Watercolor for Novices and Beginners

Watercolor for Novices and Beginners

With Ellen Santoni

Tuesdays, November 7, 14 & 28 (no class on November 21))

9 am to 11 am

Suggested donation: $30. (If you can't afford $30, please donate as you are able).   

Covid Considerations:  please bring a mask. Maskwearing is up to the teacher.

This class is for people who have had a basic introduction to watercolor painting, have a regular practice, or are just starting out. In November watercolor painter Ellen Santoni will focus on painting small winter scenes and holiday card morifs. In each class Ellen offers one or two new techniques. This way you can grow your repertoire of skills and increase your joy in the magical process of painting with watercolors. People of all skill levels including beginners welcome.  You need to bring a few extra supplies to this class for painting snow: see list below. If you are new to the class, there is an extra list of supplies you need to bring (see list below).

Ellen Santoni has been making art for as long as she can remember. She has a BFA in illustration. After college she had a 42-year career in marketing and advertising. Five years ago, she moved to Whidbey Island and restarted her journey with art. Watercolor is her chosen medium and her only medium. She says: “I love the unpredictability, the way the colors mix and blur, and the fluidity of the process. Ellen is a member of Whidbey Island Sketchers and Bellingham Sketchers, and she takes classes at Create Space and with local artists.

Special art supplies needed for this November class:  All are available at dickblick.om

1.  Masking fluid/Drawing gum: https://www.dickblick.com/products/pebeo-drawing-gum/ $8.20

2.  Dr. Ph. Martins Bleed proof white  https://www.dickblick.com/search/?q=Dr.%20Ph.%20Martins%20Bleed%20proof%20

$10.29

OR

Dr Ph Martin’s Bombay White India Ink: https://www.dickblick.com/items/dr-ph-martins-bombay-india-ink-1-oz-white/  $5.14

3. Extra fine DecoColor metallic opaque paint markers, silver and gold

Gold: https://www.dickblick.com/items/decocolor-paint-marker-gold-extra-fine-tip/ $3.39

Silver: https://www.dickblick.com/items/decocolor-paint-marker-silver-extra-fine-tip/ $3.69

Art supply list for new students:

You need a small set of supplies for the class. You can buy the following supplies at Casey’s Craft or online at art supply stores like dickblick.com·

Paper: Canson Cold Press Spiral Bound watercolor heavy weight paper journal, 140 lb  paper. Journal size 7x10 or smaller. ($10) (If you already have a watercolor journal that’s fine, but the paper must be 140 lb and cold pressed. If you don’t know what you have, please buy the Canson journal. (available online at dickblick.com)·

Watercolor brushes: Bring a selection of brushes you already have. If you don't have any brushes purchase the following:

--2 round watercolor brushes size #2 and #8 inexpensive synthetic brushes for watercolor. Both round brushes should come to a good point; 

-- a 1/2 inch flat brush; 3/4" mop or 3/4 "cat tongue soft brush--available for$13 from Casey's Craft. 

Watercolor paint: If you have tubes of watercolor or a watercolor set bring that. If you don't have any watercolor tubes here are some suggested sets to choose from: 

--Daler Rowney 12-piece watercolor set. ($15) (awesome starter set of colors) (available online at dickblick.com: “Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolor Half Pan Sets”) 

--Other watercolor pan sets I recommend are by Sennelier, Winsor Newton, Daniel Smith, Holbein. (available online) I love all these brands. You can get a bigger set with more colors if you want, but please stick to these recommended brands. The quality of the paint makes a big difference and many other paint brands add chalk which means the watercolor won’t move the same way.· 

Additional needed supplies:

1 black micron pen .05 (casey’s craft)·

1 pencil HB (casey’s craft)·

1 grey gum eraser or a white tombow or mono eraser- these erasers are designed to work on watercolor paper (casey’s)· 

1 small spray bottle for water. The bottle can be small 3-4” or whatever you have at home. (caseys or drug store)·

1 white ceramic dinner plate to mix paint on (thrift store)

Paper towels or a rag for getting water off of your brushes.