Painting with Pencil: Watercolor Pencil Techniques (online)

Course description

This simple medium offers lush, creative opportunities to work observationally and/or abstractly with the basics of art. Gain experience with watercolor pencil application techniques including line, blending, shading, water activation, layering, and mixing color through the lenses of color theory and composition. Develop drawing and painting skills, personal color palettes and individual subject matter supported by instructor demonstrations, class conversations, and thoughtful peer and instructor feedback.

Open to students ages 16 and above. Review complete policies, including class cancellation policies, before completing your registration.

Class meeting details

This online course is synchronous meaning students meet together each week online for class meetings via Zoom. Course activities include lectures, demonstrations, discussions, exercises, and time to ask questions and share resources and critiques. Class meetings will be recorded. The instructor will have office hours throughout the course.

Prerequisites

Previous drawing and painting experience is helpful but not required.

Required materials

Supplies for first class

• Multimedia sketchbook (favorite size)
• Drawing board (minimum 15"x16") or a table top where you can let work dry while taped down. (Ideal set-up is a drawing table with a slight slant. If you are comfortable working on a drawing board or table top, there is no need to purchase a table).
• Graphite pencil, 2B or 3B
• White polymer (plastic) eraser
• Manual 2-hole metal pencil sharpener or electric pencil sharpener that fits your pencils
• Watercolor assorted pencil sets of 12 (consider Faber Castell Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencils, Derwent Watercolor Pencil or Bruynzeel Design Aquarel Pencils)
• White watercolor pencil if not included in the set purchase
• Watercolor paper choices: Arches 140 lb pad, hot press (smooth) or Strathmore Watercolor 140lb cold press (a slight texture)
• Watercolor brushes – #6, #8, #2 round and ½” or ¾” flat or Princeton Velvetouch Series 3950, Synthetic Brushes - set of 4 work nicely 12” ruler
• Paper towels or rag
• 2 small water cups with clean water
• Masking tape

Additional supplies need throughout the course

• Watercolor set – any watercolor set you have on hand or Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colour Paint Sketchers' Pocket Box Half Pans watercolors 12 count
• Pilot Razor Point pen or Pilot Precise V5 Fine, black (water soluble)
• Sakura's Pigma Micron black gel pen or Faber-Castell Pitt Pen- black (permanent)

Students should expect to spend approximately $120 on supplies in addition to course tuition. It is not required to purchase new materials if similar materials are on hand.

Hardware
A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access, a camera, and microphone for class meetings and to capture and upload work. Good lighting is preferred for class meetings and capturing work.

Class resources
This class uses Canvas, MCAD’s learning management system. Please see the link for more information.

Class savings

Register on or before January 20 and save $25.
Register for more than one class at a time and receive $25 off each additional class (same-day registrations only).
Additional savings. Are you eligible?

Questions?

Contact MCAD Continuing Education at continuing_education@mcad.edu or call 612.874.3765.