Andy Evansen Interview - Watercolor Breakthroughs, Painting Large and Building a Legacy

▶︎Free Video Lesson: 8 Ways to Avoid Overworking Your Painting www.learntopaintwatercolor.co...
I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Andy Evansen, who is a world-renowned watercolor artist. We talked about his love for the medium, his struggles along the way, and what he would focus on if he was just learning how to paint.
You can see more of his work and see what he's up to at www.evansenartstudio.com
Chapters
0:00 People Ask "Why watercolor?"
1:52 What do you love about watercolor?
4:22 When you were learning to paint, did you have a big break through?
6:48 Simplify the background.
8:10 Finding the big shapes.
9:33 Learning the basics.
10:34 The importance of a large mixing area.
13:58 Painting large.
18:26 If you had to start over what would you focus?
19:32 Plein air painting.
20:51 Did you ever imagine the success you would have?
25:41 Ambition for more.
28:39 What's my legacy going to be?
30:07 Taking time to reflect.
35:32 Keeping a journal.
36:23 What keeps you inspired?
38:37 What are you working on these days?

[@windybluff2022]

I am one of those anonymous people inspired by you Andy. I grew up in Minnesota, daughter of a watercolor painter and dabbler until recently. Now I’m in New England, retired, and painting like crazy. Thank you for getting me through the pandemic and I hope to meet you one day!

[@timk.1395]

This was a great video for me to see. I am 60 and just starting watercolor, and it is a LOT harder than drawing with pencil. I hope to eventually be happy with what I paint.

[@nickfeganart5776]

Thanks, Matthew for the amazing interview with Andy. He's such a humble fella and an incredibly dedicated watercolorist. Great techniques and learning in this video,

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janrpascal]

You and Andy are both at the top of my list my favorite artists so I loved this interview. You are my favorite local KC artist. Matthew, you interview artists so well, asking such relevant and insightful questions in a casual conversational way. That is another art in itself! Thank you so much. BTW, I was in San Diego at the recently and immediately spotted a painting in the SD Watercolor Society permanent exhibit that I instantly knew must be yours! ❤

[@pleinaire8698]

Mid 50s you’re just a babe, Andy! I started painting again when I turned 50 and I don’t regret having waited. I’m not looking for financial success. I’m looking for that next big Masterpiece I might be able to do before I die.!

[@donnathibodeau4384]

This was one of the best interviews ever. So many thing’s relevant to a watercolor painter.

[@watercolourmark]

Painting small is good advice. I would add to that, paint smaller with the best materials you can afford. It is self defeating to learn to paint with budget paints on poor wood paper - is that even watercolour? Then to go on and use a student grade range of materials and processes. To finally find yourself using artist grade materials and learning that process. As a beginner, it would be better to paint 100% cotton with artist grade at A5 size, as it is easier to scale up than to rebuild a palette, process and workflow, while swapping out materials. And you don't need to live the frustrations of compromised materials. But sometimes we just have to paint with what we can afford. As it is important that we paint today regardless of any excuses we harbour.

[@pleinaire8698]

Speaking of journals, my sketchbooks are my journals! I’m on sketchbook 36 after 20 years of painting, I’ve kept track of all my thumbnails and notes. It’s been a wonderful journey..to look back on the years and see what I have accomplished.!❤🎉

[@markdonovan1540]

Great insight and a superb set of interview questions and responses. After almost 3 years at the newbie painter stage, with no artistic background to speak of, I think I'm finally starting to understand a bit more of the watercolour painting process. I've mainly been learning from videos on KZbin and Pinterest, plus a couple of watercolour books. I tend to take one idea from each source and try and replicate it in whatever painting I fancy doing, usually from reference photos I've taken myself from visits to towns and other countries. I like painting big skies, landscapes and seascapes and I'm trying to improve my techniques for many different aspects of urban sketching too. I have been drawing more, so I tend to use underdrawings, even just a basic outline sometimes. However, I also have days where I just go wild and see what happens - I call them "experiments". However, this undisciplined approach seems to have reached its limit now, so perhaps it time for more focused planning, composition, value studies etc. I live in Madrid, which is very dry, usually around 30% RH, so drying time is fast. I use waterspray bottles to keep up moisture when and where needed. It's a hobby that I picked up around May 2018, which mostly painting from imagination, which I found to be very therapeutic and lots of fun. Since the pandemic it seems I've gone into overdrive on painting and have probably painted over 100 pieces in the last 18 months. I think I'll try one of these online classes or a local urban sketchers group in the near future.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Mark, thanks for sharing about your journey into watercolor painting. I wish you all the best as you keep growing and moving forward. You may have seen me talk about my course or my membership. You can click here to learn more. www.learntopaintwatercolor.com/store Let me know if you have any questions and best of luck to you!

