Ian de Hoog shares how he creates his beautiful watercolor art.  Here’s a quick Q&A with Ian:

Pourquoi créez-vous de l'art ?
With all the distractions day-to-day, I find the process of painting calming and peaceful. That something beautiful sometimes comes out of those times is a bonus.

Depuis combien de temps peignez-vous ?
I started about 10 years ago with a few watercolours at the suggestion of an instructor of an architecture program I was in. Now I’m a working artist.

Avez-vous suivi une formation artistique formelle ?
Not exactly. Apart from a few workshops over the years I have figured it out mistake after mistake. Still making mistakes and still trying to figure it out.

Qu'est-ce qui vous inspire ?
Nature primarily – and light.

Quel genre de musique écoutez-vous en peignant ?
Many different things from classical to heavy alt rock. Just depends. I will often put on a podcast or an audiobook as well. I also have a  tendency to binge series on Netflix in the background while I am painting.

Vous peignez tous les jours ?
I paint or sketch every day.

Peignez-vous une toile à la fois ou travaillez-vous sur plusieurs simultanément ?

Depends. If I have a commission, sometimes I will have a few paintings on the go. Usually I prefer to work through a piece to completion. Often, when I am unsure if a piece is done, I have a little shelf that I put a piece on and it sits there in plain sight until I either realize what needs to be fixed, or I come to terms with it and its done.

Créez-vous d'abord une esquisse conceptuelle ?
For commission work, absolutely. Also, if it is new subject matter I will often create sketches and value studies to work out some ideas so I have a better understanding of what I am going to do once I start painting. It is the unpredictability of watercolour that I find the most endearing, the things I can’t control. In order to exploit this, the less I am trying to figure things out while painting the better I am able to “tune in” to what is happening on the paper.

Préférez-vous peindre en atelier ou en plein air ?
Either. But nothing beats setting up outside on a nice day. Unfortunately, since I live in a area that is prone to a lot of rain, enjoying the studio space is essential.

How many core colours do you use?
Nine – it’s a split primary palette with an earth yellow, earth orange and a dark neutral:   Hansa Yellow Medium, New Gamboge, Pyrrol Scarlett, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Blue GS, French Ochre, Burnt Sienna Light, Neutral Tint

Tubes, casseroles ou bâtonnets ?
Tubes all day long. Never tried sticks.

Utilisez-vous du liquide de masquage ?
I love the idea of it, but I lack the patience. If required, I will use a little gouache or an white acrylic/gel pen to put a little white back. Otherwise I try my best to preserve white with my brush. I have found this approach helps me focus on developing my brushwork, moisture control and overall appreciation of value.

À quel moment sait-on que son œuvre est terminée ?
Ultimately, when there is nothing left to fix. I have a little shelf that sits just in view of where I paint. Often, when a piece is close to done, or I am not sure what needs to be fixed, the painting gets put on the shelf. Sometimes the painting sits there for a couple hours, sometimes days or weeks. Eventually I either figure out what is needed or I come to terms with what I have done and accept it.

••••••••••

Rejoignez-nous en ligne chaque semaine pour une conversation privilégiée avec John Cogley, PDG et propriétaire de Daniel Smith, et des artistes invités du monde entier. Le jeudi (14h00, heure du Pacifique), John présente les différentes caractéristiques de nos produits et répond à vos questions. Le vendredi (10h30, heure du Pacifique), un artiste invité explique comment il intègre ces caractéristiques dans son art. Cliquez ici pour accéder aux liens Zoom de la semaine prochaine..

Consultez notre Facebook Cette page vous permet de consulter les actualités concernant les prochains artistes invités ou de visionner les rediffusions des réunions précédentes. Chaque réunion Zoom est également enregistrée et partagée sur notre page. chaîne YouTube. La traduction en espagnol est disponible – sélectionnez le canal en espagnol dans Zoom.