Blue Iris demo I painted (c) Feb. 2020, watercolor. I'll likely do a version in acrylic this term.
Carla's Pond is an acrylic I painted as a demo for my Landscapes in Acrylic class in Fall 2020. It's 5" x 7" on a birch wood panel.
These irises are a detail of a section of a commissioned stair riser I painted in 2019: 14 steps = 14 paintings of flowers.
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Classes, workshops, small group and Private lessons
"WCC Rainy parking lot" watercolor demo
Winter 2024
Washtenaw Community College 734-677-5060 Personal Enrichment/creative arts/visual arts https://washtenaw.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassListing.ClassListingDisplay&int_category_id=3&int_sub_category_id=54&int_catalog_id=1 in progress are "Home Sweet Home" (painting & drawing our homes), and Water in Watercolor, and .....Seniors classes at the Ann Arbor Senior Center and the Pittsfield Twp Center (ages 65 & up free - register at those locations) Private lesson and small group workshops prices depending on location and # of students $45/hr ... usually a 2 hour minimum I'm continuing to teach Art Education at Eastern Michigan University and share how art connects to our understanding of science, history, and so much more, along increasing their art skills. Summer 2022 Ypsilanti District Library - LNGO program Urban Sketching -WCC EMU ARTE 220 Below are some past WCC Classes that I sometimes revise Fabric Painting Use fabric paint to make a unique tablecloth, scarf or sweatshirt. Learn how to use it on a variety of fabrics with simple to more complex subjects. Watercolor Quick and Easy Beginning watercolor and for those who wish to work faster and looser. This is class is running and will be offered again in the future. Acrylic Painting: Open Studio ID : 35641 Work on your chosen subjects and get guidance from me and feedback from class critiques. As always I will do demos highlighting techniques, color studies and more as fits your requests and needs. I'll be an interactive YouTube while we are on line. Spring Summer 2021 Animals in Watercolor: Painting Fur, Feathers and More ID : 35824 14 sessions on Saturdays subject range from exotic to domestic and techniques move from simple shapes to complex and colorful ..and yes pets are welcome (subjects) 5/15/2021 - 8/14/2021 Weekly - Sat10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Urban Sketching ART 4503 Become an urban sketcher as we draw and paint. Fill your sketchbook as you develop your drawing skills, learn watercolor techniques to add color and life, and become more visually aware and appreciative in a supportive environment. Subjects will include local scenes from Ypsi-Ann Arbor area and I invite your suggestions. Learn how to draw in perspective and also how to distort it. Winter 2021 All classes are online this term Fabulous Flowers in Acrylics (34546) 1/11/2021-4/19/2021 Weekly - Monday evenings 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Trees and Landscapes (34548) meets twice a week: 1/13/2021-4/7/2021- Wed. 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (demo, tips) & 1/21/2021-4/1/2021 Thu7:15 PM - 8:00 PM (critique & reivew) water-media (watercolor, watercolor pencils or markers, acrylics or any combination.) Faces and Figures in Watercolor (34547) Meets twice a week (this was a hit and wil resume fall term) 1/23/2021-4/17/2021Weekly - Saturdays 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM (demo & tips) 1/25/2021-4/12/2021Weekly - Mondays 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM (review, critiques) Watercolor Quick and Easy (34467) a new version of beginning watercolor and for those who wish to loosen up 1/19/2021-4/13/2021 Weekly - Tuesday evenings 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM Happiness in Art (34468) This is a combination of mindful viewing specific works of art, creating a related work inspired by that work, and discussion of where we and the artist find happiness in what we see. Yes - I'll give some demos, too! 1/27/2021-4/14/2021 - Wednesdays 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM (view work, insights into the art & artist ) followed by 1/28/2021-4/15/2021- Thursdays 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM (sharing/drawing/demo) I am open to merging this to one night. Private lessons are possible via Zoom and outside in the spring. Fall 2020 Landscapes in Acrylics Learn new skills in acrylics as you focus on landscapes. Explore seasonal and regional color palettes and paint scenes that give a sense of space. You will reference works by the masters and work from photos of near and exotic locales. Beginning Watercolor Get an introduction to the versatile medium of watercolor while learning the basics of mixing colors, using wet- and dry-brush techniques, and sketching and planning paintings. Come explore your artistic talents in a welcoming and supportive environment. Animals in Watercolor: Painting Fur, Feathers and More Whether you're a beginner or advanced painter, learn how to paint subjects from domestic to the exotic. Begin by painting animal silhouettes and simpler forms, move on to detailed and textured techniques including painting a favorite pet. Watercolor: Holiday Cards Use your existing experience with watercolor to create wonderful holiday cards for the season. Using a combination of sketching, watercolor and collage, you will create a one-of-a-kind holiday card that sends a personal message. Note: I'll show how to paint a realistic looking gingerbread house this as one of the lessons. Winter 2020 Washtenaw Community College Economic Development /Personal Enrichment 734-677-5060 Personal Enrichment/creative arts/visual arts Fabulous Flowers in Acrylics (29684) NEW 1/13/2020-4/6/2020Weekly - Mondays 