Finding Your Voice in Watercolor

Watercolor paintings can be so much more than a checklist of watercolor techniques. David goes beyond paint application basics and shows how to construct strong, vibrant, personality-filled paintings. David firmly believes that planning does not destroy creativity, but creates opportunity. Daily one-on-one critiques and demos will be vital to helping you find your watercolor voice.

Students will learn:

• how to find the essence of your subject matter

• how to construct compelling compositions

• to see shapes, not objects

• how to create a color strategy

• how to use frisket to achieve batik-like effects

• the importance of value patterns in your work

• how to paint loosely while staying true to your subject matter

David earned a Masters of Arts Degree from Central Michigan University. After 15 years of teaching in the Michigan public school system he moved to Washington, DC to pursue an art career. In the past several years, David’s talent has earned him the distinction of Best of Show in such prestigious organizations as the Capitol Hill Art League of Washington, DC, the Cultural Society of Coral Springs, Florida and the Washington Watercolor Association of Washington, DC.

In addition to being a working artist, David is a dynamic and engaging watercolor instructor. He is the watercolor instructor for the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, DC, is a former instructor at Montgomery College in Maryland, and he teaches workshops throughout the world. David is on the faculty of the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival in Italy.

He has been involved with such art-related activities as the Boat House Art School of Washington, DC, where he was the director for two years; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Docent Program; and he has affiliations with numerous art organizations and associations. Recently David was featured in American Artist Magazine, and his works can be found in two new publications by Rockport Publishers: The Best of Watercolor Composition and Floral Inspirations. David is included in Who’s Who in American Art.

His work can be found in corporate collections of such organizations as the Quadrangle Corporation, Michigan Education Association, Home National Bank of Arkansas City Kansas, and the private collection of the National Institutes of Health.

Statement

Capturing the spirit of nature and interpreting its beauty through my vision is what I love most about making art. The medium of watercolor is surprisingly versatile, which feeds into my drive to experiment with materials and methods. Borrowing from batik, I use a masking agent and multiple washes to achieve a range of effects, from delicate to bold. At times I add pastels to strengthen the depth of color, and almost always paint in a large format, which allows me to exaggerate my subject matter. It is an ever present challenge for me to elevate the medium of watercolor by using innovative techniques, all the while preserving the natural beauty of its transparency. 

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5pm Welcome Reception - meet your fellow students reception with appetizers and refreshments.

Room check ins begin at 3pm

All-day workshop starting at 9am and lunch

Art Studio available 24/7

Optional yoga, walking, biking  in the morning Workshop from 9-4 (breakfast & lunch included)

Art Studio available 24/7

Optional yoga, walking, biking in the morning Workshop from 9 - noon (breakfast included)

Excursion to one of the 169 small towns in Connecticut for touring and lunch and a visit to one of the gardens designed by historic landscape designer, Beatrix Farrand, among the first women to practice landscape architecture in the United States. “A garden, large or small, must be treated in the Impressionist manner,” she once wrote. “Plants are to the gardener what her palette is to the painter.” Farewell Dinner together in Glastonbury 

Art Studio available 24/7

Breakfast in the morning Studio work in the morning, sketching and 

Checkout by 1PM