Information about Class registration

  • Members must log-in to register for classes and workshops.
  • Non-members pay an additional fee, see each class for specific fees.
  • If enrolling as a monitor, click HERE for a complete list of duties.
  • Click HERE to review our cancellation policy.

Quick view chart of classes

  • View Spring 2019 classes, click HERE.

NOTE: Parking is not available at the Menil Collection. Please use surrounding streets if the WAS-H parking lot is full.

Upcoming Classes and Workshops

  • Art for Seniors

    • September 06, 2018
    • May 30, 2019
    • 31 sessions
    • WAS-H, 1601 Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    ART FOR SENIORS

    WAS-H community education outreach. Mary Rustay, Instructor,Carla Gauthier, Asst instructor. Each week a different color image is provided as a photo reference: still life studies, architectural, seascapes, landscapes, cloud formations, wet on wet technique, contour drawing, portraits, etc. The class includes perspective, values, design, and many techniques.  Our class is very friendly and supportive as a group. All levels. No fee.  When registration is full, please add your name to the waitlist, either online or by contacting Martin Butler, WAS-H's administrative assistant, at 713-942-9966 or at was-h@sbcglobal.net, and we will let you know when a spot opens.

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  • Open Studio for Members

    • January 04, 2019
    • May 31, 2019
    • 14 sessions
    • WAS-H, 1601 W. Alabama, Houston, TX 77006
    Register

    OPEN STUDIO FOR MEMBERS - SPRING 2019 

    Joanie Hughes, Facilitator. joan-hughes@comcast.net, 713-426-6767. 

    WAS-H members, come paint together from 10-2 pm on Fridays when no other workshops or classes are scheduled. See schedule below. We generally watch a DVD from an artist of renown,  discuss style and techniques demonstrated, paint with the techniques learned from the DVD or our own compositions, share ideas, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow artists.  

    No additional instruction is provided.  Bring your usual supplies, your lunch, and enjoy additional painting time after we eat together.

    The Spring schedule for Open Studio is listed below. If a change is made, registered members will be notified via email.  (Join email list by contacting Joanie Hughes.)

    March 15 - Dramatic Complements -- Thomas Schaller

    March 22 - Acrylic Landscape -- Charles Harrington

    April 5 - Chinese Brush -- Jane Evans

    April 19 - Light and Color Landscape -- Michael Reardon

    May 3 - Acrylic: Watercolor Alternative -- Charles Harrington

    May 10 - Open to Paint -- French speaking watercolor DVD offered while you paint on your own. The DVD of 10 French plein air watercolorists painting by the river.

    May 17 - Watercolor Realism - Elizabeth Taylor

    May 31 - Starting Off Right - Jan Kunz

    Please forward suggestions for artists to include in our study to Joanie Hughes, Open Studio Facilitator, joan-hughes@comcast.net.

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  • Bringing Your Work to the Next Level

    • April 11, 2019
    • May 02, 2019
    • 4 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    BRINGING YOUR WORK TO THE NEXT LEVEL - Carla Gauthier

    Thursday afternoons
    April 11, 18, 25, May 2
    1:00pm-4:00pm.    $150

     Every artist yearns to give their paintings a degree of sophistication and polish that will push their work to the next level. That requires a few things - recognizing where you are at, deciding exactly what kind of paintings you wish to create, and finally, what steps and techniques, when consistently used, will get you there. That is a different path for everyone, but technical exercises along with personal coaching will help your focused direction take root. There will be homework to help you see your progress quickly. Join in to see where your work can go!


    carla.gauthier@yahoo.com,  281-384-2473     www.carlagauthier.com
      

    Just bring regular supplies like your sketchbook, palette, tubes of paint including gouache, brushes and good quality paper, pencil, eraser, sponges and paper towels, and maybe masking fluid, masking tape.

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  • Weekday Plein Air - Various Locations

    • April 16, 2019
    • August 27, 2019
    • 20 sessions
    • TBA
    • 15
    Register

    Plein Air Painting - Spring 2019 

    Louise Bateman, Facilitator, outdoor@watercolorhouston.org

    Contact Louise directly for specific questions.

    Do you love painting outdoors, in "plein air?"  Or would you like to give it a try? WAS-H is excited to announce a new weekday Plein Air program. Beginning April 16th, we will meet Tuesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and paint at pre-selected locations in Houston, with an optional opportunity to share your painting with the group for a gentle critique from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Simply register to receive notice about weekly locations and updates. There is no fee or instruction.  Come to as many of these weekday paint-outs as you wish -- no obligation.


    Schedule:

    April 16 - Menil Drawing Institute   Click Here - Map

    April 23 - Hermann Park - McGovern Gardens.    Meet in front of the Cherie Flores Pavilion -- Building 1 on the map Click Here - Map.  Free Parking available in Lot C
     Click Here - Parking Map .  Entries to parking lot off Hermann Drive at Crawford and Jackson Streets.  