[@barryteghtmeyer5466]

Great interview. Huge admirer of both of you! As a museum educator, let me address the "no watercolors on display" issue. All works on paper are only able to be on display once every 5 years. This is due to the fact that paper and watercolor paint can deteriorate in light, even when under a controlled environment. Our curator of American Art is very good about having watercolor exhibitions, and many times has allowed me to preview what they are getting ready to display. The great thing is that I have been introduced to some incredible artists, such as Fredric James, George Ault, and John La Farge. Thanks again, guys!

[@JayNathanWatercolor]

Very interesting to hear that. Thank you for the information 🙏

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks Barry! Good information.

[@DavidMiltonJones]

@@learntopaintwatercolor I disagree with almost everything Barry says leeangold.com/2017/10/26/watercolour-myths-part-1-watercolours-have-poor-lightfastness/

[@DavidMiltonJones]

Of all the galleries I visited the chief reason was monetary. Quite simply, take an oil and a watercolour the same dimensions and they can get ten times the price for the oil. It's cultural. Modern pigments are far less lightfast than the pigments used by Turner and Cotman. And yes, oil also fades! It also collects dust.

[@DavidMiltonJones]

Frankly, investors in art have bought into this myth perpetuated (for perpetuated read perpetrated) by gallery owners. Many bury the paintings in secure storage facilities in the Eurozone and elsewhere and wait for them to accrue in price. Sounds a perfect environment for watercolour, if you ask me.

[@kenharrison440]

Both of you guys are amazing. Thank you for sharing your story and professional life. You both inspire me and my painting. I had a career and retired at 57 and started painting full time and it has been exciting. But to start so late I wonder how far I can go with it. I suppose I should just enjoy the art and live my life. A professional art career at 73 now is hard to consider. Life is ticking and you both are inspirational to me. Thank you both for sharing your art life..

[@jeriheprianto2105]

Both great watercolor artists! I love Andy's value study.. its so making sense..

[@hastyo1]

Such a treat to hear from Andy about his process, his career, and ideas. JOURNAL! Its never too late (I returned to it 3 years ago, after a 10 year hiatus). Also, such a nice contrast to your (Matthews) very deliberate, methodological process. Not suggesting that Andy is a 'grip it and rip it' approach at all

[@brandongacuzana3792]

Fantastic conversational chemistry here. You're a great interviewer and Andy is a great interviewee

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video.

[@pleinaire8698]

Even though I paint in oils, I did start out in watercolors because of one of my favorite mentors… Andrew Wyeth and his watercolors. Wow.!!!🎄💕🥰🌵

[@MichaelHattem]

Wonderful interview, Matthew!

[@saryanavatishaya2084]

So inspiring to watch you and Andy share your experiences. Thanks for creating this amazing opportuity to keep on moving forward with watercolour.

[@LakeInnovationLLC]

Thanks for the interview discussion. Andy and Matthew have been very helpful in developing my artistic skill with watercolor. The mountains, valleys, and farms of Western North Carolina -- even Lake Junaluska -- may be of interest. Our winters are short and mild for Plein air painting. You have encouraged me to get outside. One takeaway from the online (paid) resources--- it helped me to paint more -- thanks, C

[@barbaralee915]

They think oil painting is the real thing. I did that already, very heavy. I love the transparency of water color so much more!

[@jennyferrier3220]

Great chat you guys, great insides. Thanks. Jenny watercolours from Nelson New Zealand. Good job at taking the room over.

[@barbaralee915]

SO appreciate you two!

[@elletuppen4844]

Loved this interview, thank you both. 🌹🌹As a beginner it is so good to hear what key things are important. One of them being to start more monochrome which has worked for me in growing confidence with those basic skills of mixing, paints, values, water and pigment ratio.

[@SuzieQ287]

I loved this conversation, especially the topic of setting goals. Lol. Live in the present and have no regrets!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@beebee8018]

So pleased I found this. Love it. So much valuable information from two of my favourite artists. All over too soon.

