Cheng-Khee Chee: Saturated Wet Technique

In this video workshop Cheng-Khee Chee AWS DF, NWS paints his signature style.

He has no preconceived idea of his end result. He knows only that he will paint Koi. You see him begin his painting with the right brain qualities of emotion, risk taking and intuition, while applying pre-moistened pigment to saturated paper. While the paper is still moist, you see Chee lift out shapes and add form to the scene, using his left brain to analyze his painting, rationally incorporating design principles and his thorough knowledge of Koi.

This is a tour de force of a modern master. Watercolor painter Cheng-Khee Chee (AWS DF, NWS) is a master of painting & design and the synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophies and styles. He stretches the boundaries of watercolor media right before your eyes in this masterful instructional video. You will learn watercolor methods and techniques as well as vision-expanding design principles that will transform your painting. This art instruction video presents a rare opportunity to learn from a man who has been described by people who know him as A Modern Day Master, a Complete Artist.

Creative Catalyst thinks even non-watercolorists will enjoy this third volume in Cheng-Khee Chee's workshop series. You'll see Chee's most recognizable style, the saturated wet technique. He develops techniques to most effortlessly express how he feels about a particular subject - in this case, his beloved koi. He begins with no pre-conceived idea of the end result.

As with his other techniques, Chee expands the artistic flexibility of materials with correct handling and preparation. He introduces you to his brushes and explains the importance of pre-mixed watercolors to the process's rapid, emotionally charged first stage.

You'll see him begin by wetting 300-lb. paper, applying fluid hues, and tilting and blending the colors, all while accessing his creative, intuitive right brain. The second half of the film focuses on rational, left-brain processes. Chee analyzes design, and achieves the correct shapes.

He fishes for natural koi forms in the pools of color. Using a clean, moist brush, and fluid strokes, he lifts his subjects from the paper. The technique looks so effortless in the hands of this master painter that you'll believe the koi were hiding there all along. He double- and triple-loads the brush to define the fish, all while the paper is still moist.

Chee blends edges and adds dimension with transparent pigment. You see him work through the logical stages of the process and apply design principles to the revisions. Chee maintains variation and balance as he brings the fish to life with gills, fins, eyes, and colorful markings. As a final touch, he adds scales with a small sponge and custom stencils.

As Chee says, you must thoroughly know your subject to paint it well, and this workshop fully demonstrates that axiom. This workshop is a modern master's tour-de-force. To learn techniques that will help you balance your painting and develop your own watercolor language, join Cheng-Khee Chee in Painting Koi with the Saturated Wet Technique.

Volume 3 of the 6-volume watercolor instructional DVD workshop series.

Bonus Clip: Deductive Method

In this clip from his video workshop, Saturated Wet Technique, master watercolor painter Cheng-Khee Chee looks for natural fish forms in a sea of colors he has applied intuitively and spontaneously to his paper. Chee uses a wet, clean brush to lift the shape of a koi. He offers tips on brush and moisture control to help you prevent bleeding and scratches..