When out in the landscape looking for interesting subjects to paint, try focusing on the “shapes” you see instead of the things you see! Use shapes along with the Principles of Design to create strong compositions for paintings that will hold a viewers attention. Take a look at the interesting geometric shapes in my photo of a very ordinary scene. I was, particularly, attracted to the shape of the blue house with the unusual slope to its front roofline. Eventually I used the idea of a sloping roofline to compose 3 different paintings from one photo. Since it was a very [...]

    Joyce’s Signature Paints    [...]

I discovered this idyllic scene at the edge of the sea in Elk, CA; a quaint coastal village along thePacific Coast Highway.   My Signature Paint Collections     [...]

GOOD TO KNOW…If your goal is to merely replicate a scene then make it easy and just use a camera. But if you want to create a work of art then exaggerate your feelings for the subject and paint the character of the place instead. The photo of this old homestead seemed unworthy at first glance but the interesting pattern of the green striped awnings gave me pause to reconsider. Without a doubt it’s the artist’s eye and imagination that has the power to set great paintings apart. Visit my website to see this same subject done up in oils.       [...]

I am beyond pleased to have two of my watercolor paintings chosen as finalists in this prestigious Splash 24: The Best of Watercolor competition. Many thanks to Jean Haines, renowned artist and juror, for including my work in this prestigious event. [...]

GOOD TO KNOW…Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could travel to far places in pursuit of beautiful places to paint? But doing this is not always possible, or even necessary, because inspiration is all around us and can be found in the most unlikely places. My less than perfect photo of an old homestead is a good example of how an interesting painting might be created around a subject as ordinary as this... https://davincipaints.com/joyce-signature-da-vinci-oil.../ [...]

GOOD TO KNOW...One of the most powerful contributions to the quality of your work is how well you use the Design Principle of Repetition! A repetitive pattern in a painting can quickly become boring and monotonous if some kind of variation is not implemented. Repetition with Variation occurs naturally in the landscape but is not commonly seen in man-made forms. Therefore, it becomes the artist's responsibility to attract and entertain their viewers by adding shape, color, value, size, line and texture in a variety of ways in every single part of the painting. This is an important concept to maser if [...]

GOOD TO KNOW…Dominance is an important Design Principle! It adds excitement to a piece by giving emphasis to chosen elements in your composition, and also counteracts confusion and monotony! Without its presence your painting will hold little attraction for the viewer. However, it is important to remember that a dominant element is greatly diminished, and loses it's power to attract, if smaller subordinating elements in the scene are not included. Excerpt from my book "Painting Beautiful Watercolor Landscapes." Now available as an ebook on Amazon.   [...]

  I've been inspired to paint this idyllic scene many times and can still recall the peace and tranquility I felt as I stood before it on a warm and beautiful sunlit day.  Newsletter     [...]

My new painting, “ Alsea Bay Roses,” was inspired by a beautiful scene I saw in Oregon and was created using my Signature collection of Da Vinci Oil Paints. As you see I decided to change the viewpoint of the scene so that Alsea Bay, which was right behind the cottage, could become part of the story.       [...]

I believe that sketching is one of the most important components in the creation of art, and what you choose to sketch is not at all important. Practice makes perfect and will give you an opportunity to become personally acquainted with all aspects of your subject. A sketchbook is where you'll resolve possible issues with your composition and value plan before you ever pick up a brush full of paint and will act as a roadmap to success. We all need the confidence this kind of preliminary work will bring if our hope is to create works of art that engage [...]

Sketching is one of the most important components in the creation of art. It gives you an opportunity to become personally acquainted with all aspects of your subject so potential issues with composition, value and color are resolved before you ever pick up a brush full of paint. We all need the confidence this kind of preliminary work brings if our hope is to create works of art that will engage and welcome viewers into our world. Following this process I created my demo painting for Watercolor Live 2023. I had fun demonstrating how easy it is to use the power [...]

Remember that your real subject is not a barn or a pot of flowers; it is the arrangement of shapes on the page. Paint shapes, not things! Subscribe to my Newsletter at https://www.jhicksfineart.com/email-newsletter   [...]

