Richard Stephens

Watercolor

September 7 - 11, 2009

Richard Stephens. workshops are informative, fun and challenging for beginners, intermediates, or advanced painters. Using clear descriptive graphics, slides and print material, Stephens emphasizes the basic design principals he has successfully incorporated in his thirty-year career as a commercial artist and as an award winning watercolorist.

  .Design is what it is all about. Great technique will not make up for poor planning and design. I truly believe there are certain simple truths that once understood, will improve one.s painting immediately..

A typical day at a workshop begins with a short, entertaining lecture on the topic of the day. Stephens will then do a complete painting explaining his decision making process as it happens, emphasizing the WHY as much as the HOW.

  Mid-morning, with Stephens. demonstration fresh on their minds, the students begin applying these new ideas to their own paintings. After a break for lunch, the group completes their watercolors. Richard offers the students the option of private or group critiques.

 "We learn together and from each other, and have fun doing it. What more could you ask!"

FEE: $ 550 per student includes

5 day workshop and lunches

Beginner - advanced

Artist website: www.raswatercolors.com

SUPPLY LIST

BRUSHES: For this class you will need only 4 brushes. Synthetic brushes are less expensive and will work just fine for our projects and exercises. . 1. Flat(or larger)     . 1/2. Flat(or smaller) . Large Round(# 6,7,or 8) . Small Round (For making fine lines)

PALETTE: Nothing fancy required here. Actually a white dinner plate or butcher tray will do. Inexpensive plastic palettes with .wells. for keeping colors separated are available at local art supply stores or on line. These come with lids that keep your pigment from drying out and would be worth the investment.

PAINT: Tube colors are strongly recommended but cake or pan colors will do if that is what you are used to. For the sake of expense we will work with a minimum of colors. You certainly can purchase all the colors you want but the following will be all you actually need for this class.

Reds: Alizarin Crimson and Cadmium Red

Blues: Ultramarine and Cerulean

Yellows: Cadmium Yellow and Lemon Yellow

Browns: Burnt or Raw Umber

Optional Colors: Hooker.s or Sap Green, Burnt Sienna and Yellow Ochre

PAPER: I suggest 140 Lb. Cold Press watercolor paper. Full sheets are 22. x 30.. We will cut these into 1/2 and 1/4 sections for most of our projects. Watercolor blocks or pads are acceptable and come in a variety of sizes. You will also need a small SKETCH PAD( 8. x 10. or 11. x 14.) for designing and value sketches.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS: The following items are things you probably have around the house but are important tools in the painting process:

Water resistant gatorboard, masonite, coated plywood, plexiglas, formica or lucite. Needs to be slightly larger than 15" x 22"(1/2 sheet w/c paper). Or slightly larger than 30" x 22" if you plan on painting on full sheet.

• Water container that will hold at least a pint of water and wide enough for your widest brush
• Cellulose Sponge
• #2 Pencils
• 4 Bulldog Clips for securing paper to board
• Masking Tape
• Spray Bottle
• Paper Towels or Tissues
• Kneaded Eraser
• Fine Line, Medium and Broad Tip Black Magic Markers(optional)

The supplies listed above are the most basic necessary for the level of projects we will have in this class. You certainly may already have all these or wish to purchase a wider variety of brushes and paints.