For each session, we’ll be painting a different animal or portrait. I’ll send out a reference photo of what we’ll be working on before the class.

There is a list of materials you’ll need below. For a longer list of tools & materials I recommend, visit My Tools page

For this class you'll need

1. Watercolor paper

2. A set of watercolors

3. Brushes

4. Two jars or cups of water (one for clean water, one to get all dirty)

5. A printout of this canary for reference (linked below)

6. Paper towels

7. A pencil or two

Step 1: Draw the subject

I use a simple transfer technique here. Cover the back of the printout with graphite from your pencil, then flip it over to trace the outlines. You can also use transfer paper, a projector, or freehand your drawing.

Step 2: Large washes of color

Vaguely fill in large areas with a light wash. Watercolor needs to be done from light to dark. It's a transparent medium, so you can layer things, but you can't layer something light over something dark. It just won't work. Details come later.

Step 3: Add broad strokes of shading

Start defining areas that have a deeper color. Some details can be added in here.

Step 4: Fine details

With smaller & smaller brushes, we'll get to add our details.

Supply list

You’ll need your own materials for this 1-hour session. As always, I recommend visiting your local art supply store, but Amazon will do in a pinch.

Water

Any kind of cups will do, but you absolutely need water for watercolors. Sorta important.

Paper towels

Paper towels are my #1 watercolor tool. You’ll find out why. I’m guessing you’ll have these lying around the home or know where to get some, so I’m not going to give you a link.

Paint

There are so many different kinds of paints. Off the bat, i’ll recommend a set of Koi watercolors. They’re not too expensive, and you’ll get a great, diverse palette. The watercolors we use will be in “pans”. Those are the little rectangular color blocks you see - as opposed to watercolors in tubes. Which one is better? Both are good!

Buy from Amazon (but go to your local art store first & ask them)

Brushes

Don’t overthink it or overspend. A few watercolor brushes will do to start. Here is a good set to begin with. As you develop your art, you’ll find that you may want larger brushes for wide washes of color, or smaller ones for fine details. Just like with the paint, the quality of the brush makes a big difference in the quality of your art. But don’t dive in & get the best stuff right away. You’ve got so much room to grow. A simple set is fine for now.

Watercolor brushes (again, go to your local art store first.)

If you’re staring at a wall of brushes and are having decision paralysis, get these:

Round pointed 6

Round 10

1/2” or 3/4” flat

Watercolor paper

This canson XL watercolor paper will do. And believe me, you’ll want the right kind of paper.

Buy here (you know what to do though. Local art store first)