Watercolor Basics: July 23, 9:30am-12pm
Watercolor Basics: July 23, 9:30am-12pm with Janet Oliver
Want to learn how to paint using watercolors? Or perhaps you have painted before and would like a refresher? if so, this course is for you! Artist Janet Oliver will share tips and techniques on using watercolor paints to create interesting and colorful art. She will cover supplies (paper, brushes and more!). washes, (wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, etc.) and mixing paints. then, you will apply basic skills to create your own painting.
Students may bring their own watercolor supplies (see supply list).
If you don’t want to invest in supplies, Janet will have supplies available for use for $20 paid directly to instructor. See “Additional Supplies” for basic items for everyone to bring.
Watercolor Basics: July 23, 9:30am-12pm with Janet Oliver
Want to learn how to paint using watercolors? Or perhaps you have painted before and would like a refresher? if so, this course is for you! Artist Janet Oliver will share tips and techniques on using watercolor paints to create interesting and colorful art. She will cover supplies (paper, brushes and more!). washes, (wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, etc.) and mixing paints. then, you will apply basic skills to create your own painting.
Students may bring their own watercolor supplies (see supply list).
If you don’t want to invest in supplies, Janet will have supplies available for use for $20 paid directly to instructor. See “Additional Supplies” for basic items for everyone to bring.
Watercolor Basics: July 23, 9:30am-12pm with Janet Oliver
Want to learn how to paint using watercolors? Or perhaps you have painted before and would like a refresher? if so, this course is for you! Artist Janet Oliver will share tips and techniques on using watercolor paints to create interesting and colorful art. She will cover supplies (paper, brushes and more!). washes, (wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, etc.) and mixing paints. then, you will apply basic skills to create your own painting.
Students may bring their own watercolor supplies (see supply list).
If you don’t want to invest in supplies, Janet will have supplies available for use for $20 paid directly to instructor. See “Additional Supplies” for basic items for everyone to bring.
Watercolor Supplies For Janet Oliver’s Watercolor Classes
Watercolor Paper
· 140 lb. Cold Press (2 sheets 11x14 or similar sizing)
· Preferred: Arches brand—it is more expensive, but worth it!
Watercolor Brushes
· Rounds (2, 6, 10 or similar sizes)
· Flat (1/2” or ¾”)
Watercolor Paints
· Tube paints or Pans are options, both okay, but I prefer tubes.
· Artist’s Loft Tube Paint Kit is a good starter option (Michael’s in Traverse City sells them)… I use Winsor & Newton, Dick Blicks, and Daniel Smith brands usually.
· Colors Required:
o Red (Alizarin Red or Magenta)
o Yellow (Cadium Yellow or Lemon Yellow)
o Ultramarine Blue
o Raw Sienna or Yellow Ochre
· Other colors to consider:
o Black or Paynes Gray
o Burnt Umber
o Prussian or Phthalo Blue (teal)
o Hooker’s Green
o Sap Green
Additional Supplies
· Palette: Pick one that has mixing areas along with places to put dabs of paint from tubes (unless you are using pan paints). Having a lid is preferable.
· Paper towels
- Water containers (1 or 2), used yogurt or cottage cheese containers work well
· Painters’ tape (blue or purple work well… masking tape is ok, but can rip paper)
· Board (Optional). Something to attach the paper to with painters’ tape.
· Pencil (preferably one for sketching that is either a HB or H in lead weight)
· Eraser (Kneaded or plastic work best)
- Smock or wear clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on!
Janet (Jan) paints with acrylic, oil and watercolor. Jan loves nature and the beauty within, which is captured in most of her work. Her paintings lean towards realism, often enhanced to emphasize inspirational elements. She also paints portraits and does other commission work.
Jan is the illustrator for the picture books: “Fire Bird: The Kirtland’s Warbler Story,” “Rosie’s Rescue: Rosie the Roseate Spoonbill,” and “The Lord Looks at Your Heart.” She just completed the illustrations for a fourth book, “Indy: One of a Kind” which will be published in Fall 2025.
Jan has been teaching part-time since the late 1990s, but her specialty is teaching watercolor painting. She has taught many classes at Crooked Tree Art Center in Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College’s Extended Education Program, Mr. Pinn Gallery in Bellaire (now closed), and the Senior Center Network (at the Interlochen and Traverse City locations).
Jan has received awards and recognitions for her book illustrations, paintings and has been a finalist in both an art show at the Grand Traverse Commons and wine label competition through Bowers Harbor Vineyards. She also won Best of Show in a water media competition in Florida. She has shown her work throughout the region at various art shows (including juried exhibits) and fine art galleries. You can see her work now in the gift shops at Crooked Tree Art Center, Traverse City and Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. For more information, visit oliverthomasstudio.com.