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• Betsey MacDonald: Watercolors from Your Photos - 5 Week Watercolor class (Intermediate-Advanced)

  • Start
    10 Oct 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    07 Nov 2024
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    0
  • Registered
    14 registrants

  Registration is closed

  
  

  Watercolors from Your Photos: A 5-Week Watercolor Class
  Intermediate-Advanced

  Instructor: Betsey MacDonald
  Date and Time: Thursdays October 10 - November 7th, 9am - 12pm
  Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

  Class Description: While drawing and painting from life is a very important skill to develop, sometimes a reference photo is a necessary tool. A wiggly child, swimming dog, racing horse or perfectly lit landscape is not something an artist can capture in seconds. Instead, using a reference photo allows the artist to capture the information required and to create the convincing imagery desired. Using photos or pinhole cameras is an age old process and that’s what we’ll do in this class. However, the original photo should have been taken by the artist themselves which insures the vision belonged to the artist from the beginning. We’ll discuss the quality of the photos and what should be eliminated or changed for a better composition. We’ll transfer photos freehand or using a grid then use watercolor to create our paintings.

  We will not be attempting to produce photorealism but rather remain in control of the decision making process to create original content. We’ll learn about color mixing, using washes, layering and other watercolor techniques.

  Course Objectives

  • Acquire skills with a variety of watercolor painting techniques
  • Learn about clean color mixing and layering
  • Become comfortable with watercolor experimentation
  • Develop an appreciation of watercolor accidents and how they can be useful
  • Creatively paint from our own photos
  • Observe, critique and discuss student work and master watercolors
  • Transfer photos to paper freehand or using a grid
  • Beware of the pitfalls of relying on a photo
  • Determine which photos may be a useful reference

  Materials student will need to provide: watercolor set(an inexpensive tray is fine but a set of tubes with palette is great, too), variety of brushes, masking fluid, watercolor block or pad(at least 140 lb, 8 x 10, 12 x 16, 16 x 20 or a few sheets with a gator foam board for stapling or some other support or 300 lb paper which doesn’t need mounting , hot or cold press or even rough can work, jar or two for water, spray bottle, sponge or two, #2 pencil or mechanical pencil, paper towel. Several printed 8 x 10 photos taken by the student

  Materials provided by instructor: I will bring my own supplies to share for experimenting

  Betsey MacDonald Bio

  

  
  

  
  

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• Vibrant Paintings with Soon Y. Warren, NWS, AWS - 3-Day Workshop

  • Start
    08 Nov 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    10 Nov 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    3
  • Registered
    17 registrants

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  Vibrant Paintings with Soon Y. Warren, NWS, AWS
  3-Day Workshop
  Intermediate - Advanced

  Instructor: Soon Y. Warren, NWS, AWS soonwarren.com
  Date and Time: Friday - Sunday, November 8th - 10th, 9am-4pm (Lunch break 12-1pm)
  Location: RIWS Classroom

  Watercolor Group Studio Exercise

  The class will learn how to create an image of the subjects shown below, a crystal bowl with florals and Koi pond water in watercolor with a step by step process. To speed up the class exercise, Soon Y Warren will provide a reference photo and drawing. Following a painting demonstration, workshop participants will do their own painting in order to fully understand the process. While concentrating on technique, the concept of color theory, composition, and color values will be incorporated into the workshop.

  While painting workshop participants will learn:

  • Glazing and washing techniques to create a luminous under painting
  • How to utilize light and dark values in order to capture the sparkle of glass
  • How to approach a painting
  • How to incorporate the concept of color theory and color relationships into a painting
  • Discussion and critiques will follow during workshop session
  • In addition to the group exercise, participants are encouraged to bring current pieces to paint along with reference photos. To make the most of instructional time, prepare the drawing before the workshop.

  To read about the process of how to paint same crystal bowl before workshop, read the step by step painting process of same crystal in my second book “Painting Vibrant Watercolor- discover the magic of light, color and contrast.” You can purchase at major book store or internet, such as Amazon.com.

  Soon Y Warren Bio: Soon Y. Warren is a full time artist and teacher. She was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States in 1987. Soon has an Associate Degree in commercial art from Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia, and is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society (NWS), American Watercolor Society (AWS), Southern Watercolor Society (SW), Texas Watercolor Society (TWS), and Society of Watercolor Artists (SWA).

  Her favorite subjects are those found in nature: people, an animal, trees, a tangerine, pear, Oriental poppy, iris or something of intrigue at the moment. Flowers from her gardens often become models for paintings. She says that, "I'm inspired by the beauty and complexity of nature and our surroundings. I try to paint the essence of subjects and my sincere feeling for nature."

  FULL BIO HERE

  

  
  

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• MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES Watercolor Workshop with Susan Klas Wright: 1-DAY WORKSHOP

  • When
    15 Nov 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    11
  • Registered
    4 registrants

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  MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES Watercolor Workshop with Susan Klas Wright

  Instructor: Susan Klas Wright
  Date/Time: Friday November 15th, 11am-4pm
  Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

  DESCRIPTION:
  As you paint your landscapes, imagine the crisp, clean air, and the scent of firs and earth. We'll explore two types of mountain landscapes. The first will focus on dramatic peaks reaching 16,000 feet and higher painted in bold values that describe rocky surfaces and pristine glaciers. The second landscape will focus on lower elevations such as the Smokey Mountains with gentle rises up to 6,500 feet high, and soft morning mists in their valleys. Their forested mountain tops recede like rolling waves off into the distance. We will address the challenge of drawing correct mountain angles, gradual slopes, atmospheric perspective, and how to mix better blues, greens and earth colors for these majestic mountains. Welcome to the wild!

  MATERIALS:

  PAPER: One 12"x15" block of Arches 140# watercolor paper or two 12"x15" watercolor paper sheets taped to two separate boards.

