Advanced Watercolor – Ordinary People

Capture the magic of ordinary people at work and play in this three-day advanced watercolor workshop with artist Tara Sweeney. Students will work from a photo reference to create a three-layer monochromatic value study and then a full-color painting using a split-primary limited palette. By analyzing the structure of light, shadow, proportion, and balance, students will simplify shapes and values of the human form and take their figure painting to the next level. As the entire class works together step-by-step, the resulting transparent watercolors will feature glowing color, intentional lost and found edges, and lively brushwork.

This advanced class is suitable for students 18+ with watercolor and drawing experience, who have previously taken a class with Tara Sweeney where you completed a three-layer value study and painted with a split primary palette. This prerequisite allows the class to build on shared skills at a more advanced level. The class includes preparatory work assigned by the instructor ahead of class, lots of relevant examples, and individualized feedback from the instructor, including final project follow-up as desired.

Students are required to bring their own materials and can download the materials list by clicking here.