How Guy got into the watercolour world :
About the artist
Guy Gruwier gained acclaim as water colour artist since 2002, when he attended classes led by renowned painters like R.A.Wade († 30 jan. 2024), Greg Allen, Alvaro Castagnet. After he met Robert Wade, Guy had the opportunity to publish an article in International Artist. From then on, his artistic career took a tremendous pace, while teaching watercolour classes at Grafton ( AUS), and in Auckland and Wellington (NZ). Later on, Italy, France and other European countries were interested to have Guy as a teacher. His patience, willingness to share knowledge and demonstration skills are famous.
Appreciation
Why is his style so much appreciated?
He developed very technical skills to depict landscapes on the paper together with a simple approach of a 3 basic colour scheme, applicable in even very demanding subject matter. After winning the Namur biennial watercolour competition in 2009, he became very popular in France after some articles on his artwork were published in l’Art de l’Aquarelle. Guy holds every 3 years a large exhibition in a special location and almost every year, new work can be seen in his art Gallery “De Regenput” in Zulte.
Every exhibition held by Guy is seen as an opportunity to dive into the world of forgotten places, unexpected corners, broad landscapes and spectacular coastal scenes. And all of this is brought with a marvelous palette and a delicate equilibrium of soft and hard edges. It is this way of presenting reality that appeals most to the visitor, not the subject as such.
How I paint
In the Studio
I work mostly at 4 watercolours simultaneously. When one needs to dry, I do some additional colourwork at the others. These mind-stretching ways of working are very demanding, they require a constant switching of "empathy" for the subject. But they make you move forward, especially with upcoming exhibitions.
Full watercolour at an early stage
This is a secondary stage of applying the colours : the basic pencil drawing was made, masking fluid applied to preserve the whites, and some basic darks on the cows are put down. Bigger areas like grasses are the first stage, they set the mood of a landscape.
Working on “Baaigem 2”
This one is nearly finished. Some harder patches of brown add contrast to the forground.
See how a Pen and Wash grows
A firm ink pen drawing provides the basis for a Pen and Wash artwork. Coloured layers are applied onto the distinct areas creating a graphically supported image. These smaller artworks are a refined version of the sketches made on site.
How I teach
Making an analysis
It is necessary to study the subject before you start painting. Here I explain in big steps how to approach the painting process, while students gather around the table.
Explaining how to proceed
That is my main concern : explaining consequent steps to obtain a reliable result, while painting on my demo paper.
Showcasing the options
Mostly I try to explain aspects of watercolour and find solutions with the students while they paint. But sometimes I need to sit down and add a step to their paintings myself. That is not a habit, merely an occurring necessity !
Places with a history
Where does the name “Golden River Studios” come from?
Guy started his first Art Studio “Golden River Studios” in Zulte (Flanders, Belgium) in 2002, where, alongside the river “The Leie”, an infinite source of inspiration is unraveled. The name “Golden River” was derived from the flourishing flax industry alongside it, where flax was laid to rot, and a golden-red glow appeared.
After meeting his present partner Greta, they both decided to build an entire new studio in Scheldewindeke, which is not so far from another important river: the Schelde. Also here, new inspiration around the smaller villages with charming walking paths can be found here. Poëtic names like Bottelare, Munte, Beerlegem, Balegem, and many others are a beacon of new inspiration for both Guy and his wife, who spend a lot of time walking and photographing the wealthy natural environment. While she is more interested in floral life, and paints it, Guy likes to explore the vastness of the natural valleys around the Schelde.