a description of my demonstration

Demonstration, Feb 14 at WASH

Liz Hill graciously shared her amazing knowledge, skills and abilities by demonstrating
her creative technique of combining collage and watercolor. We got a glimpse

into the personal context of what inspires Liz.

Liz presented a composition that she had previously started painting while attending

the WAS-H Wednesday model session. Liz mentioned that the model wore a scarf,

and she began demonstrating her method of tearing collage papers as a means to interpret

the pattern of the scarf. Liz applied matte

medium directly onto the painting and then

brushed matte medium and collage papers onto

the surface of the painting. An audience member

asked Liz, “Do you use matte medium full

strength?” Liz answered, “Yes, today I am. But

you can also water it down if you need to.”

Liz continued to describe the skirt that the

model was wearing. Liz lightly sketched with

line charcoal and then applied watercolor onto

the patterned flowered skirt. She also demonstrated

the use of colored gesso. Liz stated that

collage tends to get busy. By applying an

opaque background color, helps to quiet down

the composition. Liz likes to combine opaque

gesso next to transparent watercolors as well as

combining line and shape.

While the wet surface of the previous composition dried, Liz produced yet another

painting of a figure, only this time it was a male figure. Liz began applying geometric

shapes and collage, as she said the design was more masculine. She prefers to use gold
gesso, as she is not able to achieve the


same look with metallic paints or gold

acrylic paints. Liz produced a mat liner to

help her to determine, organize and redefine

shapes. A final addition of black

gesso and gold gesso which are very

strong colors, made the painting bounce.

Liz Hill will be teaching a workshop

on April 30 and on May 1 and 2 at the

Watercolor Art Society - Houston. Be sure

to register for “Drawing and Painting the

Figure.” —







lizhillart.blogspot.com