Classes and Workshops
The Weekly Paint-In's and First Wednesday Class Demos are conducted for Members only, taking place during the Paint-in. The members may take advantage of the short class or not.
PLEASE NOTE: Workshops are open to the public. Any non-member can join WAA and take advantage of savings for the cost of workshop. Class sizes may be limited. *
For more information, either for a class or workshop, please contact: Susan Barnard at susanebarnard@gmail.com
Forms for Workshop Presenters link
*Tuition is fully refundable up to 7 days before the workshop start date.
Waterway Art Association reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet minimum attendance requirements. All payments will be refunded if the class is cancelled by the organization.
C B Berry building
Wednesday Paint-In
Bright well - lit workspace
Join Class Demos or work on own art pieces
Join Class Demos or work on own art pieces
CB Berry Community Center has large accommodating space to paint!
Join Class Demos or work on own art pieces
Join Class Demos or work on own art pieces
Join Class Demos or work on own art pieces
Collaborate with other artists
Join Class Demos or work on own art pieces
Collaborate with other artists
Wednesday Paint-in session
Class Demonstrations
Take Advantage of Your Membership!
Every first Wednesday, members can take advantage of 20-minute demonstrations from other members with experience in various styles and mediums. These are presented during and in the same room as the Paint-Ins, and are free for members to participate!
If you have a creative technique or art related information you would like to share in class, contact Diane White at diane.white257@gmail.com
Form to request to be a Class Demo Presenter link
Check out Event Calendar to see the Class Demos coming up
2026 Workshops
Plein Air With Clay Johnson
Art in Perspective-from Reference to Canvas with Jack Hurley
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Art in Perspective-from Reference to Canvas with Jack Hurley
Art in Perspective-from Reference to Canvas with Jack Hurley
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Painting with Terry Harrison
Mondays February 9- March 30
9:30-12:30
Eight Monday Mornings - Acrylic, Watercolor or Oil Paints.
(Also, Opportunity to Choose 2 or more Days - Register below)
The materials list will be discussed on the first day of class in depth.
We will also discuss options for painting mediums and brushes in class.
This class is for students working in watercolors, oils, and acrylics. We will explore the fundamentals of painting with any subject matter. We will learn to apply the tried and true methods passed down to us by artists from the past to improve our overall painting skills. This class is designed for any skill level, especially beginners. The goal of our study will be to enhance each student’s knowledge of drawing, color and composition as they apply to the student’s painting.
Participants will be encouraged to work from life as well as from photography. Understanding the basic approach to painting help an artist to be more confident regarding the outcome of their work as they strive to obtain that often elusive image they wish to capture. It’s that challenge that keeps us fascinated as painters and helps push us to the next level with our work. Each student will receive individual help as well as learning with the whole class.
A few particular areas we will focus on are learning to paint the types of light we encounter with our subjects, understanding warm and cool color as it applies to light and the “form principle”. We will cover ways to strengthen our compositions not only by the placement of objects but also through the use of value keys. Learning about the various treatment of edges will make our painting surface more interesting.
All of these elements and more will help us draw in a viewer looking at our work. With practice and knowledge, we can work towards becoming the artists we would like to be. It’s a challenging journey, but satisfying and fun along the way
First day of class:
All -purpose drawing paper
pencils: (2 H, 2 B, 6 B)
a kneaded eraser.
a simple object to draw.
This can be as simple as a coffee cup.
Supply list
Drawing materials:
- All purpose drawing paper
- assorted drawing pencils
- example, 2H, 2B,4B, 6B
- kneaded eraser
- graphite transfer paper
- Printed photo reference for drawing and
- painting.
Oils or Acrylics:
- You will need
- a stretched canvas,
- (a table top easel, optional).
