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• Drypoint Etching Course: A Type of Intaglio Printmaking with Lisa Granata: 6-WEEK CLASS - All Levels Welcome!

  • Start
    21 May 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • End
    25 Jun 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
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    4 registrants

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  Drypoint Etching Course: A Type of Intaglio Printmaking
  6-Week Class

  Instructor: Lisa Granata 
  Date/Time: Wednesdays, May 21st - June 25th, 1pm-4pm
  Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

  DESCRIPTION: 

  Explore the art of drypoint printmaking, a captivating intaglio technique known for its ability to create sharp, detailed lines with velvety, textured edges. In this hands-on class, participants will learn the fundamentals of plate-making and experiment with simple drypoint tools to etch into a plastic plate. Using a sharp etching tool, you’ll scratch your design into the surface, creating grooves (burrs) that will hold ink.

  Once the plate is ready, soy-based Akua inks are applied, filling the incised lines. The plate is then carefully pressed onto damp paper, transferring the ink from the plate onto the paper’s surface. The result is a beautiful, richly detailed print with unique textures that showcase the artist’s work.

  Throughout the class, students will learn the basics of drypoint techniques and tools, gain hands-on experience in ink application and plate preparation. Students will create a small etching to practice the process, produce a larger, more detailed print, and print a limited edition of numbered etchings while exploring varied editions for unique artistic effects.

  Whether you enjoy drawing or have a passion for scratchboard art, drypoint printmaking offers an exciting opportunity to deepen your artistic practice and experiment with new techniques.

  * No prior relief printmaking experience needed

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  Lisa Granata (Instructor) Bio

  Lisa Granata holds Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in General Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a year’s study in Florence Italy at Studio Arts Center International.

  Lisa lectures and instructs studio art courses at Lasell University. She teaches Studio Art classes at the Attleboro Arts Museum School to students of all ages and serves on the collections and exhibitions committee.

  Lisa enjoys presenting lectures, demonstrations, and workshops throughout southern New England. Her art exhibition record includes galleries and museums on the east coast in the mid-west and in Italy.

  

   

  

  Examples of student work:

   

  
  

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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
    7
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    13 registrants

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

  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 painting two Anna’s Hummingbirds and Cuphea flowers, with a bonus project of painting a glass inkwell. (Examples above, unique composition just for RIWS to be demo-ed in class). 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 we will provide registrants with the photo and drawing ahead of time via email.

  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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• Evelyn Bernal: Scenes of Summer in Watercolor - 4 week class (Intermediate-Advanced)

  • Start
    20 Jun 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    18 Jul 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
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    11 registrants

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  Intermediate/Advanced
  Instructor: Evelyn Bernal
  Date and Time: Fridays, June 20th - July 18th, 10am -1pm (NO CLASS July 4th)
  Location: RIWS Classroom

  Class Description: 

  In this class we will embrace a more free and loose style in watercolor to create scenes of summer. We will allow water to express itself by using spraying and will drop pure pigments on wet paper and let them mix freely. These wet on wet techniques are perfect for capturing vast skies, beaches, and trees.

  Definition: Wet on wet painting is wet paint applied onto wet paint, so that the colors will spread into one another producing soft edges and blending. 
  

  SUPPLY LIST: Evelyn Bernal Supply List.pdf

  
  

  

  

  

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• Sketchbook Plein Air Painting in Gouache with Jordan Rhodes: 2-DAY WORKSHOP - All Levels Welcome!

  • Start
    21 Jun 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    28 Jun 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
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  Sketchbook Plein Air Painting in Gouache

  All Levels Welcome!
  Instructor: Jordan Rhodes www.jordanmrhodes.com
  Date/Time: Saturdays, June 21st & 28th, 10am-3pm
  Location: Meet at RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

  In this 2 day workshop, join us as we explore the Slater Memorial Park for a day of Plein Air Painting in our sketchbooks. In this workshop we will cover some basics of using gouache for plein air painting, simple composition techniques, how to quickly map your composition onto the page, strategically planning layers for gouache, and other considerations when using gouache in the field. Painting on location has many challenges that need consideration, but overall is a very fun, informative, and rewarding experience.

