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Watercolors 101

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My name is Chris. I am a Minnesota artist, specializing in watercolor landscapes of the North Country. Weborg Lodge combines two of my passions - pain...  (more...)

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Why I Paint

 

I've always been a creative person. I can remember getting a drawing kit for Christmas one year. I had tried to enter those drawing schools, you know the ones. They were the ones with ads in the back of magazines, inviting you to draw a figure and submit for consideration. I think if I would have drawn a stick figure they would still have asked me to join their art school. That's marketing for you.

My husband bought me my first watercolor kit. I was inspired, you see, by a scene of a character painting in the movie, Enchanted April (1991). Then and there I decided that I wanted to paint. I followed many artists through my early painting days, following exercises from books. I took a few workshops along the way. My painting, I'm happy to say, is entirely my own. I don't follow trends or sales. I follow my heart. I paint the scenes I love or wish I could visit. I pour my soul in every work I complete. Painting gave me a gift too. I remember distinctly one day looking out and noticing how many different greens there were in the trees. Painting opened my eyes to color. That has been the best gift I've ever gotten by picking up a brush. Share your passion. Make your own lens.

Check out my art  on Etsy

The Artist's Life 

How Not To Be a Starving Artist
Tips and advice from Chris Dinesen Rogers on how to sell your art now that you've learned how to paint.
Weborg Lodge Studio
The lens for Weborg Lodge Studio. Works in progress, new art for sale, and more.
Writing My First Mystery
Detailing the process of creating my first novel. Lessons learned, helpful websites and books.

Just Off the Easel 

It's a ritual here in the North Country. As soon as the ice is off the lake and the weather warms, thoughts turn to the cabin. The cabin is a retreat, a sanctuary if you will, an escape from the trials and stress of life. It's what Weborg Lodge Studio is all about--finding that place in the sun to savor. Here is my latest celebrating the cabin and all it has to offer. Available on ArtByUs

Books on Watercolor 

Charles Reids Watercolor Secrets

Amazon Price: $19.13 (as of 05/09/2008)

Tom Lynch 100 Watercolor Workshop Lesson Charts

Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)

Robert Wade's Watercolor Workshop Handbook

Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)

Art Workshop: Watercolor (Art Workshop)

Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 05/09/2008)

My Art Blog 

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Videos and DVDs on Watercolor 

Artists are visual. Here are some great visions to get your started.

Watercolor Made Easy DVD

Amazon Price: $59.95 (as of 05/09/2008)

Pure Color Glazing

Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)

Watercolor Tips 

The Way of Paper

Not all watercolor paper is created equal. In fact, the differences even between the professional grades of paper can be startling. Each paper has its quirks and in turn, its best uses. What follows is my experience with the 140lb. watercolor paper of a few of my favorite brands.

Arches is considered by many to be the paper, not without reason. It's a good paper to work with, nice texture. It's very durable and can handle a lot of reworking. On the practical side though, Arches can be a bear to erase pencil marks that help guide the original work, especially with the 300lb. Some people don't mind the pencil marks that may show in the final painting, but if you do, take care to make those marks lightly. Also, compared to many brands, the watermark on Arches is rather large. If you cut full sheets of paper to size like I do, the large watermark on a 4 x 6" piece of paper can be distracting.

Lanaquarelle is a lovely paper. I really like this paper a lot. It feels like high quality paper. The name Lanaquarelle sounds delicate to me, and indeed it is. It bruises easily. Masking fluid must be removed promptly as well, otherwise bits of the paper will come up too. I find that using my fingers and rolling areas of masking fluid off rather than pulling it off minimizes the damage. I should say, masking fluid comes off easily except for the rough. Seriously, if you mask, don't mask any bit of Lanaquarelle rough. There will be damage. Careful if you try to lift off paint too. Sensitive Lanaquarelle will show the effects.

Fabriano Uno (now Artistco) is another paper I frequently use. The rough paper has a marvelous texture that I love to use with the texturing effects I like. In fact, this is probably my favorite paper. Fabriano, in general, is easy to work with. It erases easily and masking fluid comes off hassle-free. If you want to try something different, try their cold press paper, very similar to their own soft press paper. It has a very different grain, almost linen-like. It is visible in the finished product too. The paper handles wonderfully though in all respects. Truth be told, the grain is very different from any other you may have tried. Take a close look before you use it to be sure it's something you'll want to work with.

Finally, if you're not doing it now, buy your paper in full sheets and cut it to size. You'll save a lot of cash. It's not hard to cut watercolor paper with an Exacto knife and a ruler. The exp

Artist Supplies on Amazon 

Essentials for Artists

Robert Simmons White Sable Brush- Flat Shader #8

Amazon Price: $6.38 (as of 05/09/2008)

Jack Richeson Quiller Flat Size 1"

Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 05/09/2008)

SAKURA ELECTRIC ERASER

Amazon Price: $38.75 (as of 05/09/2008)

T-Square-12" Clear

Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 05/09/2008)

New The SuperStore 

Supplies for your watercolor adventures.
Water Color Painting Easel Set

Water Color Painting Easel Set

Price: $49.98

Functional, compact easel allows you to paint watercolor works-in-progress over days or weeks, without all the clutter. Also packs up easily to take o... more »

New Techniques in Watercolor (DVD)

New Techniques in Watercolor (DVD)

Price: $19.95

New Techniques in Watercolor (DVD) Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

Painting the Things You Love in Watercolor

Painting the Things You Love in Watercolor

Price: $27.99

Teaches budding artists how to capture in watercolor their favorite subjects and then enhance them with animal additions, showing each step with mini-... more »

Watercolor Papers

Watercolor Papers

Price: $17.49

A thick, heavyweight paper with a coated matte surface, this affordable media has the look and feel of fine art paper. Perfect for presenting photogra... more »

Tom Lynch's Watercolor Secrets

Tom Lynch's Watercolor Secrets

Price: $29.99

Description not available. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.

My Favorite Art Links 

Wet Canvas
If you are an artist, any kind of artist, this is your best source of information and how-to on the Internet.
HandPrint
This is THE definitive site for watercolors. Everything from perspective to paint to history of watercolor is covered here. Plan for a long day at the computer when you first come to this site.
IPrintFromHome
Good site for prints and slides of your work. Good customer service, fast delivery. Highly recommended!
Jerry's Artarama
I can always find a great deal here. Definitely add to your list of suppliers when looking for a deal.

New on ArtByUs.com 

WEBORG Farm Barn Rural Country WATERCOLOR Painting ART
Current Price: $27.99
Buy it now: $27.99
End Date: Saturday May-10-2008 10:14:43 MST
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WEBORG Mini Aspen Tree Park WATERCOLOR Painting
Current Price: $18.99
Buy it now: $18.99
End Date: Wednesday May-21-2008 13:01:31 MST
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WEBORG Mini Fall Autumn Deer Forest WATERCOLOR Painting
Current Price: $18.99
Buy it now: $18.99
End Date: Wednesday May-21-2008 13:10:21 MST
Bid now | Buy it now | Watch this item

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My name is Chris. I am a Minnesota artist, specializing in watercolor landscapes of the North Country. Weborg Lodge combines two of my passions - painting and the outdoors.

I live and work in the land of 10,000 lakes, which gives me all the inspiration I need both for painting and plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature.

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