Intro to Watercolor

When: Saturday, January 10th from 2 – 5 PM
Where: Marlborough Arts Center
Cost: $65 for class, $10.25 for paintbrush (optional)
Class Size: 10 students
Instructor: Marika Hahn

Intro to Watercolor is the perfect class for a beginner or as a refresher for a slightly more experienced painter. Participants will learn and practice mixing colors with *Liquid Watercolors, supplied by the Marlborough Arts Center. Demonstrations of watercolor techniques including wet on wet, wet on dry, layering, composition and cropping will take place throughout the workshop. Confidence, skill and improved brush stroke control takes time and practice. Watercolor is a magical medium and offers both controlled and unexpected results which can be stunning. Each class offers a different theme/ inspiration with references supplied. The class approaches watercolor using graphic illustration with an emphasis on fun!

BAMBOO AND LEAVES WARM UP: This warm up starts with a demonstration of how to control the brush. Painting thin and thick lines and creating simple leaves with more and less pressure will be practiced.

PERSIMMONS: These beautiful fruits have glowing bright colors from soft yellow to deep orange. The skin is smooth and shiny so participants start with the technique wet on wet and leave areas dry for highlights. Several techniques will be introduced and practiced. Adding a colorful background or leaving the ground white is up to the participants skills and choice. The workshop is totally interactive in terms of demonstrations and personal one on one painting with Marika.

Materials List

Liquid watercolors and pallets will be provided for use during class by the Marlborough Arts Center. The proper brush is very important to learning the brushstrokes used in class. The instructor would like students to have one Princeton Velvetouch #10 brush (NOT LONG). The brush is available for purchase for $10.25 when you register.

Supplies each participant must bring to class are the following:

Strathmore 400 series #140 Cold Press watercolor paper pad, 9×12
#5H or 6H pencil
Kneaded eraser
2 pint-size water containers
Old brush for mixing colors

About the Instructor: Marika Hahn

Marika Hahn lives in New York City and is inspired by nature. She dreams of gardens, fruits, veggies, flowers, wildlife, and creating art with watercolor. This medium defines her work. Exploring color and using brushstrokes for shapes and patterns is part of teaching Watercolor + Illustration.

Marika is a graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology, majoring in Fashion Illustration and Advertising Design. She studied Children’s Book Illustration at The School of Visual Arts. She was an Artist in Residence at Bellevue Cancer Center and Chelsea Infusion Center/Mt. Sinai. She watercolor painted with patients having chemotherapy, which was more than a distraction for patients. Many people used their time learning and practicing watercolor techniques, gaining impressive skills, as well as producing lovely finished paintings.

Her portfolio reflects illustrations done for Simon & Schuster, Workman Publishing, Ballantine Books, and magazines including Cosmopolitan and Glamour. Marika is currently teaching at The JCC Manhattan, The National Council of Jewish Women NY, and The Creative Center for people living with Cancer and Chronic Illness. She teaches Watercolor + Illustrations Zoom classes. Learn more about Marika by visiting her website here!