Description
Watercolor could be the most exciting medium but is often unforgiving and difficult. Students will go step by step to design a composition while working the human figure into their painting. The goal is to capture the essence of the subject while producing mood and atmosphere, while using values and contrast. Hopefully, students will achieve their next level as an artist. Students will choose an image to paint from my photos. Students will not be on the same level in the process of watercolor. Therefore, I hope to help each student individually with their painting problems. “One size fits all” is rare.
Supply List:
If you have been painting and you have most of these supplies, then you need not purchase anything. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
Watercolor Paper: #3 quarter sheets 11×15 or one ½ sheet. My favorite is Arches 140 lb cold press. Bring an old painting to use the back to test colors, strength of paint or to create small 4×5 or 4×6 paintings.
Gator board or your choice of a board to tape or clip on the w/c paper
Masking tape to tape your paper down or bull dog clip the paper to your board
Sketch book
Brushes: Watercolor Brushes I recommend at least a 1” flat watercolor brush, synthetic or natural bristle. I also recommend a 1/2” flat brush or a medium sized (#8-15) round and a small round (#5-7). Intermediate to advanced students need not purchase new brushes. 1-2 additional small brushes are helpful for the 4x6paintings.
Palette – I use my Holbein metal palette for both plein air and in my studio work. DO NOT buy any new if you have been painting. There are many types of acceptable palettes. A simple white plate will work for those relatively new to watercolor. Make sure your palette has a fairly large mixing area…or use a white plate to accompany a palette for extra mixing space.
Suggested Paints: Bring the paints you have if you have been painting. You should have a warm and cool for each color. Best to buy TUBES not dry. And, that means dry in the palette. My preferred brand is Winsor Newton. I may only use 5 paints in a painting but, I have on hand: Cobalt, ultramarine blue, cobalt turquoise light, cerulean, cadmium lemon yellow, gamboge, yellow ochre, raw sienna, burnt sienna, perlene green or shadow green (very dark), alizarin crimson, cad red, cad orange, viridian. A strong red, yellow and blue. Phthalocyanine Blue (red shade), Quinacridone Red or Rose and Hansa or Azo Yellow. For students who already have colors, you need not purchase new ones. Additional colors are optional depending on your experience level. If you have white gouache you can use that.
Extras: (Kneaded eraser, #4 & #6 pencil, pen, pencil sharpener, paper towels (just enough not the entire roll), tissues (plastic bag not the box), old hand towel or wash cloth, small sponge optional, small spray bottle, something to use to scrap –end of brush, credit card, palette knife; divided water container or two containers clipped together to hold at least a pint of water. Please, do not rely on drinking cups. Transfer paper to draw 4×6, 1/4 or 1/2 sheet to draw on, waxed graphic transfer paper is better over non-waxed. I will bring a few sheets of each.
Hair Dryer is important. Wet Media, Prepared Acetate or Dura-Lar (to place over painting and paint corrections on acetate) Again, this is OPTIONAL, NOT REQUIRED.
