Painting & Drawing
Code: D0103-25
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Open to All
Students of any skill and knowledge level.
Portrait and Figure in Watercolor: Curiosity and Awareness
Jun 2 - 6, 2025
9AM-5PM
Concept
Bring the face and figure to life with the transparency and immediacy of watercolor. This extremely expressive media can also be highly controlled. We work from life as well as photographic sources in this deceivingly direct paint medium. With daily demonstrations and a series of simple and accessible studio exercises, students develop skills controlling resoluble colors, reserving and pulling back highlights and maintaining brilliant and delicate tones that are unique to water-based media. We focus on capturing the essence of the portrait and figure through taking time to look and record what we see.
Media & Techniques
Under-drawing pencil and light brushwork, transfer grid, stretching/flattening larger paper, transparent gum-based colors in tube and cake form, gouache, wet and dry-brush, tint washes, scumbling, fine tone modulation
Faculty
Brian Shure
Master Printer-in-Residence
Brian Shure is the Master Printer-in-Residence of Anderson Ranch Editions. Brian Shure is represented by Planthouse Gallery in New York, where he curated the 2018 show Bathing. He has taught at RISD, Brown, and Cornell and conducted classes in China, Japan, Mexico, and Germany.
Brian Shure, Untitled
Join Waitlist for Portrait and Figure in Watercolor: Curiosity and Awareness
Thank you for your interest in the waitlist. When space in a workshop or program becomes available, registration will open on the website. Everyone on the waitlist will be emailed to alert them of the opening. This ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to register for the workshop or program.
Painting & Drawing
Make, reflect, consider, engage—these are all critical elements of the Painting and Drawing workshops at Anderson Ranch. Our exceptional workshops combine focused, hands-on art making with critical feedback for artists of all levels. Painting and Drawing guest faculty are phenomenal artists and educators with experience supporting students by offering technical knowledge and encouragement.
The bright, natural light of the Wyly Painting and Drawing Building provides an inspiring environment where students can explore and expand their artistic practice. Our facilities are equipped with individual worktables, wall space, easels, rolling palettes, odorless solvents, a wide range of hand tools, computer access with Adobe software, wifi, printing, scanning, and projection capabilities. Spend a week here— or several—and engage in a variety of activities that will fuel your practice throughout the year.
Workshop Details
Workshop Supplies
For general information about studio access, shipping, and more, please visit our info page.
If you have any questions regarding your supplies for your workshop, please contact Lindsey Yeager, [email protected].
Provided by Anderson Ranch
Equipment
- Butcher paper
- Containers
- Cordless drills
- Cutting mats**
- Drawing boards
- Easels
- Gamsol (OMS)**
- Gloves
- Glues**
- Hand tools: hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, clamps
- Laser printer
- Palette knives**
- Palette-topped utility carts
- Presentation projector
- Push pins
- Rags
- Rulers**
- Scanner
- Scissors
- Spray bottles**
- Staple guns
- Stools
- Tape**
- Work tables
Supplies
- ¼” plywood
- 2b pencils**
- 5 mil clear mylar
- Eraser shields
- Paper tape
- Single edge razors
- Vinyl erasers
What you need to bring
Required Tools and Supplies
- Arches Watercolor Paper Block, Rough, 11" x 14", 140 lb**
- Chinese brush set
- Hake brush**
- Large calligraphy brush, like this one
- Watercolor or gouache of choice (ex: W&N Cotman, W&N travel tin, Kuretake Gansai Tambi)**
- Watercolor paper of choice (ex: Fabriano Artistico hot press 22" x 30", 140 lb)**
- Prohibited supplies: power tools, torches, spray paint, encaustic, turpentine, resin, plastisol, any solvent that isn’t low VOC
Optional Tools and Supplies
- White (or light colored) t-shirt for screen printing**
* Available for purchase in the studio.
** Available to purchase at the Anderson Ranch ArtWorks Store for 10% off.
Learn more about shipping supplies and artwork to and from the Ranch in the Student Handbook.
Lodging & Meals
Housing is limited and includes shared and private lodging options. Reservations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you reserve housing, the better your chance of receiving your preferred option. Please note: Workshop costs do not include accommodations.
NEW: Tuition includes a welcome dinner and lunches. In our effort to foster a stronger sense of community and accessibility at Anderson Ranch, we include the welcome dinner and all lunches as part of the tuition for summer workshop students. Our hope is that this adjustment will encourage all students to come together to share meals and engage in meaningful conversations. The Ranch Café Meal Plan, which is included with Room and Board fees, strives to provide healthy, creative meals that will nourish your artistic creativity. Learn more.
We have established a Business Safety Plan with added layers of precaution that prioritize the health and safety of our staff, students, faculty and guests while continuing to provide you with the Anderson Ranch experience that you know and enjoy.
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.
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