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM Need some color this winter? Create some gorgeous blossoms - no green thumb required, and you will grow your skills in painting, blending, composition, and color mixing. Faces and Figures in Watercolor (29687) NEW 1/18/2020-4/18/2020Weekly - Saturdays 1:00 PM - 3:15 PM Beginning Watercolor (29657) 1/23/2020-4/23/2020Weekly - Thursdays 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Trees and Landscapes (29688) NEW 2/5/2020-4/22/2020Weekly - Wednesdays 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM This class is open to any water media Private workshop - Paint and pour - feminist icons - February 2020 (postponed indefinitely) Fall term 2019 - classes running Sept. - December Acrylic Painting Buildings in Watercolor Urban Sketching Beginning Watercolor Teen Camps - Summer 2019 Drawing Characters: Anime Animals Art 4053 (26553) M-F, 3-5, July 22-July 26 ages 11-18 Drawing: Finding Inspiration Art 4019 (26552) M-F, 3-5, July 8-July12 ages 13-18 Winter Term Painting Animals in Acrylics (ID : 21952) 2/19/2019 - 3/26/2019 Weekly - Tue 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (6 weeks) Develop your skills in painting with acrylics as we focus on animals. Learn how to paint fluffy fur, delicate feathers, sparkling eyes and more. We will look at paintings by the Masters, and paint small exercises and studies as well as two or three full paintings. Continuing Acrylics: Open Studio (21950) 12 sessions 2/4/2019 - 4/22/2019 Monday evenings 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Weekly In a supportive and inspiring environment, open studio allows you to work on projects of your choice with guidance from the trainer. Increase your painting skills and expand your understanding of color, composition and brush handling. Animals in Watercolor: Painting Fur, Feathers & More ID : 21951 2/2/2019 - 4/20/2019 12 sessions Weekly - Saturday afternoons 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM Whether you're a beginner or advanced painter, you're sure to enjoy this class where you'll paint subjects from domestic to the exotic. We'll begin with painting animal silhouettes and simpler forms, then move on to detailed and textured techniques. You'll also have the opportunity to paint a favorite pet. Fun and easy Fabric Collage (cancelled - private workshop on request) ID : 22233 3/6/2019 - 4/3/2019 5 sessions Weekly - Wed 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM In this class you will create one of a kind wall hangings, and more, with colorful fabrics using scissors, iron-in fusible web, and some clever ideas. Cut simple shapes and combine with beads and ribbons, if you like, to create a lovely composition you can hang on the wall, in the window, or even wear. Any sewing is optional as the emphasis with collage is to cut and 'glue.' Trainer will bring in examples to show and fabric to share. Handmade Books (cancelled - private workshops on request) (ID : 21953 ) 4 Sessions 3/4/2019 - 3/25/2019 - Mon 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Create a variety of handmade books that build on simple techniques with elegant results. Flutter, accordion-style, pocket books and more will inspire you to fill them with special notes and images. Previous workshops and classes which may be offered in the future: Continuing Watercolor: Holiday Cards (we had a small and enthusiastic group for this class this past month) Look for this in Winter 2019 Use existing experience with watercolor to create wonderful holiday cards for the season. Combine sketching, watercolor and collage to create one-of-a-kind holiday cards that sends a personal message. Collage House Book this class students will combine collage with bookmaking to design and fabricate a house shaped book filled with pages of rooms which together tell a story about places remembered. No prior bookmaking experience is required. Beginner Book Art : Flutter books Students construct two finished versions of a flutter book, produce concise even folds, apply Kirigami techniques for 3-D effects, select a poem or quote to include as a message, & combine it all into a book that is a work of art. Beginner Book Art : Star books The book becomes sculpture as we fold and glue a celestial story. A city scape or landscape wanders across the pages and is liberally sprinkled with stars. Words optional. -------------------------------- Private lessons and Art parties for all ages - can focus on basic through advanced drawing and painting, or a special project such as art books, murals, or animal portraits . Prices: $30 an hour for up to 4 students, minimum an hour and a half ($ 45.00) and 2 hours for $50. Parties/paint along events: $100 -$200 with 6 -15 participants (2-3 hours plus set up and clean up.) Party price includes some art supplies. ------------------------------------------- I taught elementary art (K-5) for a now closed public charter school in Detroit. Some examples of student work are shown here. I taught Introduction to Art for non-Majors, and Introduction to Graphic Design for Non-Majors at Eastern Michigan University as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and a Visiting Lecturer. Course taught at the Ann Arbor Art Center included H.O.HO. (in cooperation with the UM Museum of Art), ceramics for children, landscape painting, and (of course) watercolor. Going back for my teaching certificate strengthened my desire to share more whys and hows and art history in my teaching. I love how each class provides more insight and inspiration. many of my adult classes include those who haven't painted in years or are finally making time for something that brings them joy. |
watercolor tips
Here are some tips, resources, and suggested materials for watercolor.
