Curious about watercolour painting but not sure where - or how - to start? Perhaps you used to enjoy the art but time has passed and now you’re a little rusty? Feeling like you’re in a creative rut and that playing in a safe, creative space is just what you need to get the juices flowing again?
This one-day masterclass with artist Katie Rose Johnston will see you challenge your fears of the dreaded blank page, release expectations of the paint, and help you to discover your own ways of communicating with watercolour.
Rather than a twee, decorative artform, watercolour can open new realms of creative possibility. It requires as much skill and concentration as any other medium, but that does not mean it needn’t be fun. Through a series of simple and fun techniques, Katie will set the foundations for you to figure out your own ways of working to break that mould, the importance of embracing ‘failings’ - and how to relax into developing your own paintings.
Course content
Setting up your workspace: watercolour papers, paint types, brushes and masking fluids
Colour palettes: a discussion
Intuition: practice playful mark making to embrace the unpredictability of watercolour
Using the brush: makie simple motifs and shapes through brushwork and muscle memory
Letting the paint do the work: experiment with wet-on-wet techniques, blending, tone, and structure
Layering: learn the most vital skill in watercolour and how to apply it
Composing an image: how to use pencil to work out proportions and build a final composition
Finding your style: avoiding cliché, work on your own painting to figure out a style that reflects your unique way of using watercolour
Tutor profile
Katie Rose Johnston is a London-based illustrator, designer and watercolour painter. Using traditional media to tackle subjects both classic and modern, her often playful designs are informed by a characteristic sense of humour and a love of bold colour. Her illustrations and designs have been used across advertising, publication and music by international clients, including Penguin and Universal Music. Alongside her illustration work, Katie teaches a regular programme of watercolour workshops. An ethos of play and inclusivity is at the heart of her approach, which is centred on using painting as a means of mental well-being. See her website here.
Details
Date: Saturday 18 April 2020
Times: Full-day course, 10am-4pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £129 plus £6.48 booking fee
Event capacity: 30
Complimentary lunch and refreshments included.
You may also be interested in…
Sign up to our newsletter and you’ll be among the first to find out about our latest courses and special offers. You can also follow us on Twitter, and read our latest articles and interviews on our blog.
Information on Guardian Masterclasses
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible - but please contact us if you have any queries or concerns.
Returns policy
Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
