Watercolor is known for being loose and expressive, but it also the perfect medium for creating more controlled illustrations that take advantage of its unique transparent and luminous qualities. It is a favorite of children’s book artists, botanical artists, and illustrators of all types. You’ll find watercolor illustrations on everything from stationary to fabric patterns to food packaging!
In this one-day workshop, you’ll learn the process of using watercolor to create colorful illustrations that take advantage of this versatile medium’s unique qualities. Focusing on individual subjects, we’ll go through the steps of building an illustration from observation and drawing through to layering paint in a methodical way to build depth and dimension with color and value. Through demonstration and instructor guidance, you’ll learn drawing, paint handling, and color mixing techniques that will help provide you the tools and inspiration to create watercolor illustrations of your own.
During class we’ll also view several examples of watercolor illustration from different artists to help inspire your own creative practice.
This class is open to artists of all levels, whether you are exploring a new medium or already have prior watercolor experience. Some drawing and/or painting experience is helpful.
To facilitate the learning process and keep paint & paper costs down, the instructor will be providing watercolor paint, small pieces of cotton watercolor paper, and a few other supplies that you’ll use for this workshop. The materials cost is included in the registration fee.
About the Instructor: Tara Connaughton
Tara Connaughton is an artist/illustrator & art instructor living near the coast in Scituate, MA. Her botanical and nature-inspired paintings have earned multiple awards, and she has exhibited her artwork through numerous local and regional galleries and venues around the Boston area.
Tara teaches watercolor and botanical illustration through local workshops, privately, and at organizations around the Boston area and South Shore. She has a Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration, and uses her passion for painting and love of nature to teach and inspire others to find their creative spirit and connect with the world around them.
Tara also creates custom art and illustration for clients across a wide range of subjects, with a focus on custom art for wedding invitations and stationery.
Instructor will provide watercolor paint, small pieces of cotton watercolor paper and a few other supplies. Students are asked to bring the following, please reach out with any questions.
Additional Supplies:
- Paintbrushes — small & medium (size 2 and size 4 or 6) watercolor brush (I will have some medium size brushes to borrow, but I encourage you to have your own for your painting practice after class)
- Practice-grade watercolor paper - a few pieces of 9x12” or a watercolor-friendly sketchbook
- 2 jars or cups for water (I will have some water containers to borrow as well)
- Drawing/sketch paper several pieces (printer paper is fine!)
- HB Pencil and soft eraser
- A flat white ceramic dish as your palette to mix paint on (I will have small palette dishes to borrow if you do not have one already)
