Watercolor: Methods and Techniques

There are so many exciting and different ways to approach a watercolor painting, but what are the best applications for all of these techniques? Come discover the limitless possibilities of this versatile medium. Working from both still-life objects, design exercises and photographs we will explore topics of color mixing, value and composition. Learn expressive brushwork, clear vibrant glazing, lifting, masking/stencils, pour painting and spattering techniques that will give your paintings more energy and emotional impact.

Special Notes

This is an in-person class which will take place in our building with strict social distancing protocols and reduced student capacity. Please see our COVID-19 community safety policies.

Tuition Assistance is Available

To make our classes and workshops accessible to everyone, Fleisher offers tuition assistance every term so that everyone can join our creative community. We have recently streamlined the application process, making it even quicker and easier. Tuition assistance applications can be completed once registration is open by clicking here. The deadline to apply for fall term assistance is Monday, August 29th. Tuition assistance notifications will be sent by Friday, September 2nd.

What you will learn:

  • Brushstrokes and washes

  • Value and composition wash studies

  • Color mixing

  • Reserving whites, glazing, and layering

  • Lifting methods

  • Caran D’ache crayons and watercolor

Required supplies:

  • A water bucket/container

  • Brushes: small round soft brush (#6), medium round soft brush (#12), 1-inch flat brush

  • Color wheel

  • Dry pastels or watercolor crayons

  • Eraser

  • Good quality watercolor paints either in tube form or pan form such as Winsor Newton, Van Gogh, Holbien, Sennilier. Have at least two shades of blue, red and yellow plus a brown and green. Some recommended shades:

    • Cobalt Blue, Phathalo Blue-Winsor Blue, Ultramarine Blue
    • Cadmium Red, Bright rose, Quinacridone Red or Alizarin Crimson
    • Hansa Light or Auerolin Yellow
    • New Gamboge Burnt Seinna (brown)
    • Sap green, Phthalo Green or Viridian

  • Good quality watercolor paper. 140 lb weight or heavier. Many people like using paper with a cold press finish. This can be either sheets or blocks with a minimum size of 9×12-inch.

  • Gray scale

  • HB pencil and sharpener

  • Masking fluid

  • Paint mixing tray (this can be part of your paint set)

  • Painters tape

  • Rags

  • Sea sponge (optional)

  • Sketchbook

  • Spray bottle (optional)