Description
This foundational class will provide an introduction to watercolor painting starting at the very beginning. The basics of using and managing the equipment, watercolor techniques, color theory, negative painting, watercolor special effects, and composition will be covered. Geared to the very beginner and those seeking a refresher course.
Supply List:
The quality of your materials is important – probably more important to the success of a beginner than the professional. Cheap art supplies are not a bargain in the end. So, take a deep breath, and purchase some lovely tools. They will last you a very long time and will help your art hobby or career continue to advance.
Supply Sources: Hobby Lobby
Art and Frame in Sarasota
or by catalog or internet: Cheap Joe’s, DickBlick, or Jerry’s Artarama are sources I frequently use
You will need the following:
1 Palette
This must be a large palette with wells for each paint color, a large mixing area, and a lid.
Suitable brands: Jones Model 1216 (12” x 16”)
John Pike (15” x 10.5” fits into a french box easel.)
Tom Lynch (get the plastic one, 12” x 16”)
Paint
Professional brands include Grumbacher, Winsor & Newton, M. Graham, Daniel-Smith, Holbein, or Cheap Joe’s American Journey brand (art supply catalog). Grumbacher Academy or Winsor & Newton Cotman are brands of student-grade paint that come in smaller tubes, are less expensive and still acceptable.
You will NEED the following colors:
Cadmium yellow light
New Gamboge
Cadmium red light or medium
Alizarin crimson
Burnt sienna
Phthalo blue
Cerulean blue
Ultramarine blue
I also use hookers green. More occasionally, I use quinacridone gold, cobalt blue, permanent rose, raw sienna, raw and burnt umber. You don’t need these to start.
Brushes
At a minimum, you will need 4 nylon, professional-grade brushes (do not succumb to purchasing a package of craft brushes, they will not work well for long…maybe not even the duration of the first class!)
1” flat (about 1.25 inches long– check the length as well as the width – I can not emphasize this enough)
½ ” flat (about 1 inch long )
#8 round (Rounds are not sized consistently across manufacturers, I am trying to recommend a “medium” size . Literally, almost anything you get will be fine and useful.
Rigger (very thin round brush at least an inch long)
Paper : 140 lb Arches cold pressed paper in ¼ sheet size. (purchase a couple full sheets and we will tear these in class to ¼ sheet size). Canson, Strathmore and other less expensive brands available locally will NOT suffice. Quality of the paper is critical. You simply will not be able to get reasonable results on poor quality paper.
Sketch book – (with heavier grade drawing paper, not watercolor paper)
1 Sketching pencil No. 2 or softer
1 kneaded eraser
You will also need a container for water, paper towel and some support for your paper. I use card board to support my paper, secured with bull dog clips.
Finally, please bring, or have available on your phone, 5 or 6 different photographs you would like to develop into paintings as reference material to choose from.
