Do you admire the beauty of birds? Have you always wanted to be able to paint them in all their gorgeous colors and patterns?  Then this nature study class is for you!  Join us for a one-day nature study workshop with guest instructor Debbie Pompano, surrounded by the beauty of rural Albemarle County. 

This class will teach you watercolor, ink and gouache techniques to create vibrant and realistic paintings of birds in natural settings.  

No need to bring any supplies.  Everything is provided for you.

The outline of the Blue Jay will be pre-sketched for you on 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper, so you can jump right into the first stage….drawing the outlines in pen and ink.  You will then be provided with all the watercolors needed and a palette to take home with you, as well as a brush, to do the underlayer of watercolor.  

Then comes the MAGIC!…highlights and shading done with gouache. Gouache is simply opaque watercolor, and can be used to mix tints with white, as well as for accents. 

“Traditional” watercolorists strive to preserve the white of the paper for highlights….I prefer to just have fun, and it’s incredibly easy and forgiving just to put in white highlights with white gouache and tints!   Dark or blotchy areas  or mistakes are easily fixed and given great depth and beauty this way…..I say….whatever works!  

Participants will leave with a finished or well underway piece of artwork that can easily be finished at home.  A backing board and mat will also be provided to “frame” your artwork!

This workshop is open to teens and adults, ages 15+. Masks are required in the art studio for this workshop. Lunch will be served outdoors.

Maximum of 10 participants.  

Cost: $75 including all supplies and lunch

To register, use any Contact Form to email the studio! We will respond with further instructions…Full payment for the class is due at time of registration.