Watercolor: Beginner

Watercolor: Beginner

Class | Available

37 Buena Vista Road West Hartford, CT 06107 United States
Clubhouse
Beginner
9/10/2025-10/29/2025
6:00 PM-8:00 PM EDT on Wed
$170.00
$150.00

Watercolor: Beginner

Class | Available

This class will serve as an introduction to watercolor painting techniques and reinforcement of techniques for returning beginners, and those who have had previous but limited watercolor instruction .

Each class will focus on one or more basic technique.  Individual and group instruction is provided and homework assignments are intended for practice to assist students in becoming confident. Students will learn the three primary brush techniques, gain experience in mixing colors and develop an understanding of values (light to dark) and the need to create variety in a painting. A basic drawing practice will be introduced to help develop an understanding of the need to “see”. 

Students are required to bring supplies to the first session.  The instructor welcomes questions regarding the class or materials and can be reached at 860 461 2448.

  • There are 2 buildings at 37 Buena Vista. The Clubhouse is the white building beside the upper parking lot.
  • In addition to supplies listed below new students will be provided with a corrugated board, some sample papers and a few additional items for a fee of $6. to be paid directly to the instructor.

    Lukas brand tube paints are recommended for some colors as they are a good quality and good value. This brand can be found in a box behind the cash register at Jerrys Artarama on New Britain Ave. in West Hartford. Mention the instructor’s name. If you’re not from this area, I would suggest looking for the same colors from Daniel Smith, Holbein or Windsor Newton. Please try to buy from a local store rather than online. Keep your receipts in case you need to return an item. 
    It is very important, especially for beginners that you purchase better quality paints and  paper.

    Beginners and advanced beginners will need the following:

    Paper. A 9x12” pad of Arches cold pressed paper, loose sheets, 12 to a package. A 9x12 pad of Canson XL Watercolor paper.

    Brushes.  A Princeton Neptune Quill No. 8. (No other brand) , a half inch flat brush, a number eight round brush, a number one liner or script and a number six liner or script. Princeton is a recommended brand as it is reasonably priced and good quality. If the size or type of a brush is not available order it. 

    General supplies. Paper towels, a cloth rag, single ply t.p., one inch green or blue masking tape, 2 plastic pint or larger size containers for water, scissors, ruler, #2 pencil, a white eraser or gummed eraser and a small spray bottle.

    Palette. Recommended palette would be one of these brands. Robert E. Woods, John Pike, or Sterling dwards. It's important to have a covered palette that has a large paint mixing area.

    Tubes of watercolor paints, Lukas brand in Lemon Yellow or Aurioline, Raw Sienna, Indanthrone Blue, Cyan Blue, Genuine Rose or Permanent Rose, Burnt Umber.
    If Lukas brand is unavailable the next best choice is Daniel Smith brand.
    Also Holbein Mineral Violet, Daniel Smith Perelyne Green and Cotman or Daniel Smith Indigo.
    If you have taken a watercolor class previously and have quality brand colors you may not need to buy new paint. Contact the instructor to discuss which colors will be applicable. 860-461-2448. 

    Returning and experiencing beginners may want to purchase colors in addition to those listed above.  The following are not necessary but are some suggestions for those who may be interested:  Lukas brand Indian Yellow, Madder Lake Genuine, Pthalo Blue, Cobalt Turquoise, DaVinci Red. From Daniel Smith, Transparent Perelyne Orange, Transparent Red Oxide, Green Gold, Undersea Green, Quinacridone Coral and Holbein Lavender. Dr. Martins Bleed Proof White or similar product.

    Suggested additional brushes/ supplies. Princeton #10 round long, #6 round, 3/8inch dagger, a half inch chip brush from a hardware store. Pebeo Drawing Gum (masking fluid), Mr. Clean eraser, different brands of paper such as Fabriano Aristico, Stonehenge, Windsor Newton in 100% cotton rag, cold, rough or hot pressed surface. More expensive brushes are not necessary, but if desired, consider Escoda brand.

Carol Ganick

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
.