Intro to Watercolour

Instructor: Alison Montgomery
Tuesdays 6:00-9:00pm
5 weeks: March 4 to April 1
Location: In-person Williams Building room 118
$240 (supplies not included)
Prerequisite: None

In this general overview of watercolour, students who are new to the medium or looking for a watercolour refresher will play with techniques, learn simple colour mixing and explore possibilities for subject matter. In each class there will be demonstrations followed by lots of time to experiment and practice. Students will be encouraged to bring photos of subject matter that is of their particular interest. The instructor will also provide a wide variety of images.

Syllabus

  • Wet on wet, wet on dry.
  • Using a limited palette and colour mixing 
  • Composition and working from a photograph
  • Creating textures; mixing neutrals
  • Painting from life, negative space painting

Supplies

  • Watercolour mixing tray (plastic hinged or open palette) approx. 9x11

Brushes

  • #20 WC brush (Princeton round)
  • #16 WC brush optional

Paints 5ml – Daniel Smith for most* or any professional brand

  • Ultramarine Blue (or French Ultramarine)
  • Cerulean Blue * Winsor Newton or Holbein brand 
  • Hansa Yellow Light
  • Hansa Yellow Med
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Quinacridone Rose (or Rose Madder

Paper

  • 1-2 sheets of 22 x 30 - 300lb cold press watercolour paper (to be cut or torn to ¼ size for most projects in class)
  • 11 x 14 watercolour practise pad (recommended: Fabriano)

Other supplies

  • 2b pencil(s) and small pencil sharpener
  • Gum eraser
  • Kneadable eraser (optional)
  • One roll of green (recommended FROG) painter’s tape  
  • One Masonite or painting board - approx. 22 x 26  
  • 2 - 500 ml plastic water containers
  • Roll of paper towel
  • Optional: any type of sturdy portfolio for paper (usually big enough to hold 22 x 30)