Gordon's watercolour magic

Gesture Drawing

2012-02-13T19:46:00.000-08:00

Gesture Drawing

This four part video contains a narrative with slide show explaining the purpose and the need for gesture drawing especially when sketching people.

Parts two three and four consist of two demonstrations, there is a lapover between videos to aid continuity.

I would recommend that you view full screen

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Mixed Media Watercolour on Charcoal.

2011-10-22T02:42:00.000-07:00

Watercolour on Charcoal

Mixed Media

The demonstration video came about as a result of looking for a subject to fill a spot in next terms syllabus,

Watercolour and Charcoal was suggested by my fellow tutor, this is a mixed media combination that I have not tried before.

In order to include this into the programme I researched this combination in some depth and came up with some surprising results, one being that this was used by illustrators in the early 20th century.
This demonstration is my first go at watercolour over charcoal, the results and knowledge gained was sufficient to insure I pursue this further

Here are some of the artist

From a long list of artist who either work with watercolour over charcoal or outlined their work , or did both

Carl Larson

Carl Larson outlined all the main shapes to good effect while relying on tonal or colour change within those shapes for a more descriptive message.

Jessie Wilcox Smith

book at bedtime

I think Jessie Wilcox Smith was the standout artist of watercolour colour over charcoal plus she did not hesitate to also varnish some of her watercolours with great effect..

other artist who did excellent work with a similar feel was Paul Gauguin. Margaret Preston. Mary Cassette.

If you would like see a video on WATERCOLOUR over CHARCOAL go to

http://www.gordonsgallery.net/

2011-10-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

Gordon's Watercolour magic

This blog page contains my thoughts and work pertaining to watercolour art. The things that inspire me to paint. This could be a view, A song or a poem or a person. In fact almost anything that captures my imagination. Unless stated otherwise all pictures are the work of the artist Gordon Townsend

For videos on basic washes go to http://gordonswatercolourmagic.blogspot.com/2011/06/watercolour-flat-wash.html

For video on Turners Technique go to http://gordonswatercolourmagic.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-04T23%3A34%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=12

Monday, October 1, 2007

Stop and Ponder

Stop and ponder as you pass me by.

As you are now, so once was I.

As I am now so you shall be.

Prepare yourself.

To follow me.

You can see more of my watercolours at
http://www.gordonsgallery.net/

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tomestone poems

Here at rest is poor Tom Jones,
Who spent his life collecting bones?
Until death that grim and boneless spectre,
The all amazing bone collector,
Boned old Jones all neat and tidy.
Here lies Jones all bona-fide

Say bo-na-fie-dee

The above painting was painted onsite where I found this poem

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Green Donkey

Along with art I have had an interest in writing poems

They run in series and sometimes are illustrated

About twenty years ago I wrote a few nonsense poems about donkeys.

The picture above is from one of those poems

If you buy a donkey ?

Will you buy a green one.

And bring it round to show me because Ive never seen one

Gordon's Watercolour Academy

http://www.gordonsgallery.net/

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Thank you for the Flowers

Thank you for the flowers you sent.

She said.

I thought about the things we said last night.

I was wrong and you were right.

And as they strolled through the moonlight hours.

He thought to himself what frigging flowers.

The painting was accomplished by applying Indian ink to a previously coated sheet of watercolour paper. When the ink is dry you can lift it off be wetting the area with water , waiting awhile and dab it with a piece of rag. The rest is done with pastels.

http://www.gordonsgallery.net/

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Watercolour Poem

I read this poem in a watercolour magazine some years ago.

It was written by an artist named Marianne Alf.

The molasses like movement of marbleized hue.

Liquid Melody of Mozart in manganese blue.

Mardi gras colours melting into mouse gray.

Colours magically merging in a mercurial way.

Merely mixed on my palette, my colours are lush.

Watercolour is magic:

Merlin's wand is my brush

I think this poem sums up what most watercolour artist feel about their medium

Monday, September 3, 2007

Introducing Myself

Hi my name is Gordon and I am a watercolour artist.

I plan to use this blog site as a tool to both learn and teach in the watercolour medium.

