THOMAS W SCHALLER
A Signature Member of many arts organizations including the American Watercolor Society, Tom was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of American Watercolor Weekly and elected Artist Member of the California Art Club and the Salmagundi Art Club, NYC. He is president emeritus of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators and a founding member of the group; North American Watercolor Artists. |
Thomas W Schaller is an award-winning artist and architect based in Los Angeles.
As a renowned architectural artist, he received a Graham Foundation Grant and was a two-time recipient of the Hugh Ferris Memorial Prize. He has authored three books: the best-selling, and AIA award winner, Architecture in Watercolor, The Art of Architectural Drawing and Thomas W. Schaller, Architecture of Light : Watercolor Paintings from a Master. He is in demand worldwide as a speaker, exhibitor, author, instructor, and juror. His work is collected world-wide and is part of a number of permanent collections including The Johhan Museum: Shanghai: The Watermark Museum; Fabriano: The Tchoban Foundation; Berlin: The Pacific Arts Foundation; Newport Beach, The Musum of Watercolor, Mexico City. His artwork has been featured in prestigious International Watercolor Masters exhibitions in over twenty countries. In 2017, he was a finalist for the Lynx Prize for Contemporary Art; Trieste. His paintings and writing have been featured in a great many books, magazines, and arts publications including The Artist Magazine, Watercolor Artist Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, The Art of Watercolour, Practique des Arts, Los Angeles Magazine, International Artist Magazine, and a series of the books, Splash: the Best of Watercolor by North Light Books from 2011 - 2018. |
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
“The Architecture of Light” Thomas W. Schaller
2 day watercolor workshop with Thomas W Schaller
Skill Level Required: Intermediate to Advanced
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September 16-17, 2019 - SOLD OUT
9 am - 12 pm Morning session 12 pm - 1 pm Lunch break 1 pm - 4 pm Afternoon session Workshop location: The Studio at Gairloch Gardens 1302 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville ON This is beautiful venue on lake Ontario with waterfront access. Please note the workshop is taught with Thomas' dog Otis on site. |
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Workshop outline:Daily – indoors or out - Thomas W Schaller will complete a demonstration painting first thing in the morning to illustrate the topics to be covered that day.
1. By site observation, or by using photographic samples and examples from his own sketch book , he will demonstrate the importance of identifying valid compositional subject matter and how to interpret that into a strong painting. And then, by executing quick, impressionistic initial abstract value sketches, he will demonstrate how these are used as the basis for the completion of a strong and satisfying watercolor. We will cover the basics of composition, perspective composition, fundamentals of drawing, and color theory as the root of a successful final painting. |
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2. Participants will be urged to complete simple black and white pencil sketches of proposed subjects from site or from photographs and to discuss how abstract compositions of the three basic values – black/white/ grey – can be arranged to form the basis of a final painting.
3. Using these completed compositional/value sketches as “roadmaps”, we will quickly sketch our compositions on watercolor paper.
4. Along with Thomas W Schaller, participants will be guided through the simple steps of using these completed value sketches to set up and quickly complete successful final watercolor sketches.
5. Daily, after the initial demo, we will explore exercises that highlight the depiction of skies, water, architecture, landscapes, figures, and atmospheric conditions. Each day, exercises will become more comprehensive. On the final day, participants will be asked to develop their own compositions that incorporate all the elements covered in previous days.
6. On the afternoon of the final day, we will have an informal “exhibit” of the work done by participants and Thomas W Schaller will lead an informal critique and question/ answer session about what we have learned in the previous days.
Thomas W Schaller's workshop description:
"The focus of my workshops is far less concerned with technical expertise and far more about inspiration and observation. Specifically, the focus is on finding and expressing ourselves with our unique personal artistic voice.
A final painting is begun by the artist long before his or her brush ever touches the paper. As artists, we observe the world around us and are constantly – often subconsciously - forming paintings in our minds. And as artists, I believe it is our job - and our joy - to learn how to see the world in our own unique way; how to identify what it is that will result in the best possible paintings that only we could do; paintings that tell the stories only we wish to tell.
The most important question we can try to answer as painters is; “What is it your intent? What is it you wish to paint and why?” What is it about a subject that speaks to you? And how can you find a personal way of expression – your own unique voice – to communicate that to others? As an artist, it is “light” that is the constant narrative in my work. So when I am deciding on what it is I wish to paint, I concentrate less on specific objects – places or things – and more on the strength of a strong abstract value composition of darks and lights.
