Experimental Watercolours with Sean Leahy

In this one day workshop, you’ll explore a variety of techniques to push the boundaries of contemporary and abstract watercolour.

You’ll learn:

• The critical skills of mastering the flow of water and pigment.
• How to use masking fluid and tape, salt, collage and plants during the application process.
• How to combine water spray and spattered work with luminous wet-on-wet blended washes.

The first part of the workshop will be devoted to demonstrations, learning and experimenting then you’ll have time to apply your new skills to creating abstract and semi-abstract pieces in the afternoon. Sean will be on hand to provide feedback and further guidance as you work.

Techniques learned during the workshop can be used in your own mixed media practice and with inks instead of watercolour. You’ll be able to use your new watercolour skills in your nature artwork, creative journaling or to hand colour the final stages of your printmaking with textures and contemporary colour blends.

MATERIALS LIST

Success in watercolours starts with good quality paints and tools, so Sean recommends a small investment to make sure you have a good experience.

PAINTS
The bare essentials are four student or artist quality watercolour tubes of your colour choice. Two dark colours and two light. If you can buy a small watercolour tin case with at least 6 to 12 empty half pans that is the most economical way to build your watercolour set. Otherwise Cotmans student grade in the pans is fine. The best quality watercolours are Daniel Smith, Schminke and Windsor & Newton.

Colours:
A suggested selection:
Any of the dark and light blues
Red and Vermillion
Lemon Yellow and orange yellow
Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna
Sap or Olive Green and dark green
Payne’s Grey and a pure white tube of gouache.
Plus any other colours which resonate with you.

PAPER
Hot or Cold pressed?
If you want ‘tooth’, rougher texture and character, then it’s best to use cold pressed paper. For a smoother and more versatile surface that can also be used with pen, ink and graphite, hot pressed watercolour paper is preferred.
It is entirely a matter of preference. If you don’t know, get some of both. Sean prefers Cold Pressed for his work.
300 gsm watercolour paper is the best quality. Fabriano, Arches and Saunders are standards but Baohong from Vietnam is as good in many cases and much more affordable.
Large sheets are the cheapest way to buy paper, then cut to A4 or A3 size.
Some A4 or A3 pads are fine also. You will need at least 20 x A4 size pages.

If you want to save money on the paper you could buy half of it as 200gsm for the morning session, but do have 300 gsm for your final pieces.

BRUSHES
No 10 mop brush (Mont Marte is fine)
No 8 chisel
No 6 round sable
Your art store will recommend a brand. The Mop brush can be expensive so Mont Marte is the cheapest option. The other brushes can be synthetic bristles but go for artist quality.

MISC
Eye dropper
Small water spray bottle
Sponge, natural if possible
Paper towel
Water containers
Masking fluid – bottle
Masking fluid – tape

About the Tutor:  Sean Leahy is an artist with over 40 years experience in the visual arts. His work encompasses graphic design, comic strip, “Beyond the Black Stump” and political cartooning, The West Australian & The Courier-Mail, to drawing and painting in mixed media. Currently furthering contemporary art studies at Griffith University, Sean teaches workshops and exhibits regularly throughout Brisbane.

Link to Book and More Information:  https://events.humanitix.com/experimental-watercolour