Instructor: Fine Artist Randy Groden
Designed for beginning through advanced painters, this six-week course develops essential watercolor skills, including brush handling, washes, color mixing, values, edges, and composition, with individualized guidance for each student.
Students will begin by collecting and bringing several photographic images clipped from magazines. I will help them select suitable subjects and use that process to teach what makes a photograph visually strong, how to distinguish a well-planned image from a poorly composed reference, and how cropping, simplification, values, and focal point can strengthen an imperfect photograph.
Students will also learn how to frame a subject within the camera, choose a viewpoint, recognize useful lighting, and begin taking their own reference photographs. The longer-term goal is to help them progress from found images to creating purposeful, original photo references for their own paintings.
In addition, students will receive an introduction to presenting their work, discussing their artistic goals, considering appropriate pricing, and understanding how artists begin building relationships with galleries and other exhibition opportunities. Questions may be directed to me at randygroden@me.com.
Watercolor Painting Supply List
Randy Groden Painting Classes
Tubes of watercolor and good cotton paper make washes easier to control. Winsor and Newton Cotman or a comparable student or professional line is suitable. Before you race out talk to me about Tray Watercolor sets.
Before you buy Bring materials you already own before replacing them. Comparable brands and colors are welcome. You can purchase large prepackaged sets with all the suggested colors then add larger tubes as you go of colors you use the most.
Watercolor Colors
• Ultramarine Blue
• Prussian Blue or Phthalo Blue
• Permanent Rose
• Permanent Alizarin Crimson
• Cadmium Red Hue or Pyrrole Scarlet
• Cadmium Yellow Hue or Hansa Yellow
• Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna
• Burnt Sienna
• Sap Green
Brushes
• Good quality watercolor round brushes in sizes 4 and 10
• One 1 inch flat wash brush
• Optional small round brush in size 2 for fine details
Paper and Equipment
• Arches or comparable 140 pound cold press watercolor paper, preferably 100 percent cotton; bring a 9 x 12 inch pad or at least four quarter sheets
• Plastic watercolor palette with mixing wells and a lid
• Two water containers, a watercolor board slightly larger than the paper, and low tack painter's tape
• Paper towels, a small natural sponge, apron, and a folder or portfolio for finished work
Bring to the First Class
• Number 2 or HB pencil and a kneaded eraser
• Two or three clear reference images. A printed photograph or tablet is fine; choose subjects you are interested in painting.
Studio care Let palette residue dry before placing it in the trash. Do not rinse heavy paint deposits into the sink.