“Value Does All The Work While Color Gets All The Credit”

“Value Does All The Work While Color Gets All The Credit”

Class | Available

94 Stafford Ave. Manahawkin, NJ 08050 United States
TBD
Experienced Beginner/Intermediate
9/22/2026-9/23/2026
10:00 AM-3:00 PM EDT on Tue Wed
$195.00
$175.00

“Value Does All The Work While Color Gets All The Credit”

Class | Available

Step into a world of light, water, and wind with award-winning watercolorist Devin K. Lulu in this immersive two-day, 10-hour workshop. Designed for experienced beginners and intermediate painters, the class centers on composition, value structure, confident brushwork, texture, and tonal contrast as you paint a classic sailboat under full sail on calm, reflective water.

Day One — Monochrome

You’ll create a full-size monochrome painting of the sailboat scene, capturing dramatic dark sails, luminous sky, and shimmering water using a single color. Guided by the philosophy — “Value does all the work while color gets all the credit” — you’ll sketch a balanced composition, establish strong diagonals, block in major shapes, build layered washes, and explore textures that convey light and shadow. Devin will also demonstrate his approach to rigging and adding birds that enhance the scene.

Day Two — Full Color

With your value foundation complete, you’ll bring the painting to life in color while preserving tonal integrity. Devin will show how he adjusts reference photos, incorporates texture for visual interest, and strengthens the overall composition, offering insight into his process from reference to finished artwork.

Throughout both days, you’ll work in a relaxed, supportive environment with plenty of time for painting, experimentation, Q&A, and personalized feedback.

What to Expect:

• A short discussion on reference selection, composition, color selection, and value mapping.
• Guided painting session: first wash -- middle-value shapes/washes/edges -- darks, final details/edits.
• Individual coaching and group feedback.

By the end of this two-day workshop, you will:

• Understand how to compose a balanced composition with interest and focus.
• Be able to plan and execute a value map that supports form and space.
• Know how to manipulate watercolor washes and edges to convey depth and atmosphere.
• Gain confidence in brushwork and handling washes with subtle tonal transitions.
• Leave with two finished watercolor paintings (one monochrome, and one full-color) and the tools to create more atmospheric paintings on your own.


  • One of Devin's goals is to help students get the most out of the tools/supplies they already have.

    While this is a suggested list and you are welcome to bring your normal watercolor painting supplies, Devin does recommend professional quality paper and watercolor paints.    

    Paper: At least 3 sheets of 9x12" or 11x14" or 12x16" (size based on your comfort level) 100% cotton/rag 140lb cold pressed or rough paper (sheet* or block). One sheet for warm up sketches and studies, one for the finished painting, and one backup sheet, just in case. Arches, The Collection by Hahnemühle, Fabriano, and Saunders Waterford are good options. Avoid wood pulp papers.

    *If using a sheet, please have a way to secure your paper to a backer board.   

    Brushes: The watercolor brushes you already have and use are fine.

    Devin uses the following mop, round, flat, synthetic and hybrid/blended brushes:  

    • Princeton Neptune Mop, sizes 4 and 8
    • Princeton Neptune Round, sizes 10 and 16
    • Silver Brush Black Velvet 1/2" and 1" Flat
    • Silver Brush Black Velvet Small and Medium Jumbo Round
    • Escoda Perla Sintético Pointed Round, sizes 12 and 16   

    Paints:

    Colors you already have are fine, however, professional quality watercolor tubes are highly recommended. You do not need to have all the colors listed below. For basic beach sand Devin likes to mix Lavender and Raw Sienna. For more depth and variation, Devin will use a mix of Verditer Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna and Neutral Tint.  

    Devin’s palette contains*:

    Reds:
    Carmine
    Pyrrol Red
    Sepia
    Burnt Sienna
     
    Yellows:
    Raw Sienna
    Quinacridone
    Gold Yellow Ochre
    Nickel Azo Yellow
    Jaune Brilliant #2

    Blues:
    Verditer Blue (Holbein)
    Lavender
    Cobalt Blue
    French Ultramarine
    Indigo
    Neutral Tint  

    Green:
    Cobalt Turquoise  

    Misc:
    Permanent White Gouache (Winsor & Newton)  

    *All tubes are Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors, except where noted.   

    Other Items:

    • Small easel/stand (to tilt your paper/board)
    • Paper towels/sponge/towel
    • Palette
    • Spritzer/spray bottle
    • Pencil
    • Water container(s)
    • Kneaded eraser
    • Palette knife or old card for scraping
    • Masking tape
    • Sketchbook
    • Utility/Exacto/Craft knife
    • Backer/Gator board
    • Masking fluid (optional)
    • Backpack/Tote Bag or similar
     

Lulu, Devin
Devin Lulu

Devin K. Lulu is an award-winning watercolor artist based in Newark, Delaware, specializing in atmospheric landscapes and maritime subjects. He has studied with nationally recognized watercolorists including Dan Marshall, Keiko Tanabe, Brienne M. Brown, Vladislav Yeliseyev, Thomas Schaller, and Annie Strack. Devin is a member in several regional watercolor societies, including the Delaware Watercolor Society, the Philadelphia Water Color Society, the National Watercolor Society, The American Society of Marine Artists, and is a signature member and former Newsletter Editor of the Baltimore Watercolor Society. Devin recently taught a multi-week intermediate watercolor series at the Newark Senior Center (Newark, Delaware), guiding adult students through value studies, color explorations, and finished paintings, along with a variety of popular texture techniques. He brings a warm, approachable teaching style that emphasizes strong composition, confident brushwork and value structure, and developing depth through thoughtful color and atmospheric perspective.