My profile and paintings can be seen at

http://www.gordonsgallery.net/

This web site offers free lessons to both the beginner and more advanced artist.

I would welcome your comments and idea's on both the web site and this blog page .

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Welcome to my first blogg

I am new to this blogging but see it as a oppertunity to both increase my knowledge, and to pass on to other what I have learned about the wonderful medium of WATERCOLOUR.

The watercolour above is typical of the level I have reached in watercolour after 10 years of practise.

I started in this medium after many years of painting in other mediums which as help me to overcome the diffilculity of the caprcious medium.

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Pat's Award

2011-10-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

Pat's Award

Pat received the Cota Achivers award foe service to the community.

The nomination requires several endorsements from leading members of the community

Shown is an image of the award. and the letters of endorsements plus a small video of Pat receiving the award from the minister of health.

List of endorsments for Pat Townsend

. STATE MEMBER FOR BROADMEADOWS - FRANK McGUIRE MP. MANAGER, HUME GLOBAL LEARNING COMMUNITY - GEORGE OSBORNELOBAL LEARNING VILLAGE COMMITTEE -. BOARD MEMBER, PARKINSON'S VICTORIA/COMMITTEE MEMBERLADSTONE PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE - FRED VAN ROSS. PRINCIPAL, 2 ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS - DALLAS BROOKS COMMUNITY, AMANDA HENNING, LYNNE GUNNING. TECHNOLOGY GUIDE, HUME GLOBAL LEARNING CENTRE - E DUMITRIU

1. MAYOR, CITY OF HUME - HELEN PATSIKA THEODOROU

4. CHAIRMAN, HUME G

KEN THOMPSON

PRIMARY SCHOOL - VAL KARAITIANA

ANDR

• FRANK McGUIRE MP
,
STATEMEMBER FOR BROADMEADOWS '
I support Pat's nomination not only as the Member for Broadmeadows, but also as the founder of
the Global Learning Village. Pat has been a prominent member of the Hume Global Learning Village
Committee for the past seven years. Her passion,
Pat's work in the community goes beyond the Hume Global Learning Village
comm
growth in membership and worked tirelessly to promote commun
and learning fo
As a meas
enthusiasm and input has been highly valuable.. She has continued heritment to life-long learning as President of Hume U3A. In this role she has managed significantity participation, social inclusionr seniors.ure of the value of Pat's work in the community, she has also been sought after by
in
ternational partners, both as a spokesperson and delegate.
FRANK McGUIRE MP
MEMBER FOR BROADMEADOWS

