Workshop Information
Wearing a face mask is optional and based on your personal situation.
All workshop participants must have an account on our website to register for a workshop. SDWS Members should log in to their account prior to registering. If you are not a member and do not have an account, please click HERE to create a free account.
Workshop prices are discounted for SDWS Members. To receive the discounted price, please log in to your account before registering. If you are not a member or your membership has expired and would like to receive the discounted price, click "Membership" in the main menu to renew your membership or join SDWS prior to signing up.
Please contact our workshops registrar at registrar@sdws.org if you need assistance or the Workshop Director, Stephanie Van de Wetering, at workshops@sdws.org with any questions.
In-Gallery Workshops: All in-gallery workshops are held in our beautifully light-filled education center inside the San Diego Watercolor Gallery in The ARTS District of Liberty Station. (Location)
ZOOM Workshops: Virtual workshops will be conducted using Zoom. They will include a combination of live painting demo(s), interactive communication with the instructor, and individual painting time - all from the convenience of your home studio. Students will be able to download the recordings of the workshop and keep them forever.
Click HERE for Virtual Workshop Technology Requirements
Click HERE for Workshop Refund Policy
Click HERE for Nearby Hotel Accommodations
Workshops
Abstracts in Watermedia - LIVE IN GALLERY WORKSHOP
Instructor: Pat Moseuk
Have you always wanted to know how to begin an abstract painting?
In this workshop you will experience the instructor's hands-on demonstration, fundamental compositional layouts, technique, color, value, line, form, collage and mark making. Imagine painting with a credit card and found objects around your house. We will learn the joy and freedom of abstraction and to tap into our intuition. At the end of each day there will be a group critique.
This class is for all levels. If you make a mistake so what, it's a happy mistake! There are some rules and there are no rules!
Experience Level: All are welcome.
Non Members Fee: $400.00 Members Fee: $375.00
| Date: Monday, November 10, 2025 - Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Matting and Framing
* * * THIS IS A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP * * *
Instructors Susan Hewitt and Denise Tverdoch
Learn the basics of matting framing for gallery exhibitions. The workshop will cover framing options, acceptable matting, and glazing methods. We will explore multiple mounting techniques including floating. Emphasis will be placed on learning how to cut mats using various mat cutters.
You will learn the secret to perfectly aligned double matting and how to create multiple diptychs and triptychs. In addition, cradle board framing, our newest substrate, will be demonstrated. Also discover ways to properly package your artwork for shipping.
All levels welcome.
Non Members Fee: $120.00 Members Fee: $100.00
| Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Color Mixing Bootcamp
Instructor Ken Goldman
The goal of this class is not to produce great paintings, but rather to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of color mixing—especially the fact that every color we see is also a distinct value. Recognizing this interconnection between color and value is immensely helpful when trying to mix any color we observe around us.
Experience Level: All levels are welcome, but a little experience would be helpful.
Non Members Fee: $225.00 Members Fee: $200.00
| Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026 - Sunday, January 25, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Landscapes and Storytelling Techniques
Instructor: Judd Mercer
Go beyond photo reference and learn how to start creating compelling landscape paintings that tell your story.
Over three days students will learn techniques to push composition, value, and color to make stronger, clearer paintings that resonate with audiences.
Small studies will be the core focus of the workshop - powerful tools to inform larger, finished works.
Students should come prepared with numerous photo references to work with.
Experience Level: Intermediate and Above
Non Members Fee: $400.00 Members Fee: $375.00
| Date: Monday, February 9, 2026 - Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Fanciful Fish on Yupo
Instructor: Wanda Honeycutt
It’s official. Painting on Yupo paper is an amazing experience!
Can it be challenging? …. YES!
Can you learn tricks to tame it, while still allowing it to do its wonderful magic? … YES!
Wanda will teach you her secrets of painting with watercolor on Yupo paper. This workshop