Overview
In this workshop you will be introduced to a variety of materials, procedures, processes, and techniques, all presented with the objective of learning the art of watercolor painting.
Many times, in my 53+ years of painting with watercolor, I continue to hear, “It’s too difficult,” or “I tried it back in grade school and didn’t like it.” Many of those comments are the result of not having a teacher who understood the process, and unfortunately in many cases, watercolor was not taught for that simple reason. I speak from experience.
The basics will be covered, selection of material and tools, stretching the paper, the many methods of painting, at least two demonstrations and individual assistance as needed. My emphasis will be on the use of watercolor primarily. Elements of design will only be mentioned as needed. Two days is not enough time to cover those important components of creating paintings. At this point I want you to experience putting paint on paper, there are many other opportunities to study and learn the elements of design in a more concentrated manner.
We will be painting…with watercolor.
This workshop will be directed to the beginners, those that have painted very little, or those who have never attempted to paint with watercolor. However, there will be enough material presented to hold the interest and offer insights into new directions for those more experienced watercolorists. I’ve painted watercolors for 53+ years…I’m still learning.
Beginning Watercolors with Monte Toon
Dates: Oct 20 and 21, 2023
Time: 10 am to 4 pm (dedicated hour for lunch)
Price: $225 ($200ESAC Members*)
Are you an ESAC member? Be sure to add a note in “order notes” to receive member pricing!*
*A refund reflecting the member price will be processed within 24 to 48 hours of purchase.
Beginning Watercolors with Monte Toon Supply List
2 – 3/8” x 14” x 18” plywood boards. You may paint them is you wish… I suggest white.
One roll gummed Kraft Paper Tape packaging tape from Dick Blick
At least 2 sheets 22” x 30” good quality name brand watercolor paper. 140 lb. cold press.
Watercolor brushes. 1” and ½” and ¼” flats. 1 #10 round and one liner or rigger. Princeton or Robert Simmons are two brands I like. (As with anything you get what you pay for, quality lasts.)
Blick Covered Pallet. (I have used a John Pike pallet for 50 some years…still do. This Blick Covered Pallet looks very much like the John Pike which is evidently no longer available. The main thing is to get one that has a decent mixing area and has a lid to close it up.
15mil size tubes of watercolor. Primary colors. I use Daniel Smith, but any name brand is fine. The Daniel Smith colors… Perlene Red, Hansa Yellow Medium, French Ultramarine Blue.
A plastic toolbox 18” wide, 10” tall and 9” wide with a tray inside is what I have used for almost 20 years. It keeps all my “stuff” together, easy to cart around, works great for me. But…a cardboard box will work if you don’t want to invest in a toolbox.
Two small containers for water…one for rinse, the second for use with painting. Tupperware is fine, two nesting containers will save space in your toolbox.
A bottle of Frisket.
A rubber cement pickup.
A sharp pointed pallet knife.
An Xacto knife.
Eraser (I use Staedtler Mars Plastic.)
Box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasures (can be found in most grocery and drug stores.)
In addition to the two sheets of quality watercolor paper, bring some extra watercolor paper for practice, watercolor pads are OK, select name brands.
Pencil, tooth bush, ruler, paper towels, Kleenex, a spritzer bottle. (Mine came from Walgreens; it had a spray for sore throat in it when I bought it. After its use I now use it in my painting process.)
Everyone will be working a ¼ sheet painting after I give a demonstration on what you will be painting. You will also be working on a second ¼ sheet with a subject of your choice.
I expect and require flat paper, stretched, and held tightly so it doesn’t wrinkle or come loose when you are painting. This is the foundation for a successful painting, the paper must stay flat throughout the painting process. (It will buckle slightly even with the process I teach, but it is manageable.) Much of the frustration and failure of attempting watercolor for the first time is this issue of unsecured, unstretched paper. I will cover other methods; however, this is how I learned and used for over 30 years. It is a proven method, inexpensive for beginners, I want you to be exposed to its use.
By participating in this workshop, you are making a major investment toward your future of watercolor painting. It is a wonderful medium, versatile in many ways. I suggest you acquire good quality materials and tools. The difference of price from low grade products to quality products are, in the big scheme of things, minor. Quality, named brand brushes and especially watercolor paper give you opportunities for greater success. I have had students show up with low grade “watercolor paper” from discount stores, the results of their painting attempts were less than acceptable due to the paper. I use Kilimanjaro 140# cold press watercolor paper from Cheap Joe’s in Boone, North Carolina. I use Dick Blick and Cheap Joe for much of my materials. However, I also support my local art store as much as possible and will buy from them if they have what I need. Please do the same with your local art supplier. If you have any questions contact me at montetoon@cimtel.net.
Monte Toon
Instructor
Watercolor came into my 27th year of life in the winter of 1969, the year I took my first position as a Secondary Art Teacher in the Junior High School, Emporia, Kansas. Charles Sanderson, a fellow high school art teacher from Wichita, Kansas conducted a solo exhibit of his watercolors at a gallery in Emporia that winter, an astonishing display of high-quality watercolors. I was overwhelmed with what he had created. I took the two four-hour watercolor workshops he offered and absolutely fell in love with the medium. Now in the 51st year anniversary, I am still in love with watercolor. Through these many years, I have participated in many exhibits, sidewalk shows, mall shows and solo shows in the Midwest. My first solo show of a quantity of watercolors was held at the Independence Historical Museum and Art Center in Independence, Kansas, just two years after my introduction to watercolor. Many of my first watercolors were quick, splashy pieces of made-up imagery, almost impressionistic in execution. In the late 1980’s I began to study the works of Andrew Wyeth, Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper. I admired their more controlled approach to painting. My first major solo show of 50 original paintings, was held in 1994 exemplifying a slower, deliberate approach. In 2004 I retired from my major career of 32 years as Art Director/Graphic designer for ABC television in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now, in addition to conducting watercolor workshops and private lessons, I continue to paint watercolors regularly. Much of my inspiration for paintings comes from our extensive travels in the United States and Canada. The subject matter of many of my paintings is found in quiet, somewhat lonely places. Rural scenes, weathered barn and abandoned houses capture my creative subject matter along with numerous lighthouses and coastal images. Isolation, feelings of being alone are evident in my work. A friend recently used the word “longing” to capture the essence of my images, the substance of my paintings. I agreed; my work does contain that element of longing. I simply can’t imagine what my life would have been like had I not had that memorable experience in the winter of 1969, over 51 years ago.
Refund Policy
- A $25 fee will be charged for all class refunds due to a withdrawal. Refunds will be given up to seven (7) days prior to class start date. Thereafter, no refunds will be given, unless the ESAC cancels the class.
- A $75 fee will be charged for all workshop refunds due to a withdrawal. Refunds will be given up to one (1) month prior to the workshop start date. Thereafter, norefunds will be given, unless the ESAC cancels the workshop.
