Beginner Workshops
SDWS offers a very popular series of workshops twice a year for adults new to watercolor or for those adults who wish to renew their interest and skill level. You do not have to be a SDWS member to attend these workshops. Each series consists of seven Saturday workshops with all supplies provided. Students may elect to just take one workshop or attend all seven. All students who are not members and take at least four of these workshops will receive a SDWS membership, free for one year.
Students attending the initial Beginner Basics Workshop receive one flat brush, one round brush, and a small palette to keep. In addition, students will be provided with professional quality watercolor paper and pigments. Materials, brands, and where to purchase art supplies are discussed during this first class. The balance of the class is spent with the students learning basic watercolor painting techniques and watching step-by-step painting demonstrations and getting lots of practice using what they learned.
After the Beginner Basics Workshop, the next workshops will begin with a review of key watercolor techniques and then focus on a specific topic. These additional topics are: Color and Value, Drawing for Watercolor, The Still Life - Bringing It All Together, Landscapes, Portraiture - Let's Paint a Face, and finally Mixed Media. All workshops are held in the gallery’s education center. We hope new students will enjoy this new creative outlet and then join our membership by taking other workshops taught by a variety of professional instructors from across the country and from our own membership.
Workshop Information
Wearing masks is optional and based on your personal situation.
All workshop participants must have an account on our website to register for a workshop. SDWS Members should log in to their account prior to registering. If you are not a member and do not have an account, please click HERE to create a free account.
Workshop prices are discounted for SDWS Members. To receive the discounted price, please log in to your account before registering. If you are not a member or your membership has expired and would like to receive the discounted price, click "Membership" in the main menu to renew your membership or join SDWS prior to signing up.
Please contact our workshops registrar at registrar@sdws.org if you need assistance or the workshops director at workshops@sdws.org with any questions.
In-Gallery Workshops: All in-gallery workshops are held in our beautifully light-filled education center inside the San Diego Watercolor Gallery in The ARTS District of Liberty Station. (Location)
ZOOM Workshops: Virtual workshops will be conducted using Zoom. They will include a combination of live painting demo(s), interactive communication with the instructor, and individual painting time - all from the convenience of your home / studio.
Click HERE for Virtual Workshop Technology Requirements
Click HERE for Workshop Refund Policy
Click HERE for Nearby Hotel Accommodations
Beginner #1 - Beginner Basics - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Jami Wright
Teaches watercolor techniques and all about using and purchasing supplies.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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WAIT LIST ONLYPlease click here to be added to the waitlist. |
Beginner #2 - Color and Value - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Julie Anderson
Teaches color mixing, value, compliments, neutrals, and color scheme.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
WAIT LIST ONLYPlease click here to be added to the waitlist. |
Beginner #3 - Drawing for Watercolor - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Julie Anderson
Learn perspective, drawing from photos, composition, and gridding up.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
WAIT LIST ONLYPlease click here to be added to the waitlist. |
Beginner #4 - Still Life - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Susan Hewitt
Review watercolor techniques and learn the principles of art (balance, pattern, rhythm, emphasis, unity/variety, and movement.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #5 - Landscapes - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOPS
Instructor: Jami Wright
Create the illusion of depth by using perspective, value, color, and more.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #6 - Portraiture: Let's Paint a Face - LIVE IN GALLERY
Instructor: Susan Hewitt
Use a grid and photo reference to complete a portrait and facial features using various skin tones.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #7 - Introduction to Mixed Media - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Risë Parberry
Enhance your watercolors with textures papers, acrylics, oil pastels, and more.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #1 - Beginner Basics - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Jami Wright
Teaches watercolor techniques and all about using and purchasing supplies.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #2 - Color and Value - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOPS
Instructor: Julie Anderson
Teaches color mixing, value, compliments, neutrals, and color scheme.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #3 - Drawing for Watercolor - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOPS
Instructor: Julie Anderson
Learn perspective, drawing from photos, composition, and gridding up.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #4 - Still Life - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Susan Hewitt
Review watercolor techniques and learn the principles of art (balance, pattern, rhythm, emphasis, unity/variety, and movement.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #5 - Landscapes - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Jami Wright
Create the illusion of depth by using perspective, value, color, and more.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #6 - Portraiture: Let's Paint a Face - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Susan Hewitt
Use a grid and photo reference to complete a portrait and facial features using various skin tones.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
Beginner #7 - Introduction to Mixed Media - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Risë Parberry
Enhance your watercolors with textures papers, acrylics, oil pastels, and more.
Non Members Fee: $85.00 Members Fee: $85.00
| Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
|
| Login and sign up |
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by the City of San Diego.
© 2024 San Diego Watercolor Society
SDWS Tax ID Number is 95-3153264
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For help with the International Exhibition please email: ishowinformation@sdws.org
PHONE
(619) 876-4550