- palette for your specific painting
- medium,
- brushes,
- container for odorless thinner or water
- paper towels
Watercolors:
- Arches 140 lb. cold pressed
- watercolor paper
- a prepared board for stretches
- staple gun or a
- watercolor block
- watercolor palette
- water container
- brushes
- paper towel
- Watercolors
Acrylics and Oils:
Warm colors:
- Cadmium Yellow Med.,
- Cadmium Red Med.,
- Cobalt blue,
- Cerulean Blue
Cool colors:
- Cadmium Lemon Yellow,
- Permanent Alizarin
- Crimson or Permanent Rose, (analternate color is Quinacridone Red),
- Ultramarine Blue
- (White Permalba or Titanium White is for Oils and Acrylics Only)
Please buy artist quality paints, for example M Graham or Holbein watercolors.
Holbein, Charvin, Winsor and Newton, etc oil colors. Waterbased may also be used.
Good quality acrylics like Holbein or other artist quality paints are again recommended.
Brushes:
For watercolor-
- I use, Darer Rowney Sapphire brush number 10 round
- and number 1 round., Daler Rowney Skyflow Aquafine 2" or 1 1/2" flat brush
Purchase from Dick Blick, Jerry's Artarama, Amazon and Jackson's Art Supplies
Rosemary and Co. Eradicator purchase this brush from Wind River Arts
Mary@windriverarts.com or call (972) 342-4947.
Oil and Acrylic brushes:
- Filbert shape brushes in bristle, or synthetic bristleand soft brushes like Black Swan, Silver brush, (Ruby Satin) an Master's Touch
- flibert synthetic bristle.
These brushes are just suggestions, they are generally what I use. If possible use artist quality brushes.
- Sources for materials: Jerry's Artarama, Dick Blick, Hobby Lobby, Wind River Arts,
Jackson's Art Supplies and Amazon
Painting with Acrylic Cold Wax With Gwen Pikul
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
9:30-12:30
HAVE FUN CREATING YOUR ONE OF A KIND UNIQUE, COLORFUL COLD WAX PAINTING!
We will be painting in layers with acrylic & cold wax on 8x8 prepared canvas panel boards.
I will instruct the technique of a gentle touch and layering to create a beautiful, textured and colorful creation.
Using paint spreaders and palette knives, we will achieve a loose somewhat abstracted appearance from your reference photo. This allows for a unique one of a kind painting.
Supply list
- Reference photo- A simple landscape or seascape is a great way to begin painting with cold wax. I will also bring samples of my work to be referenced.
- Acrylic paints- Bring your favorites. Tube paints only. Be sure to include colors to achieve your reference photo paintings. (no craft paints please) craft paints do not mix well with the cold wax.
- Flexible smooth paint/resin spreaders. (asst. sizes) Be sure they are flexible…rigid spreaders for Bondo etc., do not work well. ( These are available on Amazon and also at Hobby Lobby)
- Palette knives - bring as many sizes as you have. I will talk about each and the effects you will achieve by using them.
- Brushes - small to medium flat & angle edge, and small detail brushes
- Silicone paint brushes (Flat painting tool) 1in & 2in. (inexpensive - also available on Amazon and at Hobby Lobby)
- Large Ziplock bag- for dirty palette knives after use
- Gloves if wanted
- Paper towels
- Water container
- Ruler
- Disposable paper palette or parchment paper
- Canvas-*** I will be providing 8x8 pre-prepped canvases for the sake of time. Cold wax - this medium will be provided by me also
Plein Air with Clay Johnson
Wednesday , March 25,2026
9:30-3:30
We will begin with thirty minutes or so of classroom discussion and demonstration, followed by outdoor painting. We will go from the best method to start and explain the following subjects :
-Arranging a simple palette
-Composing the panel based on major shapes
-Using an imprimatura or toned canvas
-Wipe out / underpainting
-“Oiling out” explained
Supply list
- Hat with a sun brim
- Sturdy shoes
- Extra sweater, wind cheater, or nylon rain jacket to keep in car for use as needed
- Bug repellant
- Water
- Wet wipes for your hands can be useful & convenient.
- Paper towels
- Painting knife, for mixing as well as painting
- Medium & “palette cup” with lid - Galkyd Lite. It begins to dry fast outside in the wind and air, so I usually add 10% oil. Graham walnut/alkyd medium is also good, and dries more slowly.
