Charles Peterson's Watercolor
Memory Image Method

How does he do that? This question may be the one asked most often concerning Charles Peterson's Memories collection, Those who have experience using watercolor are often the most perplexed. On a few occasions, gallery owners have even related stories of local artists coming to the conclusion (after the careful inspection of a Peterson image) that it must be done with the use of double exposure photography or computer imagery, because "it simply can not be done with watercolor." Charles Peterson is always amused to hear the same story relived in another corner of the country. "One could argue that it shouldn't be done in watercolor, but it clearly can be done if one is perverse enough." The difficulty lies in the fact that, with watercolor (unlike oil or acrylic paint), the figures can not be painted over the top of a completed composition. To do so would darken and "muddy" the underlying paint. The only other option, then, is to paint the memory images separately from the background -- task that requires so much control of a medium which defies control, that some people would, understandably, think it impossible. Recognizing that a picture is worth a thousand words, the following photos (along with a brief outline from the artist) document the development of one of Charles Peterson's most popular images, "Recitation". (Recitation was released in 1993 and sold out immediately. it is now available only on the secondary market at a price several times its release price.) ... Since watercolor is transparent, creating "memory images" involves more thorough planning from the beginning than one would have to undertake with oil paint. In oil you can count on being able to manipulate the composition as you go; you can scrape off, cover up, repaint -- basically, make any change you want. watercolor is unforgiving. Miscalculations or unsatisfactory results mean starting over, so careful planning is paramount. With each "memories" painting, I go through ten basic steps to completion:

Register for site update notices Charles L. Peterson Biography Books How does he do it? Maritime Prints Memories Collection Newer Prints Original Watercolors Older Prints Secondary Market Value Yard Sale Items Other Artists Terry Redlin Dave Barnhouse Charles Wysocki Michael Sieve Chet Reneson Les C. Kouba Rick Kelley Mark Daehlin Randy Meyer Other Artists Specialty Topics Patriotic Prints About the Artists Gift Gallery Attic Treasures Framing Samples Home About Us Email Order Form Buyer Testimonials

Looking for a price? Prices are on the page next to the thumbnail print.
Email Order Form
Or talk with Al at 1-877-223-5721
A question? Do you need a 2008 calendar too? 
Redlin calendar     Sieve calendar

We regret the need to raise our shipping costs.
Postage costs have steadily increased while we held the line on our shipping prices.
We no longer can. We need to add $5 for each framed print under $200
and $10 to the price of any framed print $200 and over. There is
no price change on an unframed print.

Testimonials | Satisfaction Guarantee | Privacy Policy

2007
#1  Evening with Friends  |  #2  Sam's Place  |  #3 Picture Perfect
#4  King of the Road II  |  #5 Perfect Memories Trilogy  |  #6 Nature's Plan-Whitetail Deer
#7 Classic Tails  |  #8  Redlin Christmas Plates  |  #9 Redlin Snowmen
## What else have people been buying? ##

Terry Redlin | Charles Wysocki | Michael Sieve | Dave Barnhouse | Chet Reneson | Les C. Kouba | Charles Peterson
Mark Daehlin | Bob Byerley | Gerald Briacombe | Ardele Earnshaw | Rick Kelley | Jim Lamb | Gary Moss  |  Randy Meyer

 Patriotic Prints | Attic Treasures | Gift Gallery | Framing Samples
Home | Calibrate Your Monitor | Giclee Prints |  Site Map

Reach the Webmaster.
Canby, MN 56220
Copyright © 1998-2007, Country Art., All Rights Reserved
Last updated 12/06/07