"Every Trick in the Book" by Karen Knutson

"Every Trick in the Book"  $395
Original watercolor and collage,  Image:  15" x 21"

This painting was inspired from the little abbey (my nickname for small abstracts) below.  I talked about it in my last blog.  To enlarge the little abbies, you must think about big shapes and also be willing to do multiple glazes to make the values darker.  Otherwise, the process is very much the same as the little abbies.  We start by mimicking the little abbey, but then, we let the painting talk to us, and put the little abbey away.  There are collage papers in this painting that I made by creating a charcoal pour.  I know that the students are going to LOVE this process.  We actually throw a big bucket of water on the paper that has charcoal powder on it.  I named it "Every Trick in the Book", because it has lessons on the drip process, collage, masking, making a charcoal pour, glazing, unifying color, and ending with Tulip black outliner paint.  I'm teaching an abstract watercolor/ collage workshop on November 1-3 at the Lakeville Center for the Arts.  It's one of the few local workshops that I teach anymore.  To sign up, contact Suzi McArdle Suzimcardlehood@gmail.com

612-281-6781.  There are only 2 spots remaining, so act quickly! 

Little abbey (5" x 7")

"Little abbies"- a great way to get back into good painting habits!"

"Pulling at my Heart Strings"
Image:  5" x 7"  Original watercolor and collage

     I first have to apologize to you for being absent so long from my blog.  It's been a busy summer, and that's a good thing.  However, I need to balance my life so I can keep up on my blog and website.  We'll see how well I do in the future.  I will TRY!
     I'm preparing for a workshop that I will be teaching in Lakeville, MN on Nov. 1 - 3rd.  It's abstract watercolor and collage.  It's been 2 years since I've painted a little abbey (my nickname for small abstracts),  but I remembered the process, just like getting back on a bike after a long hiatus.
The thing that is so neat about "little abbies" is that it teaches you such good painting habits!  And when you're done, you have a study that can be used as a warm up for a larger painting!  If you'd like to learn how to paint these AND how to turn these gems into larger paintings, learning lots of design tips along the way, sign up by contacting Suzi McArdle Suzimcardlehood@gmail.com

612-281-6781.  This is put on through the Minnesota Watercolor Society.  There are still a few openings.  Guaranteed to loosen you up and learn how to be a better painter, in whatever style or subjects you do!
     I will be posting the bigger painting (that was inspired by this little abbey) in the next few days. 

Below are the steps.
1. Dry brush analogous colors in a cruciform pattern.
2. Add collage pieces.
3. Paint a unifying color.
4. Add black.
5. Add embellishments.

step 1 and 2

STEP 3