In my last few classes, I explained how I re-introduced a daily art practice into my life as a way to bring back the joy of art-making to my life. With this class, I wanted to continue to explore watercolour, but this time it will be with natural media and a new product that I have been trying out, watercolour sheets and their super intense and saturated pigments. As a licensing artist, I am constantly looking for ideas for my next collection of artwork. I decided that this time, I would concentrate on a watercolour abstract, and I have used the paints to develop a new look for the next set of pieces I create for large abstract art pieces. The great thing is, you don't need to have any experience with watercolour to end up with very usable components.
In this class, Create Intense Watercolor Abstracts with Watercolor Sheets, I am going to demonstrate how I created a visually appealing watercolour with a unique look. I’d like to invite you to join me and we will practice our skills by completing a project together. This project follows a variety of processes from start to finish until we end up with new “abstract” piece. At the end, I have a vivid design which can be used for large wall art pieces, tapestries, cel phone cases… even shower curtains and the like. These Viviva paints are so awesome! Honestly, these abstract pieces look good on ANYTHING! Best of all, this art piece is authentically hand made using these vivid sheet watercolours, complete with bleeding paint called backruns, and variegated saturation inherent in watercolour work. We even end up with authentic watercolor blooms!
What is a bloom, you ask? A bloom is a flow mark created when liquid is added to an already drying wash. These unpredictable textures are also known as blossoms, backruns, or even florets. These terms all refer to the same thing. They occur because water always seeks a state of equilibrium. An area of very wet paint will always flow towards an area of less wet paint. This takes some practice, but since watercolor painting is all about the flow of paint, it’s worth the effort to observe what’s going on. Blooms will happen if the surface of the paper dries unevenly, or when you add more paint to an area, thus creating an uneven distribution of moisture. It’s these kinds of differences in paper wetness that we will experiment with. If your paint is no longer sufficiently wet, then stop working and wait for it to dry before applying more pigment.
These lessons are the perfect place to build watercolour skills in a “safe” environment and work in an instinctive and intuitive manner. If you have yearned for a daily practice of just creating art, this class is for you, whether you are a professional artist/illustrator or you just want to make art for fun. Check out the links provided in the course materials for example work, and just imagine what you'll be able to create after completing this class. You don't need to know how to draw, or even have ever worked with sheet watercolour paints before. All you need is an open mind, the willingness to learn and take risks, and the drive to have a ton of fun! If you don’t have sheet watercolour, any watercolour will do, or even liquid inks, and I recommend watercolour paper, and a variety of brushes or mark making tools.  
The key concepts I will include:
<ul><li>review of my painting techniques and how natural media can work in the production of abstracts</li>
<li>a look at brushes and their various idiosyncrasies</li>
<li>discovery and adventure of developing a new style</li>
<li>approaches you can take in your creative work</li>
</ul>This is a great course for you to take no matter what the purpose for the art you create. Approach this course with an open mind and heart, and you will create something striking!
Intro to Create Intense Watercolor Abstracts with Watercolor Sheets
This short intro will give you an overview of the class.
Lesson 1: Discussing the Supplies for the Class
In this lesson, I will show you the color sheets and explain the merits of the small color books. I walk you through the beginning of planning the swatch making we will do in the next lesson.
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Lesson 2: Testing and Swatching Out Color
In this lesson, I will show you how to swatch out the colors. Throughout, I explain the value of doing so and explain the different factors to producing a good chart. I also give you some tidbits about moisture control.
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Lesson 3: Experimental Painting and Mark Making
In this lesson, I go through some of the methods I use to create interesting marks usable in a final composite. I will show you some of the key techniques I use and explain it every step of the way.
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Lesson 4: Practice with Creating Easy Compositions
You will watch my demonstration of the progression of my painting in this lesson. I will explain what steps I take to add details to give more depth and interest. 
Lesson 5: Adding Details and Textural Elements
In this lesson, we start getting to the nitty gritty of the final artwork. You will see me use several different techniques to add interest and detail. Throughout the process you learn more about brushes.
Lesson 6: Finalizing Art Digitally Using Photoshop
At this stage, we start to pull our layout together, and I will add tons of small detail to add textural interest. I will give you plenty of ideas for exploration using things like blending modes or adding layers made from other existing artwork. I demonstrate the process with both Procreate and Photoshop.
Lesson 7: Mock Ups and Wrap Up
This is the last step and in this lesson I will be wrapping up and showing you some of the mockups I have produced. This will show you just how versatile this art can be! We will conclude everything in this lesson with a chat about next steps.
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Concepts covered:
Concepts covered include but are not limited to the Viviva watercolour paint sheets, mixing watercolours, blending watercolours, mark making experimental techniques, layering, transparency, wet on wet techniques, wet on dry techniques, moisture control, water control, review of watercolour theory, finding appropriate reference, daily art practice, art journaling, mark making, texture, using a liner brush, using a filbert or fan brush, scanning and importing watercolour for use in Photoshop composites, Procreate composites, Procreate abstract art, procreate brushes for adding interest, workflow best practices, painting best practices, techniques with paints and blending, and much more.
You will get the bonus of…
<ul><li>an hour of direction from an instructor who has been in graphic design business and education for over 40 years</li>
<li>knowledge of multiple ways to solve each design challenge</li>
<li>handouts explaining key concepts</li>
<li>a list of helpful online sites to further your education into surface pattern design</li>
</ul>

Into Intense Sheet Watercolour Abstract

Discussing the Supplies for Class

Making Our Color Chart

Experiments in Mark Making

Making Simple Compositions

Adding Details and Textures

Preparing for Digitizing

Mockups, Conclusion and Wrap Up

Outline Create Intense Watercolor Abstracts with Viviva Color Sheets.docx

Outline Create Intense Watercolor Abstracts with Viviva Color Sheets.pdf

Create Intense Abstracts with Watercolor Sheets and Optional Finishing in Procreate or Photoshop

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Create Intense Abstracts with Watercolor Sheets and Optional Finishing in Procreate or Photoshop

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