Bugs & Beetles in Watercolor, Gouache and Metallic Paints with Miriam Hughes, April 20th at 7PM ET

from $25.00

Class Description

Using all water media paints we will explore the fascinating beauty of beetles and bugs! You either love them or hate them but bugs make for amazing artwork whether it is realistic or our own graphic and artistic interpretations.

Often insect artwork is presented as a illustration and the challenge for us will be to not only recreate our own images and interpretations’, but to work on composition. We will ask ourselves how we can make this more than just a pretty picture. What will draw people into our idea of beautiful bugs?

Feel free to use transparent watercolors or the more opaque medium of watercolor gouache. We will also explore how to effectively use metallic watercolors as part of the painting. Additional mediums like pen, ink, markers and even a teeny bit of collage will be discussed and encouraged!

Duration: Class is usually 90 minutes but may run longer depending on the number of participants. Class will consist of live demonstrations with students working along with the instruction. There will be time for questions and answers.

Please make sure you can attend the class you signed up for as we cannot transfer tuition. Due to privacy issues we will not be able to distribute videos of these live classes. Thank you.

Supply List

Watercolors – three colors – red, yellow and blue. I use a variety of watercolor brands and types – tube or pan. I like using QOR by Golden, but there are so many choices so use what you have: Ultramarine Blue, Hansa Yellow and Pyrrol Scarlet from Daniel Smith are used in the video. You can find good paint options by clicking here and here.

• A number #10 or #12 Simply Simmons Round Watercolor Brush is only $5-7. The brand is important only because different brands with the same number information can be different sizes. But use what you have if you can’t get out. Click this link for a good example of brushes - you will only need the #12 but others are good to have as well.

• Watercolor paper – I use 140lb Arches Cold press paper. It has a tooth to it, absorbs colors well and receives the ink easily, all which are important factors to me. Right now use what you have but results will vary on cheaper paper. Sometimes that is good too! PAPER is so expensive. I prefer to buy it by the sheet and tear it down to the odd sizes I need. It is cheaper to but 10 sheets at a time (for me). This is a good alternative for beginning. Get what you can afford for right now. I tear the sheets in half as you will see in the workshop. Click this link for a good paper option

• Black pen for inking afterwards – I use IDENTI.PEN from Sakura. I use the fine point only. The ink is permanent. The tip of this pen is vinyl and holds up against the grain of the watercolor pen. You can use any pen and/or pencil you desire. I just like this one - I buy ten at a time. You can purchase it here.

• Water container and water – any source is good

• Paper towels – about three sheets in a pile 4”x4” square will be fine. You need this to dab your brush and check your water /color volume sometimes.