The North River Arts Society (NRAS) hosted Qiang Huang for a three-day oil painting workshop this week.  By all accounts, it was a huge success. 

Qiang is a daily painter of about 15 years, an OPA Signature Member, an invited Putney Painter, as well as a national award winner.  The members of the workshop were extremely grateful to have this artist of such esteem and talent come to our 'neighborhood'  to share his knowledge and experience.  

The 14 students who studied with him these past three days learned a great deal from this humble, gifted and generous painter. 

He started each day with a two-hour power point slide presentation, accompanied by handouts.  The information was pertinent to all, regardless of their painting level.  This was followed by a two-hour painting demonstration.  The room was breathess and silent as we all watched him masterfully place each stroke of paint on the panel.  

I didn't get a great photo of his first finished demo, but here's his second still life demo:

And a few close up's to show the exquisite brush work:

He uses a 3/4 inch synthetic, soft bristle brush to achieve those broad strokes. I think it provides an amazing amount of energy to the painting. 

The last day we coaxed him to do a portrait demo, which is a new genre to him.  He painted from a photograph projected onto a screen.  The painting, after a brief two hours, was beautiful. 

My humble efforts during this workshop include one unfinished still life, and one value study.  I learned so much but am not a quick painter.  I will digest the information presented by Qiang and eventually work on both paintings in the studio.  

My still life start from day one:

My value sketch as a start to a still life from day two follows.  I am a slow painter and ran out of time to apply the color on top of the value study. 

I look forward to studying with Qiang Huang in the future.  In the meantime, I will try to embrace his three secrets to successful painting:

1.  Practice,

2. Practice,

3. Practice.  

No surprise in that sage advice. 

To see more art by Qiang, visit his website, click here.