Watercolor Class Preparations

I've been working on making a supply list for the beginners' watercolor class that I'm scheduled to teach at Swinging Bridge Studio beginning April 15th. Follow the link for details on signing up.
The biggest challenge has been to narrow the choices of supplies. Who wants to spend a small fortune to start? I've been reviewing triad color schemes in order to recommend the least amount of paint to get started. That's been fun.
Here's a shot of my palette and some of the supplies that made my list.
Do you have any favorite supplies that you recommend for beginners?

Limited Palette Watercolor Landscape Study

A fun challenge with watercolor is to do a painting using only THREE paint colors. Tonight I did a quick study with a triad of earth colors: Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna & Indigo. They make an earthy version of the classic yellow, red, blue triad.

I only used a 3/4 inch flat brush to paint this 6 x 9 inch landscape. It was done quickly & intuitively. The final touch was to scratch lines into the foreground with the pointed end of the brush handle while the paper was still quite damp.

I have been inspired to play with triads by Dory Kanter and Nita Leland. I love their books.

I am teaching another watercolor class at the Swinging Bridge Studio . Check out the link for information on signing up. We will meet on April 15th & 22nd with the option of further sessions. Working with a limited color palette will be included in the class.

Thanks for stopping by.

Watercolor Painting Workshop - Valentine Cards

I will be teaching a watercolor technique workshop on Feb. 2nd at the Swinging Bridge Studio in Story City.

I love to take a sheet of watercolor paper and fill it with color and texture. It can be used as a background for collage/assemblage or torn up as focal pieces on a greeting card. The finished paper can also be scanned or photocopied. When scanned, further manipulation of the design is possible in a program like Photoshop Elements.

Here are just a couple examples of what can be done.

The Business of Art

I came home exhausted tonight close to 9 pm. After a cat nap I've been back at the business of art which is how I spent much of my day.

After labeling and writing an inventory list, I delivered painted totes, fantasy beaded icicles, and more jewelry (one item pictured above) to Swinging Bridge Studio in Story City. They worked on making a really nice display while I was still there. Sorry, no photo! If the weatherman is REALLY wrong, I will go back tomorrow and take pictures. We are supposed to get really nasty winter weather tomorrow.

After my regular pool exercise session, it was time to teach beginning knitting at Prairie Fibers Company. I was really excited about this opportunity. Many years ago I managed a needlework shop where I taught many skills. Knitting was among my favorites. To oversimplify - you are taking 2 sticks and string to make fabric. Wow! 3 years ago I introduced some of my nieces to knitting. I loved seeing them "get" it. So I was looking forward to helping my students get the same satisfaction. My students are a mother and her young daughter, both determined and both left being able to knit. I'm proud of both of them and looking forward to getting together for our next lesson.

I have 2 new listings on Etsy tonight. I hope you will check them out.

Christmas ATC's and a Commercial Shoot

It's been an interesting day. I was invited to take part in shooting a tv commercial at Prairie Fibers Co. this morning. I placed these painted fabric ATC's that I worked on the past few days & hung them on the aluminum Christmas tree in the shop. Soon the commercial crew showed up for filming. I just did what comes naturally... knitting, browsing, and painting. Others were spinning wool and embroidering. It will be fun to see what the finished product looks like.

Last night I started knitting a scarf from a fabulous hand spun yarn. It's for PFC to help promote knitting. I hope it will entice more people to sign up for the beginning knitting classes that I will start teaching later this month.

Holiday Open House Preps

I've been working on ATC (Artist Trading Card) ornaments that will be hung on a Christmas Tree at Prairie Fibers Company for next weekend's Holiday Open House on Nov. 16, 17 & 18. I'll try to get a picture posted in a day or two. I put together a quick flyer to advertise my trunk showing during the open house. Click on the image for a closer view. I hope we have a great turn out. It's bound to be a good time.

Another project on the burner is that I will be teaching beginning knitting at PFC later this month. I'm looking forward to teaching again. There's nothing like being part of the joy that comes with learning to make cloth out of yarn with two sticks! That's all it really is.