Eight Enlightening Priciples of Design
Edgar Whitney was a a brilliant artist, writer and watercolor instructor.
His Eight Principles Of Design revolutionized my own art along with
many other contemporary artist's approach to painting and design.
Three Generations Of Edgar A Whitney
I'm Proud to call myself: "third generation Edgar Whitney". Years ago, I was permanently changed by his book, "Complete Guide to Watercolor Painting". It provided many insights into my craft and the principles of design. His writings continue to inspire and direct me. I am also grateful to have studied under some of his star pupils including; Tony Couch, Joan Rudman, Tony Van Hasselt, Mel Stabin and Frank Webb. All these people carry on with Ed's Creed in their own way, as I do in mine. Today, over twenty years after his death, Whitney's spirit, enlightenment and craft are still gaining momentum and flourishing in the hearts, minds and work of in his many disciples.
"Once students had passed through his hands, they were never the same again, and seemed to become completely indoctrinated with his ideas and convictions."
~ Ron Ranson
See a week of Edgar Whitney quotes starting June 8, 2008 on my
Inspiration for Your Day Blog.
"Once students had passed through his hands, they were never the same again, and seemed to become completely indoctrinated with his ideas and convictions."
~ Ron Ranson
See a week of Edgar Whitney quotes starting June 8, 2008 on my
Inspiration for Your Day Blog.
A Little History on Ed
Edgar Whitney Produced Prodigies
Edgar A. Whitney spent twenty-five years in commercial art before devoting himself full time to painting and teaching. He taught at Pratt Institute in NYC and lectured at New York University. Twenty years after his death, his book,"Complete Guide to Watercolor Painting"
continues to be one of the foremost and extensive manuals on philosophy, design, and watercolor technique. In his golden years, Ed demonstrated and taught workshops from Maine to Florida, producing many extraordinary modern day watercolor masters while establishing himself as
a legend in the Art World Hall of Fame.
Quotes On Ed Whitney:
"I wish Edgar Whitney was around today. He was so much more than
a teacher of watercolor technique." ~ Monte Guynes
"His critiques were always good theater. He would use any device,
a gesture, description or word to drive home a point." ~ Frank Webb
"On finishing a workshop, Ed would conclude by ending on a philosophical
note. Remember you're the elite who have chosen to spend your time and
money on esthetics he'd say. Others can cheat you, a craft cannot. It's the
only area in life where you get back what you put in." ~ Joan Rudman
Edgar Whitney's Book
Frank Webb
"The King of the CREATIVE CONCEPT"
Frank Webb has been a professional artist since 1948 and has won over 90 major awards. His unique approach to watercolor technique, philosophy and design make him one of the foremost contemporary watercolor painters and instructors worldwide. He has half a dozen instructional videos and several books available for purchase. Frank lives in Pittsburgh, PA, and regularly conducts workshops in numerous locations throughout the US and abroad.
Frank Webb, A Star Pupil
Tony Couch
"Watercolor, You Can Do It!"
I have taken two workshops with Edgar Whitney student, Tony Couch and own some of his videos and books. He is the most methodical instructor I have ever taken lessons from. Not only an extremely accomplished painter, he has the skill and personality to convey his methods in a very basic understandable way. Information about his workshops, books and videos can be seen on his website. I strongly reccomend his book, "Watercolor, You Can Do It".
Tony Couch, Another Whitney Star
Former Ed Whitney Student, Tony van Hasselt
2000 Maine Watercolor Workshop
See My Workshop Review of Tony Van Hasselt's
August 2000 Maine Watercolor Workshop
From my online workshop review - Day 2
"On Tuesday, Tony chose a dry docked fishing boat that was being refurbished at a local boatyard for our subject."
This is a photo of the craft and Tony's demo painting for the day.
I can really see the Whitney influence here.
Tony van Hasselt's Website
August 2000 Maine Watercolor Workshop
From my online workshop review - Day 2
"On Tuesday, Tony chose a dry docked fishing boat that was being refurbished at a local boatyard for our subject."
This is a photo of the craft and Tony's demo painting for the day.
I can really see the Whitney influence here.
Tony van Hasselt's Website
Edgar A Whitney books from Amazon
BOOKS BY ED, ABOUT HIM AND BY HIS DISCIPLES
The Momma Poppa Baby Formula
My paintings usually go by the formula of "Momma, Poppa, Baby". This rule, which was originated by Edgar A. Whitney, almost always applies, especially with my florals. Here's a recent painting to illustrate. Can you see the "Momma, Poppa, Baby" elements? Sometimes there are several of each in my florals.
From My Spirit Art Blog ~ June 16th, 2008 ~
The Photo Below Shows Ed Whitney Dicussing the Three Bears
(Momma, Poppa, Baby Formula), Kennebunkport, Maine - 1979
Photo by Shirley Landgraf, Charlotte, N.C, from
The Edgar Whitney Watercolor Site.
From My Spirit Art Blog ~ June 16th, 2008 ~
====<<>>====
The Photo Below Shows Ed Whitney Dicussing the Three Bears
(Momma, Poppa, Baby Formula), Kennebunkport, Maine - 1979
Photo by Shirley Landgraf, Charlotte, N.C, from
The Edgar Whitney Watercolor Site.