    April 30 - "The Bean"/ Cloud Column at the Glassell School of Art/Brown Foundation Plaza Click Here - Map 

    May 7th - Menil - Main Entrance - Click Here - Map

    Check back for future dates/locations. If a change is made in the schedule, registered members will be notified via email.   

    In case of inclement weather, we will meet at Empire Cafe, 1732 Westheimer between Shepherd and Montrose. Empire has a wonderful covered patio area and only requires that we each purchase a drink or food item.

    Supplies:

    Bring the supplies you can comfortably carry, and a lightweight stool. Some like to paint in their laps on a block or in a sketchbook. Check out suggested supplies from these seasoned plein air painters.

    Brenda Swenson: Brenda's Supplies

    Stephanie Bower: Stephanie's Supplies 

    April 16 - Menil Drawing Institute   Click Here - Map
    April 23 - Hermann Park - McGovern Gardens.    Meet in front of the Cherie Flores Pavilion -- Building 1 on the map Click Here - Map.  Free Parking available in Lot C
     Click Here - Parking Map .  Entries to parking lot off Hermann Drive at Crawford and Jackson Streets.  
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  • Landscape Painting

    • April 16, 2019
    • May 07, 2019
    • 4 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    LANDSCAPE PAINTING - Prof. Mohammad Ali Bhatti

    Tuesday afternoons
    1:00-4:00 pm 
    April 16, 23, 30, May 7     $150

    In this class you will learn the step-by-step landscape painting, basic technique, color mixing and values. The focus of the 4 classes will be to learn painting - skies, trees, water, mountains and textures like rock, wood and stone. Each section starts with simple studies and progresses you through to more challenging examples. Creating an illusion of distant background, middle, and foreground with transparent layers and especially painting wet on wet is the fun part in watercolor medium.  


    Art supply list

    • Graphite Pencils: HB, 2B (preferable)
    • Watercolor brushes:  #10 or 12 round, and a 3/4" flat brush. (natural squirrel hair)
    • Watercolor paints, professional grade (brand of your choice)
    • Watercolor palette and related painting supplies (water container, paper towels, etc.)
    • 140 lb. Arches paper (a few ¼ size sheets)
    • Light weight drawing board
    • Eraser – masking tape – sharpener - paper towels – etc.

    Note: Bring simple shaped photos/prints of landscapes- cityscapes, seascapes, beaches, streets, farms, mountains, meadows (6x6 inches) of your choice as reference for painting.  You can also download free images from:  www.pixabay.com

    artistmohdali@yahoo.com     281-818-6893      Click here to visit his website.

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  • Shadows

    • April 26, 2019
    • April 28, 2019
    • 3 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    SHADOWS - Carla Gauthier

    Friday, Saturday, Sunday
    April 26, 27, 28
    9:30 - 3:30        $150
    Many painters say that their subject matter is "light" - the way it makes us see beauty in the simplest of subjects. But you can't have light without SHADOWS! Let's learn all we can to heighten the sense of light in a painting, by strengthening the colors, values and edges of the way we paint shadows. This class will have you looking at your photo references in a whole new light!

        

    carla.gauthier@yahoo.com, 281-384-2473    www.carlagauthier.com

    Just bring your regular supplies like your palette, tubes of paint, brushes and good quality paper, pencil, eraser, sponges and paper towels, and maybe masking fluid, masking tape.

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  • The American Culture Today: the Dynamic Still Life

    • May 01, 2019
    • May 29, 2019
    • 5 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 13
    Register

    AMERICAN CULTURE TODAY: THE DYNAMIC STILL LIFE - Ellen Orseck

    Five Wednesday mornings

    May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

    9:00am - 12:00pm  

    $190 

    Contents of a backpack, objects on a bathroom counter, a partially eaten dessert are all fair game for a still life.  By examining the objects around us in our everyday life we shine a lens on American life in the 21stCentury.  This still life watercolor class will be devoted to the study of photorealism as a way to see the society in which we live.  We will take inspiration from artists who did the same type of exploration in the 19thand 20thcenturies. Wayne Thiebaud, Janet Fish, Ralph Goings, Paul Cezanne, Andrew Wyeth, among others.  In class, artists will perfect their skills to compose, light and shoot their still lives.  From images they shoot, artist will learn how to crop the images and transfer them to paper.  

    eorseck@gmail.com, 713-781-8008

    Click here for supply list.

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  • Capturing Reflective Objects

    • May 02, 2019
    • May 30, 2019
    • 5 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 22
    Register

    CAPTURING REFLECTIVE OBJECTS - Ellen Orseck

    Five Thursday Evenings

    May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

    6:00pm - 9:00pm  

    $190 

    One of the greatest challenges for watercolor artists is to capture the complexity and vitality of reflective objects.  Metal, glass, and water all pose different artistic problems.  This course will explore how artists historically have approached those trials and offer tips for mastering those techniques effectively and beautifully.



    eorseck@gmail.com, 713-781-8008

    Click here for supply list.

