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

Miguel Herrera

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

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST:

1 set of sketch pencils (H-6B)   (This set will be useful if we want to study shading in a deeper level. #2 pencils will work if I am just teaching the basics of sketching and shading)

1 Sketchbook (8.5 x 11 or 9 x 12)

1 white eraser

1 kneaded eraser

1 blending stump tortillon 

Vine charcaol, soft, black, 3pack

1 ruler (12")

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 Texture & Transfers

Using Implied and Real Textures for Expressive Paintings

Jackie Liddell, 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 creative class.  You'll learn how to create texture using materials like salt, plastic wrap, dry brush, and splattering. 

Student Supplies:

Bring a few of your favorite photos with subjects that have texture for example trees, animals, rocks, waterfalls, old barns, boats, flowers or foliage etc.

Your watercolors, pallet, and lightweight support board of choice

Various brushes – rounds and flats plus an inexpensive 1” Bristle brush (from the hardware store 

Several Watercolor paper sheets - approx. 11” x 15”, 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Pencil and white eraser

Various stamps or everyday items that can be used for printing texture

Salt

Plastic wrap – (like Seran Wrap)

Extras:   jar of Gel or Gesso, plastic serrated knife

About your instructor, Jackie Liddell.  Jackie is an Elite signature member of WAS-H, Purple Sage signature member of the Texas Watercolor Society, and signature member of The National Society of Art.  She has a Master of Arts, and over 40 years of teaching experience.  This will be a fun class exploring a few ways to paint the illusion of texture, and to change the paper’s surface to create more expressive 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.

#houstonartclass #artclasshouston #texasartclass #houstonartist #houston365 #365Houston #watercoloracademy