Wild Watercolors

In this class we will learn how NOT to become members of the Formal Academy of Watercolorists. We are going to stretch the boundaries of convention and come to see watercolor as the perfect medium for spontaneous expression despite its fussy reputation. By combining experimental methods and a Duchampian attitude, we will paint from personal inspiration and intuition.

The emphasis will be on exploration, both of the medium and of our inner imaginings. With the aid of music, words and imagining techniques we will discover new imagery and meet parts of our selves that have been whispering to us forever.

We will play with various painting approaches and observe how different grounds interact with our paints and brushes. We will scrub, rub and flow our way into an easy relationship with watercolor. Our experiments will become backgrounds where we will find our imagery hiding. We will begin to see in new ways, using lines and color to bring new worlds to life.

All levels are welcome. Advanced students please bring your Beginner's Mind.

Supply List:

• *At least 2 sheets 140 lb cold press watercolor paper 22” x 30” (Fabriano Artistico traditional white preferred)
• Watercolor brushes (assortment of flats, rounds and filberts - large, medium and small)
• Oil paint brushes  ( bristle for scrubbing and texture - medium and small) 
• A flat painter’s brush (decent quality - we don’t want it to shed)
• Watercolor paints in tubes (professional quality paints work best) 
  • -Suggested colors  
  • crimson
  • cadmium yellow (medium);
  • cadmium red (light & medium);  
  • cobalt blue  
  • ultramarine blue
  • sap green
  • yellow ochre
  • umber and sienna
  • and other colors  that moves you)
• Tube of China White watercolor 
• Large tube of titanium white gauche
• Gesso
• Golden absorbent ground
• Watercolor pallet tray (ice cube trays work)
• flat pallet tray (cake pans work!)
• Drawing pencils – hard and soft (h's and b's)
• Pencil sharpener (small hand held)
• Kneaded eraser
• White eraser (like a Factis)
• Micron pens (black, browns)
• Anything you like to make marks with
• Drafting tape
• 2 wide mouth jars
• Small squirt bottle
• cotton rags (cloth diapers are great! Or (non-terry) dish towel)
  
  
• * You can fold the paper into quarters for traveling, but please don't cut it