Paper
Traditionally made 100% cotton rag paper (weight at least 140 lb/300 gsm) is recognised as the best watercolour paper. There are different makes such as Arches, Saunders Waterford, Fabriano. There are 3 types of surface: Rough, NOT and HP. HP is unsuitable for landscapes. I prefer either Arches or Saunders Waterford NOT type. 100% rag paper is expensive. Less expensive is Bockingford paper (made from wood pulp) or high quality cartridge paper such as Snowdon 140 lb. The surface of the paper you use very much affects the painting you produce. The paper for drawing exercises will be provided for free. Single sheets of 100% cotton paper will be available at an at-cost price (eg £1.50 per 11" x 15" sheet). Also an A4 or larger sketchpad, at least 90 lb/150 gsm (I often use Daler Rowney) is good for tonal sketches. So all the paper you will need, to start with, is a sketchpad, and watercolour paper - the latter being available from me at cost (cash payments please).
Paints
Watercolour paints are available in tubes, pans or half pans. Tube paints are often preferred by professional artists as they are versatile; they can be used moist from the tube or left in a palette to dry and then be used by adding water. The pans or half pans are small plastic tubs with hard paint inside. Water is added to make them usable. They also come in two grades, Student or Artist. Student grade is cheaper; Artist grade more expensive but contains more pigment (stronger colour). Watercolour can always be revived by adding water, so wastage is minimal.
Colours I use: mainly French Ultramarine, Cobalt, Cerulean Blue, Lemon Yellow, Aureolin Yellow, Quinacridone Gold, Raw Siena, Burnt Siena, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson. These are the basics. I also have various others including Raw Umber, Neutral Tint, Pthalo/Manganese Blue, Venetian Red. White paint is used very sparingly in watercolour. However a small tube of titanium white or a white gel pen is useful for adding highlights. There are many manufacturers of watercolour paints: the colours produced by different makers may vary though having the same name.
Brushes
The traditional brushes for watercolour were those made from animal hair (sable or squirrel). However because of animal welfare issues these are being replaced by excellent synthetic alternatives. I currently use Princeton Aqua Elite synthetic brushes. A good set I would suggest is their Long Round No. 6, Long Round No. 12 and Quill No. 6. I also like Escoda Versatil and Da Vinci brushes. Unfortunately the numbers on brushes are not standardised; different makes have different size charts. The art suppliers Jacksons (largest in UK) provide a very accurate description of the exact size of brushes, ie the width and length of the brush hairs. Round brushes are the most commonly used for watercolour. A reasonably priced alternative is Prolene Pro Arte. Round Sizes 7 or 8, 10 and 14 would be a good start. I would recommend buying individual brushes rather than a 'set' which is likely to include brushes you won't need.
Pencils
I like to use soft graphite pencils 2B, 3B or 4B. I also use Caran-D'Ache water soluble graphite pencils for producing tonal value sketches. An eraser and sharpener to go with the pencils. For the drawing exercises use your preferred pencil or one you want to try out.
Palette, etc
A good palette is essential. If you buy a tin with pans/half pans a palette will likely be included. If you use tube paints then I would suggest the Liz Deakin or the New Compact palette sold by Ken Bromley Art Supplies (both around £15). A palette should have 12 or more small areas for holding individual colours and 5 or more larger areas for mixing. You will also need: a board for fixing your paper on to (sturdy cardboard or MDF can suffice) a bit larger than your paper size; 1" masking tape for fixing the paper, a water pot; kitchen paper/cloth/sponge for removing excess water from brushes and cleaning the palette. An easel is not necessary. However it is good to have your board at a slight angle eg 15 degrees for when painting at a table it is good to have something to raise the back of your board a couple of inches - I use as small box. Also I find essential a small water spray bottle (I use one by Derwent, very good at about £4)
DATES, TIMES AND COSTS
The lessons will start on Wed 7th May 2025, from 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm and be on a weekly basis during term time. There will be a tea break half way through. * See note below
The cost is on a sliding scale: £12 - £24, whatever you can afford. I ask for a block of 6 lessons to be paid in advance by BACs payment; or cash is acceptable per lesson. Please email me to book.
The suggested list of materials is printed above.
Lesson Content
The lessons are suitable for all levels. We will spend a short time on drawing exercises; and look at composition, tonal values and hard and soft edges. In my view, these areas are central to the creation of successful representational (ie non-abstract) paintings.
We will also cover watercolour techniques: colour mixing, working from light to dark, flat and graded washes, wet-into-wet, dry brush and the use of white body colour (non-transparent).
I will provide handouts listing the main principles of my instruction, so you will not need to take notes. The class will be limited to 12 members, as I aim to give all students equal attention.
FREE DEMONSTRATIONS
I am offering a free demonstration of a watercolour landscape at MIC: Saturday 12th April at 2.00 pm and Monday 14th April at 7.00 pm. Lasting around 75 minutes, this demonstration will be an opportunity to see my style of work and to ask any questions you may have.
* Please note that space at MIC is not available on 21st May and 28th May is Half Term. Therefore the first 6 lessons will be on 7th May, 14th May, 4th June, 11th June, 18th June and 25th June.