Botanical Watercolor S26

Meeting Times

• Tuesday 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Description

In-person class at Fox Chapel Area High School

NEW! Explore nature in detail through botanical watercolor! This art form combines scientific observation with artistic expression and captures the unique characteristics, textures, and structures of plant life to create realistic, vibrant illustrations.

This four-week class is designed for beginners interested in deepening their understanding of botanical watercolor painting. Each session focuses on strengthening foundational techniques, improving observation skills, and learning how to apply watercolor thoughtfully and with control. By the end of the course, students will have the tools and confidence to approach botanical watercolor paintings on their own.

Through demonstrations and hands-on instruction, local artist Elisabeth Ridenour will provide students will the framework to create detailed, lifelike botanical watercolors:

• Understand watercolor materials and how they behave on paper.
• Improve observation skills, with guidance on seeing shapes, values, and details more accurately.
• Develop practical strategies for controlling watercolor and
• Learn foundational techniques such as wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, lifting, and layering, and recognizing when to use each.
• Experiment with basic color theory and introductory color mixing for botanical subjects.
• Apply multiple techniques together to create a finished botanical study.

Each class will include plenty of time to practice new skills. By the end of the series, students will create an 8 x 10 botanical watercolor study on professional-grade paper.

Class-Specific Notes

Please refer to the attached document for a list of supplies to bring to class each week: Botanical_WC_Materials_List_S26.pdf