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  • The Nocturnal Landscape

    • May 07, 2019
    • May 28, 2019
    • 4 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 19
    Register

    THE NOCTURNAL LANDSCAPE - Ellen Orseck

    Four Tuesday mornings

    May 7, 14, 21, 28

    9:30am - 12:30pm  

    $150  

    Glowing streetlights, reflections from car lights on a rainy night...a single farm window shining in the night sky -- discover the beauty of light in nighttime landscapes. Learn how to capture the richness of the darker side of the palette. Night time imagery presents the artist with the potential for drama, romance, mystery, and high contrast.  



    Click here for supply list.

    eorseck@gmail.com, 713-781-8008


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  • Introduction to Silverpoint

    • May 09, 2019
    • May 30, 2019
    • 4 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 18
    Register

    INTRODUCTION TO SILVERPOINT - Laura Spector

    Thursday afternoons 
    May 9, 16, 23, 30.
    1:00 - 4:00 pm.  
     $150

    Silverpoint is one of the oldest drawing methods, dating back to the early Renaissance. Some of the first examples of silverpoint drawings come from the 14th century when it was commonly used in manuscripts. Artists such as Leonardo DaVinci, Raphael, Rembrandt and Cennini often employed this method of drawing with metal to create highly archival works, many have lasted over 500 years. This 4-day workshop will simplify the silverpoint process. Students will learn the basics of how to prime and tone paper, create various marks using silver tips and explore how contemporary artists are experimenting today with this re-discovered material. The workshop subject matter will be small objects observed from nature, patterning and how to include other water-based mediums to create a finished artwork.

    To see how the silverpoint shines in the light, click here for a video.

    Contact: Laura Spector - lauramakesart@gmail.com

    Click here for a supply list.

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  • Van Gogh

    • May 11, 2019
    • May 12, 2019
    • 2 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    VAN GOGH - Caroline Graham

    Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12
    9:30- 3:30 pm           $100

    The spring Van Gogh exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts will inspire us to look at the techniques that made him a great artist. We will take a look at Van Gogh’s reed pen drawings with brown ink, try using his mark making, then develop a watercolor (adding gouache ) to include those tell-tale strokes. 

    Bring Arches 140 lb rough paper, your usual painting supplies, AND photos for paintings you might want to practice this techniques on. You will need gouache - white, and it will be helpful to have red, yellow, blue, and any other colors you might already own. NEW ITEM: Be sure to bring a tube of Aquapasto (available at Texas Art, Cheap Joe's, etc.).

    cgrahamart@hotmail.com, 713-664-6589

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  • Portrait Drawing

    • May 14, 2019
    • June 04, 2019
    • 4 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 4
    Register

    PORTRAIT DRAWING - Prof. Mohammad Ali Bhatti

    Tuesdays,May 14, 21, 28, June 4
    1:00-4:00 pm        $150

    This class is designed to learn basic drawing study of human head, proportion of eyes, nose, mouth, neck and shoulders. You will learn the basic drawing skills and techniques with a variety of drawing medium; however 2B and HB pencils are commonly used in all classes. You will also learn various poses from the references such as front, three quarter, profile, up and down angles of human head. Gradually class progresses further for studying human head planes, contour, light and shade, study of eyes, nose, lips and ears in various mediums such as: graphite, charcoal, pen and ink, conte’ crayon, pastel and water color. This class is very useful for all artists who are interested in painting portraits.

    Supply List: 

    • Graphite Pencils: HB, 2B, 4B (open choice)
    • Charcoal – conte crayon – pastels – (optional)
    • Drawing pad sheet (14" x 17" 443-Series Premium Recycled Drawing Pad)
    • Light weight Drawing Board
    • Eraser – masking tape – sharpener – etc.
    • Paper towels

    Note: Bring good quality portrait photos/prints (6x6 inches) of your choice as reference for drawing/painting.

    artistmohdali@yahoo.com   281-818-6893     Click here to visit his website.

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  • Sunday Art Jam - Advanced Brush Calligraphy

    • May 19, 2019
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 1601 West Alabama Street
    • 24
    Register

    SUNDAY ART JAM -Advanced Brush Calligraphy

    Take your brush calligraphy and lettering beyond beginner status in this Advanced Brush Calligraphy class. Build on what you learned in the beginner class and explore advanced lettering techniques including new mediums, addressing envelopes, creating lettered works of art, and simple embellishing methods. This class will build on what was learned in the Brush Lettering for Beginners class, so completion of that class or a comparable class is required. This will not be a beginner's course. 

