Beginning Watercolor for Adults

Watercolor has a reputation for being a difficult medium to master and our Beginning Watercolors for Adults course is designed to debunk that myth!  Yes, it can be finicky, but with a little patience, you too can learn how to paint beautiful watercolor paintings.  

Students will be introduced to different watercolor techniques including utilizing different papers and mediums, water-to-paint ratios, hard and soft edges, and preserving paper-white highlights.  The first class of the term will review supplies and some basic techniques. If you have never painted with watercolors, it is important that you attend the first day of class.  

This course is open to continuing students as well as new students.  If you are new to watercolor, please let the process unfold. You may feel intimated in the beginning, but we work hard to meet your individual needs. Our lessons are designed to teach you the basic skills that will help you achieve success. 

In addition to our in-class support, we have an active, closed Facebook group. Once you are a registered student, you may join our FB group. You’ll see other students posting their work and you are encouraged to post your own.

SUPPLY LIST:

Paper: 

Arches  #140 lb cold press watercolor paper is our preferred choice of paper.  It is 100% cotton rag and can tolerate many glazes and scrubbing.  You can purchase a full sheet (22 x 30”) and tear the sheet into quarters (11 x 15”).  For this class you should have a least one full sheet or it’s equivalence.  

You can purchase a single sheet at Blick’s on 2100 south, SLC.  They keep the paper in a draw so you may need to ask for assistance. 

As Arches paper is becoming more and more expensive, you have the option to supplement your stash with student grade watercolor paper in a pad.  Recommended paper:  Bee Paper Watercolor Artist Studio Pad 9 x 12 in.  This paper is inexpensive and can be purchased online or at Walmart. 

Sketchbook:

A watercolor or multi-media sketchbook is highly recommended, but not required.  We will discuss the advantages of a sketchbook in class. You are encouraged to sketch as much as possible (5 minutes a day???), to help develop your artistic skills. 

Paint- Recommended for all students (beginners – see beginners note below):  

I recommend purchasing tubes of watercolor paint.  Utrecht, Blick’s, Winsor & Newton, Holbein, and Daniel Smith are recommended as they are professional paints.  Winton and Van Gogh are acceptable but are considered student paints.  Artist’s Loft paints are not acceptable.   

Some students have watercolors in “pans”.  These are dried colors that are already pre-loaded in a palette.  These are acceptable (if they are from a reliable brand) but you may need to supplement with some tube paints.  Again, Artist loft “pans” are not acceptable.   

The following colors are suggested (you will probably buy more later).  This basic list is considered a split primary palette, which means a warm and cool of each primary color.  Hooker’s green, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna are add-ons.  

Lemon yellow

Cad yellow light or medium

Yellow ochre

Cad red light

Alizarin crimson

Ultramarine blue

Prussian blue

Hooker’s green

Burnt sienna

BEGINNER’S CHOICE:  If you are new to painting and do not want to invest in a lot of paint, start with a kid’s set of Crayola or Prang Paints (DO NOT BUY OTHER BRANDS).  These paints are inexpensive yet full of vibrant colors.  If you decide to stay with watercolor, you’ll want to invest in more expensive paints. 

Paint –  Not required, but some advanced students may want to refer to this list. 

This more extensive list is primarily made up of transparent watercolors.  I was first introduced to palette by artist Ted Nuttall.  His luminous portraits are created by adding thin, clean, transparent glazes.  If you interested in this effect, you may want to keep this list handy. Note that certain brands are mentioned. 

 H = Holbein, DS = Daniel Smith.  Others are Winsor Newton.  Tubes only): 

Perm Alizarin Crimson

Vermillion (H) 

Scarlet Lake

Brilliant Orange (H), 

Winsor Yellow Deep 

Aureolin

Quin Gold

Quin Burnt Orange (DS)

Burnt Umber

Hookers Green

Mineral Violet (H)

Inidigo

French Ultramarine

Antwerp Blue

Winsor Blue Red Shade

Peacock Blue (H)

Brushes: One medium (#8) and one large (#12 or 14) round brush. Optional:  one #4.  I prefer Escoda Perla Torey white synthetic rounds.  These can be ordered online.  One 1-inch flat brush such as s Richeson Quiller 7010 flat.  

Palette:  Something to mix your paints on.  I recommend Mijello Fusion airtight watercolor palette (18 wells) or John Pike 10.5 x 15” watercolor palette.

Other items:

Pencils: #2B pencils are fine.  #4H pencils are good for detail work.  

Erasers: A grey, kneaded eraser.  

Paper towels: VIVA blue paper towels are great, but any work well

Tape: Masking tape to tape down paper.  White or cream colors are preferred.

Cotton rags: may be used instead of paper towels

Board:  Something to tape your paper on to.  No need to purchase an expensive drawing board.  Plexiglass, MDF board, Sintra boards (google it!), or gatorboards all work

A carry tote or box: to stay organized!

Easel:  Something that will give you a slant.  We can discuss this in class.  Do not purchase a table easel before class. We have an inexpensive option available for purchase, if desired. 

Color wheel:  Not required, but if you have one add it to your supply box

Gouache paint:  One tube of white, opaque gouache (not required)

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (original):  to correct mistakes (not required)

Personalized paint chart:  In our Watercolors for Adults ongoing class, students should hand draw and paint their personal paint palette, once properly set up.  Make sure to write the names of each color on your chart. We can discuss this in class, but you will need to do this exercise at home.  It is advisable to laminate your completed chart. 

Personalized 7-square value chart:  This is another exercise that should be completed at home.  We can discuss this in class. 

LOCATION:

Visual Art Institute 2900 S 300 W, South Salt Lake, Utah

INSTRUCTOR:

This class is taught by Barbara Kidd. Learn more about our instructors at https://www.visualartinstitute.org/art-faculty

DROP-INS:

This class IS open for drop-in students. All students (registered and drop-ins) must bring their own supplies. If you want to be able to drop-in to more classes, please consider getting one of our flex passes.

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 to come to a solution.

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.

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