Watercolor Realism: Garden Beauty in Bloom with Sherree Rodriguez, S2026
Taught by Sherree Rodriguez
Ages 18+
Class FAQs
Have you ever wished you could paint flowers, leaves, and garden treasures with luminous color and beautiful detail — and feel proud of the results? This welcoming, confidence-building class will gently guide you into watercolor realism, using transparent layers, thoughtful color mixing, and approachable techniques that help create depth, glow, and texture.
This is a wonderful class for beginners and returning painters who want to slow down, learn real watercolor skills, and feel supported every step of the way. No drawing confidence needed — we’ll use transfer techniques so you can focus on learning the joy of painting without pressure.
We’ll start with a brand-new segment on color mixing using a thoughtfully chosen watercolor palette so your paintings feel rich, vivid, and lightfast. You’ll learn why these paints work beautifully together, along with simple techniques to identify great paints in the future.
If you’ve taken this class before, you’re absolutely welcome back! We’ll be painting fresh subjects, exploring new approaches, and deepening skills with additional techniques.
You’ll learn to:
– Build luminous, layered color
– Create realistic texture and detail
– Use transparent staining pigments to your advantage
– Paint garden subjects with clarity and confidence
This is a warm, low-pressure class with room to ask questions, explore, and enjoy the process. We’ll even pause mid-way for a snack and stretch break — please feel free to bring something to enjoy.
You’ll leave with new skills, a finished or nearly finished watercolor piece, and a renewed sense of creative joy.
Supply List
Arches Watercolor Cold Press paper, 140 #, cut or torn to size 9x12. I recommend a 9x 12 watercolor block if you can afford it. If not, plan to bring a board to tape your paper to, with the tape listed below. You may need more than the one 9x12 piece, so please bring a whole sheet or some extra of the same paper. 300# paper is expensive but would not need a board if you use this weight. It’s kind of a luxury.
Paints we will use in this class
Professional Quality Watercolor paint is required. Please do not bring student-grade (Cotman) paint. See the inspiration photo for the color range.Please try to bring these specific, professional grade pigments and brands. If a substitution must be made, then go with the paint number in a different brand. It will not be the same but will be closer than a paint with a similar name.
- Winsor & Newton Indian Yellow (PY110)
Additional Supplies you will need:
An assortment of synthetic watercolor brushes (round) in sizes: 1, 3, 6, 8, or a similar range of sizes
- A mid-size synthetic acrylic brush (stiffer than watercolor brushes) such as
Princeton Umbria 6250R size 8 round- A larger brush such as Princeton Umbria Round 12 or Neptune Round 12.
Scrubber Brush - small to medium sizes, as related to the brush sizes listed.
Quart-size Containers for water (2)
A roll of paper towels
Fine tip pencil, such as a Graphgear 300 mechanical pencil with HB .7 ml lead
White eraser, like Faber-Castell
A palette with several inches of flat space for mixing paint, such as Mijello Fusion 24 or Art Advantage Airtight watercolor folding palette box. The most important factor is a broad, flat mixing field.
Gray graphite paper (to transfer drawing)
Ivory or white artist's tape - 1/2" or ¾”, such as Art Alternative brand; (important to avoid colored tape)