[@johnmonsterwatercolour]

That was great, Matt. I am about to take a short course given by Andy called “Finding Beauty in the Ordinary”. And I noticed you have a style similar to Andy, yet unique to you. I really like the softness in your paintings. And thanks for the videos…

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks John! I hope the course has gone well for you. Andy is a great teacher!

[@barbaralee915]

Oh my gosh, my favorite combination!! Thank you for doing watercolor! Its so fresh & so many options.

[@karendavidson-heller8806]

Thanks so much Matthew for your interesting and laid back interview with Andy about his painting process. He is such a regular and humble man. I can't wait to see what he paints in the future. Also, thank you so much for your video, "8 Steps...". It's wonderful! I'm keeping ALL of the steps in mind as I work with watercolor. I'll need to review that list often I think! Happy Painting to you!

[@JayNathanWatercolor]

Thanks for sharing this with us Matt. You asked Andy some interesting questions. A really enjoyable listen.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you liked it!

[@loretacolantonio7398]

Ciao from Italy! Fantastic interview, I really appreciated and it got me thinking about so much. Grazie!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it.

[@ernes103]

Fantastic interview!! Andy Evansen is one of my absolute favourite watercolour painters! Really enjoyed it, thank you so much

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you enjoyed it! He's fantastic!

[@christiejacobson2976]

Hi, from Wisconsin! I hope you make a video when you two get together and paint. Thanks for being such generous people!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you liked it!

[@nckatenahalli7139]

Namaste to Andy Evenson-form INDIA

[@judypedersen3697]

Great interview. Good probing questions that helped me get to know more about Andy. Thanks.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it.

[@monicaj3023]

This was so fun and interesting to listen to you both talk !! Thank you

[@DavidMiltonJones]

A really great interview Matthew and going beyond technique into issues around goals and stuff really gave it depth.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you liked it, David!

[@carolray3637]

I really enjoyed this interview, so informative, than you. And the BEST Q&A, at 18:40! Excellent food for thought throughout.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks Carol! I’m so glad you liked it.

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

I paint in all mediums, but my favorite way to paint is with watercolor or soft pastels. Soft pastels are every bit as fine as oil paints in the artist arsenal. They are versatile, rich, and extremely lightfast. In other words, they will stay the same over hundreds of years when protected. Most people think of soft pastels as being colored chalk, but they are not chalk. They are pure pigment with a little bit of binder. Soft pastels can be used wet or dry. Watercolor takes no time to dry compared to oils and some subjects are better painted in watercolor. Watercolor takes skill and doesn't leave much room for error. One most know how to properly mix color to avoid mud. One must know how much water to pigment to use for various affects.

[@kishorsonawane3448]

Inspiring, Really enjoyed this talk with Andy and you Matthew!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

I’m glad to hear that!

[@yunzers]

Thanks so much Matthew. This was so interesting and helpful.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

You're welcome! Glad you liked it!

[@KateShaw2]

Nice video!

[@ianbarnes1406]

Great interview. Only just discovered your channel after watching one of your other interviews. Interesting to hear that Andy was going to teach at Windrush. I took a course there a few years back with Jem Bowden - lovely little venue

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks Ian, glad you liked the video! Welcome to my channel as well!

[@janawatercolor]

Very good interview. Loved the questions

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you liked it!

[@rockingguitar2050]

Great interview.

[@toasttothailand]

Great video, Matt!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thank you!

[@Flux_One]

Great interview 👍

[@ABBAnMJ]

So interesting!😁

[@suel4269]

Great interview!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Thanks!!

[@danthomas6587]

How did I miss this gem?

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

More on the way! I have a Thomas Schaller interview I’ll be posting on Wednesday. Spread the word!

[@jennyferrier3220]

Great chat you guys, very insightful. Good job on taking that front room over Mathew. Jenny Watercolourist Nelson N.Z.

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marlan6431]

Nice interview!

[@learntopaintwatercolor]

Glad you liked it!

[@N_Patil80]

I got the John pike pallet after reading Evans book but never used it. It takes too much space and I’m just beginner so do only small paintings.

[@dumyes]

Great interview. Thanks! He is so approachable and humble. This guy is so cool. 8:05 Joseph who?

[@l.j.7540]

Zbukvic

[@barbaralee915]

You BOTH need to journal. Even look at the work of artists, but what were they thinking? That would be a treasure. Who was this person?

[@lizdamelio952]

Did you both achieve the goals you spoke of since this post?