Watercolor Workshop

This is information for folks enrolled in my watercolor workshop offered through Schoodic Arts for All and any one else of course!
While some paint will be provided, should you wish to invest in your own supplies here is the list of what we will be using. Most critical is to get  the specific paint listed.
The focus of this workshop is creating work with color. Now of course, folks' definitions of what is 'good' color differ. The key is to know your supplies so that your color is a CHOICE not a by product or something settled for.
I personally resonate with vibrant subtly shifting color. I am not one for earth colors ( unless of course, I am painting earth, or dense colors. If I want opaque I switch to oil or pastel  since those mediums can remain vibrant even when the paper is occluded.

Beginning list:
Working with a limited palette has its merits. Only 3 colors can create the rainbow. By using just 3 it is easier to learn more fully and quickly the properties of the pigments.
I begin with
Cobalt Blue - a true, transparent, non staining blue
Rose MAdder Genuine - transparent, non staining slightly blue pink
Aureolin Yellow- transparent, non staining slightly blue yellow
We will begin with these colors learning their properties as well as creating all the colors of the color wheel.

This painting was completed with the above colors:

Then we will add:
Opera - transparent, non staining true pink-- excellent for making orange
Viridian- transparent, non staining intense green good for making darks
The addition of these colors  permits mixing purer special colors like orange and a greater range of cool and warm grays.
How to be the scientist.
Learning the properties of our supplies requires initially being the scientist. First we must ask the questions:
1. How does one color mix with another? What is the range of colors two colors create?
Does beginning with one color then adding another create a different color than when the order is reversed?
Which pigment weighs more and consequently move slower in water?
What happens when pigment is added to water on the paper?
What happens when pigment is put on the paper first then water?
What are all the ways water can be applied?
Color can never be seen separated out from its context. What happens when you put different colors beside the focus color?
What happens when a touch of hte complement is added?
How best are rich darks created?

These are just some of the beginning questions to explore. Some folks will like to do their explorations in an actual picture while others will want to play first. What ever method speaks to you, keep a record and never let the pressure of creating a 'finished' product prevent you from playing.