Wednesdays, 1- 3 pm. Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12 (6 weeks)
Adv $175/Reg $185
Please note: Students supply the materials for their course- see Supplies List below description:
Learn the basics of painting traditional landscapes and a still life composition with watercolours. Extend your painting techniques using black ink and dry media with watercolours and explore a path towards self expression with gestural painting and abstraction.
Watercolour Explorations Supply List – Winter 2025
Lesson 1-4 you will need basic watercolour painting supplies. Lesson 5&6 we will add mixed media such as watercolour crayons, watercolour pencil crayons, black sumi ink, permanent ink drawing markers and Japanese washi paper (kozo or mulberry).
Washi paper
I have some practice paper. Some kozo paper may be available for purchase from Button Factory Arts.
Watercolour Paints
Watercolour tubes are preferred but pans can be used. If you already have watercolour paints, bring them and try them out.
If you are buying individual paint colours, at a minimum buy one cool blue, one cool red and one clear yellow. Cotman by Winsor Newton is a good quality student brand to start.
Primary blue such as cobalt and/or ultramarine blue, primary red such as rose madder, permanent rose or alizaren crimson, primary yellow such as aureolin yellow, lemon yellow or cadmium yellow
You may wish to add the following colours to your palette: Burnt sienna, Sap Green, New Gamboge or pick your favourite colours to try.
Watercolour Brushes
At a minimum you will need one flat and one medium sized round watercolour brush.
1/2”, 1” flat synthetic brushes, the longer bristled brushes are preferred
Size 12, 8, 4 round synthetic watercolour brushes
Optional brushes to add later: Rigger brush, size 1 round for fine lines, fan brush, wash brush for large areas
Watercolour Paper
140 pound cold press watercolour paper. I recommended Strathmore 300 series, Fabriano 1264 pads or other brands are suitable. The high rag content will tolerate scrubbing and washing. For the lessons you will need two pieces of paper roughly 8x10 size (or 1/8 sheet) per class. I use a steel edged ruler for cutting sheets.
Palette
You need something to mix your paints on. A white plastic plate (8-10in) will work. You can buy a round or rectangular palette with lid to transport and reuse your paints. Avoid coloured, paper or Styrofoam plates.
Backboard
A hard surface waterproof board to place your paper on when painting. This will be propped up on a slight angle. A corrugated plastic core sign board slightly bigger than your paper is light weight and reasonably priced. A plain white colour is best.
Water containers & cleanup
Bring 2 containers to hold clean water. Tissues, paper towels or rags are needed to catch puddles, lift paint and for clean up.
I use a medium spray water spray bottle as a tool for applying water to paper. Mine was from Dollarama.
Bring some photos or magazine pictures for inspiration. A sketch pad and pencil will be useful for planning your painting and taking notes. You are welcome to bring a camera to take photos of my demos.
