Watercolour - Water, Skies & Light (3 Days) [SSK]

Course intent

Develop your creativity and personal expression through this exciting three-day watercolour intense course. Discover new and exciting wet in wet, resist and glazing techniques which take your watercolour painting to another level. Learn how to push and experiment even further with new confidence! You will also benefit from bespoke worksheet handouts designed by Rose and contextual material linked to the course.

What will we cover?

This exciting three-day course will develop and challenge your learning covering a range of exciting wet in wet and resist watercolour techniques. Learn to really loosen up and create dramatic coastal skies, light on ocean waves, still and moving water. Learn to paint both still and moving water together with reflections using subtractive resist techniques and build real depth in your work using ‘lighter darks’ and transparent glazing. Learn to understand light, building chiaroscuro and contrast the most important of Art Principles to really capture your audience.

Learn how to control a bigger brush and start to really understand colour; how to mix it and how to design your palette for maximum effect. We will investigate different layering and glazing techniques, speed painting and watercolour sketching together with more refined painting. During the three days you will learn how to combine selected techniques gaining confidence to push processes, challenge yourself, take risks and move your practice forward. Learning to select and use second-hand references will be important. We will also be looking at the wider context of both historical and contemporary watercolour artist’s techniques to help inform our ideas and watercolour techniques. By the end of the course, you will have completed a small portfolio series of exploratory, confident watercolours which will inform further independent work.

You will be encouraged to take part in group discussions and build your confidence within the group. There will also be one to one support to help with individual goals and targets.

The overall aim of the course is to help you learn, build skill and develop your practice through a sharing of ideas, practical work, discussion and regular tutor demonstrations.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

Suitable for complete beginners or those with some experience. There is an emphasis on tailored individual support and targets.

As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

Materials for the First Lesson:

• A4/A3 cartridge paper pad for notes
• 2B and HB pencil
• Putty rubber
• Waterproof fine liner black pen and if possible, a dip pen and drawing ink
• Paper: Watercolour paper – Bockingford 300 gsm or similar, A4 or A3 size. (Paper examples provided)
• A3 Cartridge paper approx. 250 gsm for Worksheets (Paper examples provided)
• Brushes: Synthetic or synthetic/hair mixtures, Round: 12 & 14 or larger and a flat brush 2 inch plus a larger wash brush (Hake or ½” round Mop Brush). ½ inch Dagger Brush (not essential)
• Paints: Artist’s Quality in tubes or pans. Most are usually contained in a beginner’s set or can be bought separately. Suggested colours: Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Red, Burnt Umber, Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Gold (not essential)
• Watercolour palette for mixing paint
• Tissues and/or cotton rags
• Small natural or synthetic sponge
• Small notebooks will be provided

  What can I do when I finish the course?

  The course will provide an opportunity to build a small portfolio of work. Learners may wish to progress on a more advanced course or one covering different painting materials in more depth in the Autumn term. Learners may also wish to apply for membership of art groups or societies.

  Additional information

  We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class. Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

  How to enrol

  Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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