This new course is a fun mixture of drawing and painting with watercolour. Suitable for all abilities although a basic understanding of drawing and using watercolour paints would be advantageous. We start by looking at the materials needed and then ask what comes first… the chicken or the egg… pen or wash? We will focus on solid drawing techniques with splashes of colour.
NEXT COURSE: At Storrington Village Hall, 59 West Street, Storrington, RH20 4DZ.
COST: £246 for 5 classes (or £295 for 6 classes) includes teas, coffees and homemade cake. Please contact Kate if you are interested in the next course.
Brief Course Outline
Week 1 - Introduction to watercolour paints, brushes, papers, palettes and additional materials. Discuss the challenges of painting with watercolours. Paint a tonal scene with one pigment.
Week 2 - Understanding pigments; colour theory, transparency and colour mixing.
Week 3 - Application of paint: techniques of wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, flat, graded and variegated washes. Get to know the marks your brushes make.
Week 4 - Elements in composition - planning your paintings for tonal balance and plan the order of your work.
Week 5 - Correcting mistakes, lifting out, scratching highlights and solving problems.
Art Class Gift Voucher
Treat someone you love. Available in any amount as whole or part payment towards any chosen course, class or workshop.
Materials List
Bring with you any drawing and painting materials you may have as in the first lesson we will be looking at everything you might need for the course. However, if you would like to buy some things beforehand I recommend purchasing artist quality watercolour paints in tubes or pans*; watercolour paper (I recommend cold-pressed or ‘not’ paper over 250gsm either single sheets or in a pad preferably with gummed edges); a white palette in plastic or china, or an old plate; a selection of brushes (made from sable, synthetic, Chinese or natural hair in a variety of rounds, plus one flat for large washes**); an adjustable table easel or board which can be laid flat and/or easily tilted; two water jars; drawing pens, masking tape; kitchen towel; pencil and eraser; pictures for inspiration. Optional: dipping pens and a bottle of ink; cotton buds; toothbrush; masking fluid; silicon shaper; salt; clingfilm; water spray bottle.
* When buying paints it is always prudent to buy from quality manufacturers as cheap, student quality paints will not contain the high pigment values that give vibrancy to your work. It is better to choose a few decent quality paints and mix the colours you need, rather than a large selection of colours you will never use. Basic colours should include a warm and cool version of each of the three primaries ie. Vermillien or Pyrrol Scarlet, Rose Madder, New Gamboge or Hansa Yellow, Lemon Yellow, French Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, plus Payne's Gray or Neutral Tint. You may also wish to add Viridian, Dioxazine Purple and Orange plus some of the earth colours like Raw Umber, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna. You are unlikely to need black or white although some sets include them.
** Rosemary & Co. have created a range of Red Dot brushes that I would particularly recommend as they are an alternative to animal hair and expensive Kolinsky sables. Use a cheaper synthetic brush for mixing your paint colours and reserve your decent brushes to paint with.