Online Class: Creative Color (Part 1)

Discover how to use bold, unconventional color choices to enhance abstraction in your watercolor paintings. In this class, participants will explore how color can evoke emotion and transform simple forms into vibrant, expressive artworks. Through both guided exercises and personal experimentation, this class will provide a deeper understanding of color theory while embracing abstraction to create expressive, modern watercolor pieces. 

In part 1 of this class (February 5, 5 PM–7 PM MT), sketch abstractions from reference images and experiment with various color palettes in a series of thumbnail studies. In this lesson, participants will gain confidence with color mixing and theory through play

In part 2 (February 12, 5 PM–7 PM MT) select a sketch from part 1 to transform into a final painting. In this lesson, the instructor will guide participants through watercolor technique, color application and layering. 

Note: While this workshop consists of two parts, they are structured as two separate online events. To take both parts, participants will need to register for each separately. If participants would prefer to only take one of the two classes, that is also welcome. Simply register for the session you wish to join and know that if you wish to only join part 2, you should have an abstracted sketch prepared. 

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This class is suitable for youth ages 12 and up. Children are welcome to participate alongside their adults.

Space is limited, reservations required.

This program will take place via the video conferencing app – ZOOM. Details for accessing the Zoom meeting will be with your receipt upon registering and again sent via email the day prior. Please register in advance in order to access the program.

Note that all program times are in Mountain Time.

Supplies needed for this class:

• Pencil
• Sketchbook or drawing paper 
• Watercolor paper (2-3 sheets around 8x10inches) 
• Watercolor paints. Instructor will use the colors below: 
  • Lemon yellow hue or azo yellow
  • Cadmium orange hue
  • Cadmium red hue or vermillion
  • Alizarin crimson
  • Permanent rose or quinacridone rose
  • Dioxazine purple
  • Phtalo blue or prussian
  • Permanent green light
  • Burnt sienna
  • Ivory black
• Recommended starter set:
  • Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 20 Colors. (Note: This set uses the same pigments as the professional grade paints, and are lightfast colors. The difference in price with professional grade is the quantity of pigment (pigment load) in the paint.)
• Watercolor palette 
• Paper towel 
• Paintbrushes (any watercolor or acrylic)
• Cup of water

About the Instructor:

A passionate artist and experienced educator, Morgan Jones has spent the last 9 years developing these crafts. She seeks to explore how art can serve as a medium to move us both individually and communally. Her time teaching in public schools, juvenile detention, and community centers has deepened her belief that art is a fundamental means of knowing, connecting, and transforming. In addition to Fine Arts, Morgan studied Art Education at Texas State University as well as Criminal and Social Justice at the College of the Rockies in BC Canada. Morgan’s professional painting practice focuses on plein-air landscape assemblage and multiple exposure oil paintings that call into question ideas of impermanence, memory and conservation. After spending a year living on the road, developing her art from her mobile travel trailer studio, she has settled in Santa Fe to split her time between teaching and creating. Find more about her work on her website or on Instagram at @painting.nomad

This class is being offered on a sliding scale.

$10 minimal fee.

$20 covers the cost of the class.

$30 covers the cost of the class, plus a contribution to support educational programs.

Photo by Morgan Jones