Class Series: Painting The Huntington

May 13: Mastering Tools and Materials  

Participants will learn how to use brushes, water, and paper effectively to produce satisfying results. This session will take place in the studio classroom.  

May 20: Mastering the Palette  

Paints on a palette, like the keys on a piano, can create beautiful harmonies. Participants will learn how to produce virtually any desired color using a small palette of watercolor paints. This session will take place in the studio classroom.  

May 27: Transforming the Sense of Color  

Most people see only a small fraction of the colors around them. In this session, participants will learn how to improve their perception of color to capture it accurately in their artworks. Later, they will apply what they learned as they explore and paint the gardens. This session will take place in the studio classroom and the Japanese Garden. 

June 3: A Smarter Way to Paint En Plein Air  

Artist John Singer Sargent called painting watercolors outdoors “making the best of an emergency.” The emergency? A moment of perfect, fleeting light. In the fourth session, Scott will teach participants a fun technique to paint with watercolors outdoors and how to capture fleeting sunlight before it changes. Later, participants will apply what they learned as they paint the architecture and gardens. This session will take place in the studio classroom and the South Terrace. 

June 10: How to Express Light with a Paintbrush  

Scott will show participants how to paint the visual effects of light in watercolor. Participants will learn a variety of practical techniques with brushes and other tools and apply them.  This session will take place in the studio classroom and the North Vista. 

June 17: The Poetry of Watercolor   

In the final session, participants will learn to distill a subject to its most beautiful and expressive essence and apply what they have learned as they paint. This intuitive and practical approach helps the artist express their own interest with greater skill and produce artworks that elicit an emotional response from the viewer. This session will take place in the studio classroom and the Library Lawn. 

*Locations subject to change depending on weather

Participants are welcome to use any materials and brands they prefer. For those interested, below is a list of the gear and materials the instructor will use in class. 

Brushes: Expensive brushes are not necessary. Synthetic brushes (listed below) are excellent and inexpensive. 

• Flat synthetic brushes: sizes 1" and 1/2" 
• Round synthetic brushes: sizes 14 and 8 (or similar sizes) 
• Small rigger brush for adding details 

Watercolor Paints 

• Cadmium Yellow Lemon – Schmincke Horadam Aquarell 
• Cadmium Yellow Deep – MaimeriBlu 
• Quinacridone Gold Hue – Schmincke Horadam Aquarell 
• Cadmium Orange – MaimeriBlu 
• Transparent Brown – Sennelier L’Aquarelle 
• Quinacridone Red – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour 
• Violet – Scott mixes his own by mixing Quinacridone Red – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour and Cobalt Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour 
• Ultramarine Light – Sennelier L’Aquarelle 
• Cobalt Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour 
• Cerulean Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour 
• Viridian – MaimeriBlu 
• Winsor Green (Yellow Shade) – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour 

Paints (and watercolor blocks) are available online at jacksonsart.com. This is Scott’s favorite art supply source. Although based in England, they typically process orders and ship quickly. 

Watercolor Block: Scott recommends not compromising on paper quality. The following “Blocks,” 20 sheets of watercolor paper glued together on all four sides to keep the paper flat while painting, are recommended. 

• Saunders Waterford Paper Block – Cold Press or Rough Surface / 140 lb. / 9” x 12” or 10” x 14” (or any size you prefer) 
• Arches Watercolor Paper Block - Cold Press or Rough Surface / 140 lb. / 9" x 12" or 10" x 14" (or any size you prefer) 

Both brands are available locally at Blue Rooster Art Supplies in Pasadena. 

Watercolor Palette: Scott recommends the Portable Painter Palette. If participants desire extra wells for additional paint colors, Scott recommends the “Classic Plus Kit.” Enter promo code SCOTT at checkout to receive a 10% discount on your order (promo code is case-sensitive). 

Other Materials to Bring 

• Pencil and eraser (any brand) 
• Water bottle 
• Small cup (to hold water while painting) – if purchasing the Portable Painter Palette, this item will not be necessary 
• Small spray bottle filled with water 
• Sponge 
• Art tape (1/2” or 1” wide) 
• Inexpensive easel (participants will not need an easel during the first two classes; Scott will share what he uses during the first class) 
• Metal clips (to attach watercolor paper to the easel) 
• Fold-up stool (if participants want to sit while painting outdoors) 
• Hat and sunscreen