Mike Kowalski

We are all students of watercolor painting, drawn to it through different pathways. As a youth, the art of N.C. Wyeth brought stories alive. In later years, I was moved by the California Impressionists. As I got more serious about watercolor, my “teachers” included John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, and other “masters” of the medium. I have always been an observer of other artists’ work, looking with a keen eye at how they solved the problem of a painting. There is an infinite amount of education to be had by considering what watercolor masters have done before us.

In this workshop, we will use the work of some of my favorite painters to gain an understanding of what makes a dynamic watercolor painting. From John Singer Sargent, we will look at descriptive, simple, luscious brushwork. Edward Hopper shows us how to compose an interesting scene. Emile Kosa Jr incorporates bold color and contrast. Edward Seago is a master at simplifying landscape forms.

We will include color-mixing techniques, brushwork, paper choice, and composition subject matter during the course. Sketching and value studies as a way to build confidence and work out ideas will be stressed. Using these watercolor masters as a jumping-off point, we’ll see what we can add to our own work by gleaning what we find exciting, interesting, and bewitching in the paintings we study. Landscapes, city scenes, and figures will be our predominant subject matter.

This should be a fun, lively, and informative workshop. I hope you’ll join me.

Supply List

Experience Level - Intermediate to Advanced

Non Members Fee: $475.00 Members Fee: $450.00