~ '2-1
7 /2011
I began my journey as Councillor of Hume City Council in December2008. Although I
have been a community activist and volunteer for over30 years, my involvement in my
community was limited to my personal interests. As Councillor and now the Mayor of
Hume City, I have been given the opportunity and honour to truly immerse myself in
my community, having the opportunity to understand and be involved in all aspects
of volunteering. I have been invited to a plethora of community groups and have met
many community leader volunteers that are inspiring, selfless and are driven to
make a difference to others. One such amazing person is Ms Pat Townsend. My
community involvement was with children, so my path did not cross with Pat's until
I was invited as guest speaker at Hume's U3A Annual General Meeting. I can only
describe Pat as an "infectious Trickster". She takes every opportunity, with
whoever she meets to passionately advocate for healthy ageing and lifelong learning
for the community she represents. Being from a Greek background, this was an alien
concept for me as our elders' focus and especially our "yia yia" is on family only,
often becoming isolated as they do not participate in social activities that do not
involve the family, and especially not in self development.
Meeting Pat has challenged my cultural beliefs and practices. I have not
as driven as Pat or as dedicated to our ageing voice. I am amazed with
and all her achievement and I am honoured to be writing this
recommendation for the Victorian Senior of the Year Awards 2011.
Over the years of involvement In the comm
interpersonal and people skills. She has come from a working class family whose
main existence was to survive and raise a family,but Pat did this with a twist. Pat
became the first woman salesperson to work for a wholesale butcher, selling meat
over the phone to butchers. Although legally having to retire, retirement is not in
Pat's dictionary. Pat is not satisfied with involvement only, but has lead the
charge as President of Hume U3A since 2004. She is a visionary and not satisfied
with the status quo.
In 2007 Pat was honoured as a Hume Inspiring Ambassador. Ambassadors were chosen
for the positive impact they made in their community, in their fiel
quoted as saying that she always made the best of her opportunities. "You need to
recognise and take hold of opportunities people give you." I believe Pat creates
her own opportunities constantly thinking outside the square in ways that are not
conventional but are extremely inspirational. The Age Library- Hume Global
Learning Centre opened in May 2003 asthe first ever library in Broadmeadows. Pat
established the Hume U3A computer classes held at our Hume Global Learning Centre,
at a time when our older community and computers were not considered as viable
partners. Pat could see the technology was taking over how we communicate, and if
older residents wanted to not only stay connected with their families but also
explore the knowledge universe of information, they had to learn new skills.
Pat encouraged the Hume U3A members to volunteer and supervise at the Hume Global
Learning Centre Internet Cafe, which gave further confidence to her members feeling
valued members of our community. As a strong advocate of life-long learning she
participated in Hume City's Learning Together Strategy to ensure that the older
voice was included in the strategy, which lead to human rights; sitting on the
committee that discussed Human Rights-Equal Opportunities in the City of Hume.
We at Hume City, are extremely piivileged to have Pat involved and living in our
municipality. I know that Pat has been involved in more ways than I am aware as
these frequently come to the surface as
an active advocate of positive agei~g and I know has changed many of our citizen's
lives around and made a difference
previously I am honoured to write this supporting letter for Pat Townsend.
met anyone
her energy
letter of~ity, Pat has developed amazing"d. Pat was'I move around in the municipality. She is.to the elderly in our community. As I said

