What we’re about
We are the Arts Alliance of Stratford, a group of artists making art in CT. Come and join us, make art, talk art and be inspired.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Watercolor, Beginner and IntermediateSterling House Community Center, Stratford, CT$170.00
Instructor: Donna Osterby-Brien
5-session, in-person course, Saturday mornings beginning October 11, 2025
Ages: 16+
Skill level: absolute beginnerCost for five sessions: $170.00
Syllabus
- Lesson 1
- Evaluating NEW students' abilities and level
- Review of Basic watercolor paint application; brushwork techniques
- Students will create swatches with their own watercolors
- Color Theory: Understanding color basics.
- Lesson 2
- Creating light in the painting
- Shadow and shading, and the importance of value in composition.
- Mixing colors on the paper, not on the palette
- Lesson 3
- Basic Principles of creating Depth in landscape and still life
- linear (convergence of lines)
- atmospheric; overlap of forms
- edges; diminution (size of forms)
- Lesson 4
- Principles of composition: How to keep the viewer engaged in your painting.
- Lesson 5
- Complete any outstanding work or utilize new reference material of the student's choice.
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Materials (students are responsible for bringing their own materials)- Basic Watercolors: Prang Half Pan Watercolor Paint Set
- We have found the Prang half pan set gives us a good variety of colors.
Colors
- Alizarin Crimson or Carmine
- Cadmium Red *
- Cadmium Yellow Medium*
- Lemon Yellow
- Sap Green*
- Viridian Green*
- Ultramarine Blue *
- Cerulean Blue
- Cobalt blue
*must have colors if buying watercolor paint in tubes.
Yellow will need to be replenished soon. You can use a tube of cadmium yellow medium to refill the paint tray.
Brushes - Purchase brushes comparable to the ones suggested below. Should have at least a large brush and a #6 plus a “liner’ brush which is the smallest thinnest one in the set
- Sable Watercolor Brushes Professional Kolinsky Watercolor Paint Brushes for Artists 6pcs, available on Amazon.com for under $20.00
- Watercolor Paper: Michaels
- 11”x15” XL Canson Watercolor Pad, 30 sheets 140 lb cold-pressed/acid-free**
- 9” x 12” XL Canson Watercolor pad, 30 sheets 140 lb. cold-pressed/acid-free**
- Mixing palette students may use the lid of the paint set to mix their colors. Students can also bring in a WHITE plastic dinner plate for an additional color mixing surface.
- Gallon jug of water
- Approximate cost: $2.00
- If you prefer to shop locally for your supplies, you can purchase comparable items at Michaels, Jerry’s Artarama or any arts or crafts store of your choice.
Notes:
We have found that some other watercolor pad brands have a pattern pressed into the paper, which can cause you many problems. It's best to stick with the Canson XL, as recommended by another very good teacher, and I've found it to be good as well. There are even better brands, but they are more expensive, often $1.00 per sheet per pad. As a beginner, no need to spend more; the Canson XL will be fine.The main criteria to watch for is Acid Free/Cold Pressed 140lb at least.
It is recommended that you buy a Mixed Media pad for your compositional studies and testing paint colors as you are painting.
**Michaels rarely has these papers in the store. If you're going to pay shipping, it's better to go to Dick Blick. Check out their sizes and styles of binding of Canson XL pads.
About the Instructor
Donna Osterby-Brien has had a love affair with watercolor since studying at Parsons School of Design. Though proficient with many other mediums, she has been told “You shine brightly” when using watercolor.”
“My approach to watercolor is to use a fully loaded brush of beautiful color. It is, after all, WATER – COLOR.” Together we will learn to ‘tame this medium’ and allow its semi-transparent nature to really shine.”
