17 Years of Kanuga

Week of April 7: Getz at Kanuga..  This was my 17th year to teach at the Kanuga Workshops... 4 days of intensive sessions with 12 instructors on a variety of watermedia classes, in tithe foothills of the Blueridge Mountains of southwestern North Carolina.

Kanuga, loaded with lots of great subject matter

Cheap Joe Miller and Don Getz check out Don's van, promoting  the 'Odyssey' tour.

Louisana Travels and Updated Journal Sales Info

Week of Mar 31: Weather was best in weeks!...warm with little humidity; good locations and an intense class- turned out great sketches after first day. I was I pressed! We had thirteen, including a very savvy coordinator and Kathleen Blanco, last governor of Louisiana.

Getz journal reproductions... I have five journals for purchase; Coastal Maine, Taos, NM, Yosemite Valley, Adirondack Mountains and California Byways- San Juan Bautista to Half Moon Bay.  These are reproduced on  90#watercolor paper  and are signed & numbered numbered by the artist, limited to 200 copies at $50 each. Send checks to Don Getz, 2445 18th, Cuyahoga Falls, OO 44223. Indicate your choice on check.

More Journal FYI and Journal Sale Info

Week of March 17-23...  I tell my students to take on simple subjects  and then I seem to get involved with complex  sketches , several of which are evident  this week.   What do they say, 'do as I say, not as I do!!  I thought it good to show several that are not completely drawn in ink, as I recommend sketching the basic shapes , then adding the watercolor washes and then join in with  any line detail you feel is needed . This is much better, in my opinion, then too much detail to start with. I also remind artists that it is best to keep washes light and simple;  too many heavy washes will make the sketch have the look of a painting and we do not wish to give that impression - better it have the look of being 'dashed off'! 

The three journal copies are available for purchase, limited to 200 limited edition. copies, signed & numbered, and printed on 90# WC paper. The price is $50 each or all three for $125 shipped. The journals average 25 pages with about fifty sketches in each.Next week, I will be in Lafayette, Louisiana.  The sessions have been very successful and I will have some drawing tips next week.

Getz limited edition journal. Signed & numbered and for sale

Getz ink sketch ready for watercolor washes

Getz ink sketch ready for watercolor washes

A Stay in Apalachicola, FL

March 3 - 17: This session was held in Apalachicola, Florida, which was sunny but chilly. I stayed at the historic  Gibson Hotel which was a great subject in itself! The town is packed with great old structures and many shrimp boats. Shrimp & oysters were the order of the four days there. From there, I traveled a short distance to Mexico Beach, where I was the guest of Tom & Peggy Wood at the fascinating Driftwood Inn. A fine oil painter, Tom looks to do more plein air painting with watercolors. He caught on very quickly. I stressed mixing colors on the paper and not on the palette. It allows for cleaner washes and no mud which makes a great difference.

Indian Rock and Tarpon Springs, FL

Week of Feb 24: The workshop in Indian Rock beach went very well, with  nine participants , but some great locations.  Weather cool...  I have switched sketch pens from the Identi-pen to the Micron pens by Sakura, easier to find and finer lines.  I recommend the 3 pack, with 03 - 08 sizes. Sakura also offers a five pack which I highly recommend. Cheap Joe offers both sets. Also get a 005 for very fine lines. My stop in Tarpon Springs was to visit friends and sketch old sponge boats which were plentiful. Next, Cedar Key, FL.