Event

Painting The Huntington - Wednesday Series

Join artist and author Richard Scott for a six-part in-person watercolor series painting the gardens and architecture of The Huntington.
Classes

Students will improve their skills in color and technique, develop better visual perception, and enrich their visual experience. Classes are suitable for all levels. Space is limited.

Series also available on Saturdays, March 2–April 13

Session 1: The Joy of Watercolor

In the first session, Richard shares his approach to painting in watercolor: how to use brushes, paint, water, and paper to have fun and create satisfying artworks. Students also learn a mindset to get the most enjoyment and beauty out of this exhilarating and spontaneous medium. This session will be conducted in the studio classroom.

Session 2: The Musicality of Color

To paint confidently in watercolor, one must understand how color really works. In the second session, students learn Richard’s latest ideas on color and how to gain the upper hand with this commonly misunderstood and fascinating area of study. This session will be conducted in the studio classroom.

Session 3: How to Think Like an Artist

In the third session, Richard shares how to paint en plein air (painting outdoors). Students learn a way of thinking that can simplify and transform how they paint. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the gardens of The Huntington.

Session 4: A Mind-Bending Illusion

In the fourth session, students learn how to use color to sculpt the illusion of three-dimensional form in their paintings through the skillful use of color. Helpful techniques are demonstrated and discussed. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the architecture of the Huntington.

Session 5: Painting Light

In the fifth session, students learn how to paint the effects of light in their watercolors. Ideas on visual perception and how to use color and paint to add radiance to an artwork are demonstrated and discussed. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the gardens of The Huntington.

Session 6: Infusing Emotion into Your Watercolors

In the sixth session, students learn how to paint watercolors that stimulate feeling and joy in the artist and the art viewer. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the architecture and gardens of The Huntington.

Supplies and Materials:

Pencil & Eraser
  • 0.9 mm mechanical pencil (any brand) and kneaded eraser (any brand)
Paintbrushes

You do not need to buy expensive brushes. 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) and small rigger brush for adding details
Watercolor Paints

You are welcome to use any colors and/or brands you like. For those interested, below is a list of the colors the instructor uses:

  • Cadmium Yellow Lemon – Schmincke Horadam Aquarelle
  • Cadmium Yellow Deep – MaimeriBlu
  • Quinacridone Gold – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
  • Cadmium Orange – MaimeriBlu
  • Transparent Brown – Sennelier L’Aquarelle
  • Permanent Rose – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
  • Violet – instructor mixes his own violet by mixing together Permanent Rose – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour and Cobalt Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
  • Utramarine Light – Sennelier L’Aquarelle (instructor’s warm blue)
  • Cerulean Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour (instructor’s cool blue)
  • Viridian – MaimeriBlu
  • Winsor Green (Yellow Shade) – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
  • Titanium Opaque White – Schmincke Horadam Aquarelle

Note: The above paints (and watercolor blocks) can be found online at jacksonsart.com (this is the instructor’s favorite art supply source—although located in England, they typically process orders and ship quickly).

Watercolor Paper Block

Instructor’s suggestion: Do not compromise on paper. Purchase one of the options below. “Blocks” are 20 sheets of watercolor paper glued together on all four sides to keep the paper flat while painting. HIGHLY recommended.

  • Arches Watercolor Paper Block - Cold Press or Rough Surface / 140 lb. / 9" x 12" or 10" x 14" (or any size you prefer) OR
  • Saunders Waterford Paper Block – Cold Press or Rough Surface / 140 lb. / 9" x 12" or 10" x 14" (or any size you prefer); this brand is available online at jacksonsart.com and locally at Blue Rooster Art Supplies in Pasadena
Watercolor Palette
  • The Portable Painter Palette is excellent. Available online at portablepainter.com. The instructor recommends the “Classic Plus Kit” (it has extra wells for additional paint colors, if desired). Enter promo code SCOTT during checkout to receive a 10% discount on your order (promo code is case sensitive and only available at portablepainter.com).
Other Materials to Bring:
  • Water bottle
  • Small dish or cup (to hold water while painting); if you purchase the Portable Painter Palette, you won’t need this item
  • Small spray bottle filled with water
  • Sponge
  • Art tape (1/2" or 1" wide)
  • Inexpensive easel (you will NOT need an easel during the first two classes); instructor will share what he uses during the first class
  • Metal clips (to attach watercolor paper to easel)
  • Folding chair (if you want to sit while painting outdoors)
  • Hat and sunscreen

For questions, please contact Joy Yamahata or call 626-405-3457.