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“Do I really have to do a value study?” Perhaps you have said that or at least thought it, doing a quick sketch without much thought. There are important reasons for honoring your value sketches. They will guide you to a freer, stronger painting without the hesitations and changes that somehow diminish the final result. What is the point of value sketches? Consider what you might do with the photo above. Time to start drawing value sketches. Or get the new video on the reasons for and the secrets of doing value sketches.

The on-line class, Getting Started in Watercolor is, in large part, exercises to get to know and understand the magical formula of how much water on the paper means how much water and how much pigment on the brush. Its learning what you can accomplish with the different combinations.
In writing about a posted painting a current student, Penny Chapman,  wrote:
I have worked on the wet on wet techniques until felt like I was beginning to understand how the water moves […]

Ongoing
At your home.

Perfect for those isolated because of the Virus.

The watercolor courses Caroline has been teaching on-line since 2008 for credit students are being revised for non-credit students only. They are being divided into shorter courses. Each has 10 clear exercises sent to you in a Word document. They are supplemented with more than 100 photos with discussion posted in a secured site on Shutterfly.

The first, Getting Started, is focusing on learning how to work with the water and developing control of the water on the paper, on your brush and with your paint.

You can get started in watercolor, work on the basic processes at your own pace and still enjoy the help of an instructor. You discuss your paintings with Caroline in the comment section under the photos of your paintings you post on your own album.

Ongoing
At your home. Perfect for those isolated because of the Virus.

Watercolor is a complex medium – one with many aspects and elements to it. Glazing is just one aspect – and this on-line course is solely devoted to this process. Glazing is the application of a layer of color over one that has already dried. Developing skill in glazing lets you in on the secret of luminous color that is a major characteristic of watercolor.

Ongoing
At your home

Three of the giants in watercolor in the 20th century, Rex Brandt, Millard Sheets and Ed Whitney will share with you some of their most important lessons. Caroline had the good fortune to study with all three and has been teaching their principles for the last thirty years. She has distilled some of their most important concepts for this course.

Sat & Sun,  October 3 & 4, 2020

Olga Community Club, Olga, Orcas Island WA

Canceled

Watercolor is fun!  You have been trying it on your own, or taken a few classes. You have been  working with suggestions in books and even tried some U-tube lessons but you don’t feel “in control. ” When will confidence come?   This weekend workshop is designed to help you take charge of the sequences by which you create paintings.

Canceled for now: I will be expanding the on-line  and Zoom offerings

Watercolor is about process. Watercolor is about water. To work in watercolor you need to master control and use of the water. You need to learn when to do what — and what effect you will achieve. It isn’t about “making paintings” until the process are understood and at your command. This week is dedicated to the tricky business of water and color — what’s known as WATERCOLOR.

Orcas Island, plein air 

August 16, 17, 19, 20, 2021

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Changed to 2021

This is the week to get outside to draw and paint.  Learn the techniques for quick interpretations when you are traveling as well as for a slow and steady progress in seeing and recording the world around you.  The summer is starting to slip away. When you take the time to stop and look and draw you lock it away — to be brought out and savored whenever you choose.

We will be outside – 6 or more feet apart and the class limited to 5. Contact me directly for a space – watercolors@rockisland.com or 360 298 2641

Tuesday, June 23

Boatyards off of R and 22nd

 Anacortes, WA

 Boats are a elusive subject to draw.  Once you have a drawing, they aren’t that difficult to paint. Over time, Caroline has developed a step-by-step approach to boat drawing that is close to fail safe.

It is best to learn how to draw them when they are stationary in dry dock. We’ll do that in the morning and continue with a painting in the afternoon.

There will be a break for lunch.

Tuesday, July 2021

 Anacortes, WA

Do you have problems getting good greens in your paintings? Spend a day on Orcas painting plein air and see if looking, and mixing and painting you come to understand how to get greens that look like nature, and look right to you. We will start the day painting in the Anacortes Forest Preserve and may well spend time there.