Watercolor & Illustration : February Series - Online Workshops With Marika Hahn

This Watercolor Workshop, using watercolor inks, is designed for adults with varied artistic abilities, everyone is welcome. Inks are transparent and colors are easy to mix and flow beautifully. Participants preferring to use watercolor in tubes are welcome to use their preferred medium.

Each week will have a theme, an inspiration. I will start each class with a demonstration showing specific techniques needed to accomplish completed paintings. Wet on Wet, Wet on Dry, Layering/Glazing and Brush Stroke Techniques are part of building your skills. The class approaches watercolor using graphic illustration with an emphasis on composition and cropping. The process of watercolor painting can be a source of relaxation, expanded creativity and FUN!

Before each class I will send pdf’s of the images we will be working on in class. If participants can print these, to reference in class, it will be helpful but not required.

The SERIES (4 classes) Wednesdays 1-4 PM and 6-9 PM… February 3, 10, 17 and 24

* Most veggies and fruits have simple shapes useful for practicing wet on wet and other fundamentals of watercolor. The February series has a focus on composition, cropping, light and shadow. Participants can add an element of decorative design by either adding a plaid or printed tablecloth under the fruit or veggie or, showing the fruit in a bowl.

1. VEGGIES: 2/03- Painting whole tomatoes (with leaves and stems) placed in a decorative bowl, and tomatoes halved and quartered in front of the bowl, will be a fun project. Participants will be challenged to create an interesting composition before beginning the painting. Thumbnail sketching will be demonstrated. A plaid or printed tablecloth can be added. If time allows, a small painting of a single tomato, with a painted background can be a second project.

2. FRUITS: 2/10- Participants will practice painting assorted varieties of apples with their bold yellow/green and red skins. Adding a stem, leaves, cross sections and thin slices, a beautiful composition will emerge. Thumbnail sketches will be demonstrated before the painting begins. Time permitting ,we’ll work on a single apple placed on a cloth. Participants can design the pattern (print) of the cloth.

3. MONSTERA PHILODENDRON and SNAKE PLANTS: 2/17- Some of my favorite furniture catalogs and magazines often show these houseplants juxtaposed with furniture. Both varieties of plants have strong graphic appeal. In this class we will add a bird perched on one of these plants. Reference of both the plants and birds will be sent before the class meets. Participants will choose the bird and plant they want to paint and plan a good composition….this is really fun!!!

4. FROM THE GARDEN: EDIBLE FLOWERS- 2/24- Many flowers grown for their showy blossoms are also edible. Participants can choose from references sent before class, and create a poster. Among the references will be Borage, Nasturtiums, Pansies and Cornflowers.