A watercolor image of looking skyward through tree branches will be the finished product of this class, but the compositional focus will be on the negative space of sky shapes formed by the surrounding branches. Each of us will create these sky shapes to be silhouettes of a community with which we personally feel kinship – be it face profiles of family members, friends, mentors, etc.; or silhouettes of fellow creatures of the earth such as birds or four-legged friends, etc. To this end, students are asked to bring or have access online to small photos or sketches of the silhouetted people or creatures you wish to incorporate as negative sky shapes in your tree. Feel free to contact the instructor with questions. Beginning to advanced students in watercolor are welcome, but having some previous experience in painting and drawing is recommended.

Limit: 10 students, ages 16 and up

Materials Fee: $30 (for those who would like to purchase a materials kit from the instructor). Materials kit includes

• Synthetic Watercolor Brushes: (to take home with you)
  - 10” round brush
  - 1” flat brush
• Watercolor Paints:
  - Tubes of basic colors will be provided from which students can take paint needed for their in-class palettes.
• Watercolor Paper:
  - (1) sheet of 18”x24” and
  - (2) quarter sheets of 11”x15” Cold Pressed 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper.

Instead of purchasing the kit, students may bring:

• Professional Watercolor Brushes: (brush hairs can be natural or synthetic, but not bristle brushes
  - (1) 10” and/or 12” round brush
  - (1) ¾” or 1” flat brush
• Watercolor Paints: (suggested brands – Winsor Newton, including Cotman series, Grumbacher, van Gogh, M. Graham & Co., Daniel Smith)
• Tube transparent watercolors. These are suggested colors (or equivalent colors that might go by a different name of certain brands)
  Basic Colors: Ultramarine Blue or Colbalt Blue Hue, Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue or Aureolin Yellow, Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna, Cadmium Red Light Hue or Pyrrol Red, Alizarin Crimson Hue or Rose Madder, Violet, Sap Green, Permanent Green Light, Burnt Sienna.
• (1) sheet of 18”x24” and at least (2) quarter sheets of 11”x15” Cold Pressed 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper.

Optional Colors: Quinacridone Gold, Windsor Blue or Turquoise, Viridian Green.

ALL students should bring:

• Pencils
• kneaded eraser
• palette (can be sturdy paper plate or foam core tray)
• water cup
• paper towels
• masking tape
• scissors
• lightweight board big enough for attaching watercolor paper of 18”x24’’ size.