Improving a Palette

We recently asked a couple artists who have taken workshops at Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio (WIFAS) to answer a few questions for us about our classes. Pat Brookes jumped at the chance to tell us how she has benefited from her WIFAS art instruction experiences. You can read what she has to share about our classes and her resulting growth as an artist in the interview below.

Q: Which workshop at WIFAS have you recently attended?

A: I have taken multiple workshops over the past couple of years at WIFAS including Jeff Legg, Dreama Tolle Perry, Ron Stocke, Pam Ingalls, Qiang Huang, and Jim Lamb.

 

Q: What did you find most helpful about the art instruction you received at the workshop?

A: I am finding that a limited palette seems to make my paintings integrated; less chance of mud, although even mud if you can identify the base color has an interesting quality.

Q: Did you learn any new techniques or were you reminded of old ones in a new way in the workshop?

A: I learned to make a color base, and then change up that base to darker, lighter, warmer, cooler.  In addition, I learned to make fewer pat-pat strokes and more meaningful placement of color. Various artists taught interesting techniques:

Pam Ingalls takes three strokes with one color before changing the color. She uses a limited palette only earth color is yellow oxide. Her setups are exciting and different.

Dreama may take one or two strokes and loads her brush, then lays the paint down. She also works with a limited palette that doesn't include earth colors other than transparent yellow oxide. Dreama uses specific brushes that she tells you about.

Qiang Huang also uses a limited palette, transparent paints and pure colors. His b rushes are non-specific and cheap, but he makes them work well! His work is extra ordinary and we all felt privileged to take a class from him

Q: What did you appreciate most about the setup or structure of the workshop?

A: I think that Cary goes overboard in making everyone feel welcome. We were fed and pampered as if we were in her own home.

Q: Were you inspired to paint a particular image during or after the workshop?

A: I sold my best painting done during the Jeff Legg workshop.  

Q: How do you feel your painting has improved as a result of a workshop you attended?

A: My friends tell me they can see a difference in my painting.  I have just been using oils for a year-and-a-half, but it’s messed up my ability to paint watercolor.  

Q: Could you share a highlight from your experience at WIFAS—either from the workshop or your time on Whidbey Island?

A: I just painted plein air with Jim Lamb at Double Bluff.  We started early in the morning and it was such a beautiful day. I enjoyed the experience of being outdoors and working at representing what I saw. There were tons of people on the beach and even Rainier was out. What more could you ask for?

Q: Are you planning on attending any other workshops with WIFAS in the near future?

A: I feel so lucky to have a quality place to continue my art education right here in my own town! Yes, I will be back.