Due to the transparent qualities of watercolors, I find it fun and exciting to start many of my paintings with abstract starts. The
abstract shapes and colors, applied first, come through the subjects adding color, texture, contrast, and interest that would
not otherwise have been in the finished piece. There are numerous ways to begin abstract watercolors but, I have found
using thin manilla board and blue painters tape a great way to start my paintings and end up with exciting results. In this class I
will teach the steps that I use and, hopefully, you will have fun and rewarding results as well.
What to bring to class
Bring an image that you want to work with. Have your image drawn out onto your paper and bring a reference photo. Try to
have your line drawing take up 2/3 of the picture plane. I will send you a line drawing that you can use with a reference photo before
class begins, if you choose to use my drawing and photo. Paper you like to use. I enjoy using Arches 140 lb. Cold press or
Hot press paper. If you have other brands you like, please feel free to try them out. Some fun sizes to work with are 16” x 20”,
18” x 18”, 10” x 10”. I often try to use standard wood panel sizes that I can glue my paintings onto to frame them . I usually
purchase full sheets of watercolor paper and then cut or tear the sizes I want to use. If you are not familiar using wood panels to
attach your work to, I will be glad to show you how I use them.
Also bring a roll of blue painters tape in a 1” wide roll and a pair of scissors that cuts paper easily. The size of paper I will be using
for this assignment is 19” height and 16” wide. Paints: Bring tubes of your favorite colors. Five to six colors work
great. Some of my favorite colors are French ultramarine blue, new gamboge, phthalo green, cobalt teal, alizarin crimson, cad.
orange, quin gold and quin rust.
You will be mixing these paints with water in small plastic or paper cups to paint your abstract start. Bring along your watercolors that you normally work with.
Make sure your abstract start paints are in this palette as well. Brushes: Bring your normal brushes that you work with and a one
to two inch flat brush to use with your cups of paint for the abstract background. Regular watercolor supplies: Paper towels, water container, gator
board, or whatever you like to use to tape your painting to paint on.
Bring a sack lunch.
Materials I will provide:
Manilla board or sandwich wrap paper
Plastic cups
Blow dryers
Salt for texture
Cost: $175.00 | When: May 30 – 31 9am – 4pm