2 hour online classes with Claire
Watercolor Workshops
Upcoming: Mount Rainier & the White River
Date: May 25th at 6:00pm pacific time
Online via zoom. Recorded for anyone who can't attend live!
I'm so excited to share this painting process with you! In this 2 hour class we will learn how to paint this atmospheric and dynamic landscape painting with step-by-step instruction from sketch to final details.
To make this class accessible and valuable for artists of all levels, we will begin by exploring some color mixes and practice the main techniques before we dive into the painting itself. I find that this sets us up for success and makes the painting less stressful and way more fun!
In addition, the awesome thing about online classes is that you can come back to the recording to review or work on sections if I got ahead of you in the live class.
Some of the techniques we will explore include:
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Creating depth with color and areas of light and dark
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Simplifying a complex scene into the most critical parts to tell the story of place
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Letting watercolor do the hard work for us with fun blending
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Skills for creating a simple but realistic river
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Painting trees, bushes, and hills in a fun way that invites the paint to create stunning patterns
My way of teaching is founded on the idea that watercolor is a beautiful and joyful medium. Yes, it has a mind of it's own! And by learning to work with this willful medium instead of forcing it into precision we not only have a lot more fun along the way, but also create a more interesting, beautiful, and engaging painting.
*The main class will last right around 2 hours, sometimes a little over if there are a lot of questions along the way. I also stay online for a general Q&A at the end that usually runs about 10-15 minutes.
Scroll down for class materials list
Registration &Access Options:
The class is free for all current and new members of the Adventure Art Academy!!
This is the most affordable option that also gives you access to my entire library of courses, from Ink Sketching to Alpenglow, Watercolor Basics, and 55+ landscape adventure lessons! You can choose from a monthly or annual option, with those links below. Access all the content for however long you are a member (you can sign up and cancel anytime).
Current student registration - scroll down and add your name to the form below.
Standalone option - purchase access to this course alone for $38. You'll have access for at least one year!
If cost is a barrier to you for any of these options, please email me. I never want cost to be an obstacle, and have sliding scale spots available for the Adventure Art Academy. claire@adventureartacademy.com
Monthly - Adventure Art Academy
30
Every month
The all-access pass to the entire Adventure Art Academy library, including 50+ landscape painting lessons plus all studio classes and longer courses.
Annual - Adventure Art Academy
330
Every year
Paint with me for a year and one month FREE! This option also gives you full access to all adventure painting lessons and studio classes and courses.
Watercolor Workshop with Claire
38
The current class is a 2 hour workshop on how to paint Mount Rainier and the White River.
Current Adventure Art Academy Students
If you have an active membership/ subscription for the Adventure Art Academy use the form here to sign up for the class for free.
You must have an active paid account to use this option. If you try use it without being a member, my site flags it and removes you from the class until you sign up.
Class Materials
If you already have watercolor supplies, please use those! I do not want anyone to feel like they need to go out and buy a bunch of new things, and I often recommend that folks do a few classes before investing in new materials.
Watercolor Brush: I will do the whole class with a fine-tipped #10 round brush. Some students may wish to have a smaller brush on hand for details. I will also use a larger brush for color washes, and this can be flat or round! I prefer synthetic bristles because of their slight stiffness and affordability: Here's a few that I like (you do not need both #10's!)
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Grumbacher #10 round with synthetic bristles or the KingArt Original Gold #10
Watercolor Paper: I highly recommend getting two kinds of paper - a cheap practice paper and a nicer cotton paper. My go-to's are:
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Canson XL watercolor paper pad for the practice paper
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My favorite is Arches cold press 140lb cotton paper, white or bright white. Any watermedia paper will work, and you don't need to buy this, but very often students have a breakthrough moment when they try a good cotton paper for the first time.
Paint: Aside from cotton paper, this will be the other biggest expense. You DO NOT need to have the exact colors I list below to paint successfully! I share the paint colors because some folks will have and want to match my kit. If you are comfortable with a little different or unpredictability in your mixes anything will work!
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You can get a starter set like the Cotman Watercolor set. This will be the cheapest option, and if you don't have any supplies and are uncertain about whether you will continue with the medium this can be a good place to start. There are some drawbacks to cheaper paints, but they will work ok.
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If you feel like you want to invest in higher quality paint, I've been using Daniel Smith paints for a decade.
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Colors I will use in this painting: A medium blue, a dark blue, grey or black, brown or sienna, medium yellow, and a gold
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Exact color names: Hansa Yellow Medium, Cobalt Blue, Neutral Tint, Indanthrone blue (a dark blue), Burnt Umber or Burnt Sienna, Indanthrone Blue, and Buff Titanium for fun (a semi-opaque color that I use just in the water to show what this kind of paint looks like)
Other Supplies: the few other things we need are-
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Pencil and eraser
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Mixing surface (a plate works) if you palette doesn't have one
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Cup for water
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Rag or paper towels (ideally something rinse-able and reusable)
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optional- Waterproof fine tipped pen for taking notes on your pages