Introduction to Watercolours

Wed 4 Nov-9 Dec (5 wks) | 7-9pm | 16+ yrs

This course will cover the basics of painting with watercolour enabling you to gain confidence in your practice. Equipment, colour mixing, painting techniques and building layers will all be explored in a series of practical tasks and exercises.

What will the class cover and how will it be taught?

During this course you will learn to explore and practice painting in watercolour through a series of enjoyable exercises, culminating in a final project/painting. It will cover painting with an experimental attitude to really expand your watercolour practice. How to start a painting, how to change a painting and building layers will all be covered, as well as practical guides in equipment, surfaces, colour and using different brushes and tools.

Methods of learning in the course

This course will be taught through a series of demonstrations and practical watercolour painting activities. Looking at other artists paintings, the work of peers, and having one-to-one time with the tutor will facilitate your individual learning to enable you to achieve on this course.

Who is it suitable for?

This course is suitable for beginners and those wishing to refresh their practice.

What do I need to bring?

All painting materials need to be provided by the students.

Please bring:

• Basic set of watercolour paints (best to buy a recognised art brand like Cotman or W&N, Cass Art and Jacksons own brand are also good).
• One decent watercolour brush (No. 8, 10 or 12 Sable, Sable mix or Squirrel hair is good), and one synthetic brush for lifting paint.
• Watercolour pencils can be handy but not necessary.
• Kitchen roll.
• A watercolour mixing palette or a couple of white plates to mix colours on.
• Water spray bottle.
• Water pots.
• Some decent watercolour paper at least 300gms, Rough or Cold Pressed in texture.
• Masking Tape.
• A small notebook and pencil.

Are there any additional costs?

No

Important Information

This course will happen in Studio 3. There are no sessions during 16-20 November.

About the tutor

Catherine MacDiarmid has over 30 years’ experience teaching a range of art classes and applying her knowledge as practicing artist to her role as a Tutor. She exhibits widely, including exhibiting in the BP Portrait in 2001/2, New Light Art Tour 2021/22 and 2023/24 (of outstanding Northern based Artists) and regularly at the Mall Galleries.  Catherine has won many awards for her art, most recently being the Watercolour Materials Award in the Jacksons Painting Prize 2023. She is an elected member of The Lakes Artists Society, the Contemporary British Portrait Painters and appeared in Sky Portrait Artists of the Year 2014, 2018 reaching the semi-finals in 2019.  As well as completing private portrait commissions her work is collected internationally and she works from her home-studio in Kendal.

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