Watercolor From Start to Finish

A 9-week course offered in winter and spring 2010

Thursdays 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, The Art League Duke Street Annex

This class introduces classic watercolor techniques and builds slowly from the simple to the more complex.  Topics include use of value, control of the medium, color mixing and composition.  Demonstrations are part of the class, but painting by students from still life and photographs is emphasized.  Experienced students focus on assignments to improve color handling, composition, and specific painting problems.

Know Your Watercolor Palette

Saturday-Sunday, June 26-27, 2010. 10 am - 4 pm. The Art League. $170.

The “color” part of “watercolor” offers both excitement and  challenge to the painter in this transparent medium.  A series of paint-handling and color-mixing exercises in this workshop will enable the watercolorist to use the colors on his or her palette with more confidence and understanding of why pigments and color act the way they do. The focus is on acquiring knowledge that you will apply every time that you paint, rather than on producing a finished painting in class.

Painting Nature Up Close in Watercolor

Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 6-7, 2010.  9:30am- 3:30 pm. The Yellow Barn Studio. $195.

Using actual natural objects and photographic references as source material, students will work on composition, drawing and watercolor technique to make compelling paintings from some aspect of the natural world.  Intermediate watercolor experience and skills helpful.

Can This Watercolor Be Saved?: Problem-Solving in Watercolor

Saturday-Sunday, Apr. 10-11, 2010. 10 am - 4 pm. The Art League. $170. 

Take your watercolor painting to the next level by learning to assess your work in a constructive way throughout the painting process, and discover ways to make the changes necessary to build a strong painting even when things have gone awry.  Students should plan to bring in paintings in all stages of development to work on.

Still Life in Watercolor

Saturday-Sunday, May 15-16, 2010 (tentative). 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. The Yellow Barn Studio. $195

Still life painting is an excellent way to hone skills but does not stop there.  Learn how to create exciting, unified paintings in watercolor starting with everyday fruits and vegetables.  For watercolorists with at least a little experience.

Glazing in Watercolor

Saturday-Sunday, July 10-11, 2010 (tentative). 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. The Yellow Barn Studio. $195

Layering color can either make or break your watercolor painting.  Learn the process of successfully applying glazes to build color and composition. For watercolorists with some experience.

Watercolor by Design

2010 dates TBA.

A little pre-planning does wonders for ensuring the success of a painting.  This class will focus first on effective methods of working with design elements to construct strong compositions, and then on realizing these compositions through the process of painting in watercolor.  For watercolorists with at least a little experience.

Fresh Start in Watercolor

2010 dates TBA.

For students new to watercolor and anyone wanting a systematic review of how watercolor works, a series of painting projects will introduce some of the many possibilities of the medium.   No previous experience in watercolor is assumed, although very basic drawing skills are helpful.

Week-long workshop at the Baha’i Academy for the Arts in England

Splash! Dive into Watercolour Painting!

From the moment you first put brush to paper, you will take on a whole new way of seeing and doing by exploring the joy and challenges of watercolour.  You will find your own balance between freedom and discipline through experimenting with different approaches and techniques, and in the process develop a sense of form, colour and composition.  Out of this practical experience will flow new insights into how we worship in our work, communicate, teach and grow both as individuals and as a community.  Students of all levels of experience, from beginners to more advanced, are welcome to participate. 

HOW TO REGISTER