  Capturing the moment in time:
  Using gouache, learn how to handle the medium, preliminary base sketching or painting to establish the scene, composition, lighting, what to consider when picking a spot, use the direction and compass to predict where the sun/shadows will be, details, water management, general to specific, big to small, layering, create your own view finder.

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• Portraits in Watercolor with Jackie Dorsey, NWS, AWS - 2-Day Workshop

  • Start
    04 Sep 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    05 Sep 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    14
  • Registered
    2 registrants

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  Portraits in Watercolor with Jackie Dorsey, NWS, AWS
  2-Day Workshop
  Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

  Instructor: Jackie Dorsey www.jackiedorseyart.com
  Date and Time: Thursday & Friday September 4th & 5th, 10am-4pm each day, with time for a lunch break
  Location: RIWS Classroom

  Workshop Description: 

  Explore the fundamentals of the watercolor portrait in this two-day workshop with award winning artist Jackie Dorsey AWS, NWS. Known for achieving both the spirit and the likeness of her subjects, Jackie will illustrate how to create a strong underpainting, and then build dimension and realism through layering. Learn how create smooth transitions and soft edges, and use color and value to create dimension within the face. Students will have the option of working from their own drawings or working from a photo and outline which will be made available upon registration (recommended for beginners). A supply list and a paper stretching guide will also be provided to all students upon registration. Portfolio reviews will be available to interested students.

  Jackie will be in Providence for all of September and October, and is available for small group or private lessons on many aspects of watercolor painting, but also on photography, and on editing photographic references for painting with free online software.

  

  

  

  
  

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• Introduction to Watercolor Painting with Susan Stranz: 1-DAY WORKSHOP

  • When
    13 Sep 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    16
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  Introduction to Watercolor Painting with Susan Stranz

  Instructor: Susan Stranz BIO
  Date/Time: Saturday, September 13th, 10am-3pm, lunch break 12-12:30pm
  Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)
  Materials Fee: $20 (bring to class)

  DESCRIPTION:
  

  Learn all the basics of Watercolor Painting in this fun and informative one day workshop. If you have ever wanted to try watercolor but didn’t know where to start...this is for you!

  Learn about the basic watercolor supplies and how to use them. Instructor will have a variety of brushes, papers, paints, and more to let you experiment with.

  You will learn how to mix basic colors and complete a color chart to use at home. In addition, basic watercolor techniques will be demonstrated and you will create a techniques page for your reference. Finally, the instructor will guide you through a step by step process to create a small landscape painting.

  Supplies will be provided for a small materials fee of $20. This is paid to instructor in cash or credit card at class. These supplies are required to attend the class. You will take home your palette loaded with paint, a #8 round watercolor brush, a 1/2” flat brush, sketchbook, HB pencil, plastic eraser, foam core board, instructor handouts, two reference charts and a painting.

  **INSTRUCTOR IS VERY ALLERGIC TO FRAGRANCE. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING SCENTED PRODUCTS.

  

  

  
  

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• Painting the Colors of Fall in Watercolor with Susan Stranz: 6-WEEK CLASS

  • Start
    27 Sep 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • End
    08 Nov 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    5
  • Registered
    8 registrants

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  Painting the Colors of Fall in Watercolor with Susan Stranz
  6-Week Class

  Advanced beginner and beyond
  Instructor: Susan Stranz BIO
  Date/Time: Saturdays, September 27th - November 8th (no class October 11th) 9:30am-12pm
  Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

  DESCRIPTION: 

  Celebrate the beautiful jewel tones of our New England Fall season...Paint a variety of local landscapes and seasonal botanical subjects. Instruction will include a preliminary sketch to plan composition and values, color theory and color mixing. A wide variety of watercolor techniques will be demonstrated in addition to class exercises. Learn how to create luminous and cohesive paintings using a limited palette.

  *INSTRUCTOR IS VERY ALLERGIC TO FRAGRANCE. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING SCENTED PRODUCTS.