- Solvent & small cup
- Cloth rag
Painting supplies:
- Two small panels, maybe around 8x10
- Wood or paper palette (pre laid out when possible)
- Bristle brushes, a few flats & rounds sizes 2 through 8
- Soft, synthetic brushes, a couple will do, one of which is a small soft round
- Hardware store cheap bristle “chip” brushes- 1/2” and 1”
- painting knife
- Easel of choice
- paper towels & rag
- medium & solvent
- Paint box to hold it all
- Basic Paint:
Red, Blue, Yellow, White.-For example: Quinacridone red, Ultramarine blue, and Cadmium yellow light, White. - Extended Basic Paint (could include) :
Red, Violet, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange.For example: Quinacridone red, Quinacridone purple or violet, Ultramarine blue, Viridian (PG18) or Pthalo Green (PG7), Cadmium yellow light, Winsor Orange (PO72). And White.
Art in Perspective - From Referance to Canvas With Jack Hurl
Wednesday, April 8,2026
9:30am to 3:30pm
Taking an 8 x 10 photo and transferring the scene to a larger paint surface. Making the piece relatively proportional to the original. We will be using our subject and our eye to create a visually interesting art piece. I suggest that you bring some varying size paint surfaces to try and apply this practice. If possible, once the work has been transposed and drafted, you could proceed with the underpainting process preparing the canvas for your colors and creativity!
supply list
- 2 ft ruler or T-Square.
- Drafting pencils
- Kneaded eraser,
- sharpener
- One or two painting surfaces (paper, canvas) depending on medium. 16 x 20 size would be easiest.
- Bring an 8x10 photo that interests you or I can provide an 8 x 10 photo to work from.
- White, black, sienna paints for underpainting
- if needed Paint medium and odorless paint thinner,
- paper towels
Creating Interest with Textural Backgrounds in Watercolor
With Lourdes Rasdall Saturday April 18, 2026
9:30am to 3:30pm
In the first part of this workshop, we will prepare backgrounds full of texture and “resists”. After they dry, we’ll come back and paint over them. Because the backgrounds will already be so full of texture, the actual painting part will be a breeze. I will walk you through designing your painting from beginning to end, a selecting a color palette that will help convey your message. The end result will be your own personal creation. I will have reference materials, but you are also welcome to bring your own. Suitable subjects for this technique are simple, large shapes, such as fruits and vegetables, enlarged birds and fish shapes, human animal figures, large circles and other geometric shapes. Not suitable: small, detailed subjects and complicated scenes. If you typically paint small, consider using larger paper and larger brushes.
supply list
- Watercolor paper (140lb, cotton not synthetic paper), pads, blocks or loose sheets, 12x16 or larger will be best for this workshop, either cold or hot press.
- Small, cheap, watercolor spiral notebook for color mixin , thumbnail sketching and notes.
- Watercolor paints, transparent colors only – bring what you already have but tubes, not pans
- Watercolor brushes – Flats and rounds in different sizes – you should have a large flat, at least 1” or larger and a 12 or 14” round
- Watercolor palette – whatever you have • A couple of disposable Styrofoam or white plastic plates
- A support board slightly larger that your paper (unless you’re using watercolor blocks as your paper)
- A bottle or jar of gesso
- Small plastic spatula or plastic hotel key.
Optional (bring only if you already have these; I will have some for classroom use):
- Stencils and stamps with interesting shapes (non-representational) •
- Other mark-making tools you may use in mixed media
Location
Creating Visual Depth Through Layering -Mary Beth Bradbury
Wednesday, April 22,2026
9:30am to 12:30pm
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to create visual depth using layered techniques with acrylic paint and water-soluble media. Through guided instruction, they’ll explore six key methods - resist, dark over light, light over dark, glazing, combining transparent and opaque layers, and stencil-based mark-making.
The final product will be a personalized sample book, with each page showcasing a different technique in 3–4 distinct layers, serving as a lasting reference for future painting projects.
supply list
- · 6 -12 sheets of watercolor or mixed media paper between 5x7 and 11x14
- · Transparent/Semi-Transparent Acrylic paints: primary set or 3 -5 favorite colors, + white + black (paint label explainer info)
- · Glazing medium (optional)
- · Oil pastels or white or clear wax crayons: a few colors will do
- · Water-soluble media (A handful of colors, Neocolor II, watercolor pencils, Inktense blocks, etc., whatever you have)
- · Mark-making tools: sponge, palette knife, silicone scraper, stencils, bottle caps, stamps, etc.
- · a few stencils
- · Brushes (round, flat, foam) a stiff stencil brush will come on handy
- · Paper towels & water container
- · Baby wipes (optional)
- · Blue painters tape or masking tape
The Joy of Gel Printing Beautiful Botanicals with Mary Marti
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Discover the magic of gel printing—a playful, painterly form of printmaking that uses a gel plate instead of a press. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to create luminous botanical prints using pressed leaves and flowers, layered paints, and a variety of textural elements. Your prints can be transformed into greeting cards, collages, mixed media pieces, and more.
What You’ll Learn:
⦁ How to use a gel plate and printmaking tools
⦁ Positive and negative shape concepts
⦁ Layering transparent and opaque paints for unique effects
⦁ Mark-making techniques with leaves, flowers, and textures
⦁ A variety of printmaking methods
⦁ How to create greeting cards from your finished prints
You’ll have plenty of studio time to experiment, play, and make a generous stack of beautiful prints. This process is fun, freeing, and a little addictive—come ready to PLAY!
supply list
Optional:
Bring your own papers—old book pages, kid’s homework, etc.—
and any pressed leaves or flowers you’d like to incorporate into your prints.
Leaves and flowers can be pressed flat in a large book, such as a dictionary.
The flatter the leaves, the better the print made on the gel plate
Oil Painting with Cold Wax with Jane Wolfgang
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
9:30am to 3:30pm
Have you been wanting to explore this innovative way to use oil paint and cold wax? Join me for an introductory workshop where you will experiment with this expressive and inspiring medium in an encouraging environment.
Create both abstract seascapes and landscapes while you learn about composition, color and of the many ways to use various tools to apply the paint and create unique finishes.
No prior artistic experience needed! You will be able to leave the workshop with at least two completed paintings and a love of cold wax! and perhaps some new friends and ideas!
Feel free to bring a snack and or drink.
supply list
Oil paints -- Bring the oil paint that you use.
I WILL HAVE SOME OIL PAINTS FOR YOUR USE. If this is your first time with oils - buying the top of the line brand is not necessary. It is good to have a warm and a cool of each color.
These are the colors that I use:
- Titanium White
- Cad. Yellow
- Yellow Ochre
- Cad. Orange
- Alizarin Crimson
- Cad Red
- Dioxine Purple
- Cobalt Blue
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cerulean Blue
- Sap Green
- Permanent Green
- Light Asphaltum (Gamblin)
- Transparent Red Oxide/Earth Red
- Brushes - you won’t really use them but bring a few if you have them.
- Old brushes!
- Latex Gloves
- Blue Painters tape
- 1 Roll of Paper towels
- Plastic or metal palette knives
- Gessoed panels - I prefer DaVinci pro medium textured gesso panels (do not use ultra smooth) need some tooth! Bring at least 2 - 3 panels. No larger than 16 x 20 or 12 x 24. *I purchase mine from Jerrys Art Arama
- Messermeister (Bowl Scraper) Can be purchased on Amazon.
- Any personal photos/printouts of seascapes and landscapes. I will supply photos but feel free to bring your own.
- We will get messy!
- Please bring an apron or paint shirt. and LOTS OF PAPER TOWELS!
- feel free to bring any “fun” collage papers, stencils, oil pastels, tissue paper that you may have around the house to use and or share.
What will be provided: Gamblin Cold Wax Some oil paints
- Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits
- Freezer paper to use as a palette/table cover Assorted stencils
- Assorted colored tissue paper
- Assorted collage papers
- baby wipes
- bubble wrap
- popsicle sticks
- bamboo skewers
- Printed images of seascapes and landscapes
- Instructional handouts
- baby oil (for cleaning)
- oil pastels brayers
