Foundational Techniques for Watercolor

Linda James $390

February 18 - March 18

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, a 3/4” flat and a 1-1/2" wash (optional - a #3 or #4 round)

• Paper – There are many watercolor pads available. I suggest a 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

• Small plastic spray bottle

• 2 or 3 water containers

• Pencil (and sharpener) plus eraser

• A metal ruler

• A hair dryer

• Lots of scrap watercolor paper

• 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