "splash" watercolor method and oil painting. I use whatever tools and means available to achieve my concept for a piece. This includes transparent and semi-transparent pigments, four sizes of sable brushes, a retired oil bristle brush for scrubbing, and most importantly, a paper that can handle being handled! My brushes are a liner, a #8 round, a #12 round, and a 1" flat. I believe simplicity aids creativity. Here I sketched with a 6B, cleaned up with a kneaded erase, then worked wet into wet initially, laying down pure red, blue, and a violet mix. I let that dry, then went back and lifted the notes around the tomatoes' edges, as the first layer of color was too dark and hard and didn't give the sense of form turning. I use my bristle to scrub the color off, let that dry, and then go back at it. I use pure transparent colors to shift the tones (aka glazing), requiring a good quality transparent pigment. In my opinion, opaque robs watercolor of its most unique, inherent quality- that of the light coming off the paper through the pigment like a gemstone. Tomorrow, I will post the entire veggie collection and then we'll shift to oils and what my father called the epitome of painting: portraiture. Stop by! #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #americanacademyofart #colorist #stilllife #beauty #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interiordesignart #contemporarypaintimgs @archespapers @winsorandnewton @avantgardevegan @evolvingvegan @hotforfood @genesisbutler_ @veg_md @ellenfisher @the_buddhist_chef @rachelama_ @ohsheglows @sovegan @elsas_wholesomelife @iamtabithabrown @hilariabaldwin @deliciouslyella @earthyandy @fullyrawkristina @nimai_delgado @chocolatecoveredkatie @frommybowl @happyskinkitchen https://www.instagram.com/p/CSuM8-4LiMt/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Presenting “Asparagus,” #5 of my [healthy!] watercolor vegetable series (8” x 8” watercolor on Arches paper). When creating, it’s important for the artist to have a concept, an objective, or perhaps even an adjective in mind when he or she begins the piece. This is especially true for watercolor, as every brushstroke is a commitment. There’s no painting over or erasing what you’ve done. This ain’t oil or acrylics. Painting with watercolor is akin to being on a live mic; be succinct and make every word count. My concept here was to convey this vegetable in simple stateliness. I am growing to appreciate the wonder of fresh food. It is at once simple yet naturally complex, unlike processed food (their list of ingredients is a different kind of complicated!). These veggie paintings aim to celebrate their simple, divine, goodness. Thanks for sharing my posts with friends and your fave chef! : ) #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #irvingshapiro #americanacademyofart #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interior design art #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist @archespapers @winsorandnewton @avantgardevegan @evolvingvegan @hotforfood @genesisbutler_ @veg_md @ellenfisher @the_buddhist_chef @rachelama_ @ohsheglows @sovegan @elsas_wholesomelife @iamtabithabrown @hilariabaldwin @deliciouslyella @earthyandy @fullyrawkristina @nimai_l @chocolatecoveredkatie @frommybowl @happyskinkitchen https://www.instagram.com/p/CSrvg8dnA4B/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

Who likes asparagus? My wife Kim transforms a veggie I once avoided into one of my faves. Today, we continue with my [healthy!] watercolor vegetable series with “Asparagus” (8” x 8”). I propped this bunch up in my studio near the window. A very good model, ripe for a painting! Compared to my other watercolors in this series, this one has a bit more going on with all the stalks, requiring careful sketching. I also took a few tries before I got the right proportion and placement on the paper. Always a good idea to sketch lightly! The painting process: I got my darkest notes in place first. Once those were dry, I worked wet-into-wet on alternate stalks to get the halftones. I also employed a bit of scrubbing using a stiff, old bristle brush. I save my worn oil brushes for this purpose. Tomorrow, I will share the finished asparagus. I am enjoying painting these beautiful vegetables, as they are such a source of healthy living. Two years ago my wife invited me to go vegan with her (I am a terrible cook and she is amazing, so I enjoy very tasty cuisine!). As always, thanks for sharing my posts with friends and your favorite chef! : ) #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #irvingshapiro #americanacademyofart #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interior design art #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist @archespapers @winsorandnewton @avantgardevegan @evolvingvegan @hotforfood @genesisbutler_ @veg_md @ellenfisher @the_buddhist_chef @rachelama_ @ohsheglows @sovegan @elsas_wholesomelife @iamtabithabrown @hilariabaldwin @deliciouslyella @earthyandy @fullyrawkristina @nimai_delgado @chocolatecoveredkatie @frommybowl @happyskinkitchen https://www.instagram.com/p/CScU_W5LI3V/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

