{ watercolor sketchbook }

2012-02-02T11:18:00.000-08:00

Watercolor Sticks FREE Demo this Saturday 2.4.2012 at Daniel Smith Seattle at 11am and 1:45pm
Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks add a new dimension to your paintings. The Sticks are great for those sketchies, and Plein Aire artist that want to carry light on there travels. Thats not to say their not used in your studio work, they are a very versatile medium. Since the sticks are chock full of pigment you can use them opaque, right off the stick or use water to use them like traditional watercolors. Don't like to see pencil lines in your work? Use them to draw directly on the paper and use a wet brush to mix and add beautiful washes.In this demo Che will show you the 3 main techniques to use with the sticks, but that by no means are these the only ways to use the sticks. Use your imagination and find your unique way to create beautiful and colorful works of art.

Smoke'n Joe Frazier

2011-12-06T10:03:00.001-08:00

I have received so many positive responses from this painting. This is by far my favorite, I really learned a lot from painting this piece. I took these pictures as I painted, Im glad I remembered to document my process. I used Watercolor Sticks, I love how much pigment I can get with my brush. I start with my drawing, then drew in the shadows with Hansa Yellow Medium, from there I grab my brush and paint in the areas with clean water. I then use a little of Quinacridone Coral to add warmth to the shadows. And I slowly build up from there. I end up using Imperial Purple to finish up the darks. I ended up using DS watercolor ground to highlight and add back the whites I might of lost. Enjoy~

Finished piece "Smoke'n Joe Frazier" 15 x 22 Watercolor on Paper

Dia de Milagros Project

2011-08-09T12:44:00.001-07:00

Since Milagros was born I've been trying to document her growth with sketches and paintings. It has been hard with the limited time I have while Im with her, but I found a cool way to document her month by month. Im going to paint a 6"x6" panel of her for every month till she is 2 years old then going to frame it for her. Im not just painting them, Im going to try to use different mediums to make each one. So here are the first 4 months so far, Month 1 Watercolor on paper, 2 Ink and Watercolor, 3 Pencil on paper and 4 Color Pencil.
enjoy~

Redux Artist Challenge "el Santo" Sketch

2011-07-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Every year the Kirkland Arts Center holds an Artshow and Artist Challenge to raise money. KAC is an awesome local arts center for all ages and am proud to be part of this organization for the last 3 years! This years artist challenge is "Popart" and the winner gets $1000 and all pieces are donated for the auction that they have in September. So its a win win for me I get my art out there and I get to paint!
So this is the initial sketch on canvas with my marker comp to work out the composition and colors. Enjoy~

Journey Continues...

2011-07-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

With the addition of my new Pilot Brush Pen i've really been on a roll. It really feels good to put color on paper. I hope to keep it up and not slack off, I have a competition Im entering in October and I need to get working on the piece. I'll post some pictures of my progress.
But for now here is another on of my brush exercise, this is from a photo of Venice in 2007, I took a plethora of photos. This took me 20 mins or so from pen to paint. Im trying not to over work my sketches and just lay down color as I feel it. Enjoy~

Urban Sketches - Lisbon

2011-07-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

I came across this great group on the net called "Urban Sketchers" There are groups all over the world that go and sketch around their town or cities. These are some pictures I drew from in Lisbon, I hope to catch up with the Seattle chapter. Check them out @ http://www.urbansketchers.org/

Pen and ink sketching - Part 2

2011-07-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

I finally received my new brush pen with permanent ink, my other brush pen only have water soluble inks. I do like this new Pentek from Japan. These few sketches are just figuring out which paper I like better to ink and paint with. Im liking the Hot Press paper for the way the ink lays on the paper. Hot press paper takes watercolor a bit different from Cold Press, the watercolor isn't absorbed into the paper but stays on top of the surface for nice effects. And last but not least are 2 pages from my Moleskine sketchbook using my Sumi Brush pen. Enjoy~

Pen and ink sketching - Part 1

2011-07-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Working on some pen and ink watercolor sketches. I just used a sharpie to draw the line quickly without really thinking and just letting it flow. Almost like a contour drawing, been drawing a lot in my Moleskine sketchbook with a brush pen to become quicker in the field.

Back to basics...