Paper matters: get good quality paper. I prefer 140 cold press and primarily use Arches, Fabriano, Whatman, and Canson. 300 lb. is wonderful - strong and great when I'm using a lot of water and playing with texture, but it's pricey. 90lb. student grade is fine for exercises, but can be more challenging to work with.
Stretching paper.....is highly recommended and helpful when working wet. It's a challenge working large. I often don't bother and flatten it when done with a painting by getting back side damp and placing a clean cloth and lots of heavy books on it.
New tip: (learned from MWCS President) is to soak paper and then staple it on to gator board (this is similar to foam core, but much thicker - and light weight). Advantages are it won't pull away as many tapes do, and it's lighter than wood boards. I plan to try this soon.
Paints - you need less than you might think. Everyone seems to have their favorite color schemes. I owe Leslie Masters and her research on color along with my mentors (Mignonette Cheng and Ellen Wilt) a debt of gratitude. Limit the colors yo buy and learn to mix. My current basic colors include: Permanent Rose, Cadmium Red Medium, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Dioxazine Violet, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Lemon Yellow, and Sepia. No white is needed, because in watercolor we use the white of the paper. I avoid black paint as it goes flat. I mix Sepia with Prussian or Phalo Blue or Green for a really rich deep dark value. Blend violet with a bit of lemon for an interesting grey. Phalo green with permanent rose makes a cool neutral, too. Mix the 'mud' on your palette to find your own favorite browns and grays. Other fun and useful colors include Cerulean blue, Phalo blue, Phalo Green, Sap Green, Turquoise, and Alizarin Crimson. Payne's Gray is a good mixer, so is Raw Umber. I also got into metallic watercolors years ago and they can be great fun.
Watercolor Pencils and watercolor crayons - are splendid for placing those fine lines in color, or beginning your drawing to avoid those 'pencil lines.' All marks show, so plan and make them purposeful. They can last a good long time. I've used them dry and then wet with the paint or a bit of water, and dipped them right into the water and drawn directly into the painting .
Water soluble graphite pencils are pretty useful, too. I like the fact you can draw line and wash them away as you paint.
Brushes they must be watercolor brushes which are designed to hold lots of paint and water. Basic bamboo brushes are inexpensive and extremely versatile. They produce calligraphic lines, go from thick to thin, and have natural bristles. A good flat brush - from 1/2" up to 1" is a handy one for painting geometric forms. I've grown quite fond of my angled brush which is like the flat, but cut at a bit of an angle and great for straight edges, lines, and more. I use it a lot! Another handy one is a liner or rigger brush. These are thin with especially long hairs. They paint long thin lines without running out of paint. Go for inexpensive to begin with. Yes- it is normal for some loose hairs to come out when they are new. Keep them clean with cool water and gentle soap as needed and store upright or flat. The latest recommendation is to store flat to avoid water seeping into the ferule and rusting, and keep bristles in correct shape.
Masking media
How do we keep the white areas white?
#1 -don't paint, plan white or light areas. This is what I do most of the time and certainly for larger area.s
#2 - masking fluid It is smelly, pricey, but effective. I use an old brush with a bit on soap on the bristles to apply, then wash brush straight away. This is splendid for saving small highlight, cat and dog whiskers, Whites of the eyes, etc.
I'm enjoying a new product where it comes in a glue bottle like pen enabling me to draw sharp fine lines and not gum up the point.
