Buffy Kaufman came to us LIVE from the USA on Friday, July 8th to share her watercolor techniques and favorite color palette.

Here’s a quick Q&A with Buffy:

Warum machst du Kunst? 

It is an outpouring of the greatest loves of my life – faith, color and nature. Art has been a constant friend throughout my life, an expression when words fail me, an outlet for every season, from joy to mourning.

Wie lange malen Sie schon? 

Even in my earliest childhood memories, I made my mark. From humble beginnings, I would tear the front and last blank pages of my mother’s books to use as sketch paper, a ball point pen was my medium. Drawing, sketching and doodling would hold me until adulthood, where I would have access to proper art supplies and a pathway of learning. Having explored acrylics and water-based oils, I began serious art studies in 2018, and settled on watercolor as the main vehicle for my artistic expression.

Haben Sie eine formale künstlerische Ausbildung genossen? 

No. I am a self-taught artist. My learning pathway includes a growing library of art books, an invaluable DVD set by Tony Couch, live artist demos to include some favorites – Soon Warren, Craig Anderson, and Joseph Zbukvic, as well as watercolor workshops with California watercolorist and mixed media artist, Helen Schafer Garcia.

Sind Sie ein professioneller Künstler oder ein Hobbykünstler? 

You will find me working – my core belief is that art is better shared, so I recycle my studies back into the local art community by teaching in-person classes, and  also teach internationally on my YouTube channel.

Was inspiriert dich?

I love living in geographically diverse Southern California, with its sprawling desert, coastline and mountain ranges. It is in the quiet of nature I feel closest to God, and in those moments I find that colors, light, shadows, wildlife and vignettes are illuminated for me to photograph and later paint in studio.

Welche Musik hörst du beim Malen? 

Alternative/Indie –  I like the vibes of bands like Paper Kites, Lord Huron, Hollow Coves, Hozier, Angus and Julia Stone, Death Cab for Cutie to name a few. Being hard of hearing, the lyrics are not distracting and the soft atmospheric instrumentals influence my work.

Hattest du einen Mentor? 

Much credit must be given to Helen Schafer Garcia. She encouraged me to begin showing in small local galleries, to begin teaching, and then again later to show on a larger scale. It is thanks to her and a handful of incredible artist friends (special thanks to Lee, Connie, Karen, Jan, and Diane) that I found my confidence to enter watercolor competitions, associations and societies. Their critiques, advice, and introductions helped me navigate the world of art and become a watercolor instructor.

Malst du jeden Tag? 

No, I try to keep a balance of work, study and family life. My goal is to set aside 2 hours of highly-focused energy per weekday. If it is studying, painting or a photography trip – giving it my full attention is a best practice worth mentioning.

Malst du ein Bild nach dem anderen oder arbeitest du an mehreren gleichzeitig? 

I work one painting at a time, but in sets or series. Often I like to stay on one subject until I can break its riddle, meet its challenge, or feel it fits into my artistic vision.

Erstellen Sie zuerst ein Konzept? 

Yes. Practice sketches, paper prep, color swatching, and smaller alla prima paintings lead up to the actual artwork.

Malen Sie lieber im Atelier oder im Freien? 

I am a studio painter. Currently my field work consists of photography. I hope to incorporate some outdoor sketch and wash studies.

Wie viele Kernfarben verwenden Sie?

Six – I have curated a limited palette (nicknamed the “Limitless Palette”) of 6 colors that create endless blends and value changes, from deeply saturated vivid color to soft pastels and neutrals. My palette is Hansagelbes Licht, Chinacridon Siena, Chinacridonrot, Chinacridonmagenta, Phthalo-Türkis, Und Phthalo Blue – Red Shade. This palette has been critical for learning/teaching color mixing.

Tuben, Pfannen oder Stäbe? 

I pour my own full pans from tubes, and cut the sticks to fit into full pans.

Woran erkennen Sie, dass Ihr Werk fertig ist? 

It depends if it’s practice or production. When it’s  practice , it is finished when I have learned its lesson. Every time paint comes to paper, I am learning, exploring and practicing technique. If it’s production, then the painting is done when it has reached its goal. I will write notes of what my artistic vision is for the piece and then paint until I have reached it.

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