1300 ART CLASS

Watercolours for Beginners

This aim of this course is to introduce you to the world of watercolour. It covers paper selection and stretching, colour mixing and the different properties of pigments, brushes and other materials. You are also introduced to basic painting techniques of wet into wet, and wet into dry and the use of other materials such as masking fluid.

At the end of five weeks students will come away with information about the materials and tools of the watercolourist and will also get a glimpse of the possibilities of water media. This class will give you a basic knowledge so you can attend a watercolour class with confidence.

Course Outline

Week 1 – Introduction  Materials and their uses, How to Stretch Paper,            mixing and applying colour, colour exercises.

Weeks 2, & 3 –Landscape.      Preliminary sketches as a painting guide. Painting: Wet-on-wet; graded washes; hard and soft edges; dry brush using the rigger brush.

Week 4 & 5 - Leaves   To create a pleasing design with cropped and overlapped shapes. Painting: Colour mixing; limited wet-on-wet softening edges; graded washes texturing with salt and scraping.

If there is enough time there will be a demonstration of applied texture

Student Materials

Absolute Beginners Watercolour

Paper:        Arches: 185gsm – good paper to start with no hidden surprises

Board:                    Marine Ply – 5ply is the best 

Size - 60cm x 80cm min. (5cm larger all round than paper.) Watercolour Gum Tape (not masking Tape) in Plastic Bag

Cosmetic Sponge

Small Water Container (small ice cream tub)

Towelling – White Clean – face washer

OR Paper Block     A3 size minimum, medium surface

Paints:

Basic List:   Aureolin, New Gamboge, Alizarin Crimson, Permanent Rose,                                       Permanent Blue, Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna

Others:       Cadmium Red, Cobalt Blue, Manganese Blue Hue, Winsor Blue, Winsor Green (blue), Raw Sienna, Indian Red, Ivory Black, Holbien Ultramarine Blue Deep (Granulates)

There are many, many other colours some of which will be suggested in class or you may discover them for yourself.

Brushes      You can look forward to a large collection of brushes of many types and sizes. If they are looked after they will last for a very long time

1 x Large Chinese Calligraphy Brush - recommended Raphael No.5 or 6. Although these may be expensive they are the best and they will last a long time. A cheaper copy will suffice for now

      1 x       Large square ended brush for washes (Hake)

      1 x       Rigger Brush for fine work

      1 x       Medium watercolour brush – square end

Miscellaneous

       Pallets: A flat non-porous surface (White); eg dinner plate or large serving platter

                              (Disposable Aquabee Pallets are ideal for class work)

Sketch Book or Drawing Pad         Pencils: 2B, 4B, 6B      Drawing Rubber

Small Watercolour Pad for Colour Exercises           Fine Mist Water Sprayer

2 cosmetic sponges - one large one small             2 Water Containers (Ice Cream Tub)

Stanley Knife          Razor Blade                             Sea Salt in container.

Waxed Paper         Cling Wrap                   Masking Fluid   & Rubber Cement Eraser

Hair Dryer              Rags     Tissues Mild Soap in Container

Mitzi Vardill is an accomplished artist whose work practice covers drawing, watercolour, mixed media, acrylics, print media, sculpture and ceramics. She has many years of experience in teaching art, conducting weekly classes and workshops for adults in various art schools and from her own studio. She has also provided private tuition to senior high school students.

In 2004 she gained a Masters Degree in Contemporary Arts for Educators at the Sydney College of Arts at Sydney University. Her Masters specialised in teaching art to adult students. She also has a Diploma in Fine Arts and Advanced Standing in Printmaking. She is a regular participant in group shows as well as individual exhibitions.