Thank You Brown County Art Gallery for Hosting My 2-Day Mentoring Watercolor Workshop

My 2-day mentoring watercolor workshop in Nashville, Indiana was a success with just the three students in attendance. If anyone knows me I like to keep my classes small so I can dedicate as much time to each student. I never want to see a lost look on their faces. This was what I call a mentoring workshop. I had lots of questions during the 2 days which is always wonderful because I like inquiring students

​THE DRIVE
My wife, Marilee and I enjoy the drive down to Nashville. When posable we take the less traveled route down Rt 41 through Attica and Rockville. It was sad to see so many fields hadn't been planting yet because of the incredible amount of rain this spring across the Midwest. What we did see was vast fields planted with golden hay and straw. The color palette was breathtaking. The golds, greens, and fluffy white clouds in a soft blue sky. If there was an ability to plein air painting while driving. 

WELCOME TO THE "LITTLE SMOKY MOUNTAINS"
Brown County, IN is a mecca for artists. Known as the Little Smoky Mountains Indiana's beautiful artistic hill country, The drive into Nashville never ceases to amaze me. According to WGN 9 TV in Chicago, Brown County has more artists per capita than anywhere else in the Midwest. Once you visit this area its easy to understand why artists are drawn to its beauty. The rolling hills, lush forests, and winding roads along with picturesque cottages make for a perfect canvas. ​

---

​HISTORIC
BROWN COUNTY ART GALLERY 
Here's a little history about the historic Brown County Art Gallery. The gallery has a rich history. The gallery was established in 1926 by the early members of an important regional art colony who began exploring rural southern Indiana in the 1890s. These early artists had been trained in the best art schools of Europe and America and were attracted to the rolling hills of Brown County because it offered both dramatic landscapes and interesting people to serve as subjects for their work.

---

In 1926, they formed the Brown County Art Gallery Artists Association, which I am a member of  and set up a gallery in a former grocery store donated by a patron. For over eight decades, the Gallery has managed to survive wars, depressions, recessions, fire, and relocation, making it one of the oldest galleries in the United States. 

The Brown County Art Gallery Foundation has 400 paintings and artifacts in its Permanent Collection. When the Gallery was founded by the early artists in 1926, many of the artists donated paintings and other items to the Gallery to create an ongoing exhibit. And 90 years later, the Brown County Art Gallery is still exhibiting the work of the early Indiana artists.

The gallery's Permanent Collection has continued to expand with generous gifts from donors. A rotating exhibit of the early paintings, along with a number of fascinating historical displays are on display in the Permanent Collection Gallery on a daily basis.

---

DAY-1
I stated demonstrating right away working from my iPad. I begin with no pencil drawing on the paper but started painting the patterns of nature in an abstract manner. I talked about temperature value, color, and intensities of their paintings. I gave them an oversight on atmospheric perspective so they could create a good depth of field. We finish this painting in three steps as a paint-along. Through my years as a professional teaching of watercolor painter, I have found this technique works well with the student. They go through the process which helps the student retain what was created.

DAY-2
For the next two days, I instructed them on a multitude of things including composition, focal points and how to keep the eye moving.

We covered fall, winter, and summer scenes and how to handle the temperature changes through the seasons. This gives the watercolor painting a more pleasant, authentic look. 

QOR WATERCOLORS
This year I was introduced to QoR watercolors by Golden Paints. I didn't include QoR on my supply list when my students signed up for this workshop. But what I did do was allowed my students to try out my personal QoR paints. This way they can see how quality paints handle without making the investment. To buy QoR paints CLICK HERE.  Here's a few reasons why I like them:

• Vibrant colors that stay brilliant even after they dry
• More density of color than traditional watercolors​
• Excellent resolubility in water and glazing qualities

---

CAT-TONGUE PAINT BRUSHES
I also let my students try out my brushes especially if they have only painted with synthetics. This was the case for this mentoring workshop.

I received some new real hair paintbrushes for my birthday back in April from Marilee. I always tell my students to buy the best brushes you can afford. Real hair will perform best but if you can't afford real then a mix of synthetic and real hair is acceptable.  

Marilee found these new brushes at AMAZON-CLICK HERE. They are made by MEEDEN. Here's the info:
• Squirrel Hair Oval Paint Brushes really holds a lot of paint
• Cats Tongue Shape Set for Watercolors 
• Its unique point provides a good range of brush strokes and techniques to produce your work of art
• 3 Pieces set – Sizes: #4, #8, #12

---

IN CONCLUTION
People ask me why I like smaller classes and workshops. Well, having a small class or what I like to call mentoring workshops gives me an opportunity to focus on each individual student. Working with the student for one, two or four days allows me to gives me the exact insight on each student's individual needs in a concentrated manner. I enjoy teaching to truly see, overcome fears and find joy in painting. We all had a good time learned a lot and experimented a lot. 

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURESAmazon: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.