Gathering Your Supplies
For information about the supplies used in this class, see the Recommended Supply List.
Recommended Supplies for Watercolor Jumpstart
This is just a suggested list, for those who don’t have supplies already. If you already have some supplies, start there. No need to buy more stuff unless you run into problems.
The most likely difficulties involving supplies are:
- some student-grade paints and pan colors don’t produce strong color—if you’re struggling to get strong, vibrant color consider buying a few tubes of professional or artist-grade color (see the supply list for suggestions of colors to buy)
- streaky washes, paint puddling on the paper surface, paper that peels into layers, paper that tears easily when removing tape or masking fluid—student-grade paper (any paper that is not 100% cotton) is weaker than 100% cotton paper and has more sizing (makes it less absorbent, so it can tolerate water, but also changes how it takes a wash); try buying a few sheets or a small pad (NOT a block—too expensive!) of 100% cotton paper and see if you get better results
Course Content
Getting Started
- Gqthering Your Supplies
- How to Tear Large Sheets of Watercolor Paper
- How to Properly Rinse and Care for Your Brushes
- How to Make a Painting Support Board
- How to Remove Masking Tape Without Tearing Your Paper
- How to Set Up Your Workspace
Project 1 — Spring Chickadee
- Project 1 Overview
- How to Transfer a Drawing to Watercolor Paper
- How to Make and Apply Vibrant, Juicy Color
- Exploring Brushmarks
- The Mechanics of Mixing Watercolors
- How to Spatter Watercolor Paint
- Project Lesson — Spring Chickadee
Project 2 — Marbles in the Sun
- Project 2 Overview
- Achieving Soft Edges in Watercolor
- Introduction to Shadows and Highlights
- Project Lesson — Marbles in the Sun
Project 3 — Rainbow Rose Window
Project 4 — Dawn and Dusk at the Lake
- Project 4 Overview
- Laying Flat and Graduated Washes
- Glazing Over a Previous Wash
- Five Techniques for Trees in Watercolor
- Project Lesson — Dawn and Dusk at the Lake
Project 5 — Daisies in a Jar
- Project 5 Overview
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 1 — Intentional Blooms
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 2 — Lifting Wet and Dry Paint
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 3 — Negative Painting
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 4 — Using Resists
- Project Lesson — Daisies in a Jar