A common phrase we often hear is: “Mother Nature is the best teacher” While I agree that real world observation is a crucial skill for the artist, no less so are the lessons to be learned from memory, dreams, and pure invention.
In my workshops, painting indoors or out, I demonstrate the fundamentals - and crucial importance - of identifying strong compositional subjects for the artist. No amount of technical expertise or finesse evident in a final painting can compensate for a composition lacking in the strength and clarity of a strong initial intent – a main idea - and a solid value organization. We will try to learn how to see the beautiful and infinite compositions all around us – and within us - in the most grand and most humble of scenes.
Additionally, a theme of my workshops is duality – the dialogue between opposing forces that find resolution – or not – upon the paper’s surface. The vertical vs. the horizontal / the light vs. the dark / lost vs found edges / clarity vs. obscurity / warm tomes vs. cool tones / man-made elements vs the natural world., etc. We will explore some of the endlessly compelling compositional possibilities of this topic. "
3. Using these completed compositional/value sketches as “roadmaps”, we will quickly sketch our compositions on watercolor paper.
4. Along with Thomas W Schaller, participants will be guided through the simple steps of using these completed value sketches to set up and quickly complete successful final watercolor sketches.
5. Daily, after the initial demo, we will explore exercises that highlight the depiction of skies, water, architecture, landscapes, figures, and atmospheric conditions. Each day, exercises will become more comprehensive. On the final day, participants will be asked to develop their own compositions that incorporate all the elements covered in previous days.
6. On the afternoon of the final day, we will have an informal “exhibit” of the work done by participants and Thomas W Schaller will lead an informal critique and question/ answer session about what we have learned in the previous days.
Thomas W Schaller's workshop description:
"The focus of my workshops is far less concerned with technical expertise and far more about inspiration and observation. Specifically, the focus is on finding and expressing ourselves with our unique personal artistic voice.
A final painting is begun by the artist long before his or her brush ever touches the paper. As artists, we observe the world around us and are constantly – often subconsciously - forming paintings in our minds. And as artists, I believe it is our job - and our joy - to learn how to see the world in our own unique way; how to identify what it is that will result in the best possible paintings that only we could do; paintings that tell the stories only we wish to tell.
The most important question we can try to answer as painters is; “What is it your intent? What is it you wish to paint and why?” What is it about a subject that speaks to you? And how can you find a personal way of expression – your own unique voice – to communicate that to others? As an artist, it is “light” that is the constant narrative in my work. So when I am deciding on what it is I wish to paint, I concentrate less on specific objects – places or things – and more on the strength of a strong abstract value composition of darks and lights.
A common phrase we often hear is: “Mother Nature is the best teacher” While I agree that real world observation is a crucial skill for the artist, no less so are the lessons to be learned from memory, dreams, and pure invention.
In my workshops, painting indoors or out, I demonstrate the fundamentals - and crucial importance - of identifying strong compositional subjects for the artist. No amount of technical expertise or finesse evident in a final painting can compensate for a composition lacking in the strength and clarity of a strong initial intent – a main idea - and a solid value organization. We will try to learn how to see the beautiful and infinite compositions all around us – and within us - in the most grand and most humble of scenes.
Additionally, a theme of my workshops is duality – the dialogue between opposing forces that find resolution – or not – upon the paper’s surface. The vertical vs. the horizontal / the light vs. the dark / lost vs found edges / clarity vs. obscurity / warm tomes vs. cool tones / man-made elements vs the natural world., etc. We will explore some of the endlessly compelling compositional possibilities of this topic. "
Cancellation Policy
A handling charge of USD150 per person per course will be levied on all cancellations.
After the deposit is paid the remaining balance is due 3 months prior to the workshop date.
In addition, if you have to cancel four to eight weeks before the workshop, a charge of 40% of the total price is payable; at two to four weeks, 60%; at one to two weeks, 80%; at less than one week, 90%.
We reserve the right to cancel any workshop at one month notice and provide you with a full refund.
A handling charge of USD150 per person per course will be levied on all cancellations.
After the deposit is paid the remaining balance is due 3 months prior to the workshop date.
In addition, if you have to cancel four to eight weeks before the workshop, a charge of 40% of the total price is payable; at two to four weeks, 60%; at one to two weeks, 80%; at less than one week, 90%.
We reserve the right to cancel any workshop at one month notice and provide you with a full refund.
Thomas W Schaller previous workshops
September 16-17, 2019 Oakville ON
