Georgia Birds: Painting in Watercolor and Gouache

In this introduction to watercolor painting, use still life materials and photo references to capture the structure, energy, and attitude of various Georgia birds, including cardinals, barred owls, and red-tailed hawks. Work with transparent watercolors and opaque acrylic gouache as you practice wet-on-wet washes, achieve the textural effects of a dry brush, and use colored pencils. Learn new strategies and skills, and find your voice as a watercolor painter.

• Week 1: Begin with an introduction to watercolor materials and techniques. Learn drawing basics as you sketch or trace a simple silhouette, and then apply paint through wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry methods. Keep in mind that more water lightens color, whereas more pigment darkens it. The addition of opaque gouache covers up previous layers.
• Week 2: Look for opportunities to strengthen and clarify the shapes and colors of your reference. Focus on color temperature as you brush a light, warm wash over your drawing, then add increasingly cool and dark shadows as you progress. Decide whether to use watercolor for varied washes or gouache for areas of uniform color.
• Week 3: Use color theory to enliven your painting, and suggest the patterns and textures of feathers and beaks. Your palette can stay bold and subjective or focus on the effects of light. Use opaque highlights and watercolor pencils to add vivid detail to your focal point, and wet-on-wet watercolor to acheive soft backgrounds.
• Week 4: Combine the techniques you have learned to create a full-color watercolor painting from a photographic reference. Rather than seeking to mimic the photo exactly, translate its colors and shapes to create a stronger, simpler composition.

This is an introductory-level Studio Class; it is designed to accommodate all levels of skill and talent. If you have never taken an art making class before, this is a great place to start. You will learn new skills that you can use in your artistic practice.

Please note that in the event of a session being canceled, September 22 is reserved as a makeup date.

Expand your art-making skills through guided, step-by-step instruction with expert instructor. Over multiple weeks, you will learn alongside other creative adults and delve deeply into the artistic process, explore new techniques, and build your practice.  

The registration fee includes all materials, weekly access to world-class art in the museum’s galleries, hours of expert instruction, and access to a Friday afternoon Open Studio during the run of the class.