Beginning Watercolor: Step-by-Step

Class Description

Join Riverworks Associate Artist, Betsy Casaleno, and discover the joy of watercolor in this structured six-class series breaking down watercolor from the ground up. In this class, you will learn essential studio fundamentals, brush handling, and water control while experimenting with fun, everyday materials and various watercolor techniques. No prior painting or drawing experience required! By the end of the course, you’ll build a toolkit of core skills and the confidence to keep painting at home. Supplies: Required and Suggested Student Supply List: https://tinyurl.com/WCStepbyStep26 Course Curriculum: Class 1: Foundations & Water Control Focus: Brush techniques, essential supplies, water control, and best practices. Texture Technique: Using plastic wrap for dynamic effects. Project: Geometric or Mondrian-style painting. Class 2: Light, Layering & Transfers Focus: Light and shadow, glazing, transparency, and image transfer techniques. Texture Technique: Alcohol application for unique reactions. Project: Classic still life exploring depth and translucency. Class 3: Resists, Lifting & Texture Focus: Masking fluid, lifting pigments, and scratching techniques. Texture Technique: Cardboard scraping and resist application. Project: Painting realistic rock textures. Class 4: Color Theory & Pigment Behavior Focus: Navigating the color wheel, hue, value, chroma, and staining vs. non-staining properties. Pigment Effect: Understanding granulation and pigment weight. Project: Still life study. Class 5: Fluid Dynamics & Atmospheric Effects Focus: Wet-on-wet painting, controlling blooms, and strategic spattering. Texture Technique: Using natural sponge. Project: Atmospheric sky studies. Class 6: Composition, Depth & Finishing Touches Focus: Creating depth with aerial perspective and introduction to compositional balance. Texture Technique: Salt application for effect. Project: Landscape painting. See Betsy Casaleno's bio on our Associate Artists page.