I am honored to hear that my paintings "Rural Respite” and "Out Santa Rosa Creek Road” both received finalist awards in "SPLASH 24: The Best of Watercolor" and will be published in the special edition of Artists Magazine set to hit Newsstands in July 2023.   [...]

  While traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway many years ago I saw a quaint little neighborhood sitting at the edge of the sea and could only imagine what it might be like to live in such a place. My latest 9x12 oil painting represents the memory of what I saw and felt on that beautiful sunlit day. For a more creative outcome I used my preliminary value sketch and watercolor study as reference to paint from. Subscribe to my free Newsletter     [...]

Watercolor Live 2023 Faculty Auction begins Monday and will be open to everyone wishing to bid or purchase from this beautiful collection of paintings. Two of my artworks are included: “Cottage by the Sea” and “Only in my Dreams.” To view all artists paintings follow link to the auction website… https://www.32auctions.com/wcl23 Reserve your spot at Watercolor Live 2023, an exciting, virtual painting event. Follow the link to register, get all the details and see a list of artists who’ll be teaching and a calendar of events…https://store.streamlinepublishing.com/products/watercolor-live-2023?ref=JoyceHicks         [...]

Watercolor Live 2023 is happening soon! Reserve your place now for 3 days of premium watercolor instruction at this exciting virtual event. Click the link below to register and for a full agenda of the well known artists who’ll be there to share their talent and knowledge with you. I’ll be there January 25th demonstrating, teaching and answering questions and would be so pleased to have you come paint along with me…Find out all about Water Color Live 2023 [...]

Way back when, while traveling along the PacificCoastHighway my dear Hubs and I decided to search out the Point Carrillo Light House. I love lighthouses so much for their stories, histories and the gorgeous places where they’re found. In the looking we also came upon a quaint little neighborhood that sat at the edge of the sea and I could only imagine what it might be like to live in such a place. My pencil sketch was done some time later and represents the memory of what I saw and felt on that beautiful sunlit day. Next I want to use [...]

Something to consider; painting roses without all the detail is so much easier than painting roses with all the detail! This idea works with any subject you might choose to paint. It‘s a very freeing concept and can make a lovely difference in the work you create. [...]

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Join me for a 3-day virtual teaching event with access to many well known artist who will be there to teach, demonstrate and share their artistic knowledge with you. I am so pleased to have been invited and will also be teaching and demonstrating. Nothing would please me more then having you join me at this exciting Watercolor Live event on January 25th. I will post more info as it becomes available. Click the following link to find out more…   https://store.streamlinepublishing.com/products/watercolor-live-2023?ref=JoyceHicks [...]

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A new oil painting created with my signature collection of curated Da Vinci oil paints https://davincipaints.com   [...]

My Mother Violet Watercolor blend is one of my newest colors and perfect for painting splashy florals, stormy skies, and lively landscapes. It was created in partnership with the USA based Da Vinci Paint Company as one of my signature palette colors. This exclusive blend of three pigments produces a violet that’s so softly transparent and granulates into an exemplary array of colors. Visit my gallery of paintings to see more examples of how I use Mother Violet and https://davincipaints.com to purchase. I would also be very pleased for you to view a video and read my Artist Interview at https://www.davincipaints.blog/.../da-vinci-paint   [...]

Click the link below to read my interview about creating works of art. I am honored, grateful and excited to be partnered with the USA based Da Vinci Paint Company in the development of several curated watercolor palettes. These palettes are collections of all the colors I love so much and have used for many years to create the subjects I choose to paint. I give the extreme pigment load of Da Vinci Paints much credit for the glowing colors and signature look my paintings are known for. I hope you will enjoy the interview...   Interview with Joyce Hicks         [...]

It takes a lot of time and practice to collect all the artful knowledge required in order to say, without words, what is in our hearts. But once learned you can put technical stuff aside and move into that sacred place where your creative spirit resides. You will finally be able to place your brush in the hands of your heart to say what it is you wish to share with others. It is a magical thing, for sure, and God only knows how it happens.The following watercolor painting was done many, many years ago when I was only just beginning [...]

I am loving my Da Vinci Oil Paints, and what I am really noticing, besides being so smooth and creamy, is that they have that same special, brilliant glow just like my beloved Da Vinci Watercolors. I also especially love the Sap Green! I used it as a base for all the warm and cool organic shapes you can see in the painting. The possibilities were limitless when mixed with the yellows and blues in my Signature Collection of Da Vinci Oils, available soon. My Signature Watercolor Palettes may be purchased now at https://www.davincipaints.com/category-s/159.htm  [...]