#3 - masking tape, but more specifically white painters tape or the blue tape we use when painting walls. It easy to remove and can be cut or torn to desired shapes.
#4 - wax - white crayons, white candles, and even a bit of paraffin work to resist the water. I usually leave this on, but it is possible to iron off the wax. Try crayons in different colors or oil pastels for a mixed media twist.
NEW - Aquacover by Creative Mark. I just purchased and tried this out. It's white out for watercolors and fine for small areas to return to a white surface and repaint.
UA-36852905-1 A-36852905-1
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var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
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Paper matters: get good quality paper. I prefer 140 cold press and primarily use Arches, Fabriano, Whatman, and Canson. 300 lb. is wonderful - strong and great when I'm using a lot of water and playing with texture, but it's pricey. 90lb. student grade is fine for exercises, but can be more challenging to work with.
Stretching paper.....is highly recommended and helpful when working wet. It's a challenge working large. I often don't bother and flatten it when done with a painting by getting back side damp and placing a clean cloth and lots of heavy books on it.
New tip: (learned from MWCS President) is to soak paper and then staple it on to gator board (this is similar to foam core, but much thicker - and light weight). Advantages are it won't pull away as many tapes do, and it's lighter than wood boards. I plan to try this soon.
Paints - you need less than you might think. Everyone seems to have their favorite color schemes. I owe Leslie Masters and her research on color along with my mentors (Mignonette Cheng and Ellen Wilt) a debt of gratitude. Limit the colors yo buy and learn to mix. My current basic colors include: Permanent Rose, Cadmium Red Medium, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Dioxazine Violet, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Lemon Yellow, and Sepia. No white is needed, because in watercolor we use the white of the paper. I avoid black paint as it goes flat. I mix Sepia with Prussian or Phalo Blue or Green for a really rich deep dark value. Blend violet with a bit of lemon for an interesting grey. Phalo green with permanent rose makes a cool neutral, too. Mix the 'mud' on your palette to find your own favorite browns and grays. Other fun and useful colors include Cerulean blue, Phalo blue, Phalo Green, Sap Green, Turquoise, and Alizarin Crimson. Payne's Gray is a good mixer, so is Raw Umber. I also got into metallic watercolors years ago and they can be great fun.
Watercolor Pencils and watercolor crayons - are splendid for placing those fine lines in color, or beginning your drawing to avoid those 'pencil lines.' All marks show, so plan and make them purposeful. They can last a good long time. I've used them dry and then wet with the paint or a bit of water, and dipped them right into the water and drawn directly into the painting .
Water soluble graphite pencils are pretty useful, too. I like the fact you can draw line and wash them away as you paint.
Brushes they must be watercolor brushes which are designed to hold lots of paint and water. Basic bamboo brushes are inexpensive and extremely versatile. They produce calligraphic lines, go from thick to thin, and have natural bristles. A good flat brush - from 1/2" up to 1" is a handy one for painting geometric forms. I've grown quite fond of my angled brush which is like the flat, but cut at a bit of an angle and great for straight edges, lines, and more. I use it a lot! Another handy one is a liner or rigger brush. These are thin with especially long hairs. They paint long thin lines without running out of paint. Go for inexpensive to begin with. Yes- it is normal for some loose hairs to come out when they are new. Keep them clean with cool water and gentle soap as needed and store upright or flat. The latest recommendation is to store flat to avoid water seeping into the ferule and rusting, and keep bristles in correct shape.
Masking media
How do we keep the white areas white?
#1 -don't paint, plan white or light areas. This is what I do most of the time and certainly for larger area.s
#2 - masking fluid It is smelly, pricey, but effective. I use an old brush with a bit on soap on the bristles to apply, then wash brush straight away. This is splendid for saving small highlight, cat and dog whiskers, Whites of the eyes, etc.
I'm enjoying a new product where it comes in a glue bottle like pen enabling me to draw sharp fine lines and not gum up the point.
#3 - masking tape, but more specifically white painters tape or the blue tape we use when painting walls. It easy to remove and can be cut or torn to desired shapes.
#4 - wax - white crayons, white candles, and even a bit of paraffin work to resist the water. I usually leave this on, but it is possible to iron off the wax. Try crayons in different colors or oil pastels for a mixed media twist.
NEW - Aquacover by Creative Mark. I just purchased and tried this out. It's white out for watercolors and fine for small areas to return to a white surface and repaint.
UA-36852905-1 A-36852905-1
<script >
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-36852905-1']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
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