Edgar Whitney ~ 1979
ED'S SEVEN ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
THESE ARE THE PARTS OF A PAINTING
* SHAPE - Anything with height and width
* Curved
* Angular
* Rectangular
* SIZE - The relationship of objects to each other
* Small
* Medium
* Large
* LINE - There are two types
* Curved
* Angular
* DIRECTION - The overall dominant direction can be
* Horizontal
* Vertical
* Oblique
* TEXTURE - Three basic textures
* Soft
* Hard
* Rough
* COLOR - Warm or cool, one should dominate
* VALUE - The lightness or darkness of a color
* Light
* Medium
* Dark
* Curved
* Angular
* Rectangular
* SIZE - The relationship of objects to each other
* Small
* Medium
* Large
* LINE - There are two types
* Curved
* Angular
* DIRECTION - The overall dominant direction can be
* Horizontal
* Vertical
* Oblique
* TEXTURE - Three basic textures
* Soft
* Hard
* Rough
* COLOR - Warm or cool, one should dominate
* VALUE - The lightness or darkness of a color
* Light
* Medium
* Dark
THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
These are the building blocks OF ALL ART!
This is what we can do with the SEVEN ELEMENTS, listed above.
* UNITY - The painting must be consistent throughout. Each part must look like it belongs to the rest.
* CONFLICT - (or Contrast) Must be present in all of the elements.
* DOMINANCE - The most important principle because without it, there will be too much variation and no unity of the elements. In each of the listed elements, one should dominate in a painting.
* REPETITION - elements should repeat
* ALTERNATION - Repition with variation
* GRADATION - Gradual change from one element to another
* HARMONY - Similar elements
* BALANCE - Most noticeable with shapes and should generally be informal (asymmetrical) vs. formal (symmetrical)
CHECK BACK OFTEN!
I'LL BE ADDING MORE INFORMATION AND EXPLANATIONS SOON!
* UNITY - The painting must be consistent throughout. Each part must look like it belongs to the rest.
* CONFLICT - (or Contrast) Must be present in all of the elements.
* DOMINANCE - The most important principle because without it, there will be too much variation and no unity of the elements. In each of the listed elements, one should dominate in a painting.
* REPETITION - elements should repeat
* ALTERNATION - Repition with variation
* GRADATION - Gradual change from one element to another
* HARMONY - Similar elements
* BALANCE - Most noticeable with shapes and should generally be informal (asymmetrical) vs. formal (symmetrical)
CHECK BACK OFTEN!
I'LL BE ADDING MORE INFORMATION AND EXPLANATIONS SOON!
My Watercolor Palette
This is the Robert Wood Palette.
For students and those who are interested, here are the colors I use. The basis for this combination of pigments stems from the teachings of Tony Couch and Monte Guynes. If you paint long enough, I'm sure you'll come up with a few variations and preferences of your own.
My Colors from top left clockwise
Burnt Sienna
Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna
Naples Yellow * - love this color, use it often, has white in it.
Lemon Yellow
Gamboge - the bright color in the middle, nice - not necessary.
Cadmium Yellow
Olive Green - Lukas brand - love this - not necessary - can mix it.
Cobalt Blue * - I use it occasionally, not necessary, has white in it.
Viridian, Prussian or Phthalo Green - not necessary but handy.
Prussian or Phthalo Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue * - not pictured - use occasionally - not necessary.
Turquoise * - not pictured - love this color, use it often - not necessary.
Cadmium Orange - not necessary - can be mixed.
Cadmium Red
Alizarin Crimson
Permanent Rose, Rose Madder - not pictured - can be used instead of Alizarin.
Ivory Black - not pictured - Sometimes useful - not necessary, can be mixed.
*In transparent Watercolor, you should stay away from colors with white in them. If you must, use *these colors in moderation. Pure colors with no white added will give you a cleaner, more transparent, luminescent hue.
My Colors from top left clockwise
Burnt Sienna
Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna
Naples Yellow * - love this color, use it often, has white in it.
Lemon Yellow
Gamboge - the bright color in the middle, nice - not necessary.
Cadmium Yellow
Olive Green - Lukas brand - love this - not necessary - can mix it.
Cobalt Blue * - I use it occasionally, not necessary, has white in it.
Viridian, Prussian or Phthalo Green - not necessary but handy.
Prussian or Phthalo Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue * - not pictured - use occasionally - not necessary.
Turquoise * - not pictured - love this color, use it often - not necessary.
Cadmium Orange - not necessary - can be mixed.
Cadmium Red
Alizarin Crimson
Permanent Rose, Rose Madder - not pictured - can be used instead of Alizarin.
Ivory Black - not pictured - Sometimes useful - not necessary, can be mixed.
*In transparent Watercolor, you should stay away from colors with white in them. If you must, use *these colors in moderation. Pure colors with no white added will give you a cleaner, more transparent, luminescent hue.
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RinchenChodron
I like the way you honor your teacher. Great lens. Five big ones. Posted August 26, 2008 |
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lovemybob
Very enlightening and interesting lens! Welcome to The Painting Group! Posted August 01, 2008 |
Another Whitney Disciple
Monte Guynes ~ Gone But Not Forgotten
VALUE PATTERNS
Ed Developed a Simple System of Value Patterns
No matter what medium or technique you use to depict your subject, always try to use a full range of values. Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. You can simplify value by thinking light, medium and dark. A good drawing should have all three.
A tool I use frequently in drawing and painting is a value scale. See photos of the ones I use on my Sketching Everyday lens.
This is an example of the value pattern I use most frequently. It is a large light, small dark, in an overall mid value.
Check back often, more about Ed's Value Patterns coming soon!
A tool I use frequently in drawing and painting is a value scale. See photos of the ones I use on my Sketching Everyday lens.
This is an example of the value pattern I use most frequently. It is a large light, small dark, in an overall mid value.
Check back often, more about Ed's Value Patterns coming soon!
