This was another demo for an Elite Animation student. I was teaching them digital painting and used a highwaymen painting to demonstrate how to use a variety of brushes for various effects.
The Florida Highwaymen, are a group of 26 African American landscape artists in Florida. Two of the original artists, Harold Newton, and Alfred Hair, received training from Alfred “Beanie” Backus. It is believed they may have created a body of work of over 200,000 paintings. Lore is that these painting were sold on the sides of the highway for pennies on the dollar and they are worth a fortune today.
When I do these demos I sometimes start using brushes I haven’t used before. I used this hemp brush that gives nice thick line work. I used if for the palm fronds and various foliage and now I use the brush often.
This was part of the lesson, to encourage students to simply experiment with the brushes while doing a quick landscape. Too often what stops a students progress is the threat of WHAT to paint. So I give them clear and vibrant painting examples to choose from.
By pushing my students to experiment I often push myself in new directions as well. Since the painted ketch isn’t intended for publication, it can be as rough as I like.