This course is designed for anyone who wishes to explore or deepen their understanding of watercolour painting, with a focus on fine details and controlled techniques using hot pressed paper only.

Each week, we will explore watercolour techniques, such as wet-on-wet, glazing, layering, dry brush, lifting, edge control and transparency, etc. The techniques can be paired with a specific pigment adapted to the work.

In order to save time on drawing and focus on painting, you can either use a light pad, or, prepare the drawing at home. This class is not about having drawing skills or imagination, but about learning watercolour techniques. You will be guided clearly from start to finish in every project with examples to follow.

Some techniques may feel challenging at first glance, but this course is meant to be a calm and mindful experience. It will lead you to more practical knowledge, inspiration and ideas to be able to follow your own creative journey.

Course outline:

This course is structured to guide you step-by-step through the core techniques of watercolour painting, with a focus on controlled details.

• class 1: overview of essential materials for painting with watercolour (brushes, paper, paints, palettes, pigments) and what secondary colours are.
• Demonstration of different brushes (size, quality, price, etc)

• From week 2, you will focus on one specific watercolour technique in each class.
• Learn how to apply and control paint on hot pressed paper.
• Discover how to mix colours effectively for each technique.
• Explore layering, transparency, contrast, glazing, lifting, darkening colours, etc.

Learning outcomes:

• By the end of this course, you will be able to:
• choose and use pigments
• mix your own colours rather than relying on ready-made colours
• Play with transparency, and how to control water and pigment to create soft transitions, depth, and luminosity in your work
• Discover which methods and effects resonate most with your style.
• Develop an eye for detail and composition
• stay focused to avoid common mistakes in watercolour paintings, including how to fix or adapt a painting when accidents happen.
• Improve focus and concentration: watercolour painting requires attention and organisation – you will develop mindfulness and presence through the painting process.

What to bring

From week 1

• watercolour paper: 100% cotton, 300 gsm, Hot press. Preferably Size A3, but A4 will do.
• 2H Pencil
• Eraser
• Kneadable eraser
• Sharpener with container
• Coreflute Board (from Bunnings or Eckersley, slightly bigger than A3 size)
• Low adhesiveness masking tape, preferably white
• Watercolour palette or a large plate/serving plate
• Watercolour paint (see recommended brands below): The following colours can be in tubes or pan or half pan: Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Viridian Green, Quinacridone Magenta, Rose Madder, Yellow Lemon, Burnt Sienna, Purple PV28 Dioxazine, White Titanium, Paynes Grey (preferably in tube).

Brushes:

• 1 or 2 thin-tip detail brush
• 1 lifting brush (small with short hair)
• 1 large round with thin tip or flat brush

Recommended Brands:

• For paper: Arches or Bao Hong Hot Press
• For eraser: Staedler or Faber Castle
• For watercolour paint: Holbein, Schmincke, Windsor and Newtown professional, Daniel Smith, Sennelier

Art Supplies Discount:

As a bonus for learning Art with SGSCC, all enrolled students are entitled to a generous 10% discount off the purchase of art supplies when they shop in-store at Eckersley’s Art & Craft, Taren Point!
View Eckersley's Website for product ideas.

About tutor:

'Tiffanie Vidal is as much passionate about painting, than teaching and sharing her French “savoir faire”. She began her artistic journey with private tutoring with the teacher of the Art Schools “Beaux Arts”", then followed various classes in South of France and Australia, and le carousel du Louvre in Paris. Shen then studied Interior Design Diploma at CATC School in the Rocks, Sydney.

Having spent over 30 years living overseas, Tiffanie Vidal was immersed in a wide range of artistic cultures and traditions. She took the opportunity to visit museums and heritages houses to widen her knowledge. She found that the most she sees, the most she can find inspiration and creativity. Over time, she chose to specialise in watercolour painting, drawn to its fluidity, transparency, and the way pigments interact with paper. For Tiffanie, watercolour is also a meditative experience, a balance between focus, calm and creativity.'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.