Richard has enjoyed a successful 45-year career as a freelance commercial artist/graphic designer in the advertising/marketing industry.

In 2005 Richard was named by “Watercolor Magic Magazine” as one of the top 10 emerging watercolorist in the country in their annual “One’s to Watch” issue.

In 2007 “Watercolor Magic” featured Richard’s workshop and teaching philosophy in a 7-page article titled “Planning to Succeed”.

In 2008 Richard had 3 paintings featured in “Splash 10”, a publication that comes out every 2 years published by North Light Books featuring the top watercolorist in America and their approach to a particular technique or concept. That year the theme was brushwork.

Stephens was again represented in SPLASH 13.

Richard wrote an article for the  “Creativity Workshop” section of the June, 2013 edition of Watercolor Artist magazine

During the past 22 years Richard has been teaching workshops around the country and serving as juror for numerous watercolor competitions and shows.

Richard has one of his paintings, Back Porch America, included in SPLASH Retrospective: 20 Years of Contemporary Watercolor Excellence, edited by Rachel Wolf.

In 2014, Richard was honored with a six-page article in The French publication, The Art of Watercolor, widely considered the top watercolor publication in the world.

In 2014 Richard was awarded the Grand Prize Award in the Daniel-Smith Customer Art Competition.

In 2015, Richard was once again featured in The French publication, The Art of Watercolor, widely considered the top watercolor publication in the world.

In 2018, Richard was once again featured in The French publication, The Art of Watercolor.

Stephens was again represented in SPLASH 19.

Richard was named at the 2018 Governor’s Arts Awards as Arkansas Individual Artist of the Year.

Bold Brush on line competition monthly winner OUTSTANDING WATERCOLOR 2023

When you take a Richard Stephens workshop you will be exposed to three main things.

Informative technical information sprinkled with humor and antidotes, entertaining and educational painting demonstrations and lots of one on one time with Richard as he helps you through your individual painting process. Richard has a true passion for watercolor and enjoys the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with students of all levels.

A day starts with a short presentation on the “topic of the day” determined by the level and interest of the class. It is not so much a lecture as it is a conversation. Richard encourages feedback and questions as he feels we learn from each other and everyone has something important to share.

Richard will do at least one complete painting demonstration a day. He constantly explains what he is doing, and more importantly, why. Most demonstrations last about an hour and the students learn techniques, creative use of the “tools” of watercolor such as brush choice and manipulation, color mixing and water/pigment relationship. There is always strong emphasis on the elements and principals of design.

After the demonstration the students will start on their own paintings or the class will work together on exercises designed to reinforce the theme, “Lighten Up, Loosen Up”.  Richard offers individual advice as per subject selection, designing the image on the page and technique based on the unique style and goal of each student.

In summary, a Richard Stephens workshop is informative, challenging and fun. It is not about competition or turning out a great painting during the workshop. It is about being exposed to a process of watercolor painting that has been successful for him and perhaps some of that process finding a voice with the students and their work.

Dates: August 28- 30, 2024

Location: The ANA Gallery@RXH – 121 W. Walnut St, Rogers, AR

Times: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Lunch: We will have a 45 min lunch.  Noon- 12:45.   Students may bring their lunch or go out for lunch.  A refrigerator is available in the studio.

BRUSHES: For this class you will need only a few basic brushes. Synthetic brushes are less expensive and will work just fine for our projects and exercises. 

• 1” Flat(or larger)     •     1/2” Flat(or smaller)

• Large Round(# 6,8 or12)     •     Small Round or Rigger(For making fine lines)

I do a lot of my painting with mop brushes. If you have them already please bring them. If you don’t have them, I don’t require you buy any as they are rather expensive. If you are a more experienced painter I’m sure you will have a variety of brushes. I will also bring extra brushes for students to borrow.

PALETTE: Nothing fancy required here. Actually a white dinner plate or butcher tray will do. Inexpensive plastic palettes with “wells” for keeping colors separated are available at local art supply stores or on line. These come with lids that keep your pigment from drying out and would be worth the investment.

PAINT: Tube colors are strongly recommended but cake or pan colors will do if that is what you are used to. For the sake of expense we will work with a minimum of colors. You certainly can purchase all the colors you want but the following will be all you actually need for this class.

Reds: Alizarin Crimson and Pyrrol Red

Blues: Ultramarine, Cobalt and Cerulean

Yellows: Lemon Yellow and Yellow Ochre

Greens: I mix my greens, but Sap Green is a good, organic green to bring, 

Browns: Burnt Umber and Raw Sienna

Small tube of White Gouache or Titanium White WC and Payne’s Gray(for value sketches)

Optional Colors: Burnt Sienna, Quinacridone Gold and Turquoise 

PAPER: I suggest 140 Lb. Cold Press watercolor paper. Full sheets are 22” x 30”. We will cut these into 1/2 and 1/4 sections for most of our projects. Watercolor blocks or pads are acceptable and come in a variety of sizes. You will also need a small Sketch Pad or Bristol Paper( 8” x 10” or 11” x 14”) for designing and value sketches.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS: The following items are things you probably have around the house but are important tools in the painting process:

• Water resistant gatorboard, masonite, coated plywood, plexiglas, formica or lucite. Needs to be slightly larger than 15” x 22”(1/2 sheet w/c paper). • Water container that will hold at least a pint of water and wide enough for your widest brush • Sponge • #2 Pencils • Masking Tape • Spray Bottle/Mister • Paper Towels or Tissues • Kneaded Eraser

PLEASE BRING PHOTOGRAPHS OR OTHER IMAGES FOR SUBJECT MATTER:

 I will bring many, many photos that students are welcome to use for their painting subject if they do not have something of their own. I will also have several original paintings in plastic sleeves that students can use. I have no problem with students copying another painting for educational purposes. Obviously one would not claim them for their own or enter them in shows.