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December 21, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
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This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with artist & sculptor Liz Lescault
Exploring the Magic of Watercolor
Sessions will start at 5:30pm and end at 7pm with extra sharing and critique time until 7:30 pm for those who wish to stay.
This fall we will play with watercolor using “wet on wet” techniques to create washes and spontaneous effects. Techniques will be introduced in an easeful way and we will discover how to let paintings emerge from our experimentation.
These sessions will provide inspiration for both representational and abstract painting. If you wish, bring an image or other inspiration which may inspire your painting.
Art Lab will be about making art as well as the different ways we experience art and how it affects us. We will explore both the process and the product of the art we create, integrating playful sharing into our art making experience.
These hands-on workshops are for both novices and experienced artists. You are invited to come to one, some or all of the workshops as the spirit moves you. More experienced participants may choose to bring ideas, images or other inspirations for a painting with them as a complement the techniques offered in the session.
Suggested Materials*:
Below are some suggested supplies from Cheap Joes www.cheapjoes.com (my favorite place to purchase art supplies – prices are generally 40% off store prices and are of high quality). High quality watercolor supplies are needed to achieve many watercolor effects.
Your favorite watercolor supplies may work just as well.
- Arches Watercolor Pads https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/19386/s/arches-watercolor-pad-140-lb-cold-pressed-9-x-12/)(or size of your choice) Quality watercolor paper is essential for the best wet on wet effects and Arches is a high quality but reasonably priced paper. I recommend the pad for experimentation and the block (see below) for paintings.
- Arches Watercolor Block, cold pressed https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/19657/s/arches-watercolor-block-140-lb-cold-pressed-9-x-12/ (or size of your choice)
- Watercolor Paint (pocket box set or tubes) https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/37046/s/van-gogh-watercolor-pocket-box-sets/ (or paint of your choice) I especially recommend high quality paints.
- Watercolor Brush, round size 8 https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/40241/s/winsor-newton-professional-watercolor-synthetic-sable-brush-round-size-8/
- Watercolor Brush, Flat Wash, size 3/4” – 1” The least expensive Flat Wash brushes are Cheap Joes brand white synthetic. Another reasonably priced choice is Winsor and Newton.
- Watercolor pencils (optional) https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/22039/s/royal-langnickel-watercolor-pencil-essentials-keep-n-carry-set/ or any brand you prefer (optional)
- squeeze bottle https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/30675/s/jacquard-squeeze-bottles-with-tips/
- a small plastic palette https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/35235/s/laurin-s-multi-pan-palette/
- Pencils: standard and/or mechanical
- Good quality eraser https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/17559/s/general-s-tri-tip-eraser/
- Acid free tape: (optional) https://www.cheapjoes.com/catalog/product/view/id/30664/s/cheap-joe-s-acid-free-framer-s-tape/
- 3 small jars or containers for water 4-6 ounces is sufficient
- paper towels
Art Lab will be offered monthly on Thursdays from 5:30 – 7:00pm ET. Those who wish to stay until 7:30 for extra sharing and critique time are welcome to.
Participants are encouraged to drop-in for any session – new themes and projects will be introduced each month.
Suggested Donation: $15
About Liz Lescault
Liz Lescault, a visual artist and sculptor, has practiced and taught art for over 40 years. Liz is also a Coordinator of the DC InterPlay Metro Region, a certified InterPlay leader and a member of the DC InterPlay Board. She leads Open Gathering days for InterPlay DC and organizes and leads workshops regionally and nationally online and in person. Liz has been leading Art Lab both for Smith Center for the Healing Arts, for the Phillips Collection and for InterPlay internationally.
Formerly, Liz, was a hotline crisis counselor, for various suicide prevention lifelines and The Trevor Project providing help for LGBTQ youth in crisis and the Prince Georges County Homeless Hotline.
Liz has also led InterPlay for elders with chronic illness and cognitive disabilities at Iona Senior Center in Washington DC.
Liz melds her art, teaching, guidance and personal philosophy with InterPlay wisdom, tools and forms.
B.S., Psychology, Drew University, Madison, NJ
M.Ed., University of Massachusetts at Amherst, British Techniques of Open Education
Studied watercolor at WICE, an international educational and cultural association in Paris, France
