Watercolor Workshop: A Beginner’s Guide to Brushstrokes
Ever look at a watercolor painting and think, how did they do that? This workshop is a must for anyone who’s always wondered and wanted to try. While each artist develops their own touch, there are techniques every aspiring painter needs to know.
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 landscape. 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!
$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, she 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. While she enjoys teaching, she seeks time-out to paint in the studio or outdoors. Sara struggles to isolate a single medium as a favorite. She finds enjoyment in the freedom to grab whatever medium suits her mood. This results in a variety of classes for Kicks! In addition to teaching, Sara shows original works for sale at Kicks and offers pet portraits in paint or dry media, such as colored pencil and soft pastels. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram under ArtistSaraPorter.
Materials List:
High quality synthetic sable brushes are most recommended, but substitutes will do. Select options designated for water color painting. Here are some suggestions and what I will be using:
- Pointed Rounds in #’s 4, 8, & 10. Try to bring at least 2 different sizes.
- Flat brush ranging from 1/2 in to 1 in width.
- Script Liner brush or a rigger brush for finer lines and details.
Watercolor Paint Tubes: I prefer to use Winsor & Newton’s professional grade line, but I also use some student grade paints such as Grumbacher Academy or Windsor & Newton’s Cotman series. They work OK. Our main focus will be brush strokes, but you will need a variety of colors. The colors you need depend on your subject. For my Highlander Cow, I will be using the following:
At minimum: Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna (or Yellow Ochre), Ultramarine Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, Sap Green, Cadmium Yellow light, Payne’s Grey, Lamp Black
Helpful for less mixing: Raw Umber, Violet
OPTIONAL: Other colors I use often: Prussian Blue, Permanent Rose, Quinacridone Gold, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt blue, Lemon Yellow,
Paper: For the purposes of this class, good quality paper will cause less frustration. You want 140 pound, cold press paper. Arches Cold Press is most recommended. I have used Strathmore’s 400 series and it works OK, but at least avoid hot press paper for this class. If you don’t want to buy an entire block of Arches paper, you can 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.
