Ernest W. Watson Pencil Sketching Demonstration

A short instructional film of my grandfather, Ernest W. Watson, demonstrating the Broadstroke pencil technique for which he became well known.
For more information about Ernest W. Watson, visit:
ernestwwatson.com
To see more of my artwork, visit:
thomasadwatson.com
Ernest W. Watson was born in 1884, graduated form Massachusetts Normal Art School in 1906, and received an Art Teacher Education Degree from Pratt Institute in 1907, where he subsequently taught from 1908 to1929. He co-founded the Berkshire Summer School of Art in Monterey, MA, with Raymond P. Ensign, was art editor of Scholastic Magazine from 1931 to 1937, when he founded Watson-Guptill Publications along with Arthur L. Guptill and Ralph Reinhold. Watson was vice-president of Watson-Guptill, and Editor in Chief of it's publication, American Artist Magazine, until his retirement in 1955. He died in 1969. He is best known for his broadstroke pencil drawings, an example of which is demonstrated in this film, and for his linoleum block prints which he often co-created with my grandmother, Eva Watson.

[@CRxTRDud3]

Note that the he mentioned 'pencil company', its actually the Joseph Dixon Crucible Co. (present day as Dixon Ticonderoga) And his art promotes their El Dorado model pencils. In fact some of the illustrations he made are available online as ads for the said El Dorado pencils.

[@banzy3]

I've owned one of Mr. Watson's books for many years now, and am rereading it currently. He was very articulate and you can tell from his writing, he was an intelligent and skilled gentleman, it makes for pleasant reading. I was particularly taken by a quote he shared by William Saroyan (which he refers to at least twice) on creative seeing and encompassing a whole, unifying view of the world. I never expected to find a video shared by his grandson. Thank you.

[@mustafajackson9430]

Great post. I loved his book on Creative Perspective.

[@jamesduncan578]

Awesome, thanks for sharing such a treasure.

[@copywriter9]

Thank you so much for posting this video! I'm a big fan of his! What a distinct pleasure to see Mr. Watson on film, sketching! Such a treasure. I have read his books, and studied his methods and enjoy every minute of pencil sketching because of his teachings! This film is priceless! Thank you so much!

[@doobieferkin]

Great video. This the first time I have seen Mr. Watson on film. I am a great fan of Ernest Watson and the broadstroke technique which I have been practicing for a year or so now using his books. Its a shame that the skills of these amazing artists have dwindled over the past years as they have so much to offer in this increasingly digital age. I would love to see more videos, if available.

[@wildfood1]

Loved his books! Edit: it just occurred to me that he didn't use an outline but just massed in tonal planes.

[@nuummuun]

I have some books by Ernest Watson. They are so important to me... This video is a treasure. Thanks for posting.

[@williamfarrington3222]

Thanks for the video. It's a pleasure to see the your grandfather drawing. I have taken much pleasure in reading his books and learning the broadstroke technique so it's nice to see the man himself.

[@judyparker8459]

Thanks for posting this! It'd be great to see his drawings on the website you've created. The linoblocks are of course beautiful but so are the drawings. Life is starting to turn the corner now in a better direction and hopefully all is well so this could happen. It's very helpful seeing and listening as he draws though. The Art of Pencil Drawing has amazing straight forward help and his personality comes through there as well, so the video is also fun to "meet" him. Thanks again.

[@ethioanimation3898]

god u are lucky to have a grandfather like him

[@javierpolancocid7033]

Thanks so much for this.

[@icegal9666]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@chillbuddy4178]

Thanks for sharing this!