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When I found out Linda Kemp was coming to St. Louis last summer, I didn't hesitate to reserve my spot in her Negative Painting workshop. I've long admired her fresh and fanciful style; and though I'd had some negative painting experience, I knew that there was so much more to learn!

Takeaway #1: “Kill it or Cure it”

Of all the great information and techniques Linda shared during those intense five days, her mantra of “kill it or cure it” really struck a chord in me. How many times have I stopped halfway through a painting and, in my frustration, tossed it aside and started over, only to end up stuck in the very same place two hours later? I won't even attempt to count the number of unfinished watercolor paintings I have lying around my studio! In my impatience and perfectionism, I failed to realize that by taking the time to think and work through the problem, I might actually learn something (even if I “kill” the painting in the process)!

I've heard that the definition of insanity is repeating the same things over and over

and expecting different results....just sayin'.

Little by little, I've been going through my unfinished paintings, deciding what can be “cured”, improved, or at least what techniques can be practiced for better or worse. The “kill it or cure it” mindset also helps me to persevere on current projects. Try it! When you get stuck on a painting, let it sit. Look at it daily. Dream about it. Believe that one day the light bulb will come on and you will know what to do next! And maybe, just maybe, that painting that you didn't give up on will be one of your best ever!

Before: This little painting needed some pizzazz!  After: Softened and Glazed

Takeaway #2: A Surprising Surface

There are so many reasons why I was skeptical about the advisability of Strathmore Aquarius II Watercolor Paper. I was, however, attentive as Linda demonstrated her process of wetting the paper front and back, working quickly wet-in-wet on a smooth non-porous support to get the desired underpainting, and then placing the saturated paper on a wooden board to dry perfectly flat. Perfectly flat? No tape or staples or clips? It turns out that the description found on the Dick Blick website is spot-on: “Strathmore Aquarius II Watercolor Paper is made with an innovative combination of cotton and synthetic fibers that work beautifully with all watercolor techniques. This lightweight 80 lb sheet was created to reduce the buckling and swelling found in other sheets of the same weight.” I was impressed! (And this from a 100% cotton purist!) Additional benefits of this lightweight paper include it's durability and relatively low cost.

Above: Bleeding Hearts painted in layers on Strathmore Aquarius II Watercolor Paper.

Takeaway #3: 100% Negative Painting

My third timely takeaway relates not only to my own practice, but to teaching others. I learned from Linda Kemp that negative painting is best taught simply and slowly. Linda spent five full days with us working on the negative-only painting approach. Skill development takes time and practice! The negative-only teaching approach helps to solidify this foreign concept into our brains and keeps us from defaulting back to the positive as we are wont to do.

I've been obsessed with one of the first concepts Linda introduced at her workshop: painting around the closest shapes first, adding layers leaf-by-leaf or petal-by-petal (actually shape-by-shape) until you have multiple layers of glowing color that have evolved into a beautiful floral painting! No, this is not a quick paint, it is a methodical, even meditative process that can be relaxing and enjoyable. It sounds easy, looks easy, but must be learned and practiced as it is contrary to the way we naturally see things.

Once you master the technique of negative painting, you will find uses for it in all of your paintings, regardless of the subject or style. It can be used subtly to add interest to a background, pop out an area of interest, and create movement throughout your painting. Whether you choose to use this method a little or a lot, I believe working in the negative can take your paintings to the next level! And, as Linda says, "It's great fun!"

If you have attended Linda Kemp's Negative Painting workshop, I'd love to hear about your top takeaways! And for watercolor artists in the St. Louis area, I'm offering two Negative Painting Simplified workshops this summer. Contact me to find out more!