2011-06-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

Since Milagritos arrived my drawing and painting has slowed down almost to a dead stop. So the days where I can just sit down and paint for a few hours is gone ( for now. ) So I decided to do some brush drawing in the mean time, maybe 10 mins worth , Im using sumi ink and a brush, then paint when I get some time. Im going to carry around a couple sketch books, a Drawing and a Painting Moleskin. Drawing people I see on TV and Milagros. So wish me luck I really need to draw and paint something, its drives me crazy lol

Milagros 9 month painting ( part 1 )

2011-01-30T16:19:00.000-08:00

Well with the birth of my beautiful little girl Milagros, papi had to transform his studio into her room. But all that changed in November when we bought our 1st house. Big enough for all of us +1 god willing ;) and my own studio space! Now that I'm slowly setting up my new space, I started on this new painting...Milagros 9 Months ( Acrylic on Canvas 30in x 30in )

KAC Plein Air Workshop @ Kirkland Marina

2010-07-22T10:01:00.001-07:00

Week 2 of my 4 week Plein Air Workshop at the Kirkland Arts Center. We meet at the Kirkland Marina on a beautiful day, started overcast but then the sun showed its glorious face. Was able to paint a little while my students worked on their paintings. Walked around and helped with technique, but these ladies pick things up quickly. Excited to see what we come up with next week!

Watercolor Textures Demo and Workshop Information

2010-07-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

Would like to thank everyone who attended my Textures Demos this weekend at DS Bellevue. If you liked the demo the Workshop will be loads more fun and I will go in depth on the techniques I covered and more I didn't get a chance to get to.

Watercolor Textures Workshop - DS Bellevue Sunday August 8th, 11:30am t0 4:30pm ONLY $75

Creating a sketch.

2010-06-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

What makes a sketch a sketch? Well for me its a quick study or studies on a particular subject. I try to work quickly and let my feelings and instincts take over, not worrying to much about color or value.
From this point I start to put a little bit of thought into the next step which is working the middle values. Keeping in mind that she is a baby and not to over work the values, the more you layer the more you age the subject.
Now for the dark values in the eyes, cheeks and lips. Framing the face with Sepia in the cap it starts to come together.
The last few steps are the details, eye lashes, and a bit of line work to keep it together. Add Manganese Blue in the background to adds a cool value and punches up the warm values in the face.

Done! From start to finish this sketch took me 15 mins.

Happy Brush :)

2010-06-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

With the birth of my lil girl Milagros, papi has been busy spending as much time as possible with her. One day I picked out a new Moleskin Watercolor Book and with brush in hand stood over my beautiful lil girl and painted her while she slept. Needless to say picking up the brush and putting paint on paper felt great.

Now with my classes and workshops starting up again, time to bust off the paints and brushes and get back to work. For workshop and class info please visit www.artofche.com. My goal is to post at least twice a week, going to try hard to keep painting everyday but as some of you know once at the gym I like to hit people ;) So keep your hands up and chin down!

che out~

Building textures in Watercolor

2010-03-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

This is a demonstration I did during my class about building textures in your paintings to add a bit of chaos into your landscapes. Just a bit of texture or splattering paint will add interest and movement.

Look for a Workshop on "Building Textures in Watercolor" on August 8th at Daniel Smith Bellevue.

Sketch of the Day

2010-02-05T12:26:00.001-08:00

Red Boat, Blue Sky

2010-02-02T16:39:00.000-08:00

I've been teaching how to paint wet on wet skies in my "Everything Watercolor" class, which actually got me inspired to paint again. This is the beginning of a Boat painting I took on our second year anniversary in Langley Wa.

In my class I stress the importance of a value and color study, you want to work out the colors and values before you start painting so not to get hung up toward the end of the painting. Working out your ideas will make for a successful painting.

New Year, new post...sometimes it feels that way

2010-01-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

Well now that it's a whole new year feeling I should be posting something.
To update everyone, with the baby coming in April I had to convert my studio into the baby's room. So its hard to paint in a smaller area, still working out the details of my new painting space. More to come soon :)
Here is a oldie but goodie.

Ink and Watercolor Sticks

2009-10-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is a painting I did during my Everything Watercolor class this morning. Sunflowers done in Ink first and then painted with the watercolor sticks. It took me about 15 mins. or so.

Rainy Sunday afternoon

2009-09-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

Painting I did on a rainy Sunday afternoon, just felt like throwing some paint on paper. Im using the New Watercolor Sticks on Hot press paper. enjoy.

