Workshop participant from Chinle, Arizona Navajo Reservation
Upcoming Workshops
Due to numerous projects no workshops are scheduled at this time...stay tuned!
Learning to paint or improve your skills with watercolor is an exciting goal. Wes enjoys sharing his own experiences and continuing to learn from participants by teaching workshops. He is also sought out by art guilds and groups to present on The Historical Development of Watercolor as a Medium, or Whitney's Principles of Design in Watercolor, both multimedia presentations.
Beginners to advanced painters are welcome in workshops unless enrollment is specified towards a particular group skill level. In general, Wes's teaching philosophy emphasizes three components in learning watercolor:
- developing an understanding of the materials, tools and physical characteristics of the medium
- understanding the principles and elements of design relative to painting
- building a unique relationship with your subject matter (or conceptual approach) that allows for individual expression
These components are:
- inter-related, learning one enhances learning the others
- prioritized differently depending upon the person (and personality)
- learned cumulatively over time
Developing this three-tiered "skill set" and acknowledging these relationships allows for an enjoyable experience while learning to paint. Most importantly, it provides for a growing motivation to continue painting and learning.