Watercolor on Strathmore Gemini 300-lb. paper, 11" x 15" (27.9 cm x 38.1 cm).
I attended David R. Becker's workshop titled, "Don't Get Lost in the Details" on Friday, 7/13/07.
The thing I love about these Learning & Product Expo workshops is that all of the materials you need are supplied to you--you just show up and paint. We were given an 8-well plastic palette filled with Holbein paints. We also received three synthetic nylon brushes: a 1" flat, a #12 round, and a #2 rigger, all of the Stratford & York brand. And finally, two sheets of Strathmore Gemini 300-lb paper.
The classroom was windowless, and the floors were covered with some sort of large "cling wrap" material as an anti-spill measure. About 25 of Becker's paintings were displayed on the wall to my left, several of which I recognized from his books.
We got started with an exercise in painting simplified crowds of people, the result of which you can see above. Becker didn't reveal the goal of what we were painting until we were almost done, I assume to help people avoid preconceived notions and to keep is as abstract as possible. Becker picked up this technique from Bob someone (I didn't catch the last name), so he calls the technique "Bob's Blobs." After we were finished, everyone in the class displayed their work on a chalkboard ledge at the front of the room. All in all a great experience, and it was a pleasure meeting Mr. Becker.
You may wish to view additional photos from the workshop.
