Getting Started with Watercolor 2013 starting soon!

Do you want to learn how to paint with watercolor?
Knowing where to start is the first step in learning how to paint in watercolors. This class series is designed for the artist who is new to watercolor,  those who are coming from another medium, or anyone who wants a refresher course in the foundations and fundamentals of watercolor basics.
The Getting Started with Watercolor series is divided into 7 classes. With each class Susie provides easy to follow step-by-step written instructions complete with color illustrations. You will start your own watercolor notebook (included) that will serve as great reference for your use as you continue on your watercolor journey.
(YES! this class included the popular color mixing class everyone is asking for!)

The Getting Started Class curriculum is covered in seven classes,
 
The Seattle Class meets March 22, April 12 and 26, May 10 and 24, June 7 and 21.

The Bellevue Class meets March 27, April 17, May 1 and 22, June 5, 19, and 26.

There will be additional exercises to be completed as homework between each class.

Cost is $325 in advance   or $350 @ $50/ class if you wish to pay as you go.
Notebook and printed material is included. Painting supplies are not included.

For more details: http://susieshort.net/getting-started2013.html
253-833-7646

Studio Watercolor Classes for 2013 in Seattle and Bellevue

Seattle Watercolor Classes are the first Tuesday of each month                                     
(See calendar above)

Bellevue Watercolor Classes  are the second Wednesday of each month

(See calendar above)
 
This years classes are geared for advanced beginners to intermediate painters. Newbies with no previous watercolor experience will be welcome to join us providing they complete a brief introductory class to get acquainted with their watercolor supplies. (Call Susie to set up an introductory class 253-833-7646)  If you have already learned the basics techniques for painting with watercolor and are ready to continue your studies and develop the ability to compose your own paintings by exploring the principles and elements of design these classes are for you! 

OPEN STUDIO CONCEPT

• You will have the opportunity to work with your choice of topics.  

• The class artists will select the following months subject/project. Topics will be printed  prior to class date when available.

• Taking every class in the series is not required but is certainly helpful.

These are my personal classes (not sponsored by Daniel Smith) so you must register with me.  CLICK HERE to print the form to register by mail or PAY ONLINE

Goals for Monthly Classes: Learning and applying the basic skills and techniques to establish a firm foundation for painting with watercolor. Have fun painting with others in a group setting. Personal attention is given to each student at their personal skill level.

 

October/November Give Away Winner!

Congratulations!

The October/November Give Away

winner is

Jean Brooks

from Wellsboro, PA

Jean will receive a boxed set of

Autumn Leaves Notecards

To see more Fall/Thanksgiving notecards

visit my Gift Gallery

The next Give Away is Assorted Christmas Cards

Click Here to Register

My Final Two SWAP paintings

SWAP is an international group of watercolor artists who have been exchanging small 5 x 7 works of art quarterly each year since 2003. Sadly, our group has run its course and we will no longer trade paintings under the same leadership. It's been a wonderful experience for all of us! We made good friends and shared good art!
The painting on the left is my painting for my friend, Michelle Himes.





The painting of the rose on the right is for my friend, M.T. Cherian who lives in India.

I thought a Peace Rose was a good choice for the final SWAP.

To all my partners and friends at SWAP I wish you well and ask that you stay in touch.
Happy Painting!

Susie

Sunset Sky with Tree Silhouettes

This was my demo for my Wednesday night class. I promised the class I would share it when I finished it. The reference for this painting was a photo I took near Deception Pass at sunset overlooking the Straight of Juan de Fuca, Washington State.

When you paint a beautiful sunset sky with nice reflections it can be very challenging to add the dark silhouetes tree shapes in the forground. But quite often the drama is worth the challenge!

The painting is 11" x 15" Arches 140# CP paper using Daniel Smith Watercolors painted with my 1" Susie Brush and a #4 rigger.

Poinsettia Christmas card patterns are available!

Are you interested in painting poinsettia Christmas cards?

At the request of my students I'm making several of my best poinsettia patterns and photos available online for purchase. You will find these photos and traceable patterns in my Artstore

In addition to the photos and patterns I also have a free printable watercolor tips page on "How to Paint Pretty Poinsettias without a pattern" on my main watercolor website. Enjoy!

Happy Painting!
SUSIE

Christmas Cards in Watercolor

Greetings!

I've been having more fun painting for this years Christmas card collection!

Here is a sneak peak at what I've been painting. Watch for my new gift shop to open on my website to see all 40 of my Christmas cards available this year. (It's exciting!)

Thanks for looking !

SUSIE

UPDATE!! The Gift Gallery is open! Click here! http://gifts.susieshort.net

Painting Geraniums - March 2009

My Tuesday Afternoon Watercolor Class will be painting geraniums during the month of March. Shown is an example of what happened on my paper last week. The blooms were painted freehand without drawing them first. And then I added the leaves... and they weren't drawn first either! Focus was placed on seeing and painting the shapes. Not only are we learning the anatomy of this pretty flower we are also learning how to use a variety of reds to create drama and interest and how to mix a bunch of luscious greens. This week we will try painting geraniums as potted plants. Come back to see the results!

