Step into the wonderfully experimental medium of watercolor. We will begin by exploring different watercolor effects, and go into a basic overview of beginning watercolor techniques. 3 min skies, wet on wet, gradients, lifting, negative painting and handling edges. Using various subject matters will increase our skill sets as we experiment with loose and tight representational styles. Great class for beginners or intermediate levels.
This class is taught in English.
We will NOT have class the week of Thanksgiving.
SUPPLY LIST:
Supply List is a general suggestion for starting the class.
Good sources to buy supplies include Cheap Joe's online and Blick's in Sugar House 1025 East 2100 South SLC, or online.
PAPER: Arches # 140lb. Cold Press paper – 12x16 Block or 4-5 22x30 Sheets You will get a much better result if you use "quality" watercolor paper, and a very poor result if you buy cheap, student grade watercolor paper.
BRUSHES: Please buy "quality" watercolor brushes. Cheap starter-set brushes will not last long or hold their shape/point very long.
Start with synthetic sables or squirrel-hair brushes which are reasonably priced. Pure Sable brushes are very expensive. Flats: I have a 2", 1", 3/4", 1/2", and 1/4" I prefer Richeson Professional 7010 Steve Quiller brushes that can be found at Jerry's Artarama online. Rounds: 2 Large (10-16), 2 Medium (6-9), 2 Small (2-4) Good Brands: Windsor Newton, RichesonProfessional 7010 Steve Quiller, Isabey, Robert Simmons, Escoda ,Kolinsky, Blick, Princeton etc.
Oil Painting Brush: One small FLAT boar bristle brush (for help in lifting out color if needed) Palette with separate wells There should be separate wells in the palette to squirt your tubed paints into and let it harden up. You will also want mixing space. I recommend labeling your colors with a black sharpie near or on the inside of the well, so you can remember them while you're using them.
PAINTS: For beginners, you may start out using an Educational Crayola or Prang Watercolor Set Surprisingly enough, they have good bright colors and strong pigments which work pretty well when you're just starting out. If you want to go one step up… Tube
Watercolors to Start:
o Cad Yellow Medium
o Yellow Ochre
o Cad Red Medium
o Alizarin Crimson
o Cerulean Blue
o Sap Green
o Cobalt Teal
o Burnt Sienna
o Ultramarine Blue
Good Brands: Windsor Newton, Holbein, Daniel Smith, Senneliar, Cheap Joe's etc. Please do NOT buy inexpensive student-grade starter sets tube paints like Artist's Loft. They are grainy and have fillers and do not produce a good result.
***NOTE OPTIONAL For more intermediate/advanced watercolorists: I use Ted Nuttle's palette which consists of the following purely transparent colors.
You are welcome to get these colors if you'd like to use exactly what I do:
Holbein:
Brilliant Orange
Vermillion
Yellow Light
Burnt Umber
Daniel Smith:
Ultramarine Blue
Quinacridone Burnt
Peacock Blue
Orange Windsor
Mineral Violet
Newton
Indigo
Permanent Alizarin
Antwerp Blue
Crimson Scarlet
Windsor Blue Red Shade
Lake
Hooker’s Green
Quinacridone Gold
Aurelian Yello
Windsor
Blue Shop Towels They are very absorbent, and can be thrown in the washer and dried and reused over and over again for watercolors. Please bring one roll of these to class.
Masking Tape: 1 Roll of 1” Masking Tape. We will be taping up all our projects so this is required of each student. Don't bring blue or other colored tapes. Just get regular cream-colored masking tape.
Water Container Any jar will work. I prefer a divided container so I can wash out color in one side and continually retrieve clean water from the other.
A board to tape your paper to. This can be gatorboard, light wooden board, plexiglass, sintra, etc. The board should be at least 4-6 inches bigger on all sides of the watercolor paper you are taping up. I use Sintra board.
A table easel or something to tilt your board on.
Fine Mist - Spray Bottle
Pencil(s) - 2B, HB, 2H
Kneaded Eraser Non Abrasive to watercolor paper and can be molded into different shapes to make erasing easier.
Misc. Items:
*tooth brush for splattering
*Masking fluid or miskit (fluid for masking out whites) *Course salt for texturing
*sketchbook to take notes or draw out thumbnails or try different techniques
*Mr Clean Original Magic Erasers or sheets, found in Grocery Stores
*Permanent Black marker fine tip for inking/sketching
*Tote Bag or case to keep watercolor supplies in
LOCATION:
Highland Community Center 5378 W 10400 N Street, Highland, UT
INSTRUCTOR:
This class is taught by Shelley Young. Learn more about our instructors at https://www.visualartinstitute.org/art-faculty
DROP-INS:
This class IS open for drop-in students. Students can register online for a specific date or purchase a Flex Pass. Everyone is responsible for bringing their supplies for the class.
REFUND POLICY:
We are only able to offer refunds up to 2 weeks before the start of class. We do not offer refunds or credits or make-up classes to students who miss class.
TRANSFER POLICY:
We may be able to transfer you to a different class depending on space availability.
CLASS CANCELLATION:
We find that students learn better in larger groups. If we feel the number of registrations is too low to promote a good learning environment, we may cancel the class. In the event we cancel a class, we will reach out to you as soon as possible.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
We try to make our classes as accessible to everyone as possible. We are able to offer a limited number of tuition assistance scholarships each term. You can complete an application on our website or call our office for assistance applying. Applications are available in Spanish and English.
MULTI-CLASS DISCOUNT:
When you register for more than one class, you can receive a discount up to 10% per class!
ADA ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATIONS:
Our classrooms are ADA accessible. Some courses may involve tasks or activities that may be difficult for individuals with limited strength, difficulty bending over, and sitting or standing for long periods of time. We are happy to work with students to find solutions to make their experience positive and doable. For example, wheel throwing takes arm strength and bending over the wheel. Students may work on hand-building projects instead of throwing. Please reach out to our office to discuss your needs.
DIFFICULTY REGISTERING?
Please call our main office for assistance! 801.474.3796
Participants must be 12 years to 100 years old when the program starts.
Registration starts on 05/18/2025 and ends on 12/04/2025.
Please contact Visual Art Institute if you have any questions.