Watercolor Essentials: Light, Color & Confidence with Terry Wylie - Beginner to Intermediate

Fridays, July 17th - August 21st, 1:30pm – 4:30pm (6-weeks)

Age Range: 18 and up

Skill Level - Beginner to Intermediate

Class Description:

This six-week watercolor course is designed for beginners and developing painters who want to move beyond basic technique and create stronger, more expressive paintings with greater confidence and control.

Students will explore the essential building blocks that bring watercolor paintings to life, with an emphasis on understanding light, atmosphere, color relationships, and simplified design. Through demonstrations, guided exercises, studies, and finished paintings, students will learn how to make watercolor feel less intimidating and more intentional.

The class focuses on practical watercolor skills while also helping students understand why paintings work — not just how to copy a reference.

Students will explore:

• Understanding light, shadow, and atmosphere
• Controlling water, pigment strength, and edges
• Color mixing and color temperature
• Simplifying complex scenes into strong shapes
• Creating depth and focal points
• Expressive brushwork and lost-and-found edges
• Building confidence with washes and layering
• Understanding values and painting with stronger contrast
• Designing paintings with clarity and visual impact

Rather than focusing only on technical exercises, this class combines foundational watercolor skills with approachable finished paintings designed to help students gain confidence while developing their own artistic voice.

Each class includes demonstrations, guided practice, individual feedback, and painting time in a supportive and encouraging environment.

By the end of the course, students will have a stronger understanding of watercolor technique, improved control of the medium, and the confidence to approach landscapes, still life subjects, and expressive watercolor paintings with greater success.

Supplies

Paper

One Arches 11x14 block (140 lb Cold Press) — Please purchase this brand if possible.

(9x12 or 8x10 blocks from previous classes are acceptable for studies and exercises.)

Palette & Tools

• Watercolor palette with generous mixing area
• Paper towels
• Kneaded eraser
• Drawing pencils and sharpener
• Mechanical pencil (0.9mm recommended)
• Water container

Brushes

• Two round brushes (sizes 12 and 14 recommended)
• One or two flat or square brushes (¼" and ½" recommended)
• Rigger brush (optional)
• Mop brush for large washes (optional but helpful)

Preferred brands include Princeton Velvetouch, Silver Black Velvet, and Escoda.

Recommended Watercolor Tubes

Suggested colors from Daniel Smith (5ml tubes):

• Ultramarine Blue
• Burnt Sienna
• Yellow Ochre
• Raw Umber
• Permanent Alizarin Crimson
• Neutral Tint

Additional colors may be discussed during class, but a limited palette is encouraged.

Affordable alternative: Winsor & Newton Cotman 10–12 color tube set.

Suggested Suppliers:

Purchasing online is often most economical. Compare prices for discounts:

https://www.dickblick.com

https://www.jerrysartarama.com

https://www.amazon.com

Instructor email: Terry.d.wylie@gmail.com
Instructor website: terrywyliefineart.com
Instructor social media: www.facebook.com/DCCMwylie

Supporter Tuition - Qualify for Supporter Tuition with a donation of $100 or more.

Refund Policy: https://www.artcentervb.org/classpolicies.html
(Please read refund policy. If your refund qualifies email create@artcentervb.org to request)