Watercolor: Painting Nature from Pine Trees to Palmettos

This course will focus on drawing and painting the Lowcountry landscape with special attention to techniques, shapes, and methods to portray trees, Spanish moss, grasses, flowers,  and other elements. Each class begins with a  demonstration, specific to the day’s learning. Beginners will be comfortable in this class, and those with more experience will be challenged.  

Bring your own photos for painting reference. 

Materials:  

• Watercolor paints in at least the following colors: Cadmium Red, Ultramarine or  Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Yellow or Lemon Yellow, Sap Green, and Burnt Sienna. Note: If you already have watercolor paints, bring what you have. If buying paints for the first time, there are some good artist sets that include the above or similar colors. 
• Watercolor Palette or large white plate for mixing. A plastic folding travel palette is preferred. 
• Watercolor Paper: the size of your choice. (10 x 14″ or smaller is good.) Staples has  Bienfang watercolor pads at a reasonable price. 
• One or two watercolor brushes: A size #8 or larger round brush and a 1/2″ flat brush are all you need.  
• Pencil and Soft Eraser 
• Wide mouth container for water: An empty cottage cheese, yogurt, or other container is perfect. 

Alexandra Sharma is a Master of Fine Arts and has taught art at the university level.  She is a member of the Hilton Head Art League, The Apple Pie Painters, and Delta  Phi Delta, the national art honorary. She is represented locally by the Charles Street  Gallery in Beaufort, SC. 

Four Sessions: First Session: 2:30 to 4:30 PM, Tuesday, February 7.  Sessions 2,3 & 4: 1:30 to 3:30 PM, Tuesday, February 14, 21, and 28 Hilton Head Island Rec Center (Gum Tree Road to School Road to 36 Wilborn Rd.) Class Limit: 18