Robin Reece: Materials and Process
How do you describe your artistic practice?
I like to paint what looks good. I am not technical. I believe that art doesn’t need to be so technical. Sure, there are technical things that you can get hyper-focused on. That’s just not me. I like to paint in the path of least resistance, and whatever I can do to make that path as simple as possible while producing solid results is exactly what I am going to do. I paint with a limited palette, for example. I don’t want to overcomplicate my process or make it too complicated for someone else to follow. I consider this approach with every painting I do and each class I teach.
What is your favorite subject matter to create?
I LOVE painting landscapes that have plenty of open space in the composition and maybe even some water element. Especially landscapes that include a small rustic barn of some sort.
What has changed most about your art over the years?
When I first started drawing and painting when I was a kid and teen, I focused on people. When I was a portrait photographer, I also focused on people. In my paintings, I tend to focus on landscapes and buildings, which is pretty foreign to me as I don't necessarily feel drawn to those subjects, but I really enjoy painting them.
What materials do you use, and how did you come to choose them?
I use Arches paper in various weights depending on whether I am painting a commission (300lb) or if I am teaching a beginning class (90lb) and then other weights in between. I prefer Daniel Smith paints when it comes to a professional line, but when I am teaching, I am a HUGE advocate of starting people off with the student line of watercolor paint by Cotman. I use Cotman for most of my YouTube channel so that people can see what you can create with a student-grade paint. I also use a lot of Princeton Velvetouch brushes but I do LOVE my Davinci spin-top brush. It’s one of my faves.
What is your process? What do you actually do to produce your art?
Often I start by trying to find the right inspiration. I will look for images on unsplash.com or pexel.com. Sometimes I look for other artist’s work and see if I can figure out how to replicate their process, which takes a lot of the guesswork. Trying to paint something from a photograph can often be very challenging because we overcomplicate it. In addition, and there are going to be a good number of people who will hate this, I use AI to create a reference image for me. Time is money, and oftentimes I have spent a decent amount of time picturing what image I want to paint but can’t find it online. So, having AI create what I am trying to visualize saves me so much time. I’m not going to apologize for working smarter, not harder haha! While painting, I'll use my phone to take pictures of my work, which helps me quickly see it from far away (watercolor is best viewed from 10 ft away, and my phone helps me accomplish that while sitting at the table).
How do you know when a piece is finished?
Sometimes you just have to walk away. I’m either “over it,” or I look at it from a distance and feel like it’s “good enough”. I also know well enough that I don’t want to overwork the painting. Sometimes less is more!
What do you do when a piece isn't working?
Start over - over and over and over again until I either solve the problem or move on.
Do you ever put unfinished work away and return to it later?
I have done this, but it’s challenging to regain that momentum. The momentum usually comes right back if I know it’s a commissioned piece. However, if I am just painting something for myself, then I typically put it aside, and more often than not I don’t come back to it later.
Are you trying to control the process, collaborate with it, or surrender to it?
I tend to be a bit of a controller. But that’s what I like about watercolor. You only have so much control over what the water is going to do with the paint and the paper. There are lots of happy accidents, and that is one of the unique characteristics of this medium. The watercolor will paint itself if you let it…. Letting it is the hard part - especially for a control freak.
Is there any part of making your art that you don’t particularly like?
The starving part! I wish that art was valued more and that people felt that it was important to them.
What is the most satisfying part of making your art? What do you enjoy the most?
I love the words of affirmation I receive as both a teacher and an artist. But even more than that, I LOVE seeing the “ah-ha” moments from my students when they create something they didn’t believe they could!
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Want to see more of what Robin's up to? Check out her latest tutorial on YouTube, follow along on social media, or head to her website to sign up for a watercolor class and see her full event calendar.
Visit Robin and other WAST artists' studios the first two weekends of October! https://www.studiotour.net/map-2
Comments