Watercolor: A Beginner’s Guide to Brushstrokes Workshop

In this watercolor workshop, Sara will be teaching various brushstroke techniques most often used in loose watercolor painting.  This workshop has a required materials list-be sure to check that out at the bottom of this page!  We will be practicing our brushstrokes with Sara’s Highlander Cow in watercolor- as seen in a previous class- as well as a simple florals.  This class is appropriate for beginners and anyone who wants to refine their skills. Be sure to bring your favorite beverages and treats!  Coffee, tea and other hot beverages will be available.  This class is limited to 6 painters.  This is to ensure you get the most out of this workshop. Ages 16+ please!      ***Attend this workshop, receive $10 off the watercolor class the following Saturday, the 15th, “Bees and Flowers”! 

$60-see Ticket Policy Below. (Note earlier sign-up deadline)

Meet your instructor:  Sara Porter

Sara is a local artist who grew up in the Brainerd Lakes Area. She has a Studio Art Degree from Northwestern University, Roseville, MN with an emphasis in oil painting. Currently, besides teaching at Kicks since 2018, Sara offers private lessons and teaches elementary and high school art classes to home school co-op groups. Her class sizes have varied from 4 to 28 students, K-12.  In addition to teaching, Sara shows original works for sale on her gallery wall at Kicks and offers pet portraits in paint or dry media, such as colored pencil and soft pastels. When she isn’t immersed in an art related project, she enjoys the piano, singing, and spending time with her family, which has a new grandbaby to enjoy! You can find her on Facebook and Instagram under ArtistSaraPorter.

Materials List:

• Sara will be using the following types of brushes in synthetic sable or brushes designated as “watercolor”:   2-3 Pointed Rounds in sizes 4, 8 & 10, 2 flat brushes in 1/2″ and 1 inch for larger washes, a script liner brush or small pointed round, or rigger. Optional: A rake brush will also be demonstrated, you are welcome to try Sara’s if you don’t have your own. These sizes are approximate, you do not need to have these exact sizes.
• Sara will be using watercolor paint from tubes (either dry or fresh from the tube), but a good-quality pan set also works well. Brands include but not limited to Winsor and Newton (Cotman series) and Grumbacher.  Master’s Touch is acceptable, available at Hobby Lobby, but you will want to avoid the cheapest brands marketed more for children’s use.  We will most likely be using the following colors: Lemon Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red Deep, Permanent Rose (or Quinacridone Magenta or Rose) Dioxazine Purple (or similar violet)  Sap Green, Vandyke Brown

Paper:  For the purposes of this class, Strathmore’s 500 series is recommended over other student-grade paper. Their 400 series is available at Michaels, but you don’t want to go lower in quality than that.  Regardless, it’s a good idea to buy a large sheet of Arches paper (22″ x 30″) at Hobby Lobby for $8.99.  It can be torn into smaller sizes and you will see the difference in your results.

Ticket Policy:

*No refunds

*Sign up in advance! Ticket sales close at 8PM two nights before. Last minute inquiries, call to check on availability.

*Class minimum: 4

*In the event of not reaching the minimum, class is subject to cancellation.

*Cancellations by us will result in a credit towards a future class or a refund.