Let's get comfortable with our Watercolours
During this 6-week class we will cover a wide variety of watercolour techniques and really lean into playing and experimenting. To spend time 'learning by doing' is where discovery and confidence lives. A perfect opportunity for beginners to explore in a safe, fun and non-judgemental space and for experienced artists to step outside any creative boxes they have found themselves in.
In this class you will explore a variety of techniques and experiment with a variety of tools. You'll use plastic wrap and salt to create textured backgrounds. Also, we will explore how to use different tools including, watercolour pencil crayons, different brushes, and one of my favourites: white gouache. We will practice colour mixing while making super fun chickens, and practice outlining while making gorgeous flowers. Many of the little paintings can be made in to cards.
In this class we will be spending time each week on painting one big picture. At the end of each class we will spend a few minutes adding what we learned to a painting. This painting is completely spontaneous, with no end point in mind when we start, and letting it evolve over the weeks. It is a great exercise in letting go of control, and not getting to attached to outcome, as well as a record of what we learn each week.
If you've done watercolour classes with me before, some of the materials will be repeated, but it is a wonderful chance for you to expand on techniques you've tried.
Schedule:
Monday evenings 7:30-9:30
January 5- February 9
$180
Week one:
Get to know your paints.
For the first week we will be swatching our paints, as well as mixing into secondary colours, creating our own person colour wheel. Also, we will make a value study sheet.
Week two:
Backgrounds and Textures
Week two is for playing with salt, and plastic wrap to create textures. We will experiment with wet on wet and wet on dry and creating soft and hard edges.
Week three:
Ink and Watercolour
Mixing colours, and creating beautiful flowers. Using a few tips and tricks, anyone can make sweet pansies and bouquets. Letting go, and following the lead of our paints to create beautiful pictures. Making colourful backgrounds, and creating definition with ink will be the focus.
Week four:
Mixed Media
Week four is for painting birds, realistic and whimsical. This week we will expand on different inks as well as discovering the magic of watercolour pencil crayons. We may even add collage. Watercolour is not a sacred place where no other mediums can join, let's break some rules.
Week five:
Landscapes
Using our paintings from earlier weeks, we'll put it together to create landscapes. Adding trees, and/or houses, breaking down the elements and discussing what makes a good landscape painting.
Week six:
Putting it all together
This class is left open to anything people want to try, to revisit any techniques and tools you’d like more time with. ie. Chickens, trees, etc. We’ll also use this session to finish the larger piece. To wrap up, we’ll discuss how to turn your paintings into cards for gifting.
What I want you to leave with is to confidently paint with watercolours. I never tried to paint real things because I can't draw what I see accurately, but a few years ago a challenged myself to learn how to paint trees, and what I really learned was if I try, and practice, I can paint. Watercolour is an amazingly forgiving medium when you know how to work with it and embrace it for it's wonderful characteristics. So join me, for 6 weeks of watercolour fun and discover confidence in watercolours.
For supplies you'll need:
Marie and I at Articulations have put together a supply kit for anyone wanting to get started with Watercolours.
- Watercolour paints: a set with at least blue, yellow, red, green, black, brown and paynes grey- Michaels carries some good selections.
- Paint brushes-I use a small, medium, and large round watercolour brushes, a flat brush, and liner brush
- 4 or more 4" X 6" ish cards of watercolour paper or a watercolour art pad (Canson is good) each week 300 gm/140 pound OR I recommend buying one hot press and one cold press 22" X 30" sheet and cutting your own pages
- painting boards or something to tape your paper to (some use their counter)
- an 8" X 10" or whatever size you want, piece of watercolour paper for your big painting. I like rectangles so mine is 7" X 11"
- White paint: guache, ink, or gesso
- Fine point black pen I like Pitt Pen and Faber Castell
- White posca or Gelly Roll
- An old credit card or library card
- Plate or palette-dollar store
- Masking tape
- Spray bottle (dollar store)
- Paper towel
- 2 or 3 rinse water cups
- Salt
- Cling wrap or a thin plastic bag
- Watercolour pencil crayons (if you have them)-blue, brown, green, orange, red ...
- Any other art supplies that you love and want to explore