PIERCE CEDAR CREEK PAINTING ADVENTURE
Susan Badger (Watercolor Instructor, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts)
badgerburrow@aol.com
Cell (269) 501-9997
COURSE MATERIAL CHOICES:
For this on site painting experience, students may choose to work from a variety of
materials. These materials could be just as simple as using pens or pencils in a
sketchbook, or students may choose to work in materials such as watercolor,
watercolor pencils, colored pencils, pastels, etc.
I am primarily a watercolor painter, and at the KIA I teach courses in watercolor
as well as art journaling. Art journals or sketchbooks can be great on site choice.
They can be created using a variety of media, including those mentioned above. If
wet media like watercolor is to be used, a journal or sketchbook designed
specifically for watercolor or mixed media is highly recommended.
In this course I’m planning to demonstrate on site techniques in watercolor as well
as pen & ink combined with watercolor. I’m also looking forward to assisting
students with their varied media.
OPTIONAL WATERCOLOR MATERIALS:
PAPER:
Watercolor paper can be purchased in sheets, blocks, or watercolor sketchbooks.
Arches brand 140 lb. cold press watercolor is a very good choice.
WATERCOLOR PAINTS:
***This is a list of the colors that I use, however students may choose to use just a
few tubes of basic primary colors.
Good quality artist grade watercolor paints are recommended. Paint purchased in
tubes rather than “pan” colors are preferable for the methods that will be
demonstrated in class.
There are many quality brands of watercolor, and these include Winsor Newton
Daniel Smith, & Holbein. I prefer Winsor Newton for most colors.
PRIMARY COLORS
Blue: Cobalt Blue, French Ultramarine Blue, Winsor or Pthalo Blue Cerulean Blue.
Red: Scarlet Lake, Permanent Rose.
Yellow: New Gamboge, Aureolin
SECONDARY COLORS (Many secondary colors can be mixed from the primary
colors)
Green: Sap Green
Orange: Cadmium Orange
Violet: Quinacridone Violet or Quinacridone Magenta
EARTH TONES
Earth Tones: Quinacridone Gold, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna
BRUSHES:
Various sizes and types can be utilized. Kolinsky Sable brushes are wonderful, and
will hold a great amount of paint. There are however, good synthetic and synthetic/
natural blended brushes available on the market. I often use “Dream Catcher”
blended bristle brushes, in various sizes of rounds. Sizes that may work well in this
class range from approximately #6-14. These brushes are available from Cheap
Joes. Rounds, Flats, and Riggers are useful and can be utilized for various effects.
PALLETTE:
A watercolor palette for squeezing tube watercolors into, as well as for color mixing
is recommended.
BOARD FOR SUPPORT
Various types of boards can be utilized, but an inexpensive and lightweight choice is
1/4” foam board. Other excellent choices include plywood, gator board, plexiglass,
and masonite.
EASEL:
Plein air set ups can be as simple as you choose. You may simply sit on a stool or
folding chair with a board, paper and paints on your lap.
If you are interested in purchasing an easel, there are a number of styles available
commercially. In class you will have the opportunity to explore various options.
Watercolor easels allow the paper to be tilted, which helps in controlling the flow of
both water & paint.
MISC. ITEMS:
A camera may be desired to take reference photos of on site subjects. It will also be
helpful to bring a Sketchbook for preliminary drawings and note taking, a few
pencils ranging from B to 6B. Other recommended supplies include Drafting (or
artist’s low tack tape), a natural sea sponge, Kleenex, palette knife, etc.
Additional optional materials include pen and ink, water soluble pencils or crayons,
colored pencils, etc.
ART SUPPLY SOURSES:
Many art supplies are available for purchase locally at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.
Catalog sources I often use are listed below.
Cheap Joes Art Stuff is a fairly economical source for packs of watercolor paper
and paints. They also carry a variety of portable easels.
cheapjoes.com or 1-800-227-278
dickblick.com or 1-800-828-4548
Judson’s Art Outfitters carries a large selection of plein air supplies.
judsonsart.com or (866) 762- 4233
Open Box M openboxm.com or (307) 587-0420
makes the type of plein air easel I often use, however these are fairly pricey.