Fresh, Loose & Lively: Extending Watercolour Techniques - Mixed Media | John Lovett

Join John Lovett for three days of hands on fun and discovery.

What will I learn?

Watercolor is a wonderful, responsive medium. This workshop takes watercolor’s immediacy and excitement and introduces ink, pastel, charcoal, gesso and gouache to produce a rich vibrant result suited to a great variety of subjects.

We will learn techniques that allow us to work loosely and intuitively, responding to what is happening within the painting, rather than sticking rigidly to a predetermined plan.

John will guide you through his approach to watercolor, then encourage you to expand on that with a variety of exciting techniques that blend with and extend the traditional approach to watercolor painting.

You will learn to:

• Work on the painting as a balanced whole rather than a collection of separate parts
• Relate different techniques to different subjects
• Keep control and balance subtlety with accidental looseness.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is suitable for all skills levels.

What do I need to bring?

Paint:
French Ultramarine Blue • Phthalo Blue - Green or Yellow shade (or Winsor or Prussian) • Permanent Alizarin Crimson (or Art Spectrum Permanent Crimson) • Permanent Rose • Quinacridone Gold (or Indian Yellow) • White Gouache • Small container of Gesso 

Optional Colours: Cobalt Blue • Aureolin • Phthalo Green • Burnt Sienna • Indigo 

Ink Burnt Sienna pigment ink (Art Spectrum) Screw cap on tight and seal in zip lock plastic bag if flying. • Plain dip in pen and nib 

Brushes: 1/2 inch at Taklon (One Stroke) • 1/4 inch at Taklon(One Stroke) • 1/8 inch at Taklon(One Stroke) • #1 or #2 Taklon liner • Neef are a good brand of taklon brush • An old 1/2” bristle house painting brush (I will supply these) • 2” or 3” Hake brush (GOAT HAIR) 

Paper: I prefer Arches Watercolour blocks 300gsm (140lb) 26x36cm (approx.10" x 14") or I carry sheets of arches paper cut into quarters and tape them onto a core flute backing board with masking tape as I paint on them. 

Other:
Old hand towel - Handy for adjusting the amount of water in your brush. 
Palette - Small enamel or plastic folding palette 
Pencils - A couple of Schwan Stabillo or Conte, pastel pencils (Brown/ Grey) • A black and a white charcoal pencil. • A couple of inktense pencils (Brown/ Grey) and a craft knife to keep them sharp 
Water Spray Bottle - Small atomizer type sprays are best for traveling. If you can't find one of these, cut down the tube on a normal spray bottle to screw onto a smaller container. 
Masking Tape
Small sketch pad 
If you have one, iPad or smart phone to view images
 

• Bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by
• Bring your painting gear and as many questions as you wish to ask

What will be provided?

• Tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community