Creative Catalyst Productions
Unconventional and innovative, Nicholas Simmons brings a breath of fresh air to water-media techniques. Join the 2007 National Watercolor Society top prize winner as he works large-scale and reveals how challenges unique to water-media can be turned to the artist’s advantage, with stunning results. He incorporates blooming, crawl-backs, bleeding and puddling, and demonstrates methods for integrating masked areas with wet-in-wet painting.
Nick mixes watercolor with fluid acrylic, encourages the paper to buckle, and boldly wields a spray bottle to achieve textural effects. Anticipating his own tendencies, he works safeguards into his process, and offers compelling commentary along the way. This approach is perfect for artists striving to achieve a looser look, while still maintaining control of the final painting.
Comments
Selected Scenes From Our Catalog
1
I received Nick's CCP video and let me tell you, it was a WOW experience. Not only is Nick nice to look at, he is very professional, he has a command of his media, he goes through every single step of how he does a koi painting, all two hours of it, and I wish it were more! It is a very expert video.
Nick is not nervous at all, he has lovely music that he has composed for the video that is incorporated within, increasing the enjoyment. He really makes everything look so easy and the thing I liked about it was that he said things don't have to be PERFECT.
Loosen up and have fun, do something different and off the beaten path.
2
BRAVO!! This is the absolute BEST art workshop on DVD ever!!
I've had the pleasure of *knowing* Nick online through WetCanvas, and finally got to meet him and his beautiful wife Olga and daughter Larissa last fall at the NWS show where he took the Silver Medal for 'Fresh Sushi'. (What a fabulous painting that is up close and personal.) Thank you so much for listening when we enthusiastically encouraged you to film Nick in action. It was definitely worth the wait... :)
Congratulations on a best seller, and I wish you much continued success... (I included a link to a post I just made on Palette Talk on WetCanvas!) 11 hugs,
3
Hi there at CCP! I´ve got my DVD with Nicholas Simmons, and I loved it! Great angles and a fantastic painter/teacher, Nicholas! Thanks CCP!
4
I have recently received my copy of "Innovative Water Media" with Nicholas Simmons. It is one of the best instructional art DVDs that I have seen. Nicholas is relaxed, easy to listen to and the photography was perfect...Thank you all for a wonderful production.
5
I recently purchased the Nicholas Simmons DVD. The quality and color of this production is the best by far of any teaching video I've encountered. Your staff should be congratulated. The camera work was unexcelled.
Great Job. Wonderful work. You have no equals in this field.
6
The Artist's intro of materials was excellent and to the point. I especially appreciated the review of the brushes because I was curious about the size he used for a support that big. I rarely use masque because while I have a million acrylic brushes they are good ones, ones that I do not want to damage. Thanks to the tip from Simmons, I'm going to buy a package of the cheap ones on my next art store trip.
Appreciated the advice about bending the ferrule to fit the bottle, and running the bead around the edge. I liked too that he showed us how to cut a large sheet, but that he did not labor over it, or any intro to the materials.
Talking effectively as one paints is a talent reserved for those painters who actually know what they are talking about. Simmons does that effortlessly. Nuttall does too. It's an engaging style because it makes the demo personal, like you are in the room with the Artist. If I sit for more than 10 minutes I fall asleep and I didn't so that alone is a 5-star rating for this DVD.
The production was done professionally. I could see all that Simmons did up close, and the color was great. I loved the guitar music too, and was pleased to see the credit that it was the Artist's own. Something else my hero Nuttall does.
So, 5-star rating all around. Two thumbs up for everyone, especially Simmons.
7
I love to use acrylics and watercolor, but I always thought there was some "rule" where you couldn't mix the two. It's so nice to have someone of Nick's genius break through and develope a method to successfully mix the two; and then to be received so enthusiastically by the watercolor society puts a seal of approval for us all to go ahead and experiment with it!
I found his DVD so inspiring! He really has a wonderful casual style that makes the viewer feel very comfortable. It's the fastest instructional video I've ever sat and watched. I can tell something is good when I watch it because I can't wait to try the technique for myself and that's just how I felt after viewing this one.
Congratulations to you all; and especially Nick, for such a remarkable instructional DVD. Thank you so much for educating us on this great technique.
Barb
8
I have been admiring Nick Simmons paintings and was so glad to see this DVD. This DVD is truly INNOVATIVE and FRESH, chock full of NEW techniques and great tips. He is very generous, going thru every single step and explaining why he does what he does. With Nick's great command of the media he has developed a unique and original style that results in wonderful award winning paintings. This is one of the best instructional DVDs I've seen and it left me totally inspired.
9
These comments inspired me to sign up for an upcoming watercolor workshop in San Antonio. Looking forward to it.