Introduction to Watercolor

Visual Art Center

Richmond, Virginia

Tuesdays July 16th-August 13th, 2024

6-8:30pm

Get introduced to watercolors or refresh your knowledge of the medium. We’ll explore our materials, then cover application methods like wet–on–wet, glazes, blocks, resists, and lifts. We’ll also cover work area set–up, composition set–up, lost and found edges, transferring imagery and methods for controlling the paint. With an emphasis on value to produce convincing compositions, class discussions will touch on color theory, light, texture, and transparency. We’ll paint from direct observation and reference photos. Expect lots of one–on–one guidance and detailed demonstration from the instructor. Students will come away with a deeper understanding of this medium and its expressive possibilities

Composition In Painting

Visual Art Center

Richmond, Virginia

Wednesdays July 24th-August 14th 2024

6-8:30pm

Well planned composition makes a painting come alive. There are many strategies and techniques to achieve it, which we will explore in this class. With successful composition, the viewer will spend time engaged with your work. Traveling with their eyes at a pace and path that you have intentionally set. 

 This class will explore how to create compelling compositions that promote a variety of focal points for your painting. Beginning with some simple cardstock collage work to quickly understand and manipulate different compositional models, students will then transition to painting their own subject matter. Exercises will include setting up your own still–life along with a photo reference.

Students should be familiar with the painting medium they plan to work with.

Prerequisites: Basic drawing and painting skills

FULL with a waitlist 

Sketchbook as Traveling Companion

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

July 20-21

10am-4pm

Want to be able to capture that sense of a wonderful moment and place whether traveling or just hanging out? Or record the little and big items in your life to create a unique visual record? Participants will learn several easy and successful strategies for drawing, painting, collage and writing in situ to turn their adventures and everyday life into hand held works of art. Mini-field trips within and outside the museum will also offer source material and inspiration. 

Composition in Painting

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Thursdays 10am-1pm

Oct 10-Dec 5th

See VMFA studio school website for details and to register in early August

Strongly executed composition will compel the viewer to spend time engaged with your work. Traveling with their eyes at a pace and path that you, the artist, have intentionally set. 

This class will deconstruct the sequential consideration of design elements to allow the artist to set the painting’s mood, focal point and meaning as they wish. Beginning with some simple cut paper collage work to quickly understand and manipulate different compositional models, students will the transition, onto analyzing famous historical works to planning and painting their own subject matter. If time allows, extra exercises will include setting up your own still life and painting their own subject matter.  

Students should be familiar with the painting medium they plan to work with.

Prerequisites: Basic drawing and painting skills

WEEKEND FALL WORKSHOP

Traveling Sketchbook

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Nov 9-10

10am-4pm

See VMFA studio school website for details and to register in early August

Want to be able to capture that sense of a wonderful moment and place whether traveling or just hanging out? Or record the little and big items in your life to create a unique visual record? Participants will learn several easy and successful strategies for drawing, painting, collage and writing in situ to turn their adventures and everyday life into hand held works of art. Mini-field trips within and outside the museum will also offer source material and inspiration.

Basic watercolor and drawing skills are not essential but will be helpful.