Basic Watercolor Techniques
This watercolor course was appropriate for beginner or intermediate students who had little experience with watercolor painting.
Students learned watercolor basics and the wet-on-wet technique for soft, natural effects. Attendants tried out different watercolor effects and were challenged with a monotone watercolor piece, using the techniques they had learned.
Attendees were then introduced to rocks and tree trunks using wet-on-dry techniques. They mastered wet-on-dry for crisp, defined shapes like rocks and tree trunks.
Students practiced brush control and textures with studies of vegetables and fruits. Attendees were challenged to paint live objects, concentrating on the textures, shapes, and shadows of the objects.
They also learned color mixing, light/shadow, perspective, and human figures. There was an option to continue with more advanced watercolor techniques for an additional four weeks.
Advanced Watercolor Techniques
Week 1:
Ocean scene – learned the treatment of waves and splashes. Layering, applying wet-on-wet, and wet-on-dry techniques were essential in creating beautiful ocean waves.
Week 2:
Snow scene – treated negative space and light sources. You were presented with ways of capturing scenic views of snow scenes using watercolors.
Week 3:
Street scenes – learned perspective and composition of the pictorial plane. Instead of copying the street scene as we see it, and instead of taking a photo, you were shown ways to deal with street scenes by creating movement in your compositions and mastering three-point perspective.
Week 4:
Urban scenes – outdoor urban sketching. Learned how to select and determine the focus, capture scenes on the spot, and be inspired by the scenes in front of us. You learned to determine the focus of your composition and ways to dramatize it.
Presenter: Richie Cheung
Richie Cheung had been teaching art for over 12 years in art studios, NGOs, universities, and had held private art lessons. He was also commissioned for mural paintings and portrait works and had held workshops for private companies and institutes. Richie could instruct in English and Chinese.