Fourth in my [healthy!] watercolor vegetable series, “Turnip.” I am not fond of turnips for eating, but I thought this one from a local farmer’s market was perfect for painting. As with each of these still-lifes, I set it up in my studio, lit by natural light. The challenge for me in this painting was not to overwork it. I learned from NY master artist David Leffel the importance of knowing your concept ahead of time. The concept is your answer to, “What excites you about this subject?” I like to ascribe an adjective or two that describes my response. “Delicate” and “free-flowing” we’re my buzzwords for this lil’ turnip. Once you have a concept clear in mind, that drives your plan and approach. Having a clear concept helps you know when you’re done. My next post will be another step-by-step example. Note: two years ago my wife invited me to go vegan with her. I am so glad I did (I am a terrible cook and she is amazing). These vegetables are not only beautiful, they're incredibly good for you. Yeah! Thanks for sharing my posts with friends and your favorite garden group! : ) #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #irvingshapiro #americanacademyofart #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interior design art #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist @archespapers @winsorandnewton @avantgardevegan @evolvingvegan @hotforfood @genesisbutler_ @veg_md @ellenfisher @the_buddhist_chef @rachelama_ @ohsheglows @sovegan @elsas_wholesomelife @iamtabithabrown @hilariabaldwin @deliciouslyella @earthyandy @fullyrawkristina @nimai_delgado @chocolatecoveredkatie @frommybowl @happyskinkitchen https://www.instagram.com/p/CSZ6SiuLQIP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

For you gardeners, veggie lovers, vegans, aatercolorists, and art lovers, here is the third in my watercolor vegetable series, “Radishes.” This one is a bit different from “Onion” and “Peppers” (previous posts) with the leafy composition. I had fun playing with the blues, yellows, violets, and greens in the leaves. I also “scrubbed” out areas using one of my retired bristle filbert oil brushes to achieve a kind of “worn” feel by going back with transparent glazes to push the tone in another direction. Scrubbing is also useful for lightening a tone. Arches 300# cold press can handle a bit of working things out. Tune in tomorrow for “Turnip,” everyone’s favorite vegetable (not mine). And thank you for sharing my posts with others. : ) #truecolors #veggies #gardening #garden #vegan #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #watercolorart #watercolorpainting ##artist #colorist #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #engaging #insightful #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interiordesign #contemporarypaintimgs #monet @archespapers @winsorandnewton @finegardening https://www.instagram.com/p/CSXEYkTLQa6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

“Peppers” (working on a title, although I like the simplicity :) second in my series of watercolor vegetable still-lifes. The green pepper has enough blue in it to qualify this painting as a study of the three primaries. I’m painting on Arches Cold Press 300lb. I am due for a new brush with the “scrubbing” I am putting my brush through. I’ve used pure Kolinsky brushes, but I have been impressed with the two I’ve used on this project: a Pro Arte Prolene Plus Series 007 #10 Round and a 6000S Sterling Studio #8 Round. They both hold plenty of color and can be twirled to a nice point. Tune in tomorrow for my next painting. And thank you for sharing my posts with others. : ) #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #irvingshapiro #americanacademyofart #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interior design art #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist @archespapers @winsorandnewton @american.watercolor.society @inspire_me_home_decor @interiordesignmag https://www.instagram.com/p/CSNNbHILfW0/?utm_medium=tumblr

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More veggies! Following my Onion (previous post)), I continue my vegetable still-life series with peppers from a local farm. (When I visit them, they say, “Oh, you’re that artist, right? We’ve got those veggies you’re painting.”) Yeah, I’m that artist. Today I am sharing the initial sketch and lay-in. My teacher, Irving Shapiro, taught me to do a mini sketch to ascertain the values ahead of time, as watercolor demands us to have a plan of attack before we lay down that first stroke. The video shows me laying down a wash of clear water, followed by my color; this is the wet-into-wet technique. It creates soft edges as the color spills into the wetted area. Accustomed to oil, I’m still getting used to watercolor drying lighter. Stop by tomorrow to see the finished peppers. Oh, a favor? Please share my posts with others. Thanks : ) . . . . #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewton #davinciwatercolors #irvingshapiro #americanacademyofart #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interior design art #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist #peppers #red #green #water #vegetables #onion @archespapers @winsorandnewton https://www.instagram.com/p/CSKNIZtLesi/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

Wrapping up my watercolor painting of an onion here, part of a series of vegetable still-lifes. I am still making the shift from oil to watercolor in my mind. If oil is a direct conversation, watercolor is one full of tangents and digressions due to its flowing nature. However, I have the gift of gab and digression, and a colorful vernacular to match, so watercolor seems my artistic equivalent. The predictable onion ball wrapped with whimsical straw also is figurative of me. Aiming for a three-dimensional feel, I push watercolor towards the controlled end of the continuum. Edges are important to me; I employ the use of “lost and founds,” i.e., some edges are hard (found) against the background and others are soft (lost). I enjoy using transparent washes to capture the cool, blue window light washing over the onion’s crimson shell. . . . . . #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsorandnewtonwatercolors #davinciwatercolors #americanacademyofart #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #onion #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interior design art #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist @archespapers @winsorandnewton @proartebrushes @etsy @walterfoster @american.watercolor.society https://www.instagram.com/p/CSFDpXmHJGt/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

