I am pleased to announce a limited set of dates for Summer 2020 in beautiful Boulder, Colorado!  I will be teaching both a Foundation Watercolor Workshop and a Next Level Watercolor Workshop, offering both during each set of dates.  

These courses will be offered along side Calligraphy Workshops by the one-and-only Lindsey Bugbee of The Postman's Knock.  Lindsey be offering her popular Beginner and Intermediate Modern Calligraphy Workshops on the same limited dates, alternating times with our Watercolor Workshops (so you'll be able to sign up for both)!  

We invite you to join us for a blissful fun-filled and information-packed weekend of creativity in beautiful Boulder, Colorado.  Read on for summaries of each Watercolor Workshop, links to Lindsey's Calligraphy Workshops, and information about vacationing in Boulder for those traveling in from out-of-state.

 

Boulder, Colorado

Foundation Watercolor Workshop

This workshop will provide a broad yet thorough foundation for those interested in the process of watercolor painting.  I am including all of the information I wish I would have learned as a beginner.  I took private watercolor lessons starting at a young age, but it wasn't until years later, after finishing fine art school, and after beginning to chase my dreams out in the West that I returned to watercolors and fell passionately in love them.  This workshop is all about sharing that love potion with you.  

 

A small handful of different types of watercolor brushes, each useful for different techniques, applications, and styles.  I wrote a blog post all about Watercolor Brush Basics, and will be sharing more information with examples in these workshops.

 

During this workshop, you can expect to learn:

- Brief history of the watercolor medium

- Getting to know your supplies

- Basic brush handling (including water brushes), color mixing, composition, and watercolor technique

- How to pick a subject & steps to turn your subject into a painting

- Creative confidence

- Power of the sketchbook & establishing a painting practice

 

This workshop will answer the following questions:

Do I need talent to become a skilled watercolor artist?

How is watercolor different from Oils, Acrylics, Gouache, Tempera, Encaustics, etc.?

How important is it to spend a lot of money on supplies, and why are the really nice ones so expensive?

What is the real difference between student and artist grade paints, and which are best for beginners?

How long will I have to practice before I can expect to create work I am proud of?

Do I need to start my paintings with a drawing?

 

Participants will be provided with all necessary supplies for beginning watercolors including: 
Greenleaf & Blueberry Travel Palette
Watercolor Brushes
Aqua Brush
Sketchbook
and more...

 

This workshop is designed to set you up with the basic supplies of watercolor painting and an understanding of how to use them with confidence and joy.  You will be able to leave at the end of the session with the knowledge and direction to begin your own sketchbook or studio painting practice.

This workshop is recommended for beginners and those with some experience alike.  Open to all skill levels, and to both those that identify as artists and those who do not.  However, I do not recommend this workshop for children.  (If you are below age 16 or are a parent interested in attending with your child under the age of 16, please drop me a line to discuss.)

Enrollment opens TOMORROW!  Subscribe here for an alert.

 

 

 

 Colors mixed using only two different paint colors!  You will learn how to make the most of the colors in a limited palette to keep things light when you travel, and to unlock hidden possibilities in your palette.

 

Next Level Watercolor Workshop

This workshop presents next-level concepts and techniques in watercolor.  By delving deeper into the watercolor medium, you will discover how to truly make it your own and derive joy from painting subjects that most spark your interest.  In essence, painting is the process of turning a vision (whether an idea or something you see directly) into a picture.  The magic happens when you progress to the point of feeling that you have a command of the process and are able to communicate your unique vision through your art.  This workshop is about finding your artistic voice and learning how to use your tools to make your vision come alive.  

 

During this workshop, you can expect to learn about:

- Watercolor artists past & present

- Customizing your supplies for your specific painting practice

- Next level brush handling, color mixing, composition, and watercolor technique

- Choosing watercolor paper, including working on tinted papers

- Handling "mistakes"

- Using references & finding inspiration elsewhere

- Distilling your vision & finding your own creative voice

 

This workshop will answer the following questions:

Which are the best colors to use?

How do I use references responsibly?

Are natural hair brushes really better and worth the money?

