Watercolor Workshop with Ken Call

Ken Call  AWS, NWS, TWSA

Born and raised in Rochelle, Illinois, Ken went on to graduate from the American Academy of Art in 1980 with an Associates Degree in Illustration and Watercolor. He has worked as a freelance artist nationally for many years. Ken spent 1993 and 1994 studying and painting in Paris, France. He is now living in Northbrook Illinois with his wife and two children.

After beginning his career as a studio artist, he soon branched out on his own, beginning a very successful freelance career, which to date has led to the creation of over 500 illustrations for books, magazines, art publishers, advertising agencies and corporations. 

Ken in the last few years has made the transition to fine art and portraiture. Many of his originals are hanging in galleries and homes across the country. Several awards have led to Signature status in the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society, and Transparent Watercolor Society along with being a Master Signature member with the Illinois Watercolor Society.

Workshop Description (from Ken)

Students, 

    Hello everyone! I am very much looking forward to our workshop this year. I hope you all are too. I will be giving a demonstration each day. On day 1 you can bring something of your own to paint, regardless of the subject matter. It can be landscapes, flowers, people, etc. This will give me a chance to see at what level each of you are in regards to watercolor painting. No matter where you are at present, we will have fun and hopefully, I can teach you a few things. 

    On day 2 we will all be painting from the same reference photos supplied by myself, of people of course! You should be getting the photos by e-mail about 2 weeks before.

    For days 3 and 4, we will have a class assignment. I will be supplying 3 separate photos of figures and 3 separate photo references of backgrounds. Your job will be to take a figure and combine with one of the backgrounds to design a large scale painting. I will demonstrate my process and thought pattern on how to put together multiple photos into a finished painting. On day 4 I will do a color demo of my design. You will have 2 days to finish the assignment.

    On the final day, we will have a free day to paint and practice whatever subject matter of people or figures of your choosing.   

    Please bring several samples of previous work to show. I will be available at times for a more personal review of your work.