“Get Up To speed” Class for new beginners

(or those returning from a long absence)

Did you miss the first series of classes from my Sketchbook Foundations in Watercolor that I teach each autumn? Perhaps you’ve been wanting to learn to paint…but just didn’t know where to start, what supplies to get that would actually work for you, and just didn’t want to end up frustrated or wasting money. Perhaps you think that you can’t draw, because of some ‘old story from your past’. Perhaps you ‘dabbled’ in watercolor long ago, but there was no one to explain the nuances of the medium, so you never felt comfortable with watercolor.

Well - let’s change that!! You don’t have to wait a whole year to jump in to my next series. You just need to “Get-up-to-speed” and get the basics so that you can continue on with the rest of us! I’d love to have you join us! You will start learning to draw and paint in this very first lesson!

Imagine how good it will FEEL to have the confidence to know this is a ‘learnable task’, and NOT some skill that you were born with! You CAN do this!

We cover a LOT in this course (it will give you a taste of what I cover in the first day of my six-week series, “Sketchbook Foundations in Watercolor, part I” that I teach in the fall of the year. You’ll finish up the lesson with a charming painting of a teddy-bear!

Topics we cover include:

-tentative feelings when starting out, mindset, how we learn to nurture our artist selves as we grow our skills

-different paints and supplies we can choose from, what I personally prefer to use, and brands I’ve used in the past

-tea to butter, the “Secret to Watercolor” how to use this to your best advantage & why it makes a difference in everything you do with watercolor

-how to use your palette to “pull up your color”

-why sketchbooks are so fun and versatile

-why using too small of a brush is like sweeping your garage with a one-haired broom

-how to travel light with watercolors

-all about brushes - the belly vs. the point, and hairy stuff!

-photo references, how, what & where to choose

-working from life vs. photo

-paper: cotton vs. wood pulp - do we have to be all or nothing?

-sizing and scaling your object to your page, BIG or small

-how to “measure” to determine the proportions of your object and make your drawing

-the best eraser for the job

-inking in your drawing, hair & fur, little details go a long way

-watercolors dry 20% lighter than when you paint them on your paper…except for this one brand!

-how do you tell if your painting is dry ‘enough’ to proceed without making a mess?

All these topics (and more!) are covered in this class.

But let me have some of my students share their experience with you:

-“Your classes have far exceeded my expectations! I learned more in this one session that I did in all of my previous watercolor classes. You easily break things down and explain the whys, etc., making it it so much more easy to understand. THANK YOU! I was not new to watercolor, but up until now I never was comfortable with the medium. Now, I DO feel I can do this going forward! I loved all of the techniques. Each one taught me something new and gave me a springboard to jump off from. I feel more confident now. I have accomplished more than I expected. I’ve loved the class and look so forward to continuing. Thank you, thank you.” B.K.S. from CT

-“I loved your classes on Zoom and learned new things in every class that has helped to build my confidence, and on the other hand, to realize how much I want to achieve. The classes that helped me the most were the butter-tea examples, and mixing colors in the last class. But in-between, the rule of 3’s were very helpful with landscapes, and sketching carrot people were excellent. I’m looking forward to everything else you have planned for upcoming classes.” J.G. from MT

-“The projects were very interesting. Learning the bear, and the shoe, for me was great. I was amazed I could draw them much less paint them. I do want to be able to really draw. I like it that we followed you drawing then painting. Solid learning experience. I feel I have a much better skill level now even though I was intimidated taking this class because I’ve done nothing artistic except my garden. Feedback was gook. You welcome questions, too, which I appreciate. By the way, I love it that you shared books. That resonated with me as I am a serious bookworm.” Thank you for your hard work, appreciated.” J.H. from CT

-“The course went beyond my expectations. Since I am so new at this, I am still exploring what my style might be - but what you did was give me the confidence to keep trying and explore and really enjoy the medium! All the techniques you have covered have helped! M.E. from CT

-“Thank you for giving me the gift of painting. I feel that I understand many of the concepts thank to your great instruction. I know I just have to keep at it. I’ll be taking the next class with you as well.” I.S. from CT

-“Art is your vehicle but a genuine understanding of life’s forces make what you teach most valuable….keep on Roxanne.” J.R. from CT

Are you ready to begin your watercolor journey? You’re in the right place! This is the class that will get you “Up to Speed” - and start a life-long love of watercolor! Click the button below to register and begin the class!