Celebrate the beauty of autumn with a colorful watercolor still life inspired by the rich shapes, textures, and glowing colors of the harvest season.
In this engaging four-hour workshop, students will learn how to transform a simple arrangement of pumpkins, gourds, and seasonal objects into a vibrant watercolor painting full of light and atmosphere.
Designed for adult novice watercolor painters (the next step beyond beginner), this class will guide students through the entire painting process—from planning a pleasing composition to creating luminous washes, strong values, and expressive color relationships. Along the way, you'll discover how thoughtful design and observation can elevate an ordinary still life into a compelling work of art.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your watercolor skills or simply enjoy a creative autumn afternoon, you'll leave with new techniques, greater confidence, and a beautiful seasonal painting to display or gift.
Class Goals:
By the end of this workshop, students will:
- Learn how to arrange and sketch an aesthetically pleasing still life composition.
- Understand the importance of values and how they create depth, form, and focal points.
- Explore color selection and palette planning for a harmonious painting.
- Practice watercolor techniques including washes, layering, glazing, and edge control.
- Learn how to simplify complex subjects into manageable shapes and value patterns.
- Develop confidence in painting a complete watercolor from start to finish.
- Strengthen observational skills while interpreting objects artistically.
You’ll leave with:
At the conclusion of the class, each student will leave with:
- A completed fall-themed watercolor still life painting.
- A stronger understanding of composition, value, and color planning.
- Practical watercolor techniques that can be applied to future paintings.
- Increased confidence in tackling more complex watercolor subjects.
- Sketches, studies, and notes from the workshop for future reference.
Materials Needed:
Students can either bring their own materials or opt to use materials provided by the instructor for a $10 cash fee due at the beginning of the class. For those students who wish to bring their own materials, a list is provided for download.
Come capture the warmth, color, and beauty of the harvest season while building your watercolor skills in a fun and supportive environment!