Watercolor, Gouache & Ink Wash: Observation, Technique, and Personal Practice

Open Studio Add On: 55$ per month for unlimited studio access during open studio hours

This Program is designed for: All Levels

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Course Description: 

This ongoing painting class welcomes students of all experience levels, from complete beginners to experienced artists looking to deepen their practice. Working with watercolor, gouache, ink wash, liquid charcoal, and other water-based media, students develop a strong foundation in observation, composition, color, and painting technique while exploring the unique qualities of each medium.

Throughout the course, students will learn essential watercolor and ink wash techniques, including brush handling, washes, layering, value, edge control, and composition. Through demonstrations and examples, students learn how these principles can be applied to create both realistic and expressive paintings.

Working from still-life arrangements, natural objects, photographs, and other observational references, students are guided through the process of planning a composition, developing an initial drawing, and building a painting step by step. The instructor begins a demonstration painting during class and continues to develop it throughout various sessions while providing individual feedback and support to students, and allowing them to follow the process at every stage.

The class is designed as an ongoing studio experience where students can progress at their own pace. Beginners receive a strong foundation in watercolor technique and observation, while returning students are encouraged to pursue increasingly complex subjects and develop a personal approach to the medium. Whether your interest lies in landscape, architecture, still life, urban sketching, or expressive experimentation, instruction is tailored to help you achieve your goals.

Above all, the focus is on building confidence, strengthening observational skills, and helping students become better painters through consistent practice in a supportive and welcoming environment.

What to Expect

• Demonstrations of watercolor and other techniques
• Guidance on composition and drawing
• A relaxed, supportive studio atmosphere
• Opportunities to learn from both instructor demonstrations and fellow students

Students are encouraged to return regularly, as each session builds upon previous lessons while introducing new techniques, challenges, and subjects for exploration. By attending consistently, students develop not only technical proficiency but also a deeper understanding of watercolor as a lifelong artistic practice.

Instructor bio:

Patrick King is a Brooklyn based painter. He grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, still the subject of much of his work. He studied at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Philadelphia College of Art, and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He has taught at The Art Students League of New York, Temple University and Philadelphia University as well as several art centers in addition to conducting private plein air workshops.

King’s work is in numerous private and public collections. He has exhibited at the National Academy of Design, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Watercolor USA, Springfield Art Museum, American Watercolor Society, F.A.N. Gallery, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Maryland Federation of Art, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Silvermine Guild Arts Center, Gross McCleaf Gallery, and Woodmere Art Museum, among others. He is a recipient of a Pollock Krasner grant.