Your Set Up

Workshop Replay:

How to Paint A Sandpiper


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Level of Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced

Drawing: We will draw the composition at the start of the workshop on Day 1.

Workspace: Have everything set up so that you are ready to paint. I will paint on 8"x 10" 300 lb hot press Arches watercolor paper. You can choose to make your painting any size you want, and can also paint on 140 lb, but if you choose 140 lb you'll want to stretch it beforehand so it won't warp or wrinkle on you.

1st Day Schedule

  • Plan out the composition
  • Draw the composition
  • Critique the drawing
  • Discuss our painting strategy
  • Mask out shapes to paint the background
  • We will also paint the first layer of paint in the background the first day.

2nd Day Schedule

  • Paint the composition
  • Critique our work

Colors I plan to use:

  • Yellow Ochre
  • Burnt Umber
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Cerulean Blue
  • Phthalo Blue or Winsor Blue (red)
  • Sepia
  • Payne's Gray

I use Winsor & Newton watercolor paints, but you don't have to. You can substitute the colors above for similar colors in your palette. They don't have to be the same colors.

Tools & Materials:

  • Paper for sketching
  • Pencil & eraser
  • Round brushes (I plan to use size: 1, 2, 4, 10 or 12)
  • Mop Brush (optional)
  • Masking Fluid
  • Scrap Paper
  • Paper towels



HEPFUL TIPS: I teach the foundation to drawing in: The Fundamentals of Drawing course. The skills taught in this course prepare you for drawing your designs in the live workshops.

I also teach the foundation to watercolors in: Watercolor Painting for Beginners course, which also prepares you for painting in the live workshops. Check out this course to learn how to set up your workspace, prep your paper, and familiarize yourself with the different watercolor techniques.

👉 Going through these courses first will help tremendously when doing a workshop!