Modern Watercolor Techniques for Beginners

In-Depth 4 Day Workshop with Special Guest Artist Ana Calderón

Ana Victoria Calderón is an American/Mexican artist based in Mexico City. She's coming to Makers Mess to teach this incredible workshop and we're so excited to have her! Ana teaches limited workshops every year, while managing her studio, where she sells her art prints and products online and works with great clients, including Hallmark, Galison, Papyrus, Up With Paper, Studio Oh!, Demdaco and Design Design.

In her workshop you will learn both basic watercolor techniques and fun new ways to use your paints mixed with other mediums and house hold supplies, such as salt and bleach. She will give you an in depth look into her favorite art supplies and how to use them properly. Watercolor can be intimidating but she makes it easy and fun with her tips and tricks. You will be amazed with the results you can obtain with her simple direction, no experience necessary! Students will leave this class having a better understanding of watercolors and awesome illustrations that can be pieces of art on their own or used in personal projects.
Schedule:

Session 1

• Basic watercolor techniques
• Transparencies and gradients
• Pulse and precision

Session 2

• Progressive painting activity
• We will start loosening up and understanding the real value of watercolors

Session 3

• Experimental watercolor
• Mixing watercolors with different supplies, this is my signature “baby planets” activity!
• Painting Jellyfish

Session 4

• Paint a magical galaxy, universe or supernova!

Supplies students must bring:

1. Watercolor paper pad: recommended size 9” x 12”,
2. Watercolor paints: Pan sets or tubes are both great. Cotman, Winsor & Newton, Sennelier and Schmincke are GREAT brands.
3. Different sized round brushes: Size 0, 1 and 8 are recommended.
4. Palette: this can be a ceramic/plastic bowl, or you can use the back of your pan set as well.

Teacher will provide:

1. Assortment of specialized paints to experiment with
2. India ink
3. White acrylic paint
4. Household supplies for experimental textures (salt, bleach, etc.)
5. Visual material

Q&A

Q: Are materials provided? 
A: Yes, materials are provided unless stated otherwise in the class description.