Like most skills, painting is best taught in a somewhat structured manner and a critical element of the teaching process is demonstration.
While demonstration has been a hallmark of Bill Kerr鈥檚 watercolour courses this term, a little more structure is involved as you focus on landscape elements for the first part of the program.
Landscape elements addressed in carefully thought-out exercises will allow you to progress towards well-composed landscapes. Each exercise session will be accompanied by notes addressing what you have learned.
The group will start with dynamic skies like those over the prairies and stormy seas. Perspective, proportion, light, shade and other elements contributing to composition will be practised in starting with clouds.
Living where we do, you must pay attention to trees and appreciate their different types. Individual trees, clusters as well as the forest, will be painted in rapid exercises. A lesson with few exercises is devoted to rocks of all sizes from gravel to cliffs and their assembly into interesting compositions. Soon you will be ready to paint appealing landscapes.
The last few weeks of the course will see the class paint subject matter that they will select by consensus or arm-wrestling or whatever it takes. Thus you could be looking at urban scenes, rain-soaked streets, still life, menu items or any manner of things. The basic principal will continue. The group will all tackle the same subject and proceed guided by demonstrations and assisted with over-the-shoulder coaching.
The atmosphere is light, and the instructor helpful with an easygoing manner.
The classes will be held at the Lewis Centre in a large, roomy space beginning the week of Jan. 17. Parking is abundant.
For more information or to register, call 250-338-5371.
鈥� Courtenay
Recreation
