Beginning Watercolor

Beginning Watercolor

Class | Registration closed 4/6/2024

37 Buena Vista Road West Hartford, CT 06107 United States

Clubhouse

Beginner

4/3/2024-5/28/2024

6:00 PM-8:00 PM EDT on Wed

Download iCalendar

$170.00

$150.00

This class is for those with little or no painting experience.

You will be given step by step instruction on materials, brush use, the three basic methods used to apply watercolor paint, mixing colors, applying correct values and a helpful drawing exercise.

In each class the instructor will introduce a technique or painting exercise(s). Students will then practice during class time.

You’ll be encouraged to work at home. Related YouTube videos may be recommended.

Bring your camera phone or tablet to each class.

In addition to materials which may be purchased locally the instructor will collect $6 from each student for practice paper and a lightweight painting board useful for learning the wet in wet technique.

Below is a list of supplies you will need.

If you have questions regarding these, call the instructor at 860-461-2448. Keep your receipt in case you may need to return an item.


  • There are 2 buildings at 37 Buena Vista. The Clubhouse is the white building beside the upper parking area.

  • Jerry’s Artarama in West Hartford has a box behind the counter with some of the paints recommended as well as a sampling of brushes to give you an idea of what to select.

    Jerry’s often has a sale which will qualify your purchase for a significant discount. Be sure to ask about this (even call ahead to see if it’s coming up) and sign up for their discount members card.

     

    Brushes:

    A 1 inch flat brush- suggested brands, Simply from Robert Simmons, Princeton or Robert Simmons, 1 half inch flat- suggested brand, Princeton Lauren, 1 number 8 round-suggested Velvet Touch brand, a number 8 quill by Princeton Neptune(do not substitute a different brand), a #1 and a #4 liner (or script or pointed rigger).

    Please check with the cashier to be certain that the brushes you select are watercolor brushes. These will have soft bristles and generally will be shorter than oil painting brushes.

    A covered palette..larger size suggested..

    Some good brands are Robert Wood (first choice) Jack Richeson or Zoltan Szebo.

     

    Paper:

    Canson watercolor XL pad of paper 9x12”

    PAINTS: Watercolor paints in tubes are required. Please let instructor know if you have some of these in other brands. You may be able to use them as substitutes.

    Highly recommended brands:

    Lukas brand watercolors (behind the counter at Jerry’s Artarama in West Hartford)

    Genuine Rose, Cyan, Indanthrone blue, Permanent Yellow Light or Aureoline Yellow, Burnt umber, Neutral Tint, Raw Sienna.

    Daniel Smith brand-Perylene Green

    Holbein brand-Mineral Violet

    1 tube of white watercolor (designer) gouache (not acryl)

    1 small bottle of Pebeo drawing gum or Grumbacker friskit. Only buy the small bottle. Non latex is available.

     

    Sharpie ultra fine black marker or Pitt pen (preferred)

    White gum eraser or a kneaded eraser

    General supplies: a plain pencil, small notepad, 2 water containers, tp or facial tissue, q-tips, paper towels, ruler, scissors, masking tape (if you don’t have any on hand buy one-half inch green brand OR gaffers tape available on Amazon). Gaffers tape is more expensive but can be reused several times.


A teacher at the West Hartford Art League for more than three decades artist Carol Ganick teaches traditional and non-traditional approaches to watercolor painting, with special interest in building technique skills with beginning and intermediate level students. Though clearly having a passion for watercolor, she works in various medium including oils, acrylic, mixed media and collage.

See her work and work by her students on www.flickr.com/carolganick and on Instagram. She may be contacted at carolganick@gmail.com.