Reflections of an Artist

      I admire many artists but few can compare with the skills of Calvin Liang. I recently took a workshop in Laguna with Calvin and am still processing the information. The first day, overlooking Balboa Island, Calvin began by discussing the four basic principles to remember as you paint.
1. SHAPE- Paint the shape not the thing. If you paint the thing it will never look right. Also keep the shapes varied and unique
2. VALUE- In plein air painting keep your values to five
3. COLOR- Decide whether a color is cool, warm
4. EDGES- Vary the edges between soft, sharp or lost throughout the painting

      Watching Calvin begin to draw in the basic forms, it is obvious his drawing skills are amazing. He connects all the dark shapes to make an interesting composition.

      Immediately, I noticed that Calvin's brushwork is very deliberate. Every stroke is applied with care and he leaves nothing to chance. He uses different size brushes even in the application of the shadows. The intent was apparent in every brush stroke. Calvin also told the group not to be afraid to apply paint, even in the beginning when first painting the dark areas he put down a lot of paint.

      On this day it was hazy and the lighting subdued, so #3 Color temperature is most important. Value takes a back seat. Calvin kept explaining that the colors were very dirty but I thought his gray colors were full of life. He told us to paint the shapes without detail but note the interest in the varied brushwork throughout this stage of the painting.