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Event Series Event Series: Introduction to Watercolor Painting

Introduction to Watercolor Painting

December 2, 2021 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

This class provides step-by-step instruction in the fundamentals of watercolor painting. It will focus on introducing watercolor techniques and design concepts and their importance in the development of the individual’s own style.  The goal is to enable a beginner to achieve confidence and mastery and to enjoy the process. The student will get individual guidance and support at each stage—engaging artists in a cooperative and mutually helpful environment.

Students will work on class work and homework projects that increase the range of their painting abilities. There will first be a demonstration of the technique, and then the students will have time to practice in class. Any painting problems that they may have will be addressed on an individual basis.  At the end of the class, students will have an opportunity to share their homework projects with everyone.  In every class, there will be a 5 minute discussion on one of the design elements. 

6 Thursdays, 7pm – 9pm
November 4th – December 16th
(No class on Nov. 25th – Thanksgiving)

Cost:  $240 for the 6-class series

REGISTER BELOW

Syllabus:

Day 1 (Nov. 4th) – Introduction to watercolor materials and tools

  • Introduction to wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry and dry-on-dry techniques.
  • Introduction to water bead control.
  • Blotting and lifting
  • Design element: line
  • Homework: Create graded washes using your colors.
  • Create different brush strokes with your brushes.

Day 2 (Nov. 11th) –  Texture! (simple watercolor hacks: salt, water, straw, cellophane, toothbrush)

  • Design element: shape
  • Homework:  Explore texture by using a straw, salt water and parchment paper

Day 3 (Nov. 18th) – Blending color and glazing

  • Design element: color
  • Homework: Make your own color wheel

Day 4 (Dec. 2nd) – Tea, coffee, milk, cream, butter

  • Wet, moist, damp, dry
  • Design element: value (importance of thumbnail sketches)
  • Homework:  Create a monochromatic painting.

Day 5 (Dec. 9th) – Achieving depth: overlap, recession and atmosphere

  • Create a simple landscape composition
  • Design element: composition
  • Extra:  How to make your own carbon paper 
  • Homework: Paint a landscape scene

Day 6 (Dec. 16th)- Exploration of assorted tools & aids for painting purpose

  • Painting theme:  skies and clouds
  • Homework:  Paint, paint and paint!

Required Materials List (all of these can be found at Amazon, Cheap Joe’s, Dick Blick or JerryArtarama):

Pigments:

  • Winsor & Newton, M. Graham, Holbien, Utrecht, and Grumbacher are all good brands.
  • (Tube colors, 5 ml)
  • Must Have’s: Permanent Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine Blue, Raw Sienna

Optional and great to have:

  • Prussian Blue Quinacradone Gold
  • Cadmium Yellow Cadmium Yellow Light
  • Burnt Umber (Graham) Burnt Sienna
  • Indigo Blue Cobalt teal
  • Sepia Raw Umber

Pallet – I recommend Martin Mijello Airtight Leak Proof Fusion Watercolor palette (either 18, 24 or 33 well palette).

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Martin+Mijello+Airtight+Leak+Proof+Fusion+Watercolor+palette.&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Watercolor Brushes:

The choices are as wide as your wallet.  I personally use quill brushes, but I also rely on the rounds and flats.  I found this on Amazon and the price is not bad ($43.95), considering you are getting 4 brushes. (both options below can also be found at the other online stores I suggested).

https://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Artist-Brush-Watercolor-Professional/dp/B07HGHH21S/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=watercolor+quill+brushes&qid=1632432478&sr=8-10

Another great option is hake brushes.  Those are VERY cheap and it’s what I use for plein air (painting outside).  Make sure you get a variety of sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/Decorative-Drawing-Painting-Watercolor-Cleaning/dp/B094C7H5SB/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2ACZCIMGF89M5&dchild=1&keywords=hake+brush+for+watercolor&qid=1632432873&sprefix=hake%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-18

Watercolor paper:

Arches, Fabriano, and Kilimajaro (Cheap Joe’s brand) are great choices.  Make sure whatever you buy, it’s 100% cotton.  For this class, 9” X 12” pad 140# cold press paper is sufficient. 

Here is an example of the watercolor pad you will need: https://www.amazon.com/Arches-Watercolor-Paper-pound-Press/dp/B01EQHJH10/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3SEOIYBRFLQQB&dchild=1&keywords=arches+watercolor+paper+140+lb+cold+press&qid=1632497635&sprefix=Arches+water%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-5

Other Materials:

  • 2B pencil
  • Soft white eraser (Mars Staedler plastic is good)
  • 16” X 20” drawing or painting board
  • Masking tape (Must have!)
  • 2 water containers
  • 1 squirt bottle
  • Soft paper towels (I recommend Viva brand for watercolor).
  • Clean, small, sponge
  • Small sketch book
QUESTIONS?  Please email me at anahedberg@yahoo.com

 

About the Instructor

Ana Hedberg graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design and minor in Arts from Western Michigan University (magna cum laude). She enjoys how unpredictable watercolor can be, how forgiving and yet, very challenging it is. She also enjoys nature and wildlife, whether observing it or absorbed in it. For Hedberg, painting nature in watercolor brings both fluidity and randomness together in a rewarding and gratifying way.  To view her work, visit:

https://www.instagram.com/anahedbergwaterarte

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Details

Date:
December 2, 2021
Time:
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
EST
Series:

Venue

7 Fairbank Street
Harvard, MA 01451 United States