Jan. 11 – 18, 2025 – Andy Evansen – Loosening Up Your Watercolor Painting

Andy Evansen,
January 11 – 18, 2025 – Loosening up your watercolor painting, with Andy Evansen

Andy Eavansen, The Good Life, watercolor on paper

Loosening up your watercolor painting, with Andy Evansen

“There seems to be a never-endinq quest to loosen up in watercolor. I hear it from my students all the time. It’s easy to fall into the trap of putting too much into your paintings, and editing out the non-essential whether working from photo reference or painting on location is so important.

Andy Evansen, Blue Awning, watercolor on paper, 14" x 10"

Painting loosely doesn’t just ‘happen’, it comes from gaining a comfort level with your skills and materials over time.  However, there are techniques that can speed up this process.

Andy Evansen, Friend protector, watercolor on paper, 11" x 15"

Andy Evansen, Value Study and Color Study Demo, View from Casa Studio, watercolor on paper.

My workshop will focus on using value studies from the outset to identify the large shapes in a scene. These large shapes provide the artist with opportunities for lost edges when painting in color. Too often the ‘found edges’, or details, take over the painter’s thinking process, and the result is a tight watercolor. In order to loosen up it is imperative to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish with your painting and then execute it quickly. This class will give you the tools and confidence to do just that.

Andy Evansen, Afternoon Rooftops, watercolor on paper

Imagine the best art workshop vacation of your life: Painting in a charming fishing village inspired by exotic locations along the gorgeous Pacific coast of Mexico , with master watercolor painter Andy Evansen! Immerse yourself in the joys of authentic Mexican village life at one of the most beautiful and arts oriented locales in Latin America, Casa de los Artistas, in the serene village of Boca de Tomatlan, 10 miles south of Puerto Vallarta.

Andy Evansen, Beach Loungers, watercolor on paper

Join Andy as we paint on the beach in front of the Casa – (or in the open air Casa studio), with the fishing boats, exotic birds, waves, river, village and mountains all around us. Experience the gorgeous rock formations of the Mexican Pacific coast as we take a boat trip, (with opportunity of seeing whales, dolphin, tortoise and mantas) and then onto sketch and picnic at a beautiful beach. Spend the day painting incredible flora and vistas as we make the hacienda at the award winning Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens our studio where they serve us a delicious lunch. Step back in time as we spend the day painting in and around the village of Boca de Tomatlan, stopping only to have a sumptuous lunch prepared by the Casa chef Ruby and her assistants. This and more adventures await you when you join Andy Evansen for Loosening Up Your Watercolor Painting in Paradise at Casa de los Artistas.

Andy Evansen, Plein Air Painting Demo at the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens, watercolor on paper, 15" x 11"

SEMINAR IS LIMITED TO 16 PARTICIPANTS !
REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE!
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You can reserve your place with a $500. credit card deposit, (no surcharge) or pay in full (surcharge applies)

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Andy Evansen Casa Plein Air & Studio Watercolor Workshop Supply List

-Paper; please bring a small pad (8 x 10, 9 x 12) of watercolor paper for value studies as well as good quality paper, quarter sheet size, for paintings.  10 x 14 or 12 x 16 blocks  work well also.

-Paint; I use primarily Winsor & Newton paints, students can bring what they’re used to.

  My palette consists of Neutral Tint, Paynes Gray, French Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Quinacridone Gold, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Lemon.

-Palette; must have good size mixing area(s), mine is a hand-held with 4 egg shaped wells

-Brushes; Use what you’re comfortable with, but please bring one larger sized 16 brush. I like Silver Black Velvet watercolor brushes, sizes 16, 10, and a ‘mop’.

-No. 2 pencil and kneaded eraser

-Water container. I have a plastic thermos from Target that holds enough water for 2 or 3 paintings.

-Paper towels, and a plastic bag for garbage

-Easel. I use the one made by EnPleinAirPro.com. I stand when I paint, but if you like to sit go ahead and bring a small folding chair.  

-Umbrella that attaches to your easel is optional, but be prepared for sun or rain, (very unlikely this time of year). A hat and sunblock is a good idea, as well as bug spray.

Almost everything fits in a large backpack, then I simply carry my paper.  It’s important to be fairly ‘mobile’ as we may be walking a few blocks from time to time.