Watercolor Portrait Bootcamp with Tess Myers
About this event
In this two-day workshop, students will gain skills to navigate the compelling and often elusive medium of watercolor. While our focus will be on portraiture, the techniques we cover apply to other subjects as well. We will explore the power of gradients and layering, learn how to reliably produce specific effects, then apply these techniques in order to create vibrant and expressive portraits of increasing complexity.
In the spirit of a bootcamp, this workshop is intended to rapidly introduce you to everything you need to get a good start in watercolor portraiture. No prior portrait experience required, but some familiarity with watercolor is recommended.
Instructor: Tess Myers
Tess was born and raised in Washington DC, moving to Portland in order to graduate from Reed College with a degree in Biology. Her work has been diverse; aside from the visual arts, she has worked in medical research, software development, and movement arts.
Best known for her award winning portraiture, Tess focuses on walking the line between highly realistic representation and loose abstraction. She endeavors to capture rich tangibility, stillness before movement, or simply the expression of a human caught at a juncture in time. Her subjects are often from her community, portrayed in moments of mundanity, warm intimacy, or sublime existence. She also enjoys painting landscapes and has a particular soft spot for the mist- and rain-soaked Pacific Northwest scenery.
Currently, Tess teaches watercolor and portraiture at the Oregon Society of Artists and delights in working with students of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Supply list:
Required watercolor pigments, pan or tube. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY NEW PAINT! I will have extra to share, courtesy of M. Graham paints. If you have these already, please bring them.
- Payne’s gray
- Quinacridone rust
- Quinacridone red Nickel
- Quinacridone gold
- Gamboge yellow
- Phthalocyanine blue (green shade, if shade is specified on the tube)
- Cadmium red (optional)
- Ultramarine blue (optional)
- * No black paint
- * Be sure to keep any white paint off your palette! We will primarily be using transparent pigments, and white can really dull and opacify these pigments if it is mixed in by accident.
100% COTTON Watercolor paper, cold press, 140lb . At least 9x12” or similar size. Windsor & Newton Watercolor blocks are recommended but you are welcome to mount your own loose sheets on a board. We will be experimenting with isolated exercises as well as working on actual portraits, so you may prefer to use loose or scrap paper for these cases.
Brushes appropriate for watercolor. I recommend at least:
-
A round brush with tapered tip and good water holding capacity
- A large and flat brush
- A small flat brush with stiffer bristles for scrubbing/lifting pigment from small areas
- A few teeny brushes for finer detail
- A small rubber tipped “brush” for frisket application (Rosemary & Co has one for $2.50)
Blotting rag.
Paper towels.
Mixing wells or palette
Wash jar(s) for water (these are also available in the classroom)
A pencil and good quality eraser. A kneadable eraser will come in handy if you have one.
Fine mist spray bottle with clean water
Frisket removable masking fluid + rubber brush Don’t skip this! We will use it in every class.
Optional, but recommended:
A stand or table easel if you need to work upright. I usually work flat.
Cover or bag for palette, for transporting when wet Blue or artists tape for edges, if desired
White ink or gouache, to be used very minimally
Laptop or tablet for viewing reference photos
Desk lamp, as we will be using the projector and may need to keep the room dark.
Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions: Tcymyers@gmail.com | (202) 361- 8003 (Text first) | www.tessmyers.com
Location
ASA Classroom
620 NE Hwy 101
Lincoln City, OR 97367
USA
Category
Classes & Workshops
Registration Info
Registration has closed - Event is past
Payment In Full In Advance Only
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel your class registration:
7 days or more before the first class: You will receive a refund of your class fee, less a $5 administrative fee and any non-refundable instructor costs.
Less than 7 days before the first class: Registration and materials fees are non-refundable.
Missed Classes
No refunds or credits will be issued for classes missed due to a student's absence. Make-up sessions may be offered at the instructor's discretion but are not guaranteed.
Class Cancellations by ASA
If ASA cancels a class, students may choose either:
A full refund of all fees paid, or
A credit toward another ASA class.
ASA will make every effort to notify registered students as soon as possible of any class cancellation.
Inclement Weather
ASA will make every effort to remain open during adverse weather conditions. However, classes and studio activities may be canceled when weather conditions create safety concerns for students, instructors, staff, or volunteers. Notifications will be provided as soon as possible.
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