Watercolor: Taking it to the Next Level

Adult Class | Available

Intermediate skill suggested.

4/4/2024-5/23/2024

10:00 AM-1:00 PM EDT on Th

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$265.00

$240.00

$20.00

Up your game with this intermediate watercolor class designed to inspire and develop the skills of students who have worked with watercolor before and wish to expand their practice. We will review the basic techniques of watercolor painting including: wet and dry painting, mixing colors and grays, and applying layers working from light to dark. Then, building on these fundamentals, we will work on composition, value study, seeing, intentionality, expression and finishing your work through adjusting contrasts by adding and removing pigment. Depending on the weather, we will work in-studio or outdoors from direct observation. Alternatively, bring sketches, photographs and ideas that you would like to paint. The course is geared for students looking to continue their practice in watercolor with a strong focus on improving your work.

What you will learn:
1. Expand your watercolor techniques
2. Improve your visualization skills
3. Learn to adjust your work into a finished piece

  • • Paint: Watercolors, Tubes and/or Pans (they are interchangeable and inter-mixable). A basic set of 10 pan or tube “artist quality” colors is good. Reputable brands include Windsor and Newton, Schmincke, Sennelier, Van Gogh, and Holbein. Recommended colors: a range of basic colors but also Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Sap Green, Cerulean Blue and Payne's Gray.
    • Brushes: Small round soft brush (#4, 5, or 6). Medium round soft brush (#10, 11, or 12). Flat brush 1/2". Flat Brush 1". Wide mop for wetting paper.
    • Watercolor paper: 140lb (aka ~300gsm) weight at a minimum, cold press. Blocks are prefered to sheets unless you carry a mounting board and tape. Minimum size 9”x12”. Fluid brand is a reasonably priced option. Arches Aquarelle is best commonly available brand.

    • Container(s) for transporting water
    • Sketch book
    • Graphite pencils
    • Pencil sharpener
    • Eraser
    • Paint mixing tray with at least 12 compartments and a lid
    • Xacto or Olfa snap-off knife
    • Masking Fluid (optional)
    • Rag or paper towel
    • Spray Bottle (optional)
    • Color wheel (optional)
    • Folding chair (optional)
    • Something to carry it all in

Bill Becker is a retired architect. About 30 years ago he took up watercolor painting to find more direct means of artistic expression outside the constraints of his typically client-oriented design practice. Self-taught, at first, he came to realize that progress came more quickly through exposure to good classes and teachers. Over the years he has studied at Fleisher and PAFA and been exposed to numerous different instructors and methodologies.

Through his own struggles with learning watercolor painting he has become aware of the need for a watercolor course that helps build fundamental skills and confidence and has designed his “boot camp” class. Building on the principles of that course, he now offers classes for intermediate and more experienced watercolorists interested in improving their technique while painting landscape and Philadelphia specific subjects.