The Wonderful World of Watercolor

This free series is offered to individuals of ALL AGES looking to expand their horizon in the arts.

Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS), a leading non-profit organization connecting individuals from underserved populations with transformative career opportunities, is hosting another free series - The Wonderful World of Watercolor. Each session is designed for individuals of ALL AGES and is aimed at expanding their horizon in the arts.

Watercolor is a great medium in which to have fun while learning new techniques for making paintings. No longer are artists stuck with the rules of the old days in watercolor, a medium in which there have historically been lots of "shoulds" and "can'ts." For several decades, watercolor artists have been using new materials and new methods of applying paint, something that you don't see in watercolor paintings from the past. In this three-part series, you'll learn about basic materials, how to get started, and exciting processes for applying paint, giving your paintings a more contemporary look. This experience is designed to stimulate creativity.

  • Tuesday, February 14: Introduction to Watercolor: This session will focus on terminology, basic materials, and color theory, followed by a demonstration on creating an exciting wash.
  • Tuesday, February 21: Negative Painting: In our second session, there will be a demonstration on painting the first layer.
  • Tuesday, February 28: Finishing the Painting: In the final session, we will have a demonstration on mixing colors, as well as how to make the foreground subjects pop.
Supplies Needed:
  • Transparent Watercolor Paints
    • Beginner level: A set of student grade watercolor paints.
    • Professional quality: Tube paints (ex. Holbein, Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith). Basic recommended colors: Lemon Yellow, New Gamboge, Quinacridone Magenta, Vermillion Red, Ultramarine Blue, Indigo. Additional suggested colors: Holbein’s Brilliant Orange, Verditer Blue, Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Verditer Blue. A small amount of paint should be squeezed into the wells of a large palette.
  • Watercolor Brushes
    • Beginner level: One size 10 round brush with a good point.
    • Professional quality: Rounds - #8 & #10 with a good point, ¾ inch or 1 inch flat brush.
  • Watercolor Paper
    • 100% cotton, at least 8” x 10” or 9” x12”, watercolor block. (140 lb. cold press Arches preferred, Fabriano, Winsor & Newton, Fluid, etc. are fine too). If you do not wish to purchase a block, please tear paper into ¼ sheet (11 x 15 torn).
    • The most important thing is the 100% cotton paper, so if you need to save money, save it on paints and brushes but please do get quality paper.
  • Other Supplies
    • 2B or HB artists’ pencil, kneaded eraser, 2 stable water containers (Ball jars, quart deli containers, etc.), paper towels, watercolor pencils optional.
    • Beginner level: You can use painters' tape from the hardware store and tape your paper to a plastic tray, or some other non-porous item you probably have around your house (sheet protector, cutting board, etc.).
    • Professional quality: A roll of artists tape or quality painters’ tape and a non-porous surface on which to tape your paper.

Each session is free and is provided by Workforce Opportunity Services.

Series Dates and Times:

Dates Session Time Theme
February 14, 2023 5:00-6:00 pm EST Introduction to Watercolor
February 21, 2023 5:00-6:00 pm EST Negative Painting
February 28, 2023 5:00-6:00 pm EST Finishing the Painting