Gesture

Contour

Weighted Line

Value

Detail

Watercolor is different from any other form of painting. It begins as the most transparent of media, yet it can be made to be as opaque as you desire.

An overview of the class would be that we work to learn accuracy and control and then move on to expression. But, as with drawing, the way we go about that journey is to use the tools in reverse. We begin with gesture, which is an inherently expressive form. We refine the painting with contour and weighted line, establish a range of grays with value painting and finish with fine detail.

Stretching paper *, materials choices, making your own, punching up color. English technique, American or contemporary, pure watercolor, mixed media, playing with color, palettes, boards and storage. Marking your materials and equipment. Flattening a warped or buckled paper.

I would like you to produce two kinds of homework: a painting outside of class, and WC sketches in the sketchbook. Try to do the paintings and sketches every two or three days to develop your eye-hand coordination – rather than doing them all at once. Someone who draws and paints every day or two will accrue twice the benefit of the person who does them at the last minute before class.

As your first homework, I want you to produce a painting to act as a reference, or starting point – a base line of comparison: a still-life/landscape - an object and a landscape that acts as a background - for examples:an apple on a window sill, or a bowl on a deck rail. We may show them later in class if you wish but they are for your reference.

* An additional handout on watercolor paper and stretching.

Art Material suppliers:

Artist and Craftsman Supply, 4350 8th AV NE, 545-0091, reasonable price, carries M.Graham watercolor paints (inexpensive). Gives a 10% discount to students who show their supply list
Dakota Art Store, Roosevelt Way NE 523-4830. After you spend $50, you get a discount or rebate.
Daniel Smith, 4150 1st Ave. S, 223-9599, manufactures their own paints, good quality, gives good discount (10%) to registered students
University Bookstore, 4326 University WY NE, 634-3400
Utrecht, corner of Pike and Minor, Capitol Hill, 382-9696, reasonable prices, good price on Arches watercolor blocks and sketchbooks

"Creative Discoveries in Watermedia" by Pat Dews
"Splash" series
"Master Class in Watermedia: Techniques in Traditional and Experimental Painting" by Edward Betts