January is for Pinecones

Happy New Year!

My Tuesday Watercolor Class for Serious Beginners will be foucsing on painting pinecones during the month of January. We will be painting the same subject using several different techniques each week to hone our watercolor skills.
This is an example of starting with a wet in wet background then adding detail and definition with value and contrast. Although this is a simple work in progress I think you can tell they are pinecones and see where I might "pull" some more from the fuzzy background.

If you live in the area and want to practice your watercolor skills --- join us!

Keep those brushes wet!

SUSIE

Paint the Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest

Paint the Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest is the next watercolor class I will be teaching in Seattle at the Daniel Smith Classroom.
Working from an assortment of high resolution digital photos taken over the past 3-4 years in Mt Rainier National Park and the Cascade foothills this class will focus on close-up views of individual flowers as well as natural groupings or clusters of wildflowers as they can be found in the meadows or along the trails.
Seating is limited to 14 painters. There are still a few seats left so if you want to join us for a fun day of painting wildflowers call my studio @ 253-859-1111 asap.
Where: Seattle Daniel Smith Classroom
What: Paint the Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest in Watercolor
Who: Susie Short, watercolor teacher --- All skill levels welcome
When: August 18, 2008 10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Cost: $55 paid in advance

Basic Watercolor Supplies -- Supply List emiled upon request.
For More information visit my website www.susieshort.net/2008-local-classes.html
or contact me (Susie) susie@susieshort.net

Sea and Shore Watercolor Demo and Workshop

You are all invited to come see my FREE demo at the Seattle Daniel Smith Store this coming Saturday (July 12th, 2008) at 11:00 and 1:45 pm

I'm offering a one day class on painting the techniques used for painting seascapes in watercolor at the Bellevue Daniel Smith Classroom. Register with me (Susie) for this one. To sign-up online using PayPal click here or you may register by completing the mail form found at the same link.

Check the Daniel Smith Store Blog for a preview based on the blog report of my first Sea & Shore demo on June 21st. (Thanks Debbie!) And I'd also like to thank the fine group of Wet Canvas artists who came to the demo...it was nice to me you'll and I hope you will come to more of my watercolor events!

Plus I'll be conducting a two day Sea & Shore Watercolor Workshop on July 27th and 28th in the Seattle Daniel Smith Store. This fun two-day workshop is packed full of information for the intermediate to advanced watercolorist.

• Day One: I'll start by showing many of the elements that make a successful seascape painting. Students will learn how to create the forms of waves, breakers, rocks, sea foam, and wet sand. I'll will discuss and demonstrate the importance of color, sunlight, atmosphere, and composition. Practice exercises will help you build a foundation using these forms, and also help plan your composition before actually starting a painting.
• Day Two: We'll begin with a brief demo following with a review of painting techniques covered on day one. You will then start your seascape painting while I'm there to offer individual instruction and encouragement helping you effectively paint the sea and shore.
  Photo references will be available for use and purchase or you may wish to bring your own photos to work from.
• Cost: $75 per day
• Time:11 AM to 4:00 PM

Don't forget my FREE demo at the Seattle Daniel Smith Store this coming Saturday (July 12th, 2008) at 11:00 and 1:45 pm

See you there! Keep those brushes wet!

SUSIE

Watercolor Splashes and Splatters

Greetings!

I've been splashing in the waves for the past few months. I have so much to learn about how the waves are formed. Once I have some understanding of what I'm seeing I then have the challenge of putting what I see and what I want to see on my watercolor paper. Wow, what a fun and exciting task!

The Internet has many good images of waves in photos from around the world but I don't like to work from other photographers work. Aside from copyright infringement issues, I find (for me personally) nothing beats going straight to the source...cameras and sketchbook in hand ... and just study the waves for myself. What a wonderful excuse to visit the coast!

During my visits to the Oregon coast I was fortunate to observe several different lighting conditions and directions to give me a wider depth of study. And I came home with several hundred digital photos to sort through. A task I will thoroughly enjoy.

I have found that the best motivation for learning how to paint an unfamiliar subject in watercolor is the teach it. At least that's what works for me, after all how can I teach someone else how to do it if I can't do it myself. I'm feeling pretty confident that my wave studies have been successful and while I still have much to learn about waves and their nature I believe I have a fairly good grasp on where to start my watercolor paintings. The two watercolor study paintings displayed above were painted in my studio from a combination of my photo references. They are 11 x 7.5 inches painted on Arches 140# CP paper using Daniel Smith Watercolors.

I used these two watercolor paintings (plus several additional watercolor works-in-progress) to teach a watercolor class in Bellevue in April. It was such a fun class. There will be more....

I'll share some more coastal paintings in the near feature. (I'm on a roll! And I have another watercolor workshop coming up on July 15th in Bellevue and July 27 & 28 in Seattle. And you're invited to come see my FREE DEMO at the Seattle Daniel Smith Store on July 12th 11:00am & 1:45pm)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you will visit again soon!
Keep those brushes wet!

SUSIE