Demystifying Watercolor: Foundational Technique
Linda James
$375
February 20 - March 19
T
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Online
Beginner
This class is designed for the beginning watercolor student. It is a fun, no-pressure way to explore the watercolor medium! We will focus on watercolor technique and a clear understanding of the pigments, brushes and papers, but also have time for experimentation, using watercolor and abstraction as the vehicle for personal expression. Over the 5 weeks, we will cover best practices for Handling a Brush, Controlling Water and Pigment, Mixing and Layering Colors, and Creating Textural Effects. All techniques will be demonstrated and include hands-on exercises. Classes will be supplemented with slide presentations, demo recordings, handouts, and group critiques of work done in and out of class.
Required Supplies
• Tube watercolors, professional grade. Most brands come in 14 or 15 ml tubes. Winsor & Newton and Daniel Smith offer 5 ml tube sizes. The small sizes also come in sets.
Hansa Yellow Light or Winsor Lemon
Cadmium Yellow Light
Quinacridone Gold
Opera Pink
Cadmium Red Light
Permanent Rose (WN)
Alizarin Crimson
Dioxizine (Winsor) Violet
Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue or French Ultramarine Blue
Phthalo (Winsor) Blue (green shade)
Phthalo (Winsor) Green (blue shade)
Hooker’s Green
Viridian
Burnt Sienna
Quinacridone Burnt Orange
Optional:
Cobalt Turquoise Light (WN)
Transparent Pyrrol Orange
Hansa Yellow Deep
• Brushes. Look for mixed synthetic/natural hair brushes, but there are good synthetic brushes available and they tend to be more affordable.
A #8 round and a 3/4” flat (optional - a #3 or #4 round and a 1-1/2" flat wash)
• Paper – there are many watercolor pads available. I suggest 10” x 14” Arches 140# Natural White cold press watercolor pad (12 sheet) OR 11” x 14” Kilimanjaro 140# Bright White cold press watercolor pad (20 sheet) - order from cheapjoes.com
• Painting or drawing board large enough to hold an 11” x 15” sheet of paper.
• A white plastic 18-well (or larger) covered palette (or similar)
Here’s one example: www.cheapjoes.com/alvin-heritage-paint-palettes.html
These palettes are also available locally.
• Roll of 3/4” Blick blue painter’s tape or 1” green FrogTape
• Plastic spray bottle
• 2 or 3 water containers (I use plastic gelato containers)
• Pencil (and sharpener) plus eraser
• A metal ruler
• A hair dryer
• Lots of scrap watercolor paper (backs of discarded exercises)
• Various household supplies including: table salt, white candle wax, rubbing alcohol, plastic wrap or wax paper, bubble wrap, old toothbrush, q-tips, natural sponge (for creating textures)
If you have any questions, email me at lindajamesart@gmail.com
Linda James
Linda James has been a visual artist for over 40 years. Over that time, she has applied...
