Painting The Huntington - Saturday Series

Series also available on Wednesdays
Both series cover the same content. Select the series that works best with your schedule.

Class Session Outline

Session 1: Mastering Your Tools & Materials
In the first session, Richard shares how to skillfully use brushes, water and paper to produce satisfying results. Students also learn a mindset to get the most enjoyment and beauty out of this exhilarating and spontaneous medium. This session will be conducted in the studio classroom.

Session 2: Mastering Your Palette
Paints on a palette, like the keys on a piano, can create beautiful harmonies. Students learn how to produce virtually any desired color using a small palette of watercolor paints. Richard shares his latest ideas on color and how to gain the upper hand with this commonly misunderstood and fascinating area of study. This session will be conducted in the studio classroom.

Session 3: Transforming How You Sense Color
Most people see only a small fraction of the colors around them. In this session, students learn practical methods to improve their perception of color and how to accurately capture those colors in their artworks. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the gardens of The Huntington. This session will begin in the classroom, then students will paint on the Japanese Garden.*

Session 4: A Smarter Way to Paint en Plein Air
Artist John Singer Sargent called painting watercolors outdoors "making the best of an emergency." The emergency was a moment of beautiful, fleeting light. In the fourth session, Richard shares a fun and logical approach to painting watercolors outdoors, sharing how to paint fleeting sunlight before it changes. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the architecture and gardens of The Huntington. This session will begin in the classroom, then students will paint on the South Terrace.*

Session 5: How to Express Light with a Paintbrush
In the fifth session, Richard shares how to paint the visual effects of light in watercolor. Students learn a variety of effective techniques with brushes and other tools. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the architecture and gardens of The Huntington. This session will begin in the classroom, then students will paint on the North Vista Lawn.*

Session 6: The Poetry of Watercolor
In the final session, students learn how to distill a subject down to its most beautiful and expressive essence. This intuitive and practical approach helps the artist express their own interest with greater skill and produce artworks that illicit an emotional response from the viewer. Students apply the lesson to explore and paint the architecture and gardens of The Huntington. This session will begin in the classroom, then students will paint on the lawn south of the Library*

*Painting locations are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Supplies and Materials

Most of the art materials listed below can be purchased at Blue Rooster Art Supplies near The Huntington. Online, www.jacksonsart.com is a very good source for art materials.

Pencil & Eraser

• 0.9 mm mechanical pencil (any brand) and kneaded eraser (any brand)

Paintbrushes

You do not need to buy expensive brushes. Synthetic brushes (listed below) are excellent and inexpensive:

• Flat synthetic brushes: sizes 1" and 1/2"
• Round synthetic brushes: sizes 14 and 8 (or similar sizes)
• Small rigger brush for adding details

Watercolor Paints

You are welcome to use any colors and/or brands you like. For those interested, below is a list of the colors the instructor uses:

• Cadmium Yellow Lemon – Schmincke Horadam Aquarelle
• Cadmium Yellow Deep – MaimeriBlu
• Quinacridone Gold – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
• Cadmium Orange – MaimeriBlu
• Transparent Brown – Sennelier L’Aquarelle
• Permanent Rose – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
• Violet – instructor mixes his own violet by mixing together Permanent Rose – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour and Cobalt Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
• Utramarine Light – Sennelier L’Aquarelle (instructor’s warm blue)
• Cerulean Blue - Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour (instructor’s cool blue)
• Viridian – MaimeriBlu
• Winsor Green (Yellow Shade) – Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour
• Titanium Opaque White – Schmincke Horadam Aquarelle

Watercolor Paper Block

Instructor’s suggestion: Do not compromise on paper. Purchase one of the options below. “Blocks” are 20 sheets of watercolor paper glued together on all four sides to keep the paper flat while painting – HIGHLY recommended.

• Arches Watercolor Paper Block - Cold Press or Rough Surface / 140 lb. / 9" x 12" or 10" x 14" (or any size you prefer) OR
• Saunders Waterford Paper Block – Cold Press or Rough Surface / 140 lb. / 9" x 12" or 10" x 14" (or any size you prefer); this brand is available online at jacksonsart.com and locally at Blue Rooster Art Supplies in Pasadena

Watercolor Palette

• The Portable Painter Palette is excellent. Available online at portablepainter.com. The instructor recommends the “Classic Plus Kit” (it has extra wells for additional paint colors, if desired). Enter promo code SCOTT during checkout to receive a 10% discount on your order (promo code is case sensitive.)

Other Materials to Bring:

• Water bottle
• Small dish or cup (to hold water while painting); if you purchase the Portable Painter Palette, you won’t need this item
• Small spray bottle filled with water
• Sponge
• Art tape (1/2" or 1" wide)
• Inexpensive easel (you will NOT need an easel during the first two classes); instructor will share what he uses during the first class
• Metal clips (to attach watercolor paper to easel)
• Folding chair (if you want to sit while painting outdoors)
• Hat and sunscreen

About the Instructor

Richard E. Scott is a painter, teacher, and writer. Self-taught in drawing and watercolor, he paints outdoors and in the studio. His preferred subjects are architecture, gardens, still life, and crafts. His artworks have been published in various art and design magazines, periodicals, and books.

He teaches drawing and painting at The Huntington and in art workshops throughout the United States and Europe. For 20 years he has taught at numerous universities, including California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; UCLA; ArtCenter College of Design; California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo; and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

For questions, please contact Joy Yamahata at JHarding@huntington.org or call 626-405-3457.