SOLD OUT Dates: May 12 - 14, 2026 Time: 10 am - 4 pm Location: Bagley Public Library Cost: $150 (Member) $175 (Non Member) Class Limit: 12 Bring your own lunch
In this workshop, we will be wetting the front and back of the paper before starting. This allows for longer “open time” to blend colors, get soft edges, and maximize the amazing textures inherent to watercolor.
We will complete a minimum of 1 painting per day. I will provide photos for students, and each lesson will be done in a step by step approach, making it easier for students to follow along.
As a teacher, my goal is to see the light bulbs come on when students realize that painting isn’t as mysterious as it seems. Of course, it’s still challenging—which is part of the fun—but the visual language is something that I believe we all can learn. In my workshops, I try to teach shortcuts that allow students to make leaps in their understanding and how to avoid many of the common challenges of painting. There’s a charm to painting familiar aspects of our lives and subjects become much easier to paint when we learn to simplify them into large shapes of value and color. With the big shapes planned and an accurate drawing established, it’s easier to loosen up and enjoy fluid washes, expressive brushwork, and bold color.
Each morning and afternoon, I begin with a demonstration to illustrate the day’s lesson, leaving a large majority of the time for students to work. If time allows, I will lead a late afternoon critique, which are often very helpful and encouraging for students. Early in the week, we will focus on simplifying scenes into large shapes and value tones. These large value shapes help students understand the sequence and order of how a successful painting is created.