Watercolor Sticks Workshop Friday August 28th @ 4pm

2009-08-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

August, Friday 28th 4-7pm and Saturday October 17th 2pm to 5pm ( Bellevue Daniel Smith )

If you haven't used the Sticks before this is the perfect opportunity to try them for yourself while our professional instructor gives you step-by-step instruction on the many versatile and new ways to paint in the studio or on location. Materials required for the expanded section. $50 for the Workshop

Watercolor Sticks 101
Sat. Sept. 12th 9am and Oct 3rd @ 9am

Learn the basics about this unique and versatile new watercolor medium.
For all basic 101 classes each student will receive a $10 coupon to use at the Bellevue store towards purchasing art materials during the day attended.

R.I.P Arturo "Thunder" Gatti

2009-07-19T22:57:00.000-07:00

I painted this in about an hour and a half over the weekend at Kirkland Un-Corked. I was demo'ing for the Kirkland Arts Center where I teach. It was a fun event, got to paint and hang out by the lake in kirkland for a few hours.

This is for Arturo Gatti a great fighter gone to soon.

Need to finish Rufus Angel!

2009-06-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

This is a painting I started almost a year ago the weekend our Rufus died. I've had him here waiting to be finished, today almost a year after he died Im going to finish him. It makes me sad to paint him still a year after his death. I feel it will good to work on the painting and finish him. So to get me going and not afraid to finish him Im going to post the process.

A che painted by che

2009-06-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

Well I really have to remember to post more often, I think I post more on my Facebook than my blog. But like my good friend Ken said " Post more sir!".
This is a painting I did with the Watercolor Sticks a few weeks back during my Watercolor class in Kirkland. This is a " Che of a Che" Im currently working on a series of painting of people's faces. Trying to get their personalities to show. Along with a childrens book that Dr. Jorge R. Chacon wrote on the pinata. Ill be working on that one for atleast 6 months lots of painting for the book. Stay tuned.

Events and Workshops

2009-05-03T15:39:00.001-07:00

Hands on Classes

Watercolor Sticks 101
May 9th and June 6th ( 9am - 10am)

Start your day with a hour exploring the NEW Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks where our instructor will show you special tips for using these unique drawing and painting tool. Each student will receive a $10 Coupon to use in the store that day. Register early, class size is limited.

$10 per day Bellevue Store (425) 643-1781

Watercolor 101: Mixing Greens
May 23rd & June 20th ( 9am-10am)

Start your day early with this hour class in Mixing Greens. Each student will receive a $10 Coupon to use in the store that day. Register early, class size is limited.

$10 per day Bellevue Store (425) 643-1781

Workshops

Watercolor 101 Expanded : The Basics
May 15th and June 12th from 4pm -7pm

Watercolor 101 Expanded is an in depth class on the basics of color mixing from a simplified palette. These mixing tips and painting techniques will help bring confidence to the beginning watercolorists. From wet on wet to glazing watercolor, Che will give you the tools to paint beautiful watercolor paintings. A supply list is provided and materials required for the expanded section classes.

Please register early, as class sizes are limited to 12 students

$50 per day Bellevue Store (425) 643-1781

Im back!

2009-04-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

So I haven't moved my Blog, its much easier to update here. So my Blog is staying. But visit www.artofche.com for my classes and recent works.
I was luck enough to be writen about on the Daniel Smith Blog Site. Here is the article and slideshow.

Article :

http://danielsmith.realestatetomato.net/2009/04/26/how-to-use-the-new-daniel-smith-extra-fine-watercolor-sticks-free-demo-and-hands-on-event-with-che-lopez/

Slide Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU36EHB_ZSY

enjoy,
che

Introducing Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks FREE DEMO

2009-03-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

This SUNDAY 22nd Free Demo @ Noon and another at 2pm. Come on down to the Bellevue Daniel Smith. I hope to see you all there.

Drawing Class

2009-02-26T22:47:00.000-08:00

This is one of my drawing of a great bust at Kirkland Arts Center, which my students dislike to draw. I love the plaster bust and wish I could take it home.

Watercolor Sticks Demo Piece still in process...

2009-02-20T23:41:00.000-08:00

Introducing Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks

2009-02-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

FREE Demonstration Monday 16th ( Presidents Day ) Demo @ 12 and Hands-on from 1-2

They're like nothing else, combining the intensity of tube paint with the convenience and portability of half pans.

