Randy’s career as a professional designer, artist, juror, and workshop instructor found its footings when he discovered watercolor as an undergraduate student in college. He went on to receive advanced training at California’s prestigious Art Center College of Design. He credits much of his success in both commercial design and fine art to the rigorous discipline of this early training.  Much of his comfort in teaching and explaining concepts to painters found its roots in those decades spent presenting ideas to clients in sales and marketing.

Randy encourages his students and is energized by their successes. The tips he shares on brush handling, mixing, mark-making are fundamental to painting. But his approach of “less is more” rallies painters to simplify, suggest and imply, letting water do the work to prevent a composition from becoming overworked or too busy with unnecessary detail. 

Several decades back, Randy’s involvement with local art groups and societies occupied almost as much time as his career. His early success competing in exhibitions led to teaching a few classes. This soon evolved into a full-time occupation. It wasn’t long before he was traveling to far off locations conducting workshops for other organizations. The camaraderie of these workshops inspired Randy to organize his own painting trips, taking painters to amazing destinations to paint.  Over the past decade Randy has taken painters to Italy, Taos, Maine, up into the Rocky Mountains, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. His trips are popular, always sold out. And he’s always planning trips with new destinations. 

Randy has served on the Board of Directors for the National Watercolor Society. He has just co-written a book commemorating the legacy of one of the early California Watercolor School painters. He writes a regular blog with relevant commentary on painting.  His insightful critiques have led to being called upon to juror art exhibitions throughout the country. His online tutorial sessions these past few years have introduced Randy to a broad international following. If you’d like to know more, visit his website at www.halegallery.  And be sure to subscribe to his newsletter – every month he provides new and relevant content!

ARTIST’S STATEMENT – from Randy Hale

Dramatic use of light is perhaps the singular element that brings definition to my own work.  Good art can be executed in any medium and any style as long it provides a hook that engages the viewer, entertains the eye, suggests a bit of mystery, tells a story, or provokes thought!  Regardless of subject, my intent is to imbue it with adequate drama that will hold the viewer’s attention. 

Painters seem to find my workshops rewarding because I share so much information on how to produce a successful painting. Not only do I identify these tips, I show painters HOW to execute them.  Whether I’m in a studio setting, on camera, or out in the field — you’ll find me showing interested painters how to simplify and edit, what to consider in creating a stronger composition, how to keep things fresh and not overworked, how to vary shapes, soften edges, and when to provide dramatic value contrasts. With watercolor it’s all about achieving rich glowing transparencies. Helping painters realize these results quickly is what makes it all so much fun!  

Click on any picture to enlarge.