    Cost:  Basic registration for members is $60, nonmembers is $65. Supplies are not included with registration. If students would like to have supplies prepared to keep and continue to practice, Sarah can provide supplies in a kit for $25 each, purchased at the event (watercolor paints not included in kit). Detailed photo of kit is below. 

    Supplies Needed: 

    • Watercolor paints and palette
    • Graphite pencil
    • Size 0 or 1 round synthetic sable brush
    • Plastic pipette
    • Tracing Paper
    • Sketch or printer paper
    • Watercolor paper, 90lb
    • Ruler
    • Gouache paint in one or more colors (not white)
    • Blank watercolor greeting cards with envelopes

    Please register before May 13th

    Sarah's website is at http://www.heybernadette.com , please email education@watercolorhouston.edu for any questions/comments. 



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  • Painting Flowers in Transparent Watercolor

    • May 24, 2019
    • May 26, 2019
    • 3 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    PAINTING FLOWERS IN TRANSPARENT WATERCOLOR - Monika Pate

    Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
    May 24, 25, 26
    9:30 - 3:30        $150

     Join Monika Pate to explore how to paint realistic flowers in watercolor using the layering technique. The instructor will explain how to approach the variety of shapes, colors and textures of the subject. She will also provide step-by-step demonstrations and present variety of techniques to create realistic floral paintings. Students will also receive individual attention. Reference materials will be provided, however the students are also welcome to work form their own materials if they prefer. All levels. Please email Monika at map352@gmail.com for the supply list or with any questions.
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  • Sunday Art Jam - Urban Watercolor Postcard Sketching

    • June 02, 2019
    • 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
    • 1601 W. Alabama Street
    • 24
    Register

    SUNDAY ART JAM

    Urban Watercolor Postcard Sketching

    Urban sketching is a form of reportage: drawings or paintings created on-site, as a spontaneous response to people, places or incidents. It is the act of placing oneself in a space, attempting to capture and interpret a particular moment in time. Though one can use any medium for urban sketching, pencil and ink drawings colored with watercolor are most common. In this class, we will discuss the history and methodology of urban watercolor sketching, examine different approaches and styles, and create our own urban watercolor postcard sketches that we can keep as a mementos or send to friends or family!

    Supplies Needed (postcards and stamps will be provided): 

    • Pencil (any)
    • Eraser (any)
    • Pen or fineliner (waterproof ink)
    • Watercolor palette (student or artist, smaller size preferred)
    • Brush(es) (small to medium, sizes 2-6, preferred) 

    For more information please email: Education@watercolorhouston.org


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  • Chinese Brush Painting: Chinese Animal Zodiac - Second Section

    • June 04, 2019
    • July 09, 2019
    • 6 sessions
    • WAS-H 1601 West Alabama at Mandell, Houston, TX 77006
    • 16
    Register

    CHINESE ANIMAL ZODIAC: Second Section: Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog - Peihong Endris

    6 week class: Tuesday mornings, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9
    9:30 am - 12:30 pm         $225  

    What’s your animal sign? There has been a relationship between humans and the 12 zodiacal animals. It is believed that the years represented by the animals affect the characters of people in the same way as the western astrology signs. Chinese Zodiac, also called Sheng-Xiao, is a 12-year cycle starting from rat to pig with a symbolic Zodiac. In this semester, Peihong will introduce from Snake to Dog of Animal signs. You will learn to use very simple brush work to express each animal signs. Each technique will be hands-on and step by step instruction. You also can choose your favorite objects that you would like to work with.   Contact the instructor at peihong1512@gmail.com for more information. Welcome all levels. 

    Cost: $225 / $285 non-members
    Non-members: Save money! Sign up to be a WAS-H Member and get additional member benefits. Click here to sign up.

    Click here for Supply list.

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  • Brienne Brown Major Workshop

    • September 30, 2019
    • October 04, 2019
    • 5 sessions
    • 1601 West Alabama
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Creating Dynamic Watercolors 

    Bringing Everyday to Life with Brienne Brown

    Sept 30-Oct 4, 2019

    Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm each day

    Painting in watercolor is very exciting and challenging. During this 5-day workshop, Brienne will demonstrate and explain her process in watercolor. While sharing her love for the medium, she will put particular emphasis on getting your values correct and connecting shapes in order to create strong and dynamic watercolor paintings. Brienne will walk students through steps for cropping photos, sketching a scene, creating monochromatic value studies with markers and color studies for creating strong compositions. Brienne emphasizes thinking in values rather than color. For the final day, Brienne will demonstrate methods for framing watercolors without glass. 

    Brienne Brown Supply List.pdf

    Click Here to review our cancellation policy

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1601 West Alabama Houston TX 77006
Gallery: 713-942-9966
Questions? Email admin@watercolorhouston.org

HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 3 pm

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