Watercolor Basics At Library

By Nancy K. Crevier

Youth between the ages of 8 and 18 can unlock the secrets of successful watercolor painting at a special workshop to be led by Newtown artist Suzanne Lang at C.H. Booth Library on Saturday, March 7, from 10 am to noon. (Snow date March 21.)

Ms Lang holds a degree in art education from Southern Connecticut State University and an associate’s degree in art and design. Formerly a display window designer for department stores, she designs custom invitation, and has been practicing the art of watercolors for 12 years.

“I love watercolors and teaching children,” said Ms Lang. “I’ve taught classes for youth and adults in my Newtown studio for four years, and just recently finished a long-term substitution position with fourth and fifth graders in Fairfield,” she said. She has also led a local Girl Scout troop for seven years.

“Mainly I paint floral landscapes, working in a fairly tight style with a lot of detail. I like to include some architectural details, too, like a part of a house or building,” Ms Lang said.

At the March 7 class, however, students will work on a still life or a study of a variety of objects, following a demonstration of a variety of watercolor techniques by Ms Lang.

“We will try wet on wet, the dry brush technique, and salt on wet, for example,” said Ms Lang. “The kids always love the salt effect. What I want is for the students to play around and just get the feel for watercolors. It’s very different from acrylics or tempera paints that children are more familiar with,” she explained.

The two-hour class should offer enough time for participants to master the techniques demonstrated and translate them to their own original artwork.

“I hope everyone will walk away with a fairly complete painting and the skills to complete it at home if they don’t finish it here,” said the artist. “I always hope that a workshop will enhance the students’ appreciation of art and that they might find a medium that they are comfortable with. People are often afraid of watercolors, because they think the medium is too unforgiving. But life is an experiment, so you should have fun,” she said.

To register for the watercolor class, visit CHBoothLibrary.org (then click on Young Adults under Departments, then YA Webspot, and then the link for the Watercolor Basics class) or call the library at 426-4533. There is a $6 supplies fee for the class, which is limited to 15 students.

For those who are unable to make the March 7 class, Ms Lang offers an open enrollment Wednesday evening class for all levels of painters at her studio, from 7 to 8:30 pm. For information, contact her at suzinart19@sbcglobal.net.