  PAINT: Cadmium Red Medium, Permanent Rose or Alizarin, Sap Green, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna

  PALETTE: Any watercolor palette with a cover and a large mixing area that contains 12 to 24 wells for paint.

  BRUSHES: 1 Wash Brush (1.5” wide), 1 Large Round Brush (Creative Mark #12), 1 Medium Round Brush (Creative Mark #8), 1 Rigger or Very Thin Brush #0

  Masking Tape Needed if you use sheets of Arches 140 lb paper instead of a block of paper

  2 Containers for water

  Paper Towels

  Small Drawing Pad or Paper

  Kneaded Eraser and a White Eraser

  #2 Pencil

  Artists’ Watercolor Masking Fluid and one small bar of soap.

  YOUR LUNCH: We'll take a lunch break at 1:00

  

  

  

  
  

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• Still Lives - Pastel, Acrylic and/or Water-based Oils - 5-Week Class with Jeneane Lunn

  • Start
    06 Feb 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    06 Mar 2025
  •  
    12:30 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society - Lower Level Classroom
  • Spaces left
    15

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  Still Lives - Pastel, Acrylic, and/or Water-based Oils - 5-Week Class

  Location: RIWS Classroom
  Instructor: Jeneane Lunn
  Date: Thursdays, February 6th - March 6th
  Time: 10am-12:30pm

  Still life painting is the best way to learn to use a new medium or technique due to its relative ease compared to landscape, portraits or figures. Still life is the best subject matter to study and improve composition as everything is up to the painter. There are no happy accidents! It is a fun way to focus on and improve your painting and drawing skills. Students are welcome to use pastels, acrylic paints AND/OR water-based oils for this class. Bring one you are familiar with or learn to use a new medium!

  There is so much more to see when you set up your own still life rather than painting from a photo. You will improve at seeing shapes and comparing and contrasting color and value. Still life allows for endless creativity and inspiration. There have been many still life and flower painters in the history of art and we will spend some time looking at their work and gathering inspiration for our own work. Adding flowers to the still life is a great way to improve your knowledge of plant anatomy and improve your ability to paint gardens en plein air.

  I teach a simple method of using pastels, acrylics, and/or oils that is good for beginners and anyone interested in adding more depth to their work. You can check out some of my painting demos at my Youtube channel @jeneanelunn.

  Materials List: Pastel Supply List.pdf
  Acrylic/Oil Supply List.pdf

  

  

  
  

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• Paint a Winter Fairy Tale on Silk with Lidia Mikhaylova: 1-DAY WORKSHOP (Beginner/Intermediate)

  • When
    08 Feb 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    12
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  Paint a Winter Fairy Tale on Silk
  1-Day Workshop

  Beginner/Intermediate
  Instructor: Lidia Mikhaylova
  Date/Time: Saturday, February 8th, 10am-12:30pm
  Location: RIWS Classroom

  Imagine the brightness of colors and the freedom of movement of the brush. Imagine the freedom of creativity pouring out of you as we paint winter with one stroke!

  Not everyone loves winter? It's cold, the daylight is short, we must wear layers of clothing. And it’s difficult to get the positive emotions of light and colors, during the dark, winter solstice.

  But, if you look closely there are many hidden gifts in winter! You can go bask in the snow by skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and sledding, even wallow in the billowing snowdrifts. Winter smells like tangerines, mulled wine and Christmas! It is a time reflect and dream about all that is possible.

  I invite you to journey with me on a bright, fluffy winter fairy tale as we paint our dreams on silk. We’ll be using the work of the Chinese artist Hong Leung as the basis for our journey together!

  We will be working for 2.5 – 3 hours in a small group. The maximum number of participants is 12 people. You don’t need to bring anything, all necessary materials will be provided!

  

  
  

  

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• WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP with Lorraine Watry, NWS, AWA - 3-Day Workshop

  • Start
    30 May 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    01 Jun 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    20

  
  

  Watercolor Workshop with Lorraine Watry, NWS, AWA
  3-Day Workshop
  Intermediate - Advanced

  REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 1st 2025!

  Instructor: Lorraine Watry, NWS, AWA www.lorrainewatrystudio.com
  Date and Time: Friday - Sunday, May 30 - June 1, 9am to 4pm each day, including a one hour lunchbreak.
  Location: RIWS Classroom

  Workshop Description: 

  This watercolor class will focus on a hummingbird and water, with some demonstrations on glass. (Examples above, FINAL IMAGE COMING SOON). Students will work along with Lorraine as she walks you through the steps of her painting process. Learn and use techniques like wet-on-wet, softening edges, layering, hard and soft edges, and more. Lorraine will demonstrate steps in the process and share lots of tips and tricks along the way. 

  Lorraine will be creating a unique composition just for this workshop and will provide the photo and drawing to students ahead of time. Registration will open early next year!

  About Lorraine Watry: A native of Colorado, Lorraine is a signature member and the current president of the National Watercolor Society; she is also a signature member of American Women Artists, Rocky Mountain National Watercolor Society, and Colorado Watercolor Society. In addition, she is a juried member of the International Guild of Realism and the Society of Animal Artists. She is well known for her paintings of birds, still lifes and waterscapes, often including beautiful renderings of reflections and refractions.

  A watercolor instructor since 1999, teaching both across the US and online, as well as a Master Artist mentor with Mastrius, Lorraine has written articles for the International Artist Magazine and appeared in The Artist Magazine and Pratique des Arts. Her multi award-winning paintings have been recognized on both the national and international stage, as well as published in the “Best of Watercolor: Splash 14, 20, 23, 24”. Her watercolors are represented by Hunter Wolff Gallery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

  

  
  

  
  

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