The Simplicity of Watercolor Painting – A Two-day Watercolor Workshop with JJ Jiang

Workshop Description  (from the instructor)

Clarity.  Confidence. Common sense.  These are what JJ Jiang brings to his instruction.  But you will quickly realize that his artistic passion and creativity underlie all that he says and does.  With sincerity and good humor, JJ will share his wisdom and insights stemming from his eastern cultural background and his deep knowledge of western art.  He approaches painting with a unique and refreshing perspective that he truly enjoys sharing with workshop participants!  His years of teaching experience in fine art enable him to support you as you grow in depth and confidence as an artist.

JJ’s teaching is based on his belief that basic fundamentals apply to all subject matter and even across mediums.  JJ’s daily demos and talks will include clear instruction on these fundamentals such as drawing, value, color, and edges.  JJ will also discuss and demonstrate various techniques in watercolor, but he emphasizes the need for all artists to go beyond technique to explore their creative drive that has brought them to the easel.

In this workshop JJ will do daily demos, give clear, brief talks, and provide individual guidance tailored to your level. To wrap up, if time allows, JJ will have a brief critique and a question & answer session each day.

***This workshop is geared towards “advanced beginners” to advanced painters.  All participants should have some experience with the watercolor medium. During this two day workshop, the focus will be on land, water or cityscapes. (JJ provides reference photos.)

JJ Jiang is an award winning artist and a gifted instructor. He is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and a North Carolina Watercolor Society Master Member.  Though accomplished in watercolor, he is a versatile artist - excelling in oils (Signature Member of Oil Painters of America), drawing,  Chinese brush painting, with a variety of subjects including landscape/urbanscapes, human figures and portraits, and still life.

To see student testimonials and to read JJ’s teaching statement, go to his website and consider following him on Instagram and Facebook.

About the Instructor

An oil and watercolor painter, art workshop instructor, architectural illustrator, lifetime ardent reader, and writer of the occasion when painting is not sufficient to express his feeling and thoughts...

JJ’s childhood was spent in China during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).  During that era of madness, drawing, writing, and reading poetry kept him safe and sane, and shielded him from the chaotic world outside.  Drawing and painting have become inseparable parts of JJ’s life.  They came to him naturally (and early) and have helped shape his view of the world and himself to a large degree.

JJ was trained as an architect and architectural historian with professional degrees from both the US and China.  He practiced architecture as well as taught architectural design and history. As a fine artist, JJ draws his inspiration from both his eastern and western cultural roots, as well as his inquisitive mind and inner poetry.  He excels in drawing, watercolor and oil painting, while exploring subjects such as: still life, landscape/cityscape, portrait and figure, Chinese calligraphy and brush painting. JJ is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and a North Carolina Watercolor Society Master Member.  Though accomplished in watercolor, he is a versatile artist and is a signature member of Oil Painters of America. His work has been widely exhibited and collected, and has won numerous awards.  It has been featured in publications such as Watercolor Artist Magazine, SPLASH 21, The Art of Watercolour magazine, and Southwest Art Magazine.

Beyond the creation of art, sharing his creative passion for it through teaching has been an integral part of JJ’s journey for years. His open and inspiring instruction has been welcomed and much appreciated by students who often return season after season.  Besides offering weekly classes in watercolor and oil painting at his studio, he teaches workshops at a variety of venues.

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JJ currently lives in Cary, North Carolina and is the founder and director of the Village Art Circle Studio & Gallery in the heart of downtown Cary.

Suggested list of supplies for Watercolor sessions

**This is only a suggested supplies list.  You are welcome to bring with you the supplies you feel comfortable  with and accustomed to.

Brushes:

·  Minimum two round watercolor brushes, one size 12 (large) or larger, and the other size 6(small). (Nature hair or blend are recommended)

·   One inexpensive square head, soft hair hake brush approximately 2 in. wide (similar to this)

·  One inexpensive ½ inch square head brush for lifting colors

JJ’s palette of watercolors:

·  2 Red: crimson (alizarin) & cadmium red light

·  2 Yellow:  yellow ochre & cadmium yellow

·  2 Blue: ultramarine French blue & cerulean blue

·  Others: ultramarine violet, burnt umber, cadmium orange (hue), Indigo, olive green, etc.

·  (I recommend tube colors), most brands sold at the Jerry Artarama are fine. Don’t be afraid to ask for help at the store. People who work there are quite knowledgeable.

Paper for watercolor:

·  We are going to use one quarter of full sheet(22”x30”) of 140 to 300 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper for daily exercises, so bring 4 pieces.  (Arches and Fabriano are a couple of the brands I can recommend among others). A watercolor block (12”x 16”), cold pressed/140 to 300 lb. will also work for the class.

Others:

·  A color box palette (be sure it can be closed): a white plastic or aluminum rectangular palette with 12 wells or more for color and an interior space for mixing.

·  One roll of toilet paper

·  One old rag (T-shirt, pajama shirt)made of cotton for drying brushes (very helpful for painting inside of house)

·  One rigid board no bigger than16” x 20” for mounting watercolor paper (e.g.: gator board, Masonite board, wooden board, plastic or aluminum board, etc.)

·  One 1”or 1.5” roll of 3M masking tape for taping down watercolor papers

·  A water container for painting and rinsing brushes

*Supplies listed above can be purchased at Jerry’s Artarama

Registration

Registration is open to all artists.  CCAL members pay $325 ($50 minimum deposit required). Non-members pay $350 ($50 minimum deposit required).

Note: This event will be held indoors. By registering for this event you agree that you understand the risks of COVID and agree to the CCAL COVID Waiver Policy.