This class, while for beginners, may *look* intimidating when you look at the pieces created in the lessons. However, know that templates to print and trace are provided for many of the lessons, so you’ll be able to follow along pretty easily even if you are not experienced at drawing. Using rubber stamps in classes on this site has proven to be a problem, since manufacturers can decide to discontinue what is shown in class, so finding creative ways around that problem is your instructor’s challenge! Printable templates to PAINT on are not provided, since most printers cannot print with waterproof ink on watercolor paper, therefore traceable templates and measurements are provided to assist.
Don’t worry. You can do this!
I retain the copyright to the content you are learning in class. That means…
However…I love to see students making strides and taking this teaching and personalizing it with your own skills.
At the bottom of each lesson you’ll see some ways to share your homework and ask questions, so that’ll be handy for you.
You can try this class with any brand of pencils, however know that really inexpensive pencils or student-grade pencils may not provide the results you desire. As mentioned in the video, you can always try just a sixpack of high quality pencils to see what one of these brands are like and gauge the quality of the brand you own. (See the swatching section later in this preclass lesson for the color trios.)
Supracolor by Caran d’Ache, sets up to 120 colors: Amazon | Blick Art Supplies
Inktense (ink not watercolor) pencils by Derwent, sets up to 72 colors: Amazon | Blick Art Supplies
Museum Aquarelle by Caran d’Ache, sets up to 76 colors: Amazon | Blick Art Supplies
Highly recommended; textured papers that retain rich pigmentation:
Fun to play with, and may be helpful with Inktense if you struggle with pigment clinging to the texture of rougher papers:
Highly recommended brushes for works the size of which are shown in this class are by Silver Brush Company, Black Velvet line:
However if you are creating larger fine art pieces, nicer squirrel hair brushes are a fantastic treat. (Ask Santa for one for Christmas!) My two absolute favorites:
It is not generally necessary to swatch every living thing we have in our studios. With watercolor pencils though, I do recommend it; with some brands they do VERY different things when they meet water, and you will want to know what that thing is!
My swatchbook recommendations:
The swatches below show the colors you may want if you’d like to test just a few pencils of another brand. These are not “the” warm and cool selections every artist would make if left to their own devices; I looked to match all the sets as best as I could from the brands I had. Links to get individual pencils (not sets) are below each photo.
Where you’ll be right in Sandy’s pocket for quick feedback and answers to questions
Our closed group is a safe place to share for those in all our classes who love the ‘book!
Post wherever you like to share, and let your friends know which class you’re taking. They might like it too!