What's in Your Paintbox? A Beginner's Guide to Watercolor Tools

Beth Graham, Instructor

Saturday, September 13

9:30 am- 3:30 pm

$85 Regular Tuition

$75 Member Tuition

This class is perfect for beginners! While it's open to everyone, students who participate will earn five credits toward our Beginners Watercolor Academy

program.

Led by experienced artist and educator Beth Graham, this session offers a hands-on introduction to materials, techniques, and brushwork. Students will gain a solid understanding of essential tools including brushes, paper types, palettes, and paints.

You’ll learn how to properly set up your watercolor workspace, control water effectively, and explore foundational techniques such as flat, graded, and variegated washes. The class also covers the difference between wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry methods, as well as techniques for lifting paint, layering colors, and glazing.

Special attention will be given to using various brush types—round, flat, and detail—to create brushstrokes for leaves, flowers, and textured effects.

Whether you’re just beginning your creative journey or looking to strengthen your skills, this class sets the stage for success and prepares you to embark on your painting journey.

Student Supplies:  pencil, watercolor paper, brushes, paper towels, any tube watercolor paints, and your palette. 

Safety Alert: Individuals attending this activity should be aware that they require the ability to safely descend stairs in an emergency.

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It's All About Color - For the Beginner

Linda Vanek, Instructor

Saturday, October 11

9:30 am- 3:30 pm

$85 Regular Tuition

$75 Member Tuition

This class is designed with beginners in mind, but all are welcome to join. Participants will also earn five credits toward our Beginners Watercolor Academy program.

Color is one of the most powerful tools in a painter’s toolbox. In this engaging and supportive class, you’ll explore the fundamentals of color theory and practical mixing techniques that will bring greater harmony, emotion, and depth to your watercolor paintings.

We’ll cover key topics including:

• Understanding the color wheel: primary, secondary, and tertiary colors

• How to create neutrals, tints, and shades

• The differences between warm and cool colors and how they affect mood

• Techniques for mixing colors that work beautifully together

• The psychology and emotional impact of color in art

• The role of color value in creating strong compositions

In addition to lively discussions and demonstrations, you’ll practice mixing a range of colors using round and flat brushes. Each student will receive individual support during class painting time, making this a hands-on, confidence-building experience.

Click HERE is view the student supply list.

Safety Alert: Individuals attending this activity should be aware that they require the ability to safely descend stairs in an emergency.

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Drawing 101

Saturday, Nov 8

9:30 am- 3:30 pm

$85 Regular Tuition

$75 Member Tuition

This class is designed with beginners in mind, but all are welcome to join. Participants will also earn five credits toward our Beginners Watercolor Academy program.

Whether you're brand new to drawing or want a solid refresher, this 5-hour workshop is the perfect place to start. You'll learn essential techniques in observation, line, form, shading, perspective, and composition — all in a supportive, hands-on environment.

Topics include:

• Using pencils, charcoal, erasers, and sketchbooks

• Contour and gesture drawing

• Basic shapes and forms (cube, sphere, cylinder, cone)

• Shading techniques for light and shadow

• One- and two-point perspective

• Proportion, scale, and simple figure drawing

• Composition basics to bring it all together

Safety Alert: Individuals attending this activity should be aware that they require the ability to safely descend stairs in an emergency.

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Watercolor Whimsy: Texture & Transfers

Robin Avery, Instructor

Saturday, December 13

9:30 am- 3:30 pm

$85 Regular Tuition

$75 Member Tuition

This class is designed with beginners in mind, but all are welcome to join. Participants will also earn five credits toward our Beginners Watercolor Academy program.

Beginning students will learn how to explore unique textures and transfer techniques in this fun, creative class.  You'll learn how to create texture using materials like salt, plastic wrap, dry brush, and splattering. We'll also experiment with masking fluid and resist techniques to build beautiful, layered effects.

Participants will paint a variety of subjects—including animals, landscapes, and floral elements—while learning how to depict skies, trees, water, and hills with depth and atmospheric perspective. This class is perfect for those looking to expand their watercolor skills and bring a new dimension to their paintings.

Safety Alert: Individuals attending this activity should be aware that they require the ability to safely descend stairs in an emergency.

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Composition & Still Life for Beginners

Arthur Deatly, Instructor

Saturday, January 17

9:30 am- 3:30 pm

$85 Regular Tuition

$75 Member Tuition

This class is designed with beginners in mind, but all are welcome to join. Participants will also earn five credits toward our Beginners Watercolor Academy program.

Discover the foundations of still life painting in this beginner watercolor class. You'll learn how to thoughtfully arrange and paint simple objects—like fruits, leaves, and everyday items—while developing essential skills in drawing, shading, and composition.

Through step-by-step instruction, you’ll move from initial sketches to final details, exploring thumbnails, value studies, and focal points along the way. This hands-on class is designed to help you understand light, shadow, and form, giving you the tools to create balanced, expressive still life paintings. No prior experience required—just bring your curiosity and creativity!

Safety Alert: Individuals attending this activity should be aware that they require the ability to safely descend stairs in an emergency.

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Bringing it all together!

Carla Gauthier, Instructor

Saturday, February 21

9:30 am- 3:30 pm

$85 Regular Tuition

$75 Member Tuition

This class is designed with beginners in mind, but all are welcome to join. Participants will also earn five credits toward our Beginners Watercolor Academy program.

Refine your watercolor skills in this class -- tie everything together that you've learn in our core classes—drawing, composition, color, texture, and technique. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll plan, sketch, and complete a finished watercolor painting that reflects your personal style and vision.

Photos can often feel overwhelming—so many shapes, colors, and textures—but any subject can be broken down into manageable steps. In this class, you'll learn how to analyze your reference photo and translate it into a clear, structured painting plan. Whether you're working with a landscape, floral, or portrait—and whether your style is abstract, impressionistic, or realistic—you’ll gain techniques that empower you to paint with confidence.

We’ll focus on creating unified, harmonious compositions with strong focal points. A guided exercise will help reinforce these concepts, giving you tools you can take back to your studio practice.

What to Bring:

• Your usual watercolor supplies

• Pencil and watercolor paper (about 11" x 15", or quarter sheet)

• One or two reference photos you love but feel unsure how to approach

If time allows, we’ll review your reference photos together and discuss strategies for turning them into successful paintings.

Safety Alert: Individuals attending this activity should be aware that they require the ability to safely descend stairs in an emergency.

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