index - Watercolor for Absolute Beginners

In most beginner-level art classes, the teacher sets up a still life and tells the students to start painting. But that doesn't answer the dozens of questions that beginners and amateurs have about using watercolors. Tubes or pan paints? Wet paper or dry? What kind of paper and brushes are best? How do I get those glowing effects without creating muddy lagoons?

The Watercolor for Absolute Beginners class is different. It's designed from the start to "build in" success, with the right paper, paints, brushes, simple exercises, and patient instruction.

It's the right course for you if...

if you’ve never painted before and you suspect you "have no artistic talent"
if you’ve tried watercolor, but “just made a big mess”
if you’ve had some success with watercolor, but don’t know how to create the effects you’ve admired in watercolor books, in galleries, or on Pinterest

Unlike acrylics or oils, watercolor paints have a mind of their own -- rich and juicy, yet unpredictable and hard to control. But learn to work with them, and they'll do most of the work for you. You'll study exactly how to handle the paints to get the beautiful effects that only watercolor can provide.

No special artistic or drawing skill is necessary. Really.

Anyone, including you, can learn to do it -- all it takes is practice and persistence. So take the pain out of painting! If you'd like to express yourself with watercolor, this is the easiest place to start.

The two 6-week watercolor courses meet once weekly, Thursday evenings 7-9:30 pm, or Saturdays from 12 noon-2:30 pm. Check the Sign-Up page for weekday, exact dates, studio location, and how to pay. Intermediate 3-Week "Mini-courses" are offered for those who have completed the Beginner course, along with various one-day workshops.

The 3-week DRAWING course, given three or four times a year, meets weekly on Tuesdays, from 6:30-8:30 pm. Occasionally a One-Day Drawing Workshop is offered.

All classes meet on Union Square in Manhattan, New York City, one block north of the Union Square/14th Street subway stop. Trains: 4 5 6 N Q R W L (check the L service on weekends).

You can purchase your own supplies listed in the Materials List, or you can order a “Beginner’s Kit” (tube paints in 10 colors, portable folding palette, 12 sheets of top-quality Arches brand paper, 4 brushes in various sizes) for $60.00

Tuition is $285.00 for 6 weekly classes, payable by cash, Venmo, or Zelle (no personal checks, please). You can also pay via credit card, prior to the first class, using PayPal online. That link and other details are on the Sign Up page.