I’m shifting gears this week, painting a series of still-lifes in watercolor, a medium completely unlike oil. I had a terrific time learning this tricky medium from master watercolorist Irving Shapiro- thirty years ago, and I’ve been getting reacquainted this year. Whereas oil is a very forgiving medium that lets you go on and on forever (good for painting, but not for conversation!), watercolor demands I get to the point. With watercolor, although it evokes a spontanous feel, you gotta know when at you’re gonna say before you utter a word- er, before you lay down a brushstroke. Shapiro used to call this “planned spontaneity.” Here I start out with a sketch of the still-life. Not too dark, but I like the pencil lines all the same- I think it adds character and makes the art look more human than perfect. I then begin painting my darkest darks, working from dark to light, always thinking ahead. See the finished painting tomorrow! . . . . #truecolors #archeswatercolorpaper #winsornewtonwatercolors #davinciwatercolors #irvingshapiro #americanacademyofart #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #stilllife #fruitpainting #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #interior design art #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist https://www.instagram.com/p/CR9RuVuLGpa/?utm_medium=tumblr

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And here we go for the final turn, that last stretch! If you’ve been following along on the progress of this outdoor floral painting (see previous posts), you know that the beginning of a painting is all drama, going from a blank canvas to something (wish I could italicize “something”!). Then comes the middle stage- a long, tedious phase of acute observation and response (to all that isn’t right on the painting). That middle phase is where ones perseverance is tested. But then comes the final phase- where we wrap things up. It’s an exhilarating stage that has the excitement of the initial lay-in but with the heightened intensity of “this is it- I gotta pull all the loose ends together and make this sing.” It’s a good kind of pressure; the dutiful mid-life phase has passed and now it’s the “git-‘er-done” mindset. My goal here is to fulfill the concept i had at the start of this painting: to show the sunlight’s beautiful light upon our world. Thus, I see to it that I’ve captured the nuances of sunlight upon the flowers, the vase, the cloth. Can you see the subtle drips of color throughout the painting? . . . . #truecolors #oilpainting #egeli #bostonschool #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #floral #contrast #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #professional #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist https://www.instagram.com/p/CR4AgSeLoRX/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

Moving forward from spots and lay-in (see previous posts), the hard work begins. Yes, the first stage of a painting- starting with a blank canvas and putting paint down is exhilarating, fun, and admittedly kind of easy as a result. You’re making such visible progress going from blank to SOMETHING, right? But now, with the canvas covered with the color lay-in, comes the hard part: careful, acute observation. I ask myself the same question repeatedly: “What makes this different from that?” Specifically, how is this red different from that red? Is this lighter or is that? What colors make this part of the ______ look like it’s in bright, hot summer sun and this part of the ______ look like it’s in shadow? There are two light sources lighting my arrangement. Do you know what they are? Answer comes tomorrow. : ) I love painting outdoors. Such beautiful color to be seen! . . . . #truecolors #oilpainting #egeli #bostonschool #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #floral #contrast #beauty #sunshine #engaging #insightful #sunnyday #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist https://www.instagram.com/p/CRud4xULkw_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

Now the real fun begins! After I am happy with how the color spots (see previous post) relate to one another, I then confidently spread ‘em out and fill the canvas. If I had skipped the spot phase and jumped to this step and THEN Ada’s that one of my color notes was off, I’d have wasted a lot of time and paint, and as Henry Henshe taught me, it’s much easier to go bold from the start than to try and correct a color that’s wrong. My goal here is to capture the sense of summer sun on the flowers. Monet used to say that one should be able to look at a painting and fell what time year and day it was painted. So, now I am laying on the paint for each big area, not concerned yet with details. As in life, take care of the big things first! Loving the sun and warm summer day. : ) Tomorrow, you’ll see more defined shapes. . . . . #truecolors #oilpainting #egeli #flowers #summerflowers #bostonschool #artist #colorist #impressionism #composition #visual #contrast #beauty #delightful #engaging #insightful #professional #fineartpaintings #artcollecting #collectingart #artcollector #contemporarypaintimgs #monet #abstractimpressionist https://www.instagram.com/p/CRrM3Y3r7DU/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

Next step: color spots. American master painter Henry Hensche taught me to put down spots of color for the various light and shade areas of a painting. This allows for stress-free, accurate, efficient analysis to obtain the right color relationships throughout the painting. It’s stress-free because I’ve only committed a fraction of time to each area. Rather than devoting much time painting an entire area only to find out later that it is not the right color, I can quickly modify each spot. Once al the spots rightly relate to one another, then I can confidently fill in each area of the canvas, as I will share in my next post. I am having a great time. Life is good when I am painting outdoors. I see well out here. : ) #fineart #impressionist #flowers #egeli #hensche #truecolors https://www.instagram.com/p/CRob7POLUvO/?utm_medium=tumblr

[studiochambers]

June 2020 BLM march in Berryville, VA #blm #silenceiscompliance #vote #streetphotography #blackandwhitephotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CBvs25bFfUy/?igshid=op18xbx4jt3c

[studiochambers]

June 2020 BLM march in Berryville, VA #blm #silenceiscompliance #vote #streetphotography #blackandwhitephotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CBvtG7xl9ok/?igshid=2fvzfmvntd4b

[studiochambers]

June 2020 BLM march in Berryville, VA #blm #silenceiscompliance #vote #streetphotography #blackandwhitephotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CBvtv8Zlelg/?igshid=yf2xlmin4wyl