My newly curated signature collection of Da Vinci Oil Paints will soon be available at davincipaints.com. My love affair with Da Vinci Paints began long ago when I discovered the beautiful, glowing color I was able to achieve with them. I hope you will enjoy this short video about the Da Vinci paints I love so much, and use to create all the subjects I choose to paint. Subscribe to my free e-Newsletter I [...]

So happy and honored to find out my painting ”Rural Respite” received an Honorable Mention Award in this years International Women in Watercolor Exhibition. This year’s competition had 1615 submissions from 56 countries with only 220 paintings accepted overall. I am in appreciation to all those who made a competition of this caliber possible for so many. Original Painting by Joyce Hicks, AWS   [...]

”Simply Maine,” a just completed original 12x12 oil painting on wrapped canvas. Preliminary color studies for either watercolor or oil are always rendered in watercolor using my DA VINCI SIGNATURE WATERCOLOR PALETTES    [...]

Inspiration is an important catalyst for any painting and not hard to come by in the lush Pennsylvania countryside where one idyllic scene after another rolls by. I was drawn to the arrangement of the foreground bush and distant trees in this scene and how they punctuated the landscape leading me into the scene and back to the farm buildings. I was disappointed that the field had already been harvested but artistic license made it simple to change. I wanted it there for the textural interest, rhythm and direction it would provide in a painting. Follow this link to see this same [...]

Painting from your imagination using easy-to-paint shapes to construct your composition is fun to do and a great way to ignite the creative side of your brain. Don't be bound by pencil lines, photographs or any preconceived notion about how something "should" be. Paint it how your want it to be not how it actually is! Painting without visual stimulation is an excellent way to paint from within, from that special place that resides inside each of us. You will be free to paint how you feel about your subject instead of blocking creative forces when trying to replicate a photo [...]

A well-drawn composition is important when creating quality paintings! But take a look at this painting and you will see how being a great drawer was not an important factor for creating this simple composition. Instead, it was my understanding and ability to use the "Principles and Elements of Design" to share beautiful narratives about peaceful, sunny places that was essential. Learn how to implement these time-honored "Principals" when creating works of art, and also how to simplify your work by painting "shapes instead of things." For those wishing to know more, read Ron Ranson's book "Learn Watercolor the Edgar Whitney [...]

You can borrow ideas from your less-than-perfect photos to create beautiful paintings. I'm always inspired by simple cottages sitting at the edge of the sea and even though my photo is poor there is still much information I can build a painting around. An old homestead, path, picket fence, tall trees and the sea beyond are all elements that can contribute to a personal vision and narrative of a lovely moment in time. Once I've collected the elements and shapes I need from the photo I put it out of sight and use my value sketch and color study as reference to paint from [...]

Each time I begin a new painting I always hope that I can fill my brush with color and use it in such a way that what I feel for my subject will also be felt by those who view my work. Once I have been inspired to begin a new work of art my process is always the same. I work out my ideas in a small sketch book with a composition and a value study that I can paint from instead of my photograph. I use watercolor to also create a small color study that will help describe my emotional [...]

Remember that less is more when creating works of art, and knowing what to leave out is far more important than how much you leave in! [...]

On a toned canvas, using my value sketch as reference, I assign value to the shapes in my composition. Next I begin using color to define the suns direction and start my first stages for creating the illusion of depth and distance with warm and cool temperatures. As my painting progresses all artistic questions going forward will be answered according to the time-honored Principles and Elements of Design. For a more creative outcome my original photo of the subject is no longer referred to once my personal painting process begins.     [...]

Just finished this 12x12 oil painting on stretched canvas. I think it is a good example of how much color you can achieve with just three tubes of paint; red, yellow and blue!           [...]

Forget about all the unnecessary elements found in the landscape and concentrate on just what you see that is important to your message! Instead create compelling, uncluttered subjects composed of simple, uncomplicated shapes. The scene below is a very early painting done up in oil with and a palette knife but I can easily imagine it done up in watercolor as well.  [...]