Classes, Uncategorized
In-Person class at the Hoyt Arboretum Library
Monday afternoons in April, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2025
In this series of very beginner-friendly classes, students will learn the basics of mixing and painting with watercolor paints in popular colors for nature drawings. Using just a few paints, we will focus on creating a range of nature-inspired colors using the three primaries of red, yellow and blue, as well as learning techniques for applying paint to paper. Each week will be dedicated to creating a range of hues within a color family: gorgeous greens, beautiful blues, vibrant reds and oranges, and luminous neutrals.
Learn more and register here:
Nature’s Colors at Hoyt Arboretum
Classes
4 Women Artists: Weekly Watercolor Class on Zoom
Tuesdays, 10 – 11:30 AM PST
May 6, 13, 20, 27
4 sessions $80 for live class plus recordings
$40 to receive only the recordings
Paint with me on Tuesday mornings in May and learn about 4 significant women artists of the 20th century while building fundamental skills of painting techniques, composition and color theory.
Each week will include a slideshow and art history about the featured artist, followed by a demo and the guidance for creating your own painting inspired by the artist of the week. The following four women will be studied: Alma Thomas, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Tarsal do Amaral and Tamara Lampicka (featured above). All levels are welcome; A basic knowledge of watercolor painting is required.
Supplies: Watercolor paper (I love high-quality Arches cold-press paper), professional grade watercolor paints in the your favorite colors (please include the primaries), a tube of white gouache or titanium buff, round watercolor brushes in size 8, 10 and 12, pencil, eraser, and notebook for taking notes.
Contact Elizabeth to register e.m.higgins@comcast.net
Classes, Uncategorized
“The Way of the Water”
A two-day workshop on July 30-31, 2025
Sitka Center for Art & Ecology, Otis, Oregon
Explore the threshold of sand and sea at the nearby Salmon River Estuary and create an accordion-style journal that celebrates the essential element of water, and its importance to our inner rhythms and our life on Earth. Connect to the water’s wisdom and significance as you participate in a diverse range of nature journaling techniques and nature connection activities. With prompts and gentle guidance, participants will create their own folded booklets and fill them with drawings, watercolor, stamp-carving images, writing, and other nature art techniques. The workshop will be held in two settings: half of each day in the Sitka classroom, and the other half at the nearby Salmon River.
https://sitkacenter.org/workshops/the-way-of-the-water/
WORKSHOP IS FULL
Please visit the Sitka Center website for other summer workshops
Sitka Workshops
Classes
Tuesdays, January 14 – February 11, 2025 (5 weeks)
10:00 – 11:15 AM PST / 1:00 – 2:15 PM EST
Cost: $75
Recordings only option: $40
This class was created from my personal desire to make color charts, re-learn my paints, and stay connected to my students while wintering in New York City. Each week we will meet on Zoom and create color charts from the paints we have and the possibilities they present. Learn to see color, mix color, and understand what your paints can do. I will provide weekly inspiration and guidance using reference photos that I take during my visits to NYC museums. At the end of the series, students will have a collection of color charts to reference for future paintings. Students may also choose to use each week’s color chart and its reference photo to create a painting of their own between class meetups. Contact Elizabeth via email to register or ask any questions. Click here to email Elizabeth.
View the supply list here: Color Connections Supply List
Classes
Supplies and prep for my January 2025 Color Connections class
You can work in a sketchbook or watercolor pad, or on loose sheets of paper, but high quality cotton watercolor paper such as Arches will give you the best results. Strathmore is not high quality but will be ok. You will need to pencil in the guidelines for your charts before we meet in class. I will send you directions on how to do this once you register for class.
Bring all of your watercolor paints that are high-quality tube watercolors, such as Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton, M. Graham, Holbein. Have at least two of each of the primary colors of blue, red and yellow. My suggestions are those colors in the Daniel Smith Essentials 6-color set: Hansa Yellow, New Gamboge, Quinacridone Rose, Pyrrol Scarlet, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue. Please also purchase a tube of Phthalo Green (blue shade). My working palette is mostly primary colors, but I also use Quinacridone Gold, Phthalo Green, Burnt Sienna, Jane’s Grey (by Daniel Smith) and Buff Titanium. You do not need to own these colors to take the class, but feel welcome to buy one or two of them if you are curious to try something new. Jane’s Grey is slightly different than Payne’s Grey…either will work for class. Search the Daniel Smith website and you will find an article about Jane’s Grey. And an economical way to try out new paints is to buy half-pans of Daniel Smith watercolors from Blick or other retailers.
Size 8 round brush
An OmniGrid Quilter’s Grid is very helpful for penciling in your grids. You may also use a ruler.
Questions about supplies? Email Elizabeth here.
Classes
Fall Session: October 8 – November 12 (6 weeks) Tuesday mornings on Zoom
10:00 – 11:15 AM PST
Cost: $75
Recordings only option: $40
Simplicity, observation and creativity come together in this series of weekly drawing and painting classes inspired by nature. Experience the healing properties of nature and art by following Elizabeth’s gentle guidance as we explore various drawing and painting exercises that are relaxing, fun and meditative. Set judgment and expectations aside as you nourish your well-being in your own personal nature sketchbook. Grow a garden in your journal experience joy in the process!
Classes will include:
- Interactive conversation about plant symbolism and meaning (sharing is optional)
- A variety of simple drawing techniques that anyone can master
- Basic watercolor instruction with an emphasis on simplicity and using the materials you are most comfortable with.
All sessions are recorded and sent to students each week for viewing or reviewing on your own schedule.
Suggested supplies: A sketchbook or spiral-bound pad of drawing or mixed-media paper. Drawing pens with permanent ink, such as Micron Pigma pens or Faber-Castel Pitt pens. Pencil and eraser. Ruler. Watercolors of any type…small travel sets are fine. A detailed supply list is available here.
Contact Elizabeth at e.m.higgins@comcast.net to register.
