Level of Student Experience. Beginner to Professional
Three group demonstrations. Starting and painting doing a wash finish details
Plus individual demonstrations as needed. Three exercises plus time to work on own paintings with guidance as desired. Group critique.
Supplies: for the exercises
Please bring six approximately 5 x 7 “ pieces of paper
Please bring two half sheets of paper one for the wash exercise and one for the fast paint, 140 pd is fine and if it is damaged that is also fine.
Please bring a few fruit or vegetables
Please bring all usual supplies: please have a large round brush 12 or bigger
Please bring a scrubber brush: old oil painting brush or buy from Art Lab, 121 Main Street Parrsboro
For your own painting: please bring some ideas of what you would like to do, photos if necessary or sketches and necessary paint (artist quality paints if possible) and paper and brushes, hb pencil, white plastic eraser, masking tape
Support: foam core or wood larger than half sheet. If you would like ideas on past work feel free to bring a few of them as well
Learn and explore Joy’s approach to watercolour painting by blocking in the darks and working toward the lights. This course combines demonstrations, guided exercises, and individual support to help participants develop confidence and technique in watercolour.
Course Overview
Three group demonstrations
Step-by-step instruction from initial wash to finished details
Individual demonstrations and guidance as needed
Three practical exercises
Time to work on your own paintings with support and feedback
Group critique and discussion
Supplies
Exercises
Please bring:
Six pieces of paper approximately 5 x 7 inches
Two half sheets of watercolour paper (140 lb is fine, damaged paper is also acceptable)
One for the wash exercise
One for the fast painting exercise
A few fruits or vegetables for still life exercises
General
Please bring your usual watercolour materials, including:
A large round brush, size 12 or larger
A scrubber brush
An old oil painting brush works well, or one can be purchased from Art Lab Studios & Gallery
HB pencil
White plastic eraser
Masking tape
Your Painting
Please bring:
Ideas or reference materials for what you would like to paint
Photos or sketches if needed
Artist-quality paints if possible
Your preferred paper and brushes
Support Board
Please bring a support surface larger than a half sheet, such as:
Foam core
Wood panel
If you would like feedback or inspiration from previous work, feel free to bring a few past paintings as well.
About the Instructor
For over fifty-four years, Joy Laking has painted the landscapes and life of Nova Scotia, capturing her view of the world through watercolour, oil, and acrylic painting.
Whenever possible, Joy paints on location, embracing the challenge of finding a subject and completing a painting within four to seven hours. These works are loose, spontaneous, and responsive to changing tides, light, and atmosphere. Alongside painting throughout the Maritimes, she has also worked internationally, including in India, Ghana, Bolivia, and Italy.
Her studio paintings evolve from plein air studies, photographs, and collected objects or flowers. Some ideas develop over many years before becoming finished works. Strong composition, rich tonal variation, and a thoughtful use of light remain central to her practice, while her watercolours make full use of the white of the paper.