Portraits of each other: “Dori” by Laurie Goldstein-Warren, and “Laurie” by Dori Beth Josimovich
Featured story in “Watercolor Artist” Sept./Oct. 2019 issue
Dori Beth Josimovich and Laurie Goldstein-Warren built a friendship through watercolor now spanning a period of 20 years. They first met at a plein air paint out in West Virginia where they both lived. The spark of friendship was immediate and they continued to paint with each other every week at each other’s home studios for years.
During this time, they also attended several art workshops together and belonged to the same art groups and guilds. They also competed in the same local art shows. Competition can sometimes come between friends, but these friends were each other’s biggest supporters and cheerleaders. When, in 2005, Goldstein-Warren was accepted into her first international exhibition, Aqueous, in Pittsburgh, PA, Josimovich and her husband accompanied Goldstein-Warren and her family to Pittsburgh for the event. In 2009, when Josimovich moved to Michigan, they continue to maintain a strong connection and find time to paint together whenever they travel close to the other’s home. Between visits, they also share and critique their current work with each other through social media, emails and phone calls.
They both have influenced each other’s art, yet they each shows their own voice in their paintings. Josimovich is prolific and works loosely and quickly. Goldstein-Warren has slowed her pace over time and works on one piece at a time. While both artists paint a variety of subjects, Josimovich paints with the heart of a colorist while Goldstein-Warren composes and paints her works with a strong lean towards values. Both artists now teach. Josimovich teaches from her beautiful home studio every month while Goldstein-Warren travels to different venues to teach workshops in the U.S.
STEPS: Dori Beth Josimovich
Step 1. My approach to any painting first is to study the photo especially noting the values. Then I draw a detailed drawing either with the grid method or free hand. I use velum paper at first so I don’t dirty my watercolor paper. Then I trace my drawing with a light box onto the watercolor paper. In this painting I chose to do a light wash on the background first. This is so the “blank” canvas no longer seems daunting to me. I used “Hematite Burnt Scarlet Brown” and “Antwerp Blue.” I did the wash on the entire background, including this wash on the hair and skin, using less blue.
Step 2. Then I used the same brown, “Alizarine Crimson” and “Quinacridone Gold” to cut in the face, and outline the eyes. This will help you define your features as you go.
Note: when I use Quin. Gold I often mix in “Lemon Yellow” as well.
Step 3. I continue working on the features, dropping in black, brown and purples to continue to shape and define the eyebrows. I also use “Antwerp Blue,” purple and “Alizarine Crimson” for the darks shadows on the neck. To complete the lips, eyes and nose I add pinks. I also add pinks to the arms and cheeks. Then I add Quin. Gold to the hair. Then gold will shine through the layers after adding darker glazes.
Step 4. I then paint a glaze over the hair of brown and purple, wet into wet. The detailing of the hair comes now as well as some detail to the jacket. I take masking off highlights of the eyes, and soften areas with just water. In this particular painting the only masking was on the highlights of the eyes.
Step 5. Atomized darker colors in the background, being careful to cover face with paper. I found that a mixing of different dark colors will harmonize your painting. The painting of my friend, “Laurie” is 22 x 24.5 completed.
“Laurie” by Dori Beth Josimovich, 22 x 24.5
DORI’s SUPPLIES:
Pebeo drawing gum
Arches 140# paper, cold pressed
Gator board
Staples to tack down paper to gator board while painting
Mouth atomizer, Holbein brand
Lemon Yellow, Winsor & Newton
Quincrodone Gold, Winsor & Newton
Note: I often blend the Lemon with the Quin. Gold to bring more variation
Winsor Red, Winsor & Newton
Opera Pink, Winsor & Newton
Hematite Burnt Scarlet Brown, Daniel Smith
Antwerp Blue, Winsor & Newton
Alizarine Crimson, Winsor & Newton
Ivory Black, Winsor & Newton
Royal Amethyst Purple, Cheap Joe’s brand
Happy Painting…
