Watercolor Syllabus and Materials List

Introduction to Watercolor , A class for beginners
Achieve results  and skills you can  put to use immediately!
Day 1:  We cover watercolor brushes, palettes, brand qualities and best practices.
Brushstrokes-Understanding what your brush can do- how to load the brush, tricks to gauge water and pigment loads,how to get rich sumptuous applications of color.
Day 2:  Color mixing made easy. How to achieve the mix you want using both glazing and mix process. 
Understanding values and neutrals.
Day 3:  Special effects techniques - scraping, salt, plastic pressing, sponge,wet into wet etc. Creative uses for masking fluid , when and how, best practices.
Day 4, 5 and 6: : How to use photo based reference , avoiding pitfalls of photos, to achieve optimal results.  Composition and planning a picture successfully
 How to achieve clouds, water and sea effects, trees, vibrant flower colors.
I will demo each lesson, so you achieve maximum results in the shortest time.
Materials List:
1st day -tool check, we will make sure you have all the right stuff, so you can refine all of this with your questions,
No worries, we can walk through and buy them at the opening class, I will help you if you are not confident buying ahead of time.
PAPER:  (BEST): ARCHES Watercolor paper in Arches block form. (10”x14” or bigger)
OR : Single sheets that can be modified in size and taped to a rigid base such as Masonite.
Other brands like Fabriano and others are good- NOTE: NOT Strathmore pads- No!)


Paint - Windsor & Newton PRO GRADE  or Holbein paints (do not buy Cotmans -NO!) :
Colors - Cadmium Red, Opera rose, Cerulean Blue, Horizon Blue, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine blue, Olive Green, Sap Green, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow, Indigo
Plastic folding Palette
Brushes - #12 and #16 Sable (Princeton (best) or Simmons brand ) ,a 1”hake’ brush
Low tack masking tape 1”
Masking fluid -Windsor Newton is best, and a rubber cement eraser (ask about this)
#2 pencil
1 KNEADED eraser
Semi-coarse med grain Kosher salt in a small shaker
Flat 3” X 5” kitchen sponge
WIDE BASE Water Cup such as tupperware for cleaning brushes and water source
Paper towels
butter knife
whales tale palette knife small made of metal- buy at Reddi Arts day of class