  This class is suitable for advanced beginner and beyond.

  MATERIALS LIST
  

  JOIN NOW AND SAVE! Members get a discount on all classes & workshops

  

  

  
  

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• Watercolor for Beginners - Susan Stranz: 5-WEEK CLASS

  • Start
    29 Oct 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • End
    03 Dec 2025
  •  
    12:30 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    9
  • Registered
    3 registrants

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  Watercolor for Beginners - Susan Stranz
  5-Week Class

  Instructor: Susan Stranz BIO
  Date/Time: Wednesdays, October 29- December 3 (no class Nov.26) 9:30am - 12:30pm
  Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

  DESCRIPTION: 

  Join Susan as she teaches you all about the process of creating a watercolor painting. With over 20 years of painting and teaching experience, Susan will guide you through the complete process at a pace comfortable for beginning watercolor painters. You will learn about the materials, the basic fundamental techniques, and how to develop a good composition. Instruction will also include basic color theory and color mixing to create beautiful and cohesive paintings. A variety of subjects will be painted. Small class size will ensure individual attention for all.

  *INSTRUCTOR IS VERY ALLERGIC TO FRAGRANCE. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING SCENTED PRODUCTS.

  MATERIALS LIST
  

  JOIN NOW AND SAVE! Members get a discount on all classes & workshops

   

  

  
  

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• Painting Impressions with Watercolor with Keiko Tanabe, NWS, AWS - 3-Day Workshop

  • Start
    14 Nov 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • End
    16 Nov 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Rhode Island Watercolor Society Classroom
  • Spaces left
    10
  • Registered
    10 registrants

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  Painting Impressions with Watercolor with Keiko Tanabe, NWS, AWS
  3-Day Workshop
  Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

  Instructor: Keiko Tanabe, NWS, AWS www.ktanabefineart.com
  Date and Time: Friday - Sunday, November 14th - 16th, 9:30am to 4pm each day, 30-min to 1 hour lunchbreak.
  Location: RIWS Classroom

  Workshop Description: 

  Do you paint everything that your eyes see? In this class, you will start seeing things differently and learn how to turn reality into a captivating, impressionistic image. The goal is to capture the essence of the subject that conveys a certain mood and atmosphere. Keiko will show you how to take the initial inspiration, through the simplification process, to an expressive painting that is strong in composition and content.

  The introduction focuses on the fundamentals including getting to know our materials and seeing things with an artist’s eye. The areas of topic covered in this workshop include: a preliminary drawing and composition, a variety of watercolor techniques in paint application and brush handling, what makes a good design, understanding of relationship of dark and light values, planning & intuition, and how to edit complex visual information.

  Keiko does a daily demonstration with helpful tips and insights. Reference photos will be provided. There will be plenty of one-on-one guidance/critique and a question-and-answer session on a daily basis.

  Recommended Experience: All levels (basic knowledge & some previous experiences strongly recommended to benefit from this workshop)

  Keiko will be creating a unique composition just for this workshop and we will provide registrants with the photo and drawing ahead of time via email.

  
  

  About Keiko Tanabe: Keiko Tanabe, AWS, NWS, AIS, LPAPA. Often working en plein air, her atmospheric watercolors perfectly capture a sense of time and place. Through her use of color, textures, and signature brushwork, Keiko’s landscapes and cityscapes, beautifully convey both the exotic and the simple scenes of the many places she travels. Never attending art school, Keiko took only one drawing class to learn basic technical skills before she started painting in 2005. One year later, after learning basic drawing and watercolor painting skills at a local community school in San Diego, Keiko decided to paint full-time. From then on, she intensely taught herself to be fluent in watercolor painting, just as one would do to master a foreign language. Her subjects include landscape, cityscape, waterscape and interior scenes, which will be demonstrated in the workshop, using representational and impressionistic compositions. Since 2011, Keiko has completed successfully numerous workshops and live demonstrations around the world. She has 4 DVDs and several books of her art and has been featured in many art magazines.

  

   

   

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