Love the look of watercolours but don’t know where to start? Taken classes before but still baffled by it? This 8-session comprehensive workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills you’ve been looking for. Join me for a fun and meaningful learning experience!

About me: I’ve been teaching art since 2015 and am currently an adjunct lecturer at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). I’ve got 4 illustrated books under my belt and am Brand Ambassador for German paint makers, Schmincke.

Class Dates: Mondays, Feb 6, 13, 20 and 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27

Time: 9.30am - 1:00pm (8 weeks - 3.5 hours each week, 28 hours total)

Location: My home studio at Cairnhill (Nearest MRT station, Newton)

Course Materials: All art materials used during the workshop will be provided. (A detailed material list will be sent to you on registration, so you can buy some items for practising at home.)

Class Size & Instruction Method: I keep class sizes at 5 persons max so that I can attend to each student with personalised coaching. During class, we use a wide variety of watercolour materials to better understand how they impact our work and learn how to choose and adapt to them. I demo live during class, explaining and reiterating key instructions and tips. I will teach you how to identify mistakes so you can pre-empt, avoid, fix or repeat them to get the effects you want. Most importantly, you will learn how apply your new skills by deconstructing and/or sequencing the steps to paint the projects you wish to attempt. To reinforce your learning, you will have access to my Google classroom depository and over 120 videos that you can use to practise at your own time and pace. You can also consult me for as long as you like after the end of class.

Learning Outcomes: You will be able to paint with watercolours purposefully and confidently, using a repertoire of watercolour techniques on a wide variety of subjects. Importantly, you’ll also be able to troubleshoot and progress independently with applied practice .

Course Schedule (A detailed schedule will be sent to you upon registration)

Week 1-2 - Introduction to and exploration of basic Watercolour materials, Watercolour control and colour mixing. Understand how materials impact our painting decisions and outcomes. Learn the science of controlling water in watercolour painting. Plus bonus field trip!

Week 3-4 Learn how to - Mix colours on the palette and paper (controlled), Prime the paper, Manage the watercolour window, Control the flat brush, Execute smooth, clean blends and washes. Learn wet in wet, wet on dry, wet on damp, dry fade-out, glazing, layering, lifting etc.Troubleshoot, improvise and recalibrate flow/balance.

Practise Context - Landscapes, Cityscapes, Sea Cliffs, Clouds etc

Week 5-6 Learn how to - Mix colours on the palette and paper (loose), Mix quickly and flexibly, Create an environment for paint to move, Execute dynamic washes. Learn - negative painting, wet fade-out, tapping, induced runs etc. Troubleshoot, improvise and recalibrate flow/balance. Incorporate gouache.

Practice Context - Nebulae (Galaxies), Fruit, Vegetables etc.

Week 7-8 Learn how to - Mix colours in the brush, on the palette and paper (complex), Use the painting triangle approach, Control the round brush, Apply what you’ve learnt, to paint almost everything, Apply your skills creatively. Deconstruct, construct, critique and troubleshoot to progress in your learning journey independently.

Practice Context - Leaves, Flowers and more, plus your own chosen project.

Testimonials:

The standard of teaching is excellent. Without a doubt, she is a master teacher of Watercolor techniques. She is highly skilled and capable of explaining the various subtle techniques of watercolor in explicit and easy to understand terms. As importantly, she projects a kind, relaxed and approachable teaching persona that enables her to win the trust and respect of her learners.

Dr Jeffery Tan, Dean, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA)

Leach is an incredible artist and human being. Being equipped with skills is one, but to teach is another. Having expertise in both, she is undoubtedly a teacher who will not only pass you skills in the relevant art, but also provoke thought in your art-making process – something that is invaluable beyond visual artistry. Her genuine character and fun personality are plus points as well! With value-packed workshops by a teacher/ thought-provoker, who then connects with you on a deeper level as friends beyond classes, what’s not to love?

Leah Chong, Calligraphy Artist