~ '2-1
7 /2011
􀀨
Pat is a very dynamic, forward thinking person and because of her initiative Hume U3A has become a very
vibrant entity, very much recognised and respected throughou
102 U3As throughout the Sta
Hume U3A believes in partnerships with other organisations throughout the City of Hume and to this end Pat
sits on the Committee of f
Community Centre, Committee of Dallas Neighbourhood House, School Council
Primary School) and contributing to and working for them as well. She does this to ensure that other people in the
area know who Hume U3A are and what we stand for, always emphasising the importance of Life Long Learning
which we see as not just to get people back to work. Retired Senior people are still capable of learning and also
contributing to the welfare of others in the community, thereby continuing to be useful and involved.
Pat was one of eight people honoured in the Hume Inspiring Stories project, which is an exciting initiative of the
Hume Global Learning Village. The Village is a collaboration of almost 300 learning providers, such as Schools,
Neighbourhood Houses and Universities, who provide opportun
of Hume.
The Village members, (which includes Pat Townsend) have come together and developed a five-year strategic
plan - the "Learning Together Strategy". This strategy will enable the Hume Community to participate in lifelong
learning opportunities. Inspiring Stories is one of the key elements of the Learning Together Strategy. The project
is funded by Council in partnership with the Hume Global Learning V
embrace learning and participate in the many learning opportunities available for all stages of life
In 2007 a delegation of five educators linked to the Hume Global Learning Village Committee and the
Broadmeadows regeneration project visited Kent County Council, un the UK. The purpose of this visit was to
examine approaches being developed in Kent to connect community and schools to develop programs that
improve student learning outcomes.
As the President of Hume U3A Inc Pat Townsend was included in this trip as the community representative
and was introduced as a valuable community partner in the delegation. The delegation visited educational venues
from play school to advanced education and witnessed community projects and attended a
educators and met and spoke to many of the people attending this prestigious meeting. Pat said "I felt all the time I
was there that I was representing U3A Victoria. I would have never been invited on this delegation if we as a
committee did not strongly believe in partnerships. Hume U3A is committed in keeping and working within these
partnerships. "
Pat suggested that Hume U3A members become involved in
the Hume Relay for L
promptly taken up by Committee and members. For the last four
years Hume U3A has been involved in this very important event -
setting up their tent, choosing a theme, making costumes and walking
the baton around the oval all night. Hume U3A received a cup for the
most money raised in 2010 and 2011.
In 2010 Pat Townsend threw down THE CHALLENGE to a U3A
member
for Life she would have her hair shaved off at Melbourne's Federation
Square during the Carnival of Learning (U3As launch of Seniors'
Week)
t the U3A community. There are now approximatelyte of Victoria and we are classed as medium sized, so this is no small achievement.ive of these organisations (Hume Global Learning Village Forum, Chair of Gladstone Park.of Dallas Brookes Communityities for learning, training and education in the Cityillage and aims to inspire the community to. .. meeting of EUife to raise funds for Cancer Research. This was. Pat agreed that if Helen Wilson could raise $1,000 for Relay·,on Sunday 3fd
:}y
amount raised was $5,585 - the most money raised - so Pat kept her
word and had her head shaved in front of a large group of members
and the public. As a result of this there will be a research program
named for Hume U3A.
' October-2010. The final
k
HUME .,nr- 'm"",""",,, •••
• De
partment of Planning
_
••, • __ • and Community Oevelopm~nt
As a resul
Pat was able to secure an office and classroom in the Primary School Community
proved to be a very valuable partnership.
Since Hume U3A's involvement with the school Pat has put some important initiatives in place - each year
Hume U3A present a Citizenship Award to a Grade 6 boy and girl (a certificate and a $50 book gift card). Also, the
school has a very high number of children who come to school without breakfast and often no dinner the night
before, Because Pat sits on the School Council she was aware that the school funds for the breakfast program
had run out. In 2010 she asked the Hume U3A Committee to donate $250 to the program and got members to
contribute jars of condiments also. In 2011 the school had no funds at all for the program to continue, so Pat
suggested that U3A donate the whole $500 to keep this going.
As will be seen in one of the testimonies enclosed, Pat has also supported our Tutor Fred Van Ross, a
Parkinson's sufferer - organising for Fred to give talks to raise awareness of Parkinson's in the c0mmunity,
assisted in promoting Parkinson's within the U3A community, encouraged members
Unity Walk and helped organise fundraising for Fred's Vietnam C
I am sure
her as Secretary since she became President in 2004 and her brilliance never ceases to amaze me
t of the trip to Kent and travelling with the Principal of Dallas Primary School - Valerie Karaitiana -'Hub for Hume U3A This hasto take part in the Parkinson'shallenge in 2008.it will now be realised what a vibrant, active, involved person Pat Townsend is. I have worked with.
The Committee of Hume U3A Inc. wholeheartedly endorse this nomination and we feel sure that Pat has a
very good chance of being selected .
•

Dalla
Posta
Phone: 03 9309 4983 Email:
s Brookes Community Primary School Hub, 46 Kiewa Crescent, Dallas 3047l Address: P. O. Box 133, Dallas 3047secretaryra>humeu3a.org.au
Website: www
.humeu3a.org.au
25
th July 2011
Victori
D
GPO Box 4541
MELBOURNE VIC
NOMINATION FOR VICTORIAN SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
NOMINEE MRS
P
was a baby until aged 11
high mark
scho
an Senior of the Year Awardsepartment of Health. PAT TOWNSENDat Townsend was born in Hertfordshire in the UK in 1939 and the family moved to Islington, London when she. She had hardworking parents, and, at the age of 11 passed the 11+ levels with verys and was offered entry into Grammar School. Pat's parents didn't want charity so she went to a publicol, and, being restless, left school at 15. Pat's mother taught her the skills she puts into practice to this day -
sewing
, knitting and embroidery. She worked in a swimsuit factory and enjoyed London's excitements as a
t
eenager.
In 1959 Pat marr
Gordon realised that the future in
worked hard to establish themselv
was the first female to sell meat t
During her eight years out
Club and various community work pr
ied Gordon Townsend and settled in a council house in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. She andcluded Australia, and they arrived in 1967 with 3 boys and little money. Theyes - Pat worked at Ericssons, Woolworths and a Meat Wholesaler (where sheo butchers in Victoria) until she became pregnant with daughter Leah in 1976.of the workforce Pat became involved in School Playgroup, School Committee, Mothersograms.
When returning to th
of Home h
M
In 2004 P
organisation run by Voluntary Committee and Voluntary Tutors for retired and semi-retired people - and
e workforce, Pat worked in the Home help department for Essendon City Council, managerelp for the then Broadmeadows City Council. When Municipal boundaries were changed her area was inoreland City Council. Pat says "In all my jobs I learnt the skills to deal and interact with people",at Townsend became President of Hume U3A Inc. (Hume University of the Third Age) - a not-for-profit
i
ageing by enabling members to share many educational, creative and leisure activities.
Quotes from Pat:
mmediately began to make a difference. U3A is a learning cooperative of older people that encourages healthy,
• "Hume U3A is a terrifi
ab
c organisation. It-allows me to use my organisational skills, develop ideas. Butove all I mix with people who are always looking to improve their skills and make friendships"
•
continue working in the community as a volunteer
som
At the time Hume U3A was experiencing financia
and Grants - which are not easy to g
promptly set in place strategies to ensure that this stressfu
"I don't have many ambitions in life. "I want to s_eeall my grandchildren turn 21years old. I want to. What do I define as success? Anyone who triesething new and succeeds at it".l difficulties - the only income being from Membership Feeset. We also try to keep the annual Membership Fee as low as possible. Patl situation didn't happen again .
••
VMIA kHUME .,nt"""" l'n'f~" •••
• Depa
_

