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Who is ★ Edgar A Whitney ★

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A Revolutionary Approach To Watercolor Painting And Design

Edgar Whitney was 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 watercolor painting and design.

This is a tribute to a great artist and instructor of watercolor and design. His work and writings continue to inspire and direct me. I am also very grateful to have studied under some of his star pupils! Edgar Whitney dramatically changed the lives and work of many of the best watercolor instructors in North America today. Individuals I have studied with include; Tony Couch, Joan Rudman, Tony Van Hasselt, Mel Stabin and Frank Webb. All these instructors carry on with Ed's Creed in their own way, as I do in mine.

"The discipline endured is the mastery achieved." ~ Edgar Whitney

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. 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

The Ed Whitney School Of Watercolor

And The Basic Principles And Elements Of Design

  1. Three Generations Of Edgar A Whitney
  2. A Little History on Ed
  3. About Ed And Some Of His Students
  4. Ed Whitney ~ 1979
  5. The Momma, Poppa, Baby Theory
  6. Edgar Whitney's Book
  7. 2 Books Written and Illustrated By Ed
  8. Frank Webb
  9. Frank Webb, A Star Pupil
  10. Tony Couch
  11. Tony Couch, Another Whitney Star
  12. Teaching Materials By Tony Couch
  13. Tony van Hasselt -Former Ed Whitney Student
  14. Mel Stabin
  15. A Workshop With Mel Stabin
  16. Books By The Whitney Tradition Painters
  17. ED'S SEVEN ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
  18. THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
  19. Quick, what do you think of Edgar A Whitney?
  20. Shout Out For Edgar A Whitney!
  21. Lens Love Wanted
  22. Monte Guynes
  23. VALUE PATTERNS
  24. Four Basic Value Patterns
  25. Copyright Information
  26. Who Is Sandy Sandy?
  27. My Lenses
  28. License My Images Here :

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

About Ed And Some Of His Students

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Ed Whitney ~ 1979

The Above Photo 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.

The Momma, Poppa, Baby Theory

Size is Simplified

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? Looks like this Poppa has two Mommas and a quite a few Babies! Sometimes there are several of each in my florals. ;-D

From My Spirit Art Blog ~ June 16th, 2008 ~
====<<>>====

Edgar Whitney's Book 

2 Books Written and Illustrated By Ed

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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 

Teaching Materials By Tony Couch

Will Give You Valuable Insights

I have most of Tony's books and videos and refer to them often.
They are superb training and motivational tools.
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Tony van Hasselt -Former Ed Whitney Student

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.".....See My Workshop Review of Tony Van Hasselt's
August 2000 Maine Watercolor Workshop





Tony van Hasselt's Website

Mel Stabin

Another Former Whitney Student

Below is a photo I took at a plein air workshop conducted by Mel Stabin out in Andrew Wyeth country, Brandywine, Pennsylvania.

A Workshop With Mel Stabin 

Books By The Whitney Tradition Painters

Tony, Frank, Judi, Tony V., Mel and Domenic

These folks either studied with Ed directly or were influenced indirectly.
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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

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 - /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 - Repetition 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)

"Invite the viewer into the picture and entertain him everywhere." ~ Edgar Whitney

Quick, what do you think of Edgar A Whitney?

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Shout Out For Edgar A Whitney!

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Share your stories, sightings, thoughts, rants, raves ABOUT ED WHITNEY...
Thank you for visiting my lens. Please let me know what you think about the information that's here and what else you'd like to see. If you like it, please take a moment to let me know. THANKS! ~ Sandy

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Monte Guynes

Another Whitney Disciple ~ Gone But Not Forgotten

I Met Artist, Mentor and Friend, Monte Guynes
Because of Edgar Whitney


VALUE PATTERNS

Ed Developed a Simple System of Value Patterns

"Think pattern first, then drawing, then color. The character of your painting is resolved in the pattern scheme." ~ Edgar Whitney

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.

Four Basic Value Patterns

These are the ones I use the most.


* 1) Large dark shape in an overall mid value.


* 2) Large dark shape with a small light in an overall mid value.


* 3) Large light shape in an overall mid value.


* 4) Large light shape with a small dark in an overall mid value.

Copyright Information



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Who Is Sandy Sandy?

Since 1996, I have been a professional fine artist and up to January of 2009, had devoted my career to painting full time. For the past year and a half, my focus has been on learning the highly technical medium of commercial photography. Prior to '96, I co-owned and operated an advertising and sign company for over seventeen years. Currently my work is done in the studio and beyond. The nature that surrounds me in the NJ Pines and a new found medium inspires my work. A strong connection with animals and nature has been evident over the past years and thousands of paintings. My philosophy of spirit, who I am, and who I strive to become, is woven into my work. And yes, it is work. I believe to be good at anything requires desire, dedication and countless hours of doing it. When you love what you do, work and play are the same.

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My name is Sandy Sandy. I am an artist, author, photographer and animal lover with years of ideas and experiences. I am passionate about just about everything... more »

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