Two Day Watercolor Workshop w/ Cheryl Ann Boc-Chidester

Unleash your creativity and breathe vibrant life into your favorite memories! This dynamic, two-day workshop is designed for anyone looking to master the basics of watercolor while exploring exciting, non-traditional techniques.
Over two days, you will dive into foundational watercolor methods—such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry-on-dry—and demystify color theory through hands-on mixing. But we won't stop there! This experimental class invites you to play with texture and test how watercolor interacts with unique surfaces, including mineral paper, black paper, and handmade papers.
Working primarily from photographs, you will learn how to translate a cherished memory—whether a landscape, a special event, or a simple still life—into a beautiful painting. Cheryl will guide you through composition and drawing, with easy tracing and transfer options available if your drawing skills feel a bit tentative. Bring your curiosity, your favorite photos, and a desire to have fun!
Level: Beginner to Intermediate (All levels welcome!)
Dates: Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27
Time: 1 - 5 p.m.
Registration: LACA Members: $200, Non-Members: $220 Please note: Tuition does not include supplies. See the list below.
Students are asked to bring their own basic supplies, snacks, and a personal tabletop or floor easel if they prefer to use one. The instructor will have unique specialty papers and supplemental materials on hand to share during experimental exercises.
Required Reference Material
Enlarged Photographs: Bring an 8x10 or 11x14 print of a photograph you took of a favorite place, activity, or memory (simple images usually work best). Note: The instructor will also have a selection of reference images available.
Paper & Drawing Supplies (Recommended)
Watercolor Paper: At least 11” x 15” size, acid-free rag paper. (Recommended brands: Arches, Fabriano, or Strathmore). We will be cutting/tearing these into half and quarter sheets.
Pencil: HB or Soft B pencil.
Eraser: Staedtler Mars Plastic eraser is highly recommended.
Ruler: 12-inch or longer.
Brushes & Paint (Recommended)
Brushes: * 2 to 3 round watercolor brushes (ranging from size 4 to size 12).
At least one flat brush (1” or larger).
One fan brush.
Paints: Tubes of watercolor paint. A great place to start is a starter kit of 5ml tubes. (Recommended brands: Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, or Holbein).
Palette: A plastic or metal paint palette with wells (you will want at least several circular or rectangular mixing wells).
Studio Tools & Essentials (Recommended)
Masking fluid
Natural sponges
Masking tape or painter's tape
X-acto knife
Original Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
2 Containers for water
Paper towels
Cheryl Ann Boc-Chidester is a Michigan-based artist, educator, and architectural historian who loves experimenting with rich textures, vibrant light, and color. She holds a BFA and an MS from Eastern Michigan University and serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Watercolor Society. Her award-winning artwork—frequently blending watercolor with unique media and papers—has been exhibited extensively throughout the Midwest. As an enthusiastic instructor, Cheryl is dedicated to helping students of all skill levels learn foundational techniques, play with new mediums, and capture meaningful memories through visual storytelling.