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Watercolours Beginners and Intermediate
C01759

This practical course will explore the rich subject of watercolour: the materials traditionally used with the medium, the many and varied techniques specific to the medium and colour-mixing from limited palettes.

The focus of teaching will be on techniques specific to the medium such as wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, laying washes, glazing, mark-making with various brushes, resist methods and lifting paint to correct mistakes, etc.

Course Content

This course will explore the rich subject of watercolour: the materials traditionally used with the medium, the many and varied techniques specific to the medium and colour-mixing from limited palettes.

The focus of teaching will be on techniques specific to the medium such as wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, laying washes, glazing, mark-making with various brushes, resist methods and lifting paint to correct mistakes, etc.

Each week will focus on a particular subject, such as laying washes, building a painting in layers, creating soft and hard edges, drawing with a brush, colour- mixing and colour theory, etc. and you will work directly from still-life objects in the studio and from reference images. We will also take inspiration from watercolourists of the past and present.

In the first class, you will be given an introduction to the materials traditionally associated with watercolours, such as cotton rag paper, watercolour pans/tubes, etc. and brushes as well as more modern materials such as watercolour marker-pens, iridescent colours and hybrid watercolour/gouache paints. The two traditions of watercolour - transparent and opaque will be discussed. The tutor will advise you on the materials you?ll need to buy for the course. These will be kept to a minimum.

Throughout the course, you will work with the primary and earth palettes and will explore colour-mixing from these classic palettes at depth, as well as some colour theory.

There will be a mix of tutor demonstrations / explanation and informal 1:1 tuition. The teaching style is friendly supportive and will allow you to develop your own personal way of painting. If you are a returning learner you can discuss your aims with your tutor and come up with some achievable personal targets for the course.

Learning outcomes:
You will learn how to mix colours from the primary and earth palettes.
You will learn watercolour techniques such as washes, glazes, wet in wet and wet on dry.
You will learn to develop a painting by working from light to dark.
You will learn to use different brushes to make distinctive brush marks.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this course you must be 19 or over on 31st August prior to the course start date.

To be eligible for this course you must be 19 or over on 31st August prior to the course start date.

The course is suitable for beginners and those who would like to further develop their watercolour skills.

First Class Requirements

You should bring a pencil (HB or B), an eraser and a roll of masking tape.
Basic watercolours and brushes will be provided for the first class and the tutor will give you advice regarding materials on day one. Sheets of watercolour paper, if needed can be purchased at the college.