Next Beginner Classes: June 1, 5-Week class in Studio
Sat, May 18: 1-Day Beginner Workshop in Studio

Subtle, beautiful, glowing...
transparent watercolor has fascinated artists for centuries. But why does it frustrate so many beginners?

In most beginner-level art classes, the teacher sets up a still life and tells the students to start painting. But that doesn't answer the dozens of questions that beginners and amateurs have about using watercolors. Tubes or pan paints? Wet paper or dry? What kind of paper and brushes are best? How do I get those glowing effects without creating muddy lagoons?

The Watercolor for Absolute Beginners course is different. It's designed from the start to "build in" success, with the right paper, paints, brushes, simple exercises, and patient instruction. Classes are kept small, about 5 to 7 people, so everyone gets individual, personal attention every week.

It's the right course for you if...
— if you’ve never painted before and you suspect you "have no artistic talent"
— if you’ve tried watercolor, but “just made a big mess”
— if you’ve had some success with watercolor, but don’t know how to create the effects you’ve admired in galleries, in watercolor books, or on Pinterest.

Unlike acrylics or oils, watercolor paints have a mind of their own -- rich and juicy, yet unpredictable and hard to control. But learn to work with them, and they'll do most of the work for you. You'll study exactly how to handle the paints to get the beautiful effects that only watercolor can provide.

Anyone, including you, can learn to do it -- all it takes is practice and persistence. So take the pain out of painting and dive into a world of vibrant color! If you'd like to express yourself with watercolor, this is the easiest place to start.

There are three 5-week Beginner Basics watercolor courses, each 2.5 hours long, and each meets once weekly,
— on Saturdays at noon,
— on Thursdays at 1 pm,
— and Wednesdays on ZOOM for 2 hours at 6 pm. Check the CURRENT CLASSES page for weekday, exact dates, studio location, and how to pay.

Intermediate-level 3-Week "Mini-courses" on one topic are offered on Tuesdays at 6 for those who have completed the Beginner course.  Several one-day workshops are given a few times a year for all levels, even those with no experience: Beginner Basics, Drawing for Watercolor, Valentine Cards, Holiday Cards, and more.

All classes meet on Union Square in Manhattan, New York City, two blocks north of the Union Square/14th Street subway stop.
Trains: 4 5 6 N Q R W L

You can purchase your own supplies listed in the Materials List, or you can order a “Beginner’s Kit” (tube paints in 10 colors, portable folding palette, 12 sheets of top-quality Arches 100% cotton paper, 4 brushes in various sizes) for $65.00 

Tuition is $275.00 for 5 weekly classes, payable by cash, Zelle, or Venmo (no personal checks, please). You can also pay via credit card, prior to the first class, using an invoice I can send from PayPal (apologies: PayPal adds a $10 surcharge for that).

Have questions? Want to sign up?

Just email me and tell me which class(es) interest you.

Site Copyright Joan Iaconetti 2004-2024