08/30 Dynamic Sky Painting in Watercolor Workshop

The class offers clear demonstrations followed by straightforward, step-by-step processes. Discover how to paint various cloud formations, stormy skies, fog, rain, and vibrant sunsets.

Description

Watercolor is an ideal medium for depicting skies. This class instructs you on how to paint skies suitable for landscapes and seascapes. The class offers clear demonstrations followed by straightforward, step-by-step processes.

Discover how to paint various cloud formations, stormy skies, fog, rain, and vibrant sunsets.

You will learn:
• How to paint dramatic and beautiful cloud formations
• How to paint clouds with shadows and perspective
• How to use washes, blends, and tones to create atmosphere

About the Instructor

Rafael DeSoto, Jr is a lifelong accomplished artist who has been painting and teaching watercolors for the past 40 years. His students attain confidence quickly through expert guidance and personal attention.

Rafael is a member of many local art organizations and exhibits nationally and locally. His studio is located in San Carlos where he also conducts private lessons.

Please see Rafael’s work here: rafaeldesotojr.com/works

Supply List

PAPER:
One of the most important things you should have for painting watercolors is good quality
paper. One way to make sure it’s quality paper is to see if it says 100% Cotton and 100% Acid
Free on the cover. Brands like Arches, Hahnemuhel, Fabrino Artistico, Fluid, Windsor & Newton
are excellent. We will be using Cold Press in this class, not hot press. Paper weight should be
140lb./300gm. Paper comes in pads, blocks or large single sheets. Pads have one side that is
glued, blocks are glued on all 4 sides. Single sheets need to be cut to size for this class. The
best size for this class is 10” x 14”. Also acceptable is 9” x 12 or 12” x 16” the maximum size
because of table space.

If you are buying a pad you will need a stiff board to tape your paper to. Cardboard is fine,
FoamCore is better, GatorFoam is best (but expensive). MDF board or Masonite are also fine
but weigh more.

Recommend: 9” x 12” or 10” x 14” Arches Watercolor Pad (12 sheets) Gran Fin (green cover) or
Rough (orange cover), Cold Pressed, 140lbs.

PAINT:
Watercolor paint can vary between manufacturers. Brands like Windsor & Newton, Holbein,
Daniel Smith, M. Graham, Sennelier and PWC are very good. 5ml tubes will be less expensive
than 15 ml tubes, but not all companies make 5ml. Paint also comes in “pans” or cakes. It will
be difficult to match the colors listed below in pans.

Colors for this class…

Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue, Prussian Blue, Cobalt Blue,
Cobalt Violet, Naples Yellow, Yellow Ocher, Payne’s Gray, Neutral Tint, Titanium White or
Permanent White (gouache pigment preferable).

PALETTE:

It’s important to have a decent palette with individual wells. You will need a good size mixing
area of at least 3-4” for making washes. Some inexpensive palettes can be found on Amazon.
Look for an airtight watercolor portable palette with 18 wells and 2 mixing areas, about 5” x
10.5” for about $10. If you find a palette without a mixing area bring along a small white
porcelain plate.

BUSHES:
One can easily spend a fortune on brushes but it isn’t necessary. You really only need about 3
or 4 in this class. Brushes come in 4 basic shapes; flat, round, oval and filbert. Synthetic
brushes are less expensive than natural hair and may last longer. I like using flat brushes with a
longer hair size to hold more paint. Get a 1” flat or oval brush for big washes. Note: I do not
lend any brushes to students.

Recommended: Sable Watercolor Brushes Professional, Fuumuui 7Pcs Kolinsky Sable Brushes

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES:
One gum (kneaded) eraser (avoid pink erasers, they score the paper and leave crumbs in the
paint). One HB or 2B pencil. Masking tape. A case to carry all your supplies.

Water containers and paper towels will be supplied. Reference photos will also be supplied.

Please email Rafael at desotostudio@gmail.com with any questions.

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