Renowned watercolor artist Ron Stocke shares his strategic approach to painting, exploring color palettes and composition techniques. He discusses how to decide between painting around objects or through them and emphasizes the significance of the focal area. Stocke reveals his favorite gray combinations and touches on the importance of spontaneity in brushwork. He encourages aspiring painters to embrace experimentation and consistent practice for personal style development and artistic expression.
Ron Stocke emphasizes using fewer colors on the palette to enhance emotional connection rather than adhering strictly to color theory.
He highlights the importance of preparation and focal point identification in managing the creative process and improving overall composition.
Deep dives
Commitment to Daily Art Practice
Participating in the 20 for 20 art challenge encourages artists to dedicate just 20 minutes a day to their art for 20 consecutive days. This simple commitment is designed to help individuals overcome creative blocks and establish a consistent art practice. The challenge fosters artistic growth by encouraging participants to explore their creativity in manageable segments, making it accessible for artists of all levels. Interested individuals can find more information and sign up for the waitlist to join the challenge on the provided website.
Approaching Color with Intention
Ron Stoke suggests a unique strategy for selecting colors on the palette, emphasizing the importance of mood over strict adherence to color theory. He prefers to paint with fewer colors to maintain visual coherence in his works and encourages mixing directly on the paper to create unique, blended hues. Stoke argues that the success of a painting lies in the emotional connection it evokes rather than the technical perfection of color accuracy. He often utilizes color combinations that reflect the ambiance of a scene, aiding viewers in experiencing the painted mood.
Choosing the Right Tools
Stoke stresses the significance of using appropriate brushes and materials for watercolor painting, explaining how different brushes can greatly affect one's technique and the overall appearance of a painting. He prefers brushes that maintain a good point and hold a substantial amount of water and paint, allowing for more efficient painting without frequent palette interruptions. Stoke also highlights the advantages of using a watercolors that contain honey, which helps keep the paint moist, thereby facilitating a smoother painting experience. This choice of materials, paired with consistent practice, aids artists in developing their personal style.
The Importance of Planning and Focus
Before starting a painting, Stoke emphasizes the need for preparation, including drawing, sketching, and identifying a focal point within the scene. By committing to a plan, artists can effectively manage their creative process and avoid unnecessary distractions that may arise during painting. He advises against becoming overly fixated on specific elements that can divert attention from the overall composition. Stoke suggests viewing a painting as a dynamic layout where the focal area is carefully orchestrated through values and shapes, ultimately guiding the viewer’s eye throughout the artwork.
Welcome to the upcoming interview with Ron Stocke! In the feature conversation you’ll discover a unique way to approach the colors on your palette, how to decide whether to paint around or through an object, and what you need in your focal area … and everywhere else.
Extended Cut Bonus
In the Extended Cut Bonus, you’ll learn how Stocke gets strategic about his subjects from a color standpoint and some of artist’s favorite combinations of gray. Join the Podcast Art Club on Patreon, here.