Join Belchertown artist, Gretchen Holesovsky, at The Mill District Local Art Gallery for a series of four intermediate watercolor classes. An exploration of styles and expression will enhance your creative muse no matter how you choose to create. This series is jammed packed with information and has homework. Great for individuals who took Gretchen's beginning watercolor series as well as intermediate artists who want to deepen their understanding of painting with watercolor.

**Materials are NOT provided by the instructor. Participants must sign up for the class and then purchase and bring the required materials to the first class. See details and materials link below.**

Geared toward mature students: Ages 14+ SALES END OCTOBER 21.

MATERIAL DETAILS:

1. Ticket Price/ instructional cost: $100 for the series

2. List of Required Materials to Purchase: approximately $110. Follow THIS LINK to purchase required materials. Paint substitutions are strongly discouraged without prior approval from the instructor. Contact Gretchen directly at freshair55@verizon.net with your materials questions.

3. Additional Required Materials to bring to classes:

* a color AND black and white image the size of your watercolor paper of an image you want to paint, ideally a landscape. (Pro tips: Avoid taking a photo in the middle of the day! Morning or evening light is the best. Collective Copies in Amherst is great at making copies.)

*small spray bottle

*cotton rag, (old T shirt)

*pencil

*one inch wide masking tape.

CLASS DETAILS:

Dates: Tuesdays from 10:30am-12:30pm on Oct. 28 & Nov. 4, 11, 18. Make up day: Wednesday, Nov. 19

Classes 1 & 2:

Fun with Creative / Freeform Watercolor Techniques.

Come ready to explore some creative and fun ways to use watercolor.

Classes 3 & 4:

Traditional Watercolor Painting Techniques

Skills that will be explored include:

· preparing your paper for painting

· picking a subject to paint

· learn how to transfer an image to your watercolor paper for painting

· one on one guidance on color choice and application

· various watercolor techniques to get a feel of the painting process

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Artist Bio:

Gretchen Holesovsky is a self-taught artist who has been painting and drawing since childhood. Her inspiration is drawn from nature, as she was always surrounded by the wonders of the outdoors growing up in Belchertown where she currently resides.

Gretchen was introduced to watercolor in her twenties and fell in love with the medium. She loves the challenges and the beauty of applying color, creating texture and capturing natures’ gifts to us. Over the years, Gretchen has earned memberships into many elite watercolor societies and has earned many awards, and has been published in Splash 10. She has instructed both adults and children in watercolor techniques and creativity through workshops, small group and individual lessons. She enjoys painting with friends and sharing techniques, and loves to encourage others to enjoy and express their own creative process.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, Gretchen has refocused her artistic creativity outside of the watercolor society community in support of her hometown and neighboring communities. Now retired, Gretchen pursues new endeavors in multimedia, acrylic, rock painting and many other creative muses.

“I paint because it connects me to the essence of nature and calms me, and takes me to the place where I’m disconnected from distraction. It is my form of meditation.” ~Gretchen

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Note: Participants will be added to the Mill District Local Art Gallery email list. You are welcome to unsubscribe at any time.

Note: Photos and video images will be captured during the event. Please tell Local Art Gallery staff working the event if you do not wish to have your image included. Thank you.

Intermediate Watercolor Class with Gretchen Holesovsky