I'll be demonstrating the new Daniel Smith Watercolor Sticks at Noon on Monday the 16th Presidents Day, then letting you guys try them for yourself from 1 pm - 2 pm. Im so happy to be demonstrating this new medium, if you like to draw or paint this is for YOU! Come and enjoy a demo by me and stay for the hands on after the demo. See you then

Picks from the Candy Store

2009-01-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

Daniel Smith Bellevue will have pieces up in the galley in back of the store thru January. "Picks from the Candy Store" is an employee show of our favorite works using our favorite DS media. We have works from Joe, Michael, Holly, June, Che, Melinda and Janis in all media from Watercolors to Oils, from abstract to realism. Please stop by and take a look.

Simple Cards for any Occasion ( Sat. Dec. 13th )

2008-12-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

I invite you to come on down to Daniel Smith Bellevue on Saturday December 13th @ 11:45am & 2 pm for my demonstration on Simple Card making for any occasion. I will be fun and you can see how I make my cards quick and easy and they look great. So I hope to see you there!

Beginning Watercolor ( week 6 )

2008-11-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

This week we are going to learn how to paint water and water effects. If you weren't in last weeks class, please bring a photo of a water scene and paint the trading card that I passed around last week. If you did get any or weren't in class, you can visit Dan Smith and there right in front counter.

New computer and there for new images!

2008-11-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

Ok with my computer finally giving up on me I upgraded to the New Macbook Pro, so its time to update again :P These are some of my students working hard at this past weeks class. We were getting into the fall season with painting fall leaves and working on the wet on wet technique. Next week were going to explore masking and pouring technique....so stay tuned!

Painting trees

2008-10-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

Im still sorta painting.....

2008-09-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

Hello again, well with the busy season at the gym, my time has really been limited. I've had a few of my fighters fight a couple weeks ago and they did great. As what I'm painting now I'm finishing a commission and preparing for my upcoming class at the Kirkland Arts Center. Some of you know that I'm teaching a beginning watercolor class and working part time at Daniel Smith and have my gym I own....wow. But with my upcoming class I will be painting more often and updating my blog frequently. Well until next time ....... che out!

The beauty of Tulum in the Yucatan

2008-07-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

This is another of my watercolor sketches, this one was finished last weekend. The goal for me is to keep painting, and just enjoy what I love. I hope to someday have these all in a show once I feel there up to lopez standers :P Im just trying to hone my skills.
enjoy~

What's on my easel Today?

2008-06-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

WOW! Two post on the sameday, I must have time to burn :) Well to be fair it's sunday night and wanted to share my paintings. Well it was a hot one today, so I spent most of my time outside painting on my deck. It's just to hot inside to do anything productive. I couldn't even play World of Warcraft lol Enjoy~

Daniel Smith Paint outs Part 2

2008-06-29T22:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, Im at it again, here are are a few of my favorite paint outs from work. These are for our sampler sets.
enjoy!

Cancun sketch in Daniel Smith PrimaTek Watercolors

2008-06-23T18:08:00.001-07:00

I did this painting at Daniel Smith Bellevue to demonstrate the DS PrimaTek watercolors. I love to paint at work :P

Pastel Event Paintings

2008-04-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that was able to make it to my Demos this weekend at both Daniel Smith's Stores. Here are 2 of the pastels painting that I worked on for the demos.

Unison Pastel Event @ Daniel Smith.

2008-03-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

With my busy work schedule I haven't had time to paint or post, but with my new business partner at the gym I finally get some time to paint. I will try and get some new paintings up asap. But for now, Im going to be giving a couple of FREE demos at Daniel Smith here are the dates.

BELLEVUE DANIEL SMITH
Sat. Apr. 26th from 9:00-4:00
SPRING PASTEL EVENT:
Hands-On, multiple demos, Artwork, give-aways and more.
Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord with Che Lopez at 11 pm
(Sponsored by Unison Free Samples)

SEATTLE DANIEL SMITH
Sun. Apr 27th from 11:00- 4:00
SPRING PASTEL EVENT:
Hands-On, multiple demos, Artwork, give-aways and more.
Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord with Che Lopez at 12 pm
(Sponsored by Unison Free Samples)

Portrait Show

2007-12-02T20:46:00.000-08:00

Hello again, I finished this painting this weekend for a portrait show at Dan Smith. The show is a employee portrait show at the Daniel Smith store in Bellevue. I was lucky to pick Sara for my portrait, it is watercolor on Bristol paper. The show opens in a week or so. Enjoy

Free Demonstrations at Daniel Smith

2007-12-01T14:50:00.001-08:00

I will be doing 2 demos on" How to paint with watercolor on Hot Press paper and clayboard" At Daniel Smith Bellevue Store on Saturday Dec. 15th @ 11:00am and 1.45pm / Sunday Dec. 16th @ Seattle Daniel Smith @ 12pm and 2pm. For directions please visit http://www.danielsmith.com. Hope to see you there!

