Watercolor Painting

In this class students will learn about the properties of watercolor paint and gain a basic mastery of this tricky but convenient medium. Class will begin with a discussion of different types of the paint, brushes and papers. From there we will learn about basic color theory, and a gain a practical understanding of value, hue and intensity. Class will begin with a discussion of a new technique and demonstration by the instructor, and an overview of past techniques learned. We will also look at and discuss the techniques used by master watercolor painters.

Exercises in class (the majority of the class time) will teach students about toning the paper, leaving highlights, building hue in a wet-in-wet technique, dry-brush detail, and more. We will also learn to truly see color, and to set up strong compositions.  We will mainly paint from still lifes.

Our Instructor, Giselle Harrington, is a freelance illustrator based out of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.  She holds a MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

 Suggested paints: permanent alizarin crimson, pthalo/ Winsor green, yellow ochre, permanent mauve, ultramarine blue, cerulean blue, lemon yellow, cadmium red.  (preferred: professional grade, Winsor and Newton, Daniel Smith, Schmincke pan set...). In my own palette I additionally use: cadmium yellow, cadmium ornage, cobalt blue, cobalt green, burnt sienna, pthalo blue.  You can start very limited and add to your palette as you find the need.

 Paper: Suggest professional artist grade Winsor and Newton, Arches, Fabriano... 140lb, hot pressed or cold pressed. You can buy large (22" x 30") individual sheets and cut them down to fit your drawing board.

Brushes: 2 - 5 round brushes, various sizes (smallest 2, largest 8). I favor Winsor and Newton series 7 (made of kolinsky sable), but they are hard to find in stores now. I also recommend Winsor and Newton Sceptre (part sable, part synthetic).

Drawing board, clips, artist tape, palette for tube paint or cakes, 2H pencil and eraser, paper towels or rags, cups to hold water

Flat 1/2" or 1/4" brush, such as Cotman 777.

1 1/2" - 2" flat synthetic wash brush.

Cost: $150 for 5 classes, 3 hours each 

Dates and Times: Tuesdays, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

March 2, 2021 - March 30, 2021