I really enjoyed this. Aimed at beginner watercolorists, the instruction was clear and precise, & filled with exercises to improve basic watercolor techniques and strategies.  It is these fundamental techniques that all watercolorists strive to perfect, (or at least improve upon), no matter their experience level. 

My personal focus has been aimed at my precision and negative painting which is what i selected to do for my class project. 

 

Warm Up:

Look at that shimmer from Daniel Smith's interference range!!

 

...and finally, my Ana Calderon inspired finished project: 

 Finished Project : (In Progress)

 

...and that's a wrap!

 

 

My supplies were asked to be shared, and I am happy to do so: 

Paper:
Viking1914 Iris Berserker 310 gsm (Watercolor paper from Denmark).
It is a cellulose and cotton blend, but is seriously like painting on a tout Egyptian cotton sheet. The absolute best paper I have found that can compare to Arches and Fabriano 100% cotton papers. (I use this paper mainly for practice and small studies, but because of the quality, it can easily be applied to professional finished pieces).  

Brush: 
Kum Memory Point Synthetic Brush Size 8
This brush is new to my arsenal of watercolor brushes, and the first completely synthetic brush I have purchased having fallen in love with Kolinsky Sable and Squirrel brushes for watercolor. This brush was extremely affordable and as expected from Kum, lived up to its name thus far. The point is so precise I was able to complete this project using this SIZE 8 brush exclusively on an A6 sheet of paper, (it worked a charm in those tiny negative spaces!). 

Paints: 
The paints selected for this piece are some of my favourites.

• Talens Ecoline liquid watercolours ( I love the vibrancy!)
• Daniel Smith Tube Paints - Squeezed into 1/2 pans
  (That glitter bling on the circles makes me giggle like a school girl). 
• White Nights Tube Paints - Squeezed into 1/2 pans
  (In love with these paints, especially for the price!

Pallets: 
No doubt, porcelain is the way to go for me.

• The pallet shown with tiny wells is made specifically with liquid watercolours and inks in mind. My version has a lid providing additional mixing space. When I have left-over paints or inks, i use a silicone bowl cover between the two pieces and my inks and watercolors don't evaporate.
• I am also fond of the small round stackable porcelain pallet set for mixing a large amount of a single color that will be used on the piece I am painting.
  
  Both were purchased from Jackson's Art based in England, and both were under $15.00 US.  
• I also have a cheese platter bought on clearance from Ikea for a quick spot to mix or lay my tools before they have been washed, (pipettes, paper towels etc.). This has a permanent place on my workspace.