Creating Abstracts with Watermedia

Curious about abstract watermedia techniques? Struggling with creating a pleasing and effective design in your compositions? If so, this is the class that will help you get on the path to success!

This workshop will focus on where to find inspiration and how to develop your own abstract style. Design and Composition will be explored as part of the process. Step by step instructions will be given as a guide to creating no fail abstracts with lots of WOW FACTOR. We will explore different ways of application of the watercolor medium as well as a variety of mixed mediums. There will be a minimum of two demos per day and plenty of painting time, during which the instructor will be available to individual students for consultation on their painting process. Students may use either watercolor or acrylic for this class.

The Principles and Elements of Design to paint strong and powerful paintings will be introduced and reviewed for their importance in planning and evaluating your work. You will learn how to use each element as a tool to build your paintings. Techniques to develop good design will be taught. Watercolor or Acrylic along with other mixed media may be used. Subject matter will be varied, and you may paint the subject matter of your choice. You will receive a digital Design Workbook. Examples of how Design is used in art will be explained through storyboards. The principles will be used to evaluate your work.

The instructor has supplied two materials lists for you to use. If you work in primarily watercolor, please review the list so indicated. If you work in Acrylics, please utilize the one indicated as such. It is the responsibility of those attending class to bring appropriate materials to class.

About the Instructor:

Kathleen Scoggin is an abstract artist working in watercolor, acrylic and mixed media. Her paintings are organic in nature, full of texture and line. She uses a spontaneous approach, letting the medium “do its thing” and then apply design principles to bring it together. Her work is bold, dramatic and colorful! Kathleen is an experienced instructor with a long history in the Coachella Valley who presently lives in the San Diego area.

WATERCOLOR BASIC SUPPLY LIST

You do not need all of these supplies, it is a list of those I use. Helpful to have those with an *

*PAPER: ARCHES watercolor paper (I use rough 140#) Best if you paint on ¼ sheets or larger.

*BRUSHES: #10 round, flats 1”and 2” or 11/2” & 1 rigger I use Robert Simmons Skyflow flat wash brushes from Cheap Joes. Soft hair hake can sub for a flat wash

*PALLET: I use two, but one will do.

*BOARDS: 1-Plexi (Lowes or Home Depot) & 1- other board (gater board is good), cut 1” larger than paper

*OTHER STUFF: Spray bottle, natural sponge, paper towels, water bucket, pencil, eraser, scissors, sketch book & felt tip pen(Sharpie)

*PAINTS: Below are the colors I use. You do not need all of these colors. Bring what you have. Paints below are either American Journey or DaVinci.

Palette #1

Yellow Ochre, Aureolin, Gamboge Hue, Benzimida Orange,Quinacridone Gold, Alizarin Crimson, Permanent. Red, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Burnt Sienna, Olive Green, PhathaloTurquoise, Phathalo Green, Permanent or Quin. Magenta, Phathalo Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Turquoise

Palette #2

*Titanium White and Black – Gouache is ok instead of watercolor.Titanium Buff, French Gray, Coastal Fog, Pat’s Coastal Blue, Naples Yellow, Nickel Azo Yellow, Green Gold, Skip’s Green, Peachy Keen, Orchid, Sky Blue, Periwinkle, Cerulean Blue, Blue Stone, Indigo.

OTHER COLORS YOU MAY LIKE:

Opus – Da Vinci

Mint Julep, Sag Harbor Grey, Raw Sienna – AJ

UnderSea Green, Moon Glow & Lunar Blue - Daniel Smith

Transparent Pyrrole Orange – Qor-

MISC. ITEMS: *Candle, * Old Credit Card

Stabilo Pencil Aquarellable - mfg #8046, paper-glass-plastic-metal- Art Supply Warehouse / Amazon (I will have the stabile pencil for sale to students)

ArtGraf Tailor-Shape Water-Soluble Graphite – Cheap Joes

Derwent XL Charcoal – Amazon or Blick Art Materials

Derwent Inktense Pencil Set or other water soluble colored pencils- Cheap Joes/ Michaels

Derwent Intense Blocks – Cheap Joes

Oil Pastels – Michaels or any art supply store

Soft Pastels- Michaels or any art supply store

Stabilo Woody – large watersoluble pencils - Amazon

Acrylic Workshop Supply List

Standard colors:

YOU DO NOT NEED ALL COLORS LISTED BELOW.

Please bring your favorite colors and what you already have. I use a combo of heavy body, fluid and high flow acrylics. Not all of the colors come in all forms and some are only from Golden. I also like Da Vinci paints.

Standard colors:

Yellow Ochre

Phthalo Blue

Phthalo Green

Yellow - Primary

Quinacridone Red

Alizarin Crimson

Ultramarine or Cobalt Blue

Turquoise or Cobalt Teal

Black and white gesso

SPECIAL FAVES OF MINE BUT NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE

Pyrrole Orange

Green Gold

Quin Nickel Azo Gold

Sap Green

Phthalo Turquiose

Quin Magenta

Deep Violet

Naples Yellow

Titan Buff

Vat Orange

Indigo (Anthraquinone Blue)

Brushes Bring any old brushes you may have. DO NOT BRING YOUR GOOD WATERCOLOR BRUSHES!

1 - Flat wash brush 1½"- soft synthetic wash brush

1- Round - # 6 or #10

1- Rigger

1- 1” & 1- 2" inexpensive flat bristle type brush from the hardware store

Supports – You may work on watercolor paper, canvas or board.

Miscellaneous Equipment

. -Notebook and pencil

- water spray bottle

- Sketch book

- Sharpie fine point marker or Faber-Castell markers

- Water bucket

- Paper towels or blue shop towels

- Paper plates for palate

- Apron and gloves as you require

- Glue and any collage papers you may have. Ones with patterns work well

Stencils and Stamps

Small empty spray bottle

newspaper

MISC. ITEMS: Suggested but not necessary to have. I will have some supplies for student use in class.

*Candle, * Old Credit Card

Any collage papers you may have. Ones with texture work best.

Stabilo Pencil Aquarellable - mfg #8046, paper-glass-plastic-metal available at Art Supply Warehouse or Amazon

ArtGraf Tailor-Shape Water-Soluble Graphite – Cheap Joes

Derwent XL Charcoal – Amazon or Blick Art Materials

Derwent Inktense Pencil Set or other water soluble colored pencils - Cheap Joes/ Michaels

Derwent Intense Blocks – Cheap Joes

Oil Pastels – Michaels

Soft Pastels- Michaels

Posca Acrylic Paint Marker Set, 8 Color Medium - Amazon

- I clean brushes with mixture of 1/3 Murphy’s Oil Soap, 1/3 alcohol & 1/3 water-

- Alcohol wipes, lava soap and nail brush are good for cleaning hands.

Please bring along any other acrylic painting supplies that you may have.

Email Kathleen if you have questions [email protected]

Host or Publisher Artists Council