How do I avoid feeling overwhelmed and just enjoy the painting process?

How do I create work that brings me joy and find pleasure in the process before my skillset is completely developed?

 

Participants will be provided with all necessary supplies for next level watercolors including: 
Greenleaf & Blueberry
Watercolor Brushes
watercolor paper sheets
and more...

This workshop is designed to take you to the next level beyond the basics.  You will be able to leave at the end of the session with a roadmap to discovering and crafting your own unique artistic style and a solid set of techniques to assist you in bringing your visions to life.

This workshop is recommended for those with some watercolor experience.  The Foundation Watercolor Workshop is not a required prerequisite, but provides a nice base to build upon with this workshop.  I do not recommend this workshop for children.  (If you are below age 16 or are a parent interested in attending with your child under the age of 16, please drop me a line to discuss.)

Enrollment opens TOMORROW!  Subscribe here for an alert.

 

A quick painting I did a few years ago using the Sequel Set on tinted paper.

 

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Each of these workshops will be limited to 12 people so that I can spend time addressing any and all questions and allow one-on-one attention for each participant.  Each workshop will also be three hours long with one fifteen minute break in the middle.  Both workshops (the Foundation Workshop and the Next Level Workshop) are stand-alone and need not be taken together, but are designed to dovetail nicely for those that elect to attend both and are looking for a weekend of total immersion in watercolors.

I believe in a relaxed, open, and positive learning environment.  Questions and discussion will be welcomed and encouraged.  Upon arrival, participants will be greeted with hot tea and tasty snacks before finding a place at the table, which will be festively arranged with fresh flowers.  Each place setting will be personalized and include an informational packet with a collection of watercolor painting supplies for you to use during the workshop and take home with you.

 

Watercolor Workshop supplies all laid out and ready to go!

Dates:

 

Location:

Both my Watercolor Workshops and Lindsey's Calligraphy Workshops will take place at The Riverside in downtown Boulder, Colorado.  It is located next to Central Park and the Farmer's Market in the heart of Boulder, which makes it very convenient to grab lunch or enjoy a picnic in the park between workshops, should you elect to enroll in both a Calligraphy and Watercolor Workshop.

 

The Riverside in the heart of Boulder, Colorado.

 

The entrance to The Riverside. 

 

The space we will be using is walled with windows and flooded with natural light.  It overlooks the creek and invites both peace and inspiration while you paint.

 

Our Workshop space at The Riverside.

 

I am lucky to call the amazing state of Colorado home.  If you will be visiting Boulder from out-of-state (or even from somewhere farther afield within the state), there are an abundance of delights to enjoy during your stay.  Click here for a list of my favorite Boulder experiences.  Lindsey is a Boulder local with a wonderful talent for discovering hidden restaurant gems and providing excellent hospitality.  She created an extensive list of recommended restaurants, things to do, places to stay, and recommendations for transport that is an excellent source for all things Boulder!

 

 

Meet Jess:

 

I'm Jess Greenleaf, founder of Greenleaf & Blueberry.  The world of watercolors is the most amazing rabbit hole I could have hoped to fall into - Wonderland found!  In addition to creating my own line of watercolor paints, I enjoy painting with them in all types of settings - from airplanes to rocky cliffs.  In addition to being a colourwoman and a painter, I am also passionate about sharing my love of the medium.  Learn the story of G&B here.

I believe that painting in watercolors can be a truly empowering experience.  It allows you to turn any place into an art studio.  Life moves at a different pace when you stop and paint it.  Your senses are enhanced, the world becomes more vibrant, and details reveal themselves when you slow down to observe.  Memories are stored differently when you've chosen to paint rather than snap a photograph.  Whether you are interested in painting the flowers in your garden as they bloom this season, painting a changing landscape as you travel, or painting as a way to relax and find some peace, equipping yourself with the tools and knowledge you need to enjoy life with a paintbrush can be a transformative decision.

I am so looking forward to meeting you and getting to spend time together working with watercolors!

 

The Monarch Butterfly painting I created for our Paintable Project Series. This realistic style of rendering is more meticulous and technical than looser styles, but it is also more relaxing and less difficult than many people assume!