David Daniels came to us LIVE from the USA on Friday, January 27th to share his watercolor techniques and favorite color palette.

Here’s a quick Q&A with David:

Why do you make art?
My art is a love affair with nature. My creative spirit soars when I see others experience the world through my eyes.

How long have you been painting?
I have been professionally painting for over 50 years.

Did you have formal art training?
Yes, I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Masters degree in Art.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
I am very much a working artist.

What inspires you?
My inspiration comes directly from nature. I do not have to travel to exotic places to find inspiration. I often find the perfect painting in my backyard.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
I often listen to movie soundtracks while I paint. Currently Brokeback Mountain and The Mission are my favorites.

Have you had a mentor?
Yes. Sondra Freckelton and her husband, Jack Beal have been an enormous influence. I studied with them for over thirty years.

Do you paint every day?
Sadly no. Sometimes life just gets in the way.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?
I work on one painting at a time, starting with a preliminary sketch and a value study. I want my total creative energy to be laser-focused on the painting I am currently working on.

Do you prefer painting in studio or en plein air?
I am definitely not a plein air painter. The idea is very romantic, but it is not for me.

How many core colors do you use?
I have 24 different colors on my circular palette at any given time. However, it is not always the same 24. I challenge myself by not always using the same colors.

Tubes, pans or sticks?
Tubes and sticks

How do you know that your piece is finished?
When the next mark you make does not make the painting better, I always like to err on the side of “less is more.” I tell my students – if you think your painting might be finished, it probably is.

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Join us online each week for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with Daniel Smith CEO and Owner, John Cogley and guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John highlights various features of our products and answers your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist follows up to share how they incorporate those features into their art. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

Check our Facebook page for news about upcoming guest artists or to watch past replays. Each Zoom meeting is also recorded and shared on our YouTube channel. La traducción al español está disponible – selecciona el canal en español en Zoom.