Intro to Watercolor—Debbie Teeter
4 Wednesdays: August 2, 9, 16, 23
9:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $150 non-members; $130 members
Class maximum: 8
This class is appropriate for beginners or those with some experience looking for more guided practice. Learn the basics of watercolor and some creative approaches. Lessons will cover the unique properties of this medium, composition, color, and a few “bells and whistles”.
Supply list:
• Tube watercolors. Daniel Smith Essentials is a good starter set of (warm & cool) primaries and you can mix from there. No black or white paint necessary. Pan colors will not provide a sufficient “puddle” size for larger washes.
• A mixing palette with ample space for mixing. A white plate can also be used for mixing. If your palette has a cover it can also be used for mixing space.
• Watercolor brushes, flat & round. A ¾” to 1” flat or angled brush, plus some rounds in sizes #8 or #10, #5 or #6, and #2, #3 or #4 are a good start. Sets are often a good value. Watercolor brushes can be natural hair or synthetic. Multi-media brushes are fine; avoid stiff bristled brushes that are only suitable for oils or acrylics.
• Cold press (preferably cotton) watercolor paper, 9” X 12” or 11” X 14”. You can bring a tablet or block or purchase a large sheet which can be cut up as needed. We will work on exercises, studies, and some small paintings. (Avoid Fabriano 1264)
• A drawing board larger than your paper unless you are working on a block of WC paper.
• Masking tape, preferably (blue) painter’s tape (3/4”)
• Faber Castell PITT pen, S or M, or Micron PN, 05 or 08 (ultra-fine point permanent black pen).
• An old toothbrush
• Xacto knife
• Your sketchbook (or a pad for note-taking), pencil and kneaded eraser. If purchasing a new sketchbook, aim for 67 lb or heavier paper, so it can handle some wetness
• Smock or apron is recommended
• Optional: spent plastic gift cards; they are useful painting tools
About the Artist: I’m originally from the south side of Chicago and earned a BFA and MA in Art Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Certificate in Commercial Design from the University of California, San Diego. My initial watercolor instruction was from Billy Morrow Jackson at the University of Illinois. (Billy was a student of Max Beckmann at Washington University). I have been a licensed art educator in Illinois, California and Oregon. Since moving to Portland in the late 1980s, I have taught beginning through advanced high school art classes in the Forest Grove and Beaverton School Districts,and art instruction methods to prospective elementary educators at the University of Portland.
Member, Watercolor Society of Oregon
For questions about supplies, email me at education@villagegalleryarts.org
