Watercolor From Start to Finish
A 9-week course offered in winter and spring 2011 at The Art League
Thursdays 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, The Art League Duke Street Annex

This class introduces classic watercolor techniques and builds slowly from the simple to the more complex.  Topics include use of value, control of the medium, color mixing and composition.  Demonstrations are part of the class, but painting by students from still life and photographic references is emphasized.  Experienced students focus on assignments to improve color handling, composition, and specific painting problems.

Negative Painting: A Positive Experience for Watercolorists
Two-day workshop
Sat.-Sun., July 16-17, 2011. The Yellow Barn Studio.

Learn how to create exciting images in watercolor by painting around your subject, rather than painting the subject directly.  In the process you will develop both painting and composition skills.  For watercolor painters with at least a little experience.

Painting Nature Up Close in Watercolor
2011 dates TBA.

Using actual natural objects and photographic references as source material, students will work on composition, drawing and watercolor technique to make compelling paintings from some aspect of the natural world.  Intermediate watercolor experience and skills helpful.

Know Your Watercolor Palette
2011 dates TBA.

The “color” part of “watercolor” offers both excitement and  challenge to the painter in this transparent medium.  A series of paint-handling and color-mixing exercises in this workshop will enable the watercolorist to use the colors on his or her palette with more confidence and understanding of why pigments and color act the way they do. The focus is on acquiring knowledge and skills that you will apply every time that you paint, rather than on producing a finished painting in class.

Glazing in Watercolor
2011 dates TBA.

Glazing in watercolor involves painting one layer of colour over an already painted surface.  Although the inherently transparent nature of watercolor makes glazing a natural technique for the medium,  the actual process of layering the paint can either make or break your watercolor painting.  Students will learn about the many uses for glazing and  how to apply the paint effectively to build both color and composition. This workshop works best for students with at least a little experience.

Watercolor by Design
2011 dates TBA.

A little pre-planning does wonders for ensuring the success of a painting.  This class will focus first on effective methods of working with design elements to construct strong compositions, and then on realizing these compositions through the process of painting in watercolor.  For watercolorists with at least a little experience.

Still Life in Watercolor
2011 dates TBA.

Still life painting is an excellent way to hone skills but does not stop there.  Learn how to create exciting, unified paintings in watercolor starting with everyday fruits and vegetables.  For watercolorists with at least a little experience.

Watercolour course at the Baha’i Academy for the Arts in England

Details about the course Rachel Collins will be offering in August 2011 at the Baha’i Academy will be available in late autumn 2010 or early winter 2011. 

How to register for classes and workshops

For classes and workshops at The Art League School in Alexandria, VA: Register online at www.theartleague.org  or contact The Art League at their office 703-683-2323, located on the 2^nd floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.  Full information about The Art League is given on their website and in their School catalog, issued annually.

For workshops through the Yellow Barn Studio: Register online at the website of the Glen Echo Partnership for Arts & Culture, Inc., www.glenechopark.org  or contact the Partnership at their office 301- 634-2222, located on the 2^nd floor of the Arcade Building Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD.  Full information on registration and refund policies is given in the GEPPAC catalog. Supply lists are available from the instructor.  

Classes at the Yellow Barn Studio are offered in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County.

For the watercolour course at the Baha’i Academy for the Arts: Watch for updates to the Academy’s website http://www.bahaiartsacademy.com . Full information on the August 2011 program will be posted sometime in the first quarter of the year.

Course details and dates are subject to change.  For the latest information or if you have questions, please contact Rachel Collins at 703-838-9695 or rbcollinsart@yahoo.com.