Cancun Pot Series

2007-10-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

These are just a couple of my earlier painting series called "Cancun". I believe I painted these sometime in 2002, I fell in love with the mayan imagery I saw there. These are just a few I finished, I have tons of ideas I hope to put on paper one of these days. My "man bag" is becoming bloated with my sketches. lol All are watercolor on 140 lbs Arches. Till next time.

Happy 30th Solly!

2007-10-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

I didn't post last week because the wifey and I were at Cannon Beach in Oregon visiting my brother in-law and his wonderful family. But I was able to finish this painting for my brother's 30th birthday. I love this picture of him, it was supposed to be a card but i felt a larger painting was in order. I was able to paint it in a few hours and loved every minute of it.

Italy Part 2

2007-09-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hello again, I finished a painting for someone special that I can't post yet until they get it :P Anyway....I was lucky enough to be asked to attend a workshop last Monday, I attended a " How to paint Fall scenes" with Susie Short. I learned allot, it was a blast, I love watercolor! These 3 sketches are from my trip to Italy. I did these in Walnut Ink, David, The Pantheon and The Prisoner. I would like to give a shout out to my Little Dr. Bro... HAPPY 30th Birthday bro, I love you.

Some of my Plein Air work

2007-09-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

With the great response I've been getting with the "Salsa Series" I've haven't been working on much else. Once I get 20 done I will post them all, and they are on sale, $60 each unframed and $80 framed. I have at least 5 sold so please don't wait, or I can be commissioned to paint your own "Fresh Salsa Series".
I did these a few months ago, the first one is, one of the trees I have here near my house, I love the white trunk with the contrast of the green leaves. The last two are of Deception Pass, on a nice and sunny day, looking out from the beach.

Daniel Smith Paint outs

2007-09-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Well....what a week, I really didn't have time to paint for myself this week untill lastnight. But I did paint at work. As some of you know I have a part-time job at Daniel Smith in Bellevue. The best part of the job is that they keep me busy painting, like "DS Triads" and different painting surfaces like this one on Ampersand Clayboard. I call this one " oil in watercolor" enjoy!

Commission Finished!

2007-09-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

I finished this commission on monday, it was harder than I thought it was going to be, there was allot going on in the original picture. But I really had fun painting the background. I'm posting a few picts of the process of painting this commission. Enjoy!

Inspiration!

2007-09-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

Hello again,
I was finishing up a commission this weekend, when I decided I would go to the grocery store to make some dinner for me and the wife. And while in the produce isle I got a rush of inspiration. I always make salsa for us and I told myself why not paint the very colorful salsa ingredients! And from that came my new series of paintings called...."The Salsa Series". I'm going to paint 20 or more on 6"x6" clayboard. I really had fun painting these 2, this will keep me painting for months to come!

These paintings are for sale $60 each, so If you like one send me an email.

Inside Calavera Studio

2007-08-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Looks like it's Sunday again, and I've been busy painting but this time finishing up a commission.
The 1st picture is of my palette, I work from warm to cool, I've had this palette layout since I could remember.The 2nd is of my work space, I have a large Boeing drafting table it can accommodate all my needs, lights, palette and plenty of space for reference materials. And the last one is the commission I just finished a month ago for a friend.
che OUT~

Italy; June 2007

2007-08-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

Here are some sketches from my recent trip to Italy. What an amazing country, I wish to return someday and spend a few months painting. These are just a few sketches from my trip. I took close to 600 pictures and I plan of painting large scale versions of these sketches and many more.

2007-08-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Hello all! This is my 1st and hopefully not my last post on my blog. This blog will be my watercolor sketchbook. Ill post plein air paintings and still lifes I paint during my times off, either at Sidekicks or just around town. I carry my watercolors everywhere I go so I hope to try and paint everyday.
This are some gloves I set up at the gym, a quick painting on a 7" x 10" hot pressed block. Using, of course Daniel Smith watercolors. Please feel free to leave me a post, I would love to hear what you all think of my work.

PS. Stay tuned Im putting the finishing touches for the re-launch of www.chelopez.com. Coming in Sept. 2007!