2026-A4 - Beginner Watercolor Techniques Weekend Workshop - Sue Lichacz

Beginner Watercolor Techniques Weekend Workshop - Sue Lichacz

Friday, November 13th, 5:30pm-8:00pm

Saturday, November 14th, 9:00am-3:00pm *with a brief lunch break*

Sunday, November 15th, 10:00am-4:00pm *with a brief lunch break*

Facebook Page:fb.me/Fiddlestickswatercolorart

Class Description:

If you are new to watercolor, this is the class for you! This is the first time Sue is offering her Beginner Watercolor course of instruction as a Weekend Workshop. It is the same amount of class hours as her popular 5-week course but compressed into a weekend for busy adults who are unable to commit to a course of instruction for 5 consecutive weeks.

The first evening session will include passing out supplies included in the cost of the workshop and discussing how to navigate the world of watercolor supplies (so you don’t waste your money!)Instruction will include the basics, from mixing the correct consistency of paint to exploring various techniques such as wet on wet, wet on dry, lifting and how additives like salt, alcohol, plastic wrap or cotton create interesting effects in your paintings. This course of instruction will offer students a valuable foundation for their watercolor journey.

Being able to draw is NOT a requirement for being successful at watercolor painting! Those who are comfortable drawing and sketching are encouraged to do so, but the instructor will introduce students to several transfer methods such as the use of graphite paper, Saral Transfer Paper, and a light box. Demonstrations will be part of each class. In addition to creating a watercolor techniques journal, students will also complete one or two paintings during this course of instruction. Come join us and let the fun begin!

Supplies included in the cost of the class (will be passed out Friday pm):

1. 9x12 Cold Press SOHO 25% Cotton spiral bound watercolor pad. This paper will be used to create a technique journal and used for practice only.

2. Sue will pass out a single sheet of Arches 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper to each student for their final painting. We'll have a discussion during the first class about the advantages of quality, 100% cotton paper and the choices available before starting a painting on Sunday.

3. (1) Water container

4. Davinci Cosmotop Synthetic 5/0 small detail round brush

5. Vanish Eraser

6. Graphite pencil 2B

7. Small 2 oz Spray bottle

8. 9x12 sheet of Saral Transfer Paper (graphite)

Supplies required to be purchased in advance of the workshop:

1. A set of 10 or more colors of quality, professional grade watercolor paint in TUBES.

* Instructor prefers watercolor paint tubes, NOT prefilled 1/2 pans. No problem if you already own a set of watercolor ½ pans…. bring them and use them as long as they are from a reputable company and Artist Grade.

BEST- There are benefits to selecting quality, Artist Grade paint sets with more pigmentation as well as pure pigments (list of manufacturers below). *Please be aware…. Student grade paint is created with fillers and a mix of different hues, rather than pure pigment. This can create problems when attempting to color mix. Low-quality paint such as Marie's or Artists Loft are not recommended. There is only a moderate difference in cost….Buy the good stuff!

Sue highly recommends a set of QOR watercolor tubes (set of 12 colors for $60 or 24 colors for $109 when on sale…this set is the best bang for your buck). *These sets must be ordered online (so plan accordingly) either through Jerry’s Artarama or Dick Blick, both of which have competitive pricing. Delivery usually takes approx. a week.QOR watercolor paint is NOT available locally.

Other excellent brands are:

Holbein (has a set of 12 basic color tubes for $60) *not available locally, only online

Other good artist brands (but usually not available in basic color sets) are Daniel Smith, Sennelier L’Aquarelle (not their student grade La Petite), DaVinci, M Graham, American Journey, Maimeri Blu, Schmincke, Winsor & Newton (professional artist line, NOT their student grade Cotman).

GOOD-Turner artist grade Watercolor paint is available in sets of 18 small tubes reasonably priced, often on sale at Jerry’s Artarama local or online for under $30.Turner watercolor paints have a tendency to be a bit opaquer and grainier, and not of the quality of other artist grade paint but are fine for beginners on a budget.

*If you are unable to purchase a set of watercolor paint tubes, I recommend purchasing the following single tube colors/brands for class and your first painting:

- Ultramarine

- New Gamboge (Winsor Newton) *Don’t buy this color in Daniel Smith

- Pyrrole Red (Daniel Smith) OR

- Winsor Red (Winsor Newton)

- Payne’s Grey (Winsor Newton)

- Ivory Black

- Burnt Umber

- Olive Green (Sennelier…must be ordered) OR

- Evergreen (Turner…available locally at Jerry’s)

** Contact Sue before you make an alternate paint selection **

2. If your set does not include the color “Payne’s Gray”, purchase a tube separately (Sue prefers Winsor Newton Payne’s Gray for its bluish/gray tint). This is a great shadow and accent color.

3. A sealable watercolor palette. Sue recommends the Masterson Aqua-Pro Watercolor palette (with 30 paint wells and large mixing areas...around $26 at Jerry's Artarama local or online) or the Mijello Fusion Palette (this is a more compact palette with 18 smaller paint wells and a removable mixing tray.... best price is usually Amazon for around $16 or Jerry’s Artarama for $17). Sue will assist in showing you how to set up your palette with your tubes of paint.

4. Watercolor Round Brush (always short handled) size #10. Choose 1 from list below based on your budget:

Good-Polar Flo Synthetic round brushes are inexpensive starter brushes ($10) available at Jerry's Artarama locally. *Sue will have a few of these available to purchase the first night of class. Contact Sue in advance to reserve one.

Better- Silver Brush Black Velvet Synthetic (available at Jerry’s Artarama local or online for approx. $27)

Best- Davinci Cosmotop Mix B Natural & Synthetic blend round brush #10, available online for about $37. (You can’t go wrong purchasing this brush. Due to the addition of natural hair, it holds much more paint & water. It’s a favorite of most of her students) *Sue has 4 of these available to purchase for $37.Contact Sue in advance to reserve one

Sintec Kolinsky Sable #8 round brush-Kolinsky Sable Natural hairbrushes are the best watercolor brushes money can buy. Sue has a contact who manufactures these brushes and has 10 of them to sell for $21 ea. (retail on a sable brush of this size is approx. $75) These are a favorite of Sue’s students. Contact Sue in advance to reserve one

5. Roll of Paper towels (White/no prints) *Instructor recommends Viva Signature due to cloth-like quality (we do a lot of blotting, so good paper towels are a necessity!)

6. Speedball Pink Soap Brush Cleaner

7. Pen & Paper to take notes

Suggestions on where to purchase supplies:

Local store: Jerry's Artarama (join for free & always get 10% off)

Online: Jerry's Artarama (jerrysartarama.com) or Dick Blick). Shipping is FREE for both companies with purchases of $69 or more.

Contact for Questions: Lichaczbeach@cox.net

Supporter Tuition - Immediately 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)