Keiko Tanabe
Artiste Japanese, based in San Diego, USA
À propos
Born in Kyoto, Japan, and now based in San Diego, California, Keiko Tanabe is an internationally recognized watercolor artist known for her atmospheric paintings that capture the essence of light, place, and time. Largely self-taught, she began her professional career in 2005 and has since exhibited extensively in national and international exhibitions. A sought-after instructor since 2011, she teaches workshops worldwide and is a signature member of several prestigious watercolor societies, including AWS, NWS, SDWS-MA, and AIS. Watercolor is the language through which I tell stories of light, atmosphere, and human experience. Inspired by both my travels and everyday surroundings, I am interested in the spaces between presence and absence, movement and stillness, memory and reality. Rather than recording a scene exactly as it appears, I seek to capture its emotional essence and create paintings that resonate beyond the visible world.
L'objectif du Stage
From Structure to Expression This workshop focuses on the essential elements that bring watercolor paintings to life: strong composition, clear value relationships, color unity, and expressive brushwork. Students will learn how to identify the underlying structure of a scene and use it as a foundation for creating atmospheric and personal interpretations. Through demonstrations and individualized instruction, participants will gain practical tools to strengthen both their technical skills and artistic voice.
Matériel recommandé
- Paints: professional quality recommended.
Ultramarine, cerulean blue, alizarin crimson
(or quinacridone rose), cadmium red (or pyrrol red), transparent orange, lemon yellow, raw sienna, quinacridone gold, viridian, Dioxazine purple, burnt sienna, neutral tint.
I also use turquoise, lavender, titanium white, sometimes. Feel free to bring your own favorites, too.
- Palette: any kind. Plenty of mixing areas will be useful.
- Brushes: One large round brush size 12 or bigger (such as Escoda Ultimo which is squirrel imitation or something similar such as Raphael Softaqua). One brush for details size 12 or smaller (such as Escoda Perla, Raphael Precision). Other brushes useful: liner, rigger, dagger, flat (hake), Oriental brush, etc. Bring your own favorites.
- Paper: rough or cold-pressed; 140lb (300gm) or heavier; cotton, professional quality such as Arches, Saunders/Waterford and Fabriano Artistico. Please plan on using 2 sheets per day. Also some paper to test colors (old or lesser quality paper will be fine).
- Paper Size: 1⁄4 sheet (11” × 15” / approx. 28 × 38 cm) or 12” × 16” (approx. 30 × 41 cm) is recommended, with the option to work up to a half sheet (15” × 22” / approx. 38 × 56 cm), depending on your comfort level. When choosing the size for your regular practice, it may help to ask yourself whether you can reasonably complete a painting in that format within 2–3 hours.
- Others (required): Drawing board, gatorboard, foamcore or anything that supports paper (If you use a block, this will not be necessary.), Masking tape to secure paper to the board, Pencil & eraser, Sketchbook or drawing pad for thumbnail sketches and small studies, Container for washing brushes, Towels or sponge
- Optional: masking fluid, spray bottle, palette knife, table-top easel (for studio) or outdoor easel (for plein-air) if applicable, etc.
Any questions about materials? Please email me ktanabeart@gmail.com. (updated 5/30/2026)
