Color Field Painting with Watermedia
Linda James
$540
January 19 - March 23
Th
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Online
Intermediate
In this 10-week class, we will focus on color as the primary element in abstract expression. Using examples of prominent color field painters from the mid 20th Century to the present, we will examine the use of color in terms of its emotional and spiritual content. We will also look at the relationship between color and music, and how both resonate with us on a personal level. Each class will focus on a different color theory principle starting with a color exercise and finishing with a painting. All demos will be done with watercolor, but students can participate with any watermedia. Classes are supplemented with slide presentations, demo recordings, handouts, and group critiques of work done in and out of class.
Required Supplies
• Professional grade paints. My favorite brands are Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton,
Holbein, and DaVinci.
I am suggesting a color palette rather than requiring it. I want you to have a good range of color -
warm and cool, opaque and transparent, granulating and non-granulating (if watercolor), etc.
Suggested palette:
Aureolin Yellow, Hansa Yellow Light or Nickel Azo Yellow
Cadmium Yellow Light or Medium
Quinacridone Gold
New Gamboge
Rose Madder Genuine
Cadmium Red Light or Medium
Permanent Rose
Cobalt Blue
French Ultramarine Blue or Ultramarine Blue
Phthalo (Winsor) Blue - green shade
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
Cobalt Turquoise Light
Dioxazine Violet (Winsor Violet)
Phthalo(Winsor) Green - blue shade
Viridian
Hooker’s Green
Burnt Sienna
Quinacridone Burnt Orange
• Brushes. I recommend mixed synthetic/natural hair brushes, but there are good synthetic
brushes available and they tend to be more affordable. Have a variety of sizes – for example,
a #8 round, a #3 or #4 round, a 3/4” flat and a 1-1/2” wash.
• Three 22” x 30” sheets of 140# professional cold press (or hot press, your preference) watercolor
paper (Arches, Fabriano, Kilimanjaro, Lanaquarelle, etc. – choose one or mix them up).
* One 22” x 30” sheet of 300# cold press (or hot press) watercolor paper (same choices as above)
• 15” or 18” metal ruler and x-acto knife for cutting 300# paper
• Painting or drawing board (large enough to hold an 11” x 15” sheet of paper)
• A roll of ¾” or 1” artist’s or painter’s tape (FrogTape is good)
• A white plastic 18-well (or larger) palette. Porcelain is best, but pricey. We will be pouring later in
class, so I recommend accumulating glass yogurt containers (Oui brand), available at Fred Meyer.
Porcelain saucers are also great to have.
• A plastic spray bottle (I recommend Flairosol Spray bottles)
• 3 water containers and paper towels
• Pencil and eraser
• Scraps of watercolor paper (backs of discarded paintings)
• A hair dryer
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...