OLLI EXPERIENCE: Workshop with Steve Griggs: What Makes Watercolor So Fun? (DRAKE HALL)

"Painting with watercolor is so haarrrd!" We hear it all the time. Even some experienced painters of oil and acrylics shy away from watercolor because of the complexity of painting with this medium. There is no denying that watercolors are free-spirited and maybe even a little bit mischievous but, that is what makes them so interesting! By learning the fundamentals of painting with watercolor and getting to know and understand their non-conforming nature, you can start to work with them to create expressive and free paintings. Before you know it, you'll be saying, "Painting with watercolors is so fun!"

During this full-day workshop at Drake Hall with Steve Griggs, beginning and intermediate level painters will be encouraged to try various watercolor painting strategies and techniques to create loose, intuitive, free, and spontaneous effects. Learn about color mixing, glazes, composition, drying time, thickness, and edges while painting short, warm-up sketches as well as finished landscape or cityscape paintings. Plan to experiment, laugh, move out of your comfort zone, and be amazed at the beautiful paintings you create!

Steve Griggs has a love of art that started early in life. While other children would lament field trips to the art museum, he would embrace them as his favorite day of the school year! Steve's mother bought his first 'real' watercolor set of six tubes of paint when he was in elementary school, and his love of watercolor was born. Growing up in a large family made finding time and space for painting challenging. Whenever possible, Steve would steal away to the basement of his childhood home, where he would paint but never show anyone what he had done. Steve remained a 'closet artist' until he attended Michigan State University and graduated with a degree in Studio Art. Steve later attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. 

Reflecting his unique, loose painting style, Steve's paintings have been juried into various national and international exhibitions and have regularly won awards. Steve loves to guide other artists in learning to paint in his free and expressive style, and he is a sought-after workshop instructor and exhibition juror. Steve and his partner, Sue, have written numerous articles for publication in Watercolor Artist and The Artist Magazine (published in the UK). 

Steve has gallery representation with Mirada Fine Art in Indian Hills, Colorado; Twisted Fish Gallery in Elk Rapids, Michigan; J Petter Galleries in Douglas, Michigan; and Five3Gallery in Laguna Beach, CA. 

Notes

• A current OLLI membership is required to register for all courses and lectures.
• If you do not have a current Fall 2022 membership, one will be added to your cart at check-out.
• OLLI membership fees and course tuition are critical to the Institute’s sustainability and are non-refundable.
• OLLI vaccination requirements continue to be in effect.

Recommendations

Optional Introductory Reading:

Parks, John A., "The Power of Suggestion, Watercolor Artist", August 2018, p. 38-45. https://userfiles.faso.us/70239/7109.pdf   This is an article about Steve and his painting style.

Testimonials