Foundational Techniques for Watercolor
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, Daniel Smith, and other brands offer 5 ml tube sizes.
- Hansa Yellow Light or Winsor Lemon
- Cadmium Yellow Light or Medium
- Quinacridone Gold
- New Gamboge or Hansa Yellow Deep
- Opera Pink
- Cadmium Red Light
- Permanent Rose (WN) or Quinacridone Rose
- Alizarin Crimson
- Dioxazine (Winsor) Violet or Carbazole Violet
- Cobalt Blue
- Ultramarine Blue or French Ultramarine Blue
- Phthalo (Winsor) Blue (green shade)
- Cobalt Turquoise
- Hooker’s Green
- Phthalo (Winsor) Green (blue shade)
- Viridian
- Burnt Sienna
- Quinacridone Burnt Orange
- Optional: Cobalt Turquoise Light (WN)
- 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 couple of smaller rounds)
- 10” x 14” Arches 140# Natural White cold press watercolor pad (12 sheet) or equivalent in individual sheets
- 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:
- Mijello Fusion Airtight Watercolor Palette – available online.
- Roll of 3/4” Blick blue painter’s tape
- Small plastic spray bottle
- 3 water containers and paper towels
- 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, plastic wrap or aluminum foil, old toothbrush, q-tips, natural sponges (for creating textures). Optional: masking fluid.
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...