Tuesday, September 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM and
Thursday, October 1 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Paint loose, expressive poppies while learning how to create depth, contrast, and blending with watercolor — no drawing required!
What you’ll do
You’ll start by painting poppies freely, using simple shapes, soft edges, and flowing color rather than a pencil sketch. Their delicate, paper-like petals make them a forgiving subject and a great way to practice painting more loosely.
You’ll also create a monochromatic watercolor study using just one color. By changing the ratio of water to pigment, you’ll build a full range of light and dark values and see how those shifts create contrast, depth, and dimension.
What you’ll learn
How to paint loosely without starting from a drawing
How to think in shapes when building a flower
How to use lost and found edges in loose watercolor painting
How to create a range of values using a single color
How water-to-pigment ratios affect light, dark, depth, and blending
Great for: Watercolor artists of all levels, especially beginners.
Instructor: Rita Carpenter is a watercolor artist and photographer drawn to the balance between loose color and careful control. Her classes are thoughtful, encouraging, and designed to help students build confidence while becoming more comfortable with watercolor.
Schedule
This is one class held over two dates. Registration includes both sessions.
Tuesday, September 29 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Thursday, October 1 – 9:30–11:00 AM
Cost: $78
What to bring: Watercolor paints and brushes, watercolor paper (two ¼- or ⅛-sheets, whichever you prefer), a board to paint on, pencil and eraser, paper towel, an old rag, two water containers, a fine-mist spray bottle, and any other watercolor tools you normally like to use.