rtment of Planning~, •.•• _- and Community DeveLopmentYMIA

Using Turner Techniques for your Watercolours

2011-09-26T21:35:00.000-07:00

Using Turner Techniques for your Watercolours

A whole new world of watercolour options are open to the watercolourists If they are prepared to giving a little time to study the old masters.

I have admired and studied the works of Turner for many years, without copying Turner as such I have included the techniques that he employed into my own way of painting
This picture "The Sitar Player" was painted using some of Turners techniques The video below the painting show how to get the best out of pre-tinted watercolour paper

The Sitar Player

If you would like to see a step by step of the picture below painted with Turner techniques go to http://www.gordonsgallery.net/

COME BACK MORE ON TURNER SOON

Opaque or transparent and why the difference

2011-09-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

Looking at what pigments can do for us in our paintings

Opaque or transparent and why the difference

This article is for those leisure painters who have not given much thought to the reason why paint manufactures of quality watercolour paints disclose the technical specifications for each colour paint they have on their colour chart.
Watercolour artist who believe that the only good watercolour is one that relies on pure transparent washes, are missing out on another design tool.
The reason I say this is because the main plank of good design is variety plus unity such as light against dark , soft edge against hard edge, warm against cool. no two elements should be the same but at the same time be unified as a whole
Transparent against Opaque, It surprises me when I see a good painting that could have been a very good painting but misses out because of of the reluctance of the artist to introduce an opaque wash into their watercolour.
When I ask the question why do you think that the paint manufacturers have in their range transparent, opaque, staining, granulating colours some of them have not even thought about it.
So lets have a look at this video which shows both Opaque and Transparent washes working together.

More to come about how you can use the pigments in paint to your advantage.

Basic Colour Mixing Acrylic

2011-08-18T01:32:00.000-07:00

Basic colour mixing with Acrylics

I have no hesitation including acrylics in with watercolour, when the most prestigious and oldest watercolour society in the world the "Royal Watercolour Society" has recognized the acrylic medium as a watercolour medium for many years both on it's own and with watercolour in mixed media.

I painted with acrylics when my family could no longer stand the smell of of turps, plus I was becoming concerned about the toxicity, that is still present in the turps even when it is odourless.

So I switched to acrylic which I used for about ten years before my transition to watercolour.

Below are two short videos on basic colour mixing and soft and sharp edges also two paintings where both soft and sharp edges come into play.

The main point to remember is acrylics dry a shade darker and watercolour dries lighter.

so you must adjust your mix accordingly.

PART ONE

PART TWO

The most noticeable area to look for the soft edges is the shadow side of the onions and to a lesser extent the left of the wicker bottle.

There are four very sharp edges can you spot them.

Class Demonstrations

2011-08-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

The Catalan method for Still life's.

The Catalan Association of watercolour painters is one of the oldest associations in Europe 1865, and this is part of the methods they use to teach students watercolour.

I don't agree with all the content of the instruction But this particular segment I have found very good for rapid development of composition and design skills.

I include this in my classes frequently to reinforce the act of creating instead of merely copying a photograph which neglects design because it is already done for you by the photograph.

Various items are placed on a table, which has a single light source.

The students will choose what items the want to include in their watercolour.

They will decide their own arrangement IE composition and colour, the important values are which describe form are taken from the cast shadows produced from the light source.

The photograph above left shows the table with random items you can choose any or all of them, also you can change their size or colour, embellish them for instance add more flowers more fruit provided they are of the same variety.

DEMONSTRATION

For this demonstration I have chosen the flower vases and two Orangees and a apple.

I make a light outline drawing on the watercolour paper.

...............................

I lay in the first washes wet in wet so they mingle and merge

......................

When the first wash is dry I add local colour to all the shapes., not even attempting to describe detail at this stage.

.................................

On my foundational washes I start to add value and detail with Derwent colour pencils.

............................

This quick demonstration was completed in under the hour and would be used for a more a finished study if I am happy with the outcome.

For this demonstration I have chosen the flowers vase and two oranges and a apple.

It will be a quick study using mixed media for a more considered work later.

I plan to do this in two washes and Derwent coloured pencil.

Watercolour Wash Demonstrations

2011-06-07T23:59:00.003-07:00

Basic washes for beginners

These 5 demonstrations show basic brush techniques for washes and how they are used in the actul painting process, also texture techniques which adds detail to your washes.

FLAT WASH

Graduated Wash

Veriegated wash in conjunction with a graduated wash

Variegated wet on wet

Watercolour Passion

2011-06-07T23:38:00.000-07:00

I read this poem in a watercolour magazine some years ago.

It was written by an artist named Marianne Alf.

The molasses like movement of marbleized hue.

Liquid Melody of Mozart in manganese blue.

Mardi gras colours melting into mouse gray.

Colours magically merging in a mercurial way.

Merely mixed on my palette, my colours are lush.

Watercolour is magic:

Merlin's wand is my brush

I think this poem sums up what most watercolour artist feel about their medium

Bringing watercolour magic alive again

2011-06-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

Gordon's Watercolour Magic

After a long absence I have decided to revive my blog page.

And to start it of I am posting this painting.

The brush Flicks and Swishes.

Across the page there swims three fishes

The Mountain Temple

2011-06-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

Gordon's Watercolour Magic

Art and Poems

2011-06-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

Gordon's Watercolour Magic

Thank you for the flowers you sent.

She said.

I thought about the things we said last night.

I was wrong and you were right.

And as they strolled through the moonlight hours.

He thought to himself what frigging flowers.

Anthony Hopkins

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tomestone poems

Say bo-na-fie-dee

The above painting was painted onsite where I found this poem

From a previous blog site

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Green Donkey

If you buy a donkey ?

Will you buy a green one.

And bring it round to show me because Ive never seen one

Along with art I have had an interest in writing poems

They run in series and sometimes are illustrated

About twenty years ago I wrote a few nonsense poems about donkeys.

The picture above is from this poem

Gordon's watercolour magic

Gesture Drawing

Mixed Media Watercolour on Charcoal.

Gordon's Watercolour magic

Links

Blog Archive

Monday, October 1, 2007

Stop and Ponder

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tomestone poems

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Green Donkey

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Thank you for the Flowers

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Watercolour Poem

Monday, September 3, 2007

Introducing Myself

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Welcome to my first blogg

Pat's Award

Using Turner Techniques for your Watercolours

Opaque or transparent and why the difference

Basic Colour Mixing Acrylic

Class Demonstrations

Watercolour Wash Demonstrations

Watercolour Passion

Bringing watercolour magic alive again

The Mountain Temple

Art and Poems

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Tomestone poems

From a previous blog site

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Green Donkey