OCTOBER DEMONSTRATION by Jo Francis Dowden

Our October demonstration was by the hugely popular and energetic Jo Francis Dowden.  An acknowledged master of the art of watercolour, Jo had driven up from the Sussex coast to a packed audience of the Ledbury Art Society.

Jo had visited us some years ago and was welcomed back by the Chair Richard Hyde.

Jo had taken a scene and traced it first, then transferring it to his Arches paper.

As light is a key element of all his paintings, Jo demonstrated how he used masking fluid (Holbein) to pick out where key light elements were.  He mixed a considerable amount of paint using Pthalo Green and Yellow with a little burnt sienna, pointing out that most of us mix way too little paint for those initial first washes! Using a hairdryer (or two) he ensured the masking fluid was dry, leaving those annoying large blobs to manage later.

"Masking creates the space" and urged the audience to use the concept of space more fully when creating a composition.  When asked about the paper he uses, he divulged a catalogue of information on the types and processes of paper making and uses across the globe!  

Placing paper scraps over the river bank he proceeded to spatter water with a sable brush (No 12 Rosemary) as sables release water far better than synthetics.

Using a larger brush he used the spattering technique further and added Cad Lemon to his previous mix to create power and strength of tone in some areas, adding that it was better to "correct your mistakes sooner" than leave them!
All Joe's pictures have no narrative and no title but he was adamant that they were about "seeing" and that value is the key.  "Value does all the work : colour gets the glory."

Using a mix of Payne's grey he added the darks and the detail of tree trunks before working on the water and the path, checking the placement of the trees with the tracing.  The water was pthalo blue and burnt umber before adding more greens and detail with the brush.  After drying he added more layers for intense darks, transitioning as he worked upwards.  Using Naples yellow and a cobalt turquoise he added further detail to the trees.  Quin.Gold was added for the water keeping it wet and adding Cadmium yellow for pure highlights before adding reflections of trees and a little blue in the water.  Using a damp brush, he lifted out the colour to portray the muddy underwater.  Carefully removing the masking Jo finalised the painting with highlights in areas of the path and bank and water's edge lightly with a brush.

The finished painting with the mass zones blended and the break zones broken up.  Jo checked in a mirror the reflections and revealed the image to warm appreciation from all.

Thanks Jo for a masterclass full of light and humour!  And good luck in the future!