Simplifying Watercolor Painting: Techniques for Negative Painting and Creating Depth

Do you get frustrated with watercolor? Is it not behaving like you imagined it would? In this easy class, we’ll let go of that frustration and learn to have fun with watercolors.  

Join illustrator, author & educator, Mirka Hokkanen, as she teaches you how to explore watercolor behavior using the negative painting technique, and learn how to create a sense of depth in your paintings with three simple design principles. By the end of the class, you‘ll have a beautiful painting to keep or gift, and confidence in a new skill to add in your painting toolbox. 

What you’ll learn:

• Basic tools for successful watercolor painting: papers, paint, brushes and other supplies
• Warm up and get comfortable with simple exercises
• 3 Design rules to create depth with negative painting
• Painting a beautiful greenhouse with a variety of plants.
• Adding simple details to create interest in paintings

Although this class is perfect for beginners, even more experienced painters can join in and have fun with this technique. 

What you’ll need:

• Set of watercolor paints
• A watercolor brush that has a point, in a small, medium and large size. (I recommend the Princeton Select Pointed Filbert Brush #4, available at most craft stores in the US, or  any average watercolor round brush.)
• Watercolor paper, 140lbs/300gsm, I recommend hot press for this project. 
• Large jug of water
• Pencil - either graphite, or I like (Prismacolor Col-Erase) red pencils, as long as it’s not water soluble.
• Paper towels 
• Masking fluid, or white paint/gouache for greenhouse lines.
• White plate, or mixing pan
• Optional: Waterproof color pencils, to add details.

What are you waiting for? 

Let’s have fun with watercolors - can’t wait to see you in class!