Watercolor Realism: Bee on a Block With Sherree Rodriguez

Taught by Sherree Rodriguez 
Ages 18+
Class FAQs/Cancelation Policy

Have you ever wished you could paint flowers, leaves, and garden treasures with luminous color and beautiful detail — and feel proud of the results? This welcoming, confidence-building class will gently guide you into watercolor realism, using transparent layers, thoughtful color mixing, and approachable techniques that help create depth, glow, and texture. 

This is a wonderful class for beginners and returning painters who want to slow down, learn real watercolor skills, and feel supported every step of the way. No drawing confidence needed — we’ll use transfer techniques so you can focus on learning the joy of painting without pressure.

We’ll start with a segment on color mixing using a thoughtfully chosen watercolor palette, so your paintings feel rich, vivid, and lightfast. You’ll learn why these paints work beautifully together, along with simple techniques to identify great paints in the future. This  class focuses on the use of American Easel Watermedia boards for a different texture.

If you’ve taken a class in this series before, you’re absolutely welcome back! We’ll be painting fresh subjects, exploring new approaches, and deepening skills with additional techniques.

You’ll learn to:
– Build luminous, layered color
– Create realistic texture and detail
– Use transparent staining pigments to your advantage
– Paint garden subjects with clarity and confidence

This is a warm, low-pressure class with room to ask questions, explore, and enjoy the process. We’ll even pause mid-way for a snack and stretch break — please feel free to bring something to enjoy. You’ll leave with new skills, a finished or nearly finished watercolor piece, and a renewed sense of creative joy.

Supply List

Note: All regular priced supplies are available at 20% off from Art Department for this class. 

Required:

American Easel watermedia cradled birch board, 5 x 7". Students who paint quickly may bring a second board to start a second painting.

Professional Quality Watercolor paint is required. Please do not bring student-grade (Cotman) paint. See the inspiration photo for the color range.

Paints we will use in this class. Students lacking confidence in mixing paint are encouraged to bring these specific, professional grade pigments and brands. If a substitution must be made, then go with

the paint number in a different brand. It will not be the same but will be closer than a
paint with a similar name.

• Winsor Newton Burnt Sienna (PR 101)
• Winsor Newton Winsor Blue Green Shade (PB15)
• Daniel Smith Quinacridone Pink (PV 42)
• M Graham Indian Yellow (PY 110)

Additional Supplies you will need:

• Inexpensive watercolor paper (wood fiber based) several sheets, or a tablet
  Such as Canson or Strathmore. This will be used for color mixing practice.
• An assortment of synthetic watercolor brushes (round) in sizes: 1, 3, 6, 8, or a
  similar range of sizes
• Scrubber Brush - small to medium sizes, as related to the brush sizes listed. 
  
• Quart-size Containers for water (2)
  
• A roll of paper towels or box of lotion-free facial tissue
  
• Spray bottle for water
  
• Fine tip pencil, such as a Graphgear 300 mechanical pencil with HB .7 ml lead
  
• Kneaded eraser
  
• White eraser, like Faber-Castell
  
• A palette with several inches of flat space for mixing paint, such as  Mijello Fusion
  24  or Art Advantage Airtight watercolor folding palette box. The most important
  factor is a broad, flat mixing field.
  
• Gray graphite paper (to transfer drawing)
  
• Ivory or white artist's tape - 1/2 or ¾”, such as Art Alternative brand