A graphic artist of the old school, like myself, eats this kind of thing up. Using things like T-sqares and engineers rulers is like using my own hands, and to use them in an artistic manner to produce beautiful works of art gives these old tools new life.Mrs. Haberstroh gives the best instruction possible by simply telling what SHE does to produce a painting, not what other people USUALLY do. All you have to do is follow what she does...then if you want to try a different style on your own, go for it!
You jump right in learning what tools you'll need; smooth Bristol board, she calls it plate finish; an engineer's ruler (meaning the pyramidic one the drafters use); 12" steel cork ruler with centimeters; T-square; 90? transparent triangle; 4H pencil; graphite eraser (a soft white one like the Factis); circle template; rapidograph pen; quality ink eraser; 140 lb. cold-press, cotton rag watercolor paper (she uses Arches in blocks); brushes (1-inch flat, Nos. 10, 9, 7, and 3 round quality brushes); and watercolor paints, being careful of lightfastness of the reds and greens you use (she says Hookers green fades badly.)
She also uses distilled water because of the mineral problem in tap water, and handy items such as a medicine dropper for gradual lightening of pigment, mask or frisket, paper towels, and that all-important apron!
She uses a point and shoot 35mm with 200 speed film for sunny days and 400 speed film for cloudy days. She then shows how to pick the best view, shoot in the best light, and what to do with the details.
The fun begins with one pen-and-ink step-by-step demonstration, and two watercolor ones. If you can't follow her instructions, there's something wrong! She couldn't be clearer, and if you follow along using her own drawings, it's magical the way things take shape.
The thing is, you can't rush the process. No blow-dryer...the ink must dry 24-hours before applying watercolor! This type of painting calls for a lot of patience, and may not be for everybody.
Mrs. Haberstroh generously offers a lesson in architectural rendering by showing us how to render different elements of the house, like the window, garage door, siding, and bricks.
Finally, in case you DO want to try doing this for a living or a sideline, she shows you how to set up your studio and get your name out there.
Her methodical approach suits me to a T; while I'll not be going into "house painting" full-time, I've learned enough to produce a very nice Christmas present for a few close friends of mine that won't be taken back to Wal-Mart and exchanged, and that makes me very, very happy!
