A Demonstration by Joel Popadics for the American Watercolor Society

 

Check out Joel Popadics’ watercolor demonstration, "In a Fog, Capturing the Elusive Feeling of Misty Weather" that he gave at the Salmagundi Club in New York City on April 18, 2018 as part of the American Watercolor Society's “Watercolor Evenings 2018.” 

 

Click the link on the left to watch the demonstration on YouTube. Please "LIKE" the video by clicking the "THUMBS UP" button. Also, click the "SHARE" button and send to every art appreciator you know.

 

Inspired by Winslow Homer's watercolor, "Adirondack Lake," Joel Popadics has always been intrigued by mist and fog. A "self-confessed follower of fog" Joel loves to paint haze, mist, and all sorts of atmospheric effects. Having spent a great deal of time painting in Northern New England, he has seen all kinds of weather and moody effects. In his demonstration, Joel shared his experiences and demonstrated how he captures the elusive feeling of fog. He painted a coastal scene on a double elephant sized watercolor (28" x 40") using a limited palette of color.

 

"I love fog. I love to experience it, and I especially enjoy painting when I am engulfed in it. I'm reminded of an old black and white Sherlock Holmes movie in which the action was set in foggy, misty weather. The weather added extra suspense to the moment. Likewise, moody weather makes a great subject for a painting and adds mystery to our work. Fog simplifies and obscures creating simple silhouette shapes."

 

Joel's watercolors, often described as "tranquil and peaceful" are based upon his Plein air sketches. He paints in the grand tradition and employs a layering watercolor technique. When painting mist and fog, he starts with large bold washes that resolve the lightest, largest and distant elements of the picture. Later in the process he often includes a little gum Arabic into his mixtures; which suspends the particles of pigment, giving the paint a "transparent" look. He then progressively paints richer and darker values to depict the closer elements.

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Enjoy!

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