Kelogsloops Workshop In Munich- Aug 2023
It's been a while since I attended Kelogsloops' (Hieu) workshop back in August 2023, almost a year ago.
Reflecting on Aine Divine's workshop this month made me want to revisit my experience from that workshop as well.
Kelogsloops Demonstration on Day 3
In 2021, I lost a close friend from college in Hawaii. Knowing my love for oil painting, he encouraged me to try watercolor. Being the contrarian that I am, it took some time. Eventually, I discovered Aine Divine, who participated in the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year competition, and I was inspired to give it a try. This led me to YouTube, where I found Kelogsloops. His videos introduced me to Agnes Cecil, another huge inspiration for me, and I attended her workshop in March 2023.
My painting on Day 1
Kelogsloops' workshop, held over three days at Benjamin Eck Gallery in Munich, was an amazing experience. However, I struggled with the outcomes on the first two days. Unsatisfied with my work, I took some time to reflect and realized that I felt I had to mimic Kelogsloops' style instead of blending elements that I felt were my own style.
My painting on day 2
For the final day, I decided to bring a mostly completed sketch so I could focus on the colors, which I love. I also pinpointed the specific techniques from Kelogsloops that I wanted to integrate into my work.
My painting on day 3
And guess what? Day 3 was a success! I was quite happy with my painting. Kelogsloops even commented on my boldness in handling the colors in the shadows, noting the improvement in my work.
This experience taught me the importance of pausing to reflect on discomfort. It needs attention and articulation. Although I am terrible with words, writing helps me process it better.
Everybodys paintings from the workshop put together
Key Learnings from Kelogsloops' Workshop:
Composition:
Always leave open space in your composition for cropping later.
Use the rule of thirds to maintain balance.
Consider where you want to direct the viewer's gaze.
Sketching:
Start with big shapes (circles, squares) and then add details like the chin, ears, neck, and cheeks.
Sketch facial features in order: eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips (often just the ends), cheekbones, and abstract hair shapes.
Skin Tones:
Use three primary colors: Naples Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, and Alizarin Crimson.
Create a base tone and build layers, starting with a lot of yellow, some red, and a touch of blue.
The first layer focuses on the forehead, eyes, cheeks, and chin, leaving highlights unpainted.
The second layer adds details and shadows.
Hair:
Begin with big shapes and use two colors with charging and blooms.
Add blue or other colors from the skin tones for the second layer.
Focus on abstract strokes and chaos for dynamic effects.
Details:
Use black crayon for defining features like eyes and eyelashes.
Add shadows, highlights, and accents with white ink and iridescent medium for a glossy effect.
Negative Space and Backgrounds:
Work on background washes and use negative space for hair or clothes.
Use broad strokes and intentional color placement to guide the viewer's eye.
Add blooms, strokes, and splatters to create depth and interest.
What I wanted to infuse into my style:
I struggled with composition, but Kelogsloops' advice on guiding the viewer's eye, like in children's illustration books, helped me immensely. I’ve started using "odd" colors for strong outlines on subjects' faces and becoming more mindful of color harmony by mixing already-used colors. I also love his technique of using warm pink colors around the eye area and abstracting hair, starting with big shapes before adding details.
This workshop was transformative, reinforcing the importance of subtlety, layering, and balancing abstraction and detail in watercolor painting. It has certainly added depth to my painting style!
