Painting at Disney!

We recently returned from a week in Florida at my favorite place--Disney World.  I had a unique opportunity while we were there--the chance to have an art class with a Disney artist.


I had signed up for this class a few months ago and have been really excited for it.  The artist was Kevin John.  He is an officially licensed Disney artist and also does artwork for Lucas Films.  When you think of Disney art you probably think of characters.  Kevin told us that when Disney originally contacted him years ago he didn't even return their call--he wasn't interested in painting characters.  When he finally took the meeting with Disney he signed a contract immediately.  He could specialize in the landscapes at Disney World--things like the Living Seas aquarium, the monorail. or the haunted house.  He showed us a trading card that he's currently working on for Lucas Films of Hans Solo.  He does amazing detail with watercolors--very impressive.


The sessions started in the Conference Center is the upper level of the Living Seas at Epcot.  Disney provided a lite lunch with sandwiches and some sweets.  This was a totally unexpected surprise, but I should have expected nothing less from Disney.


The room had huge windows into the tank so we had a great view.


Each of us was asked to find the view we wanted to paint.  I don't know if you can see the arch, but that was the centerpiece of the painting.


I also wanted to capture of the rays in my painting.


The medium for this class was watercolor which I have no experience with other that the dried watercolor paints we all used in our childhood..  I've always heard that watercolor is difficult and I can now confirm that is true.  This is my first layer meant t be the water above and below the arch.


While the layers were drying we got to sit and listen to Kevin talk about his experience and technique.  He has quite an interesting story.  He is a totally untrained artist who has been selling his artwork and making a living from it since he was 18.  He paints easily and freely and reminded all of us that our artwork is our story.  There is no right or wrong.


The next step was to paint the arch. I think I did a pretty good job.  Several of my classmates had never painted before and they were totally lost.  This class was advertised as being for all levels, but I have to disagree with that.  Four hours isn't enough time to introduce a beginner to painting especially when you have to move as fast as we did.


Here is some of my neighbor's work.  Isn't it interesting how everyone has a different perspective of the same thing?  That's what makes art so wonderful.


So here's my perspective of the arch. Kevin came to each person and offered advice and even jumped in and helped them out a bit.  When he got to mine all he said is "I got nothing".  I took that as quite a complement.


So here's Kevin's painting that we worked on with us that day.  As you can see he chose a different pallet that I did--more yellows and purples whereas mine is more green.  I do love his color choices.  This is as far as we got during our four hours so I had an unfinished painting to take home with me.  Last night I ordered some watercolor paints so I can finish mine.  I'm very excited to add the ray as well as a few fish.


What a honor it was to have this opportunity.  Kevin was also selling his painting from our session for $950.  His original artwork normally starts at $3,500 so I thought this was a great deal, but I didn't bring it home with me. 

This is a Disney experience that very few people get to have.  I have to admit that I didn't want it to end.  A fun day!




Comments

Yogi♪♪♪ said…
That's cool Ellen. Your arch looks marvelous!!
March 2, 2020 at 8:09 PM
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