1. To teach you how watercolor works and how to work with it. Watercolor is often considered the most difficult of paints because it has a mind of its own, and therefore, much popular watercolor "instruction" is about throwing some on paper and letting it do whatever. Whatever.
But once you learn how watercolor "thinks", you will understand that you can make it do anything you want it to do (with a serendipitous surprise now and then0.
2. To banish the inner critic who haunts us all. The best bullet for the inner critic is self-acknowledged success. Our lessons are structured so that even you will have to admit that you did a pretty darn good job of it. That will usually shut the critic up - at least for awhile (grin).
3. To take your drawing/painting skills into the third dimension. While having all this fun with color, you will be painlessly learning some principles of perspective, shading and other tricks that make a drawing or painting seem to have depth.
Next Session: Sept 16 - Octr 21, 2011
Click here to sign up for this workshop.
Structure of the Workshop . . .
The workshop includes six Video Lessons with PDF support where appropriate and necessary, which are posted on Fridays for six consecutive weeks. Videos are high quality so you can see every detail, and downloadable so you can keep your own copy.
Each lesson is structured so you can spend a couple of hours, or a couple of days playing with the results.
Your work will be shared (on a voluntary basis) with the class and instructor, and gentle, constructive feedback will be given by the instructor.
This workshop will run in a closed Yahoo Group classroom. Registered students will receive the invitation link to the classroom the night before the workshop begins. If you do not already belong to other Yahoo Groups, you will be asked to set up a user name and password.
You must be able to play our videos. Test this by trying this video (has nothing to do with this workshop). This is high end streaming video, so let it load for a few moments before hitting the Play arrow or it will start and stop as it plays.
http://gallery.me.com/jwesolek#100001
If you can run this video, you will have no problems with the class videos. You must have the the free Quicktime Player for Windows here (Macs have Quicktime already): http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html
Our videos are now downloadable, so you can keep a copy for yourself on your computer and watch it without being online. Our videos will play in Quicktime and iTunes - also free and available for PC and Mac (from apple.com).
Workshop Requirements. . . Enthusiasm and curiosity. Some basic drawing skills are required because instruction for them will not be repeated. If you have not taken Art School 101 in any of its versions or Love This Journal 1, you can obtain these skills in our Creative Drawing Workbook.
Suggestions: I will list links to DickBlick.com of my recommendations for each supply. These ARE NOT required brands - just brands that I happen to like. I chose them for the best value and affordable price. Cre8it.com is a DickBlick affiliate which does not affect your price but pays a small percent commission to us if purchases are made at our suggestion. We are affiliated because Dick Blick is my hands-down favorite online art supply source.
Watercolor Sketchbook
At least an 8"x10" or 9"x12". There are many on the market at very good prices. Weight of the paper must be 140lb which might also be called 300gsm, and the surface must be Cold Press which most are anyway.
Strathmore Visual Journal - Watercolor
Watercolors: Pan watercolors are easiest for this class, but tubes can be used if that is what you have.
Sakura Koi Watercolor Sets (12 or 24 colors)
Palette: Many watercolor sets have a palette built in. If not, an inexpensive plastic one will do - available at all hobby and craft stores.
Brushes: Synthetic Sable is fine, but do not buy the cheapest brushes you can find - the hairs will fall out all over your art work. You need 2 Pointed Round Brushes in a medium size like #6 or #8 and a smaller one for detail like a #2 or #4. In addition, you need a wash brush - flat and at least 1/2" wide, and a pointed round cheap brush for applying masking fluid.
Pointed Round Brushes by Rbert Simmons
Masking Fluid: Many brands to choose from. Make sure the jar's contents are fluid when you buy it and don't shake it.
Drawing Pencil:
#3H (can be found at all art and craft stores). This is not a mechanical pencil - just an ordinary one, but with a cleaner, harder, more erasable lead than the usual #2.
Eraser: Big, white, soft. Magic Rub is a great brand.
Black Colored Pencil: A regular colored pencil - not watersoluble. Any brand will do.
Gray, Water Soluble Colored Pencil: Any brand will do.
Eye Dropper or Squeeze Water Bottle: The idea is to be able to add water to your paint one drop at a time.
Artist or Painter's Tape: Used for masking and should remove from paper without damaging it. Drafting tape will also do, but not plain masking tape because it does damage the paper surface.
6 Weeks, 6 Lessons - $65
Next Session: September 16 - October 21, 2011
Click here to sign up for this workshop.
