For your class project, you will be creating a watercolor painting with at least one palm tree. You can apply a background gradient, a beach scene and a quote, or just one or two of these additional elements. I can't wait to see your results in the project area.

We will do some mini exercises. Post each steps in the project gallery, so that we can see your progress and give feedback. To warm up, you will be experimenting with your colors and exercise your brushstrokes. Did your color palette or you brush stroke sheet turn out great? Then show it. Then we'll make some background gradient thumbnails. Feel free to choose other colors than I did, to experiment with different moods for the sky. After the basics, we'll get into drawing a simple beach scene. In the following lesson, we will look at different types of palm trees. After all these mini exercises, you are ready for the next lesson, where you will choose your color palette and your favorite palm tree to draw a more complex image. I really encourage you to make this project your own by choosing your own gradient palette, your own palm tree, and researching for your favorite reference photos. Though, as a bonus you’ll find a PDF containing some inspirational summer and travel quotes, along with the reference photo I used for my own final project.

CLASS SUPPLIES: No need to have the exact supplies. Use what you have.

Watercolor paper: 300g (140lbs) / qm, cold pressed - Needed for practice and final project
Watercolor paint: I use half pans by different brands. Just use whatever watercolors you got.
Brushes: I use a variety of brushes: round (da Vinci/ Vernissage size 8), flat brush (Raphael size 18)
Paper towels / Cotton cloth
Water jar
Pencil & eraser (regular &/or a kneaded eraser)
White wax crayon (if you have one) or Masking fluid
Masking tape (if you like) or a ruler

Looking forward to seeing your final projects!

Markus H.

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