4 sessions
Wednesdays: September 7, 14, 21, 28
9:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $150 non-members; $130 members
Class maximum: 8
Learn the basics of watercolor and also some creative approaches to working with it. Lessons will cover the unique properties of this medium, composition, color, and a few “bells and whistles”. We will explore varied subject matter, and how different artists handle watercolor.
Supply list:
- Tube watercolors. Daniel Smith Essentials is a good starter set. You’ll get the primaries and can mix from there. No black or white paint.
- Palette or mixing tray. I prefer the large, covered ones that have small paint wells around the border with a lot of mixing space in the middle. A white plate can also be used for mixing.
- Watercolor brushes, both flats and rounds. 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; just avoid the really stiff bristled brushes that are only suitable for oils or acrylics.
- Cold press 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 a few small paintings.
- 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 eraser. If purchasing a new sketchbook, aim for 65 lb or heavier paper, so it can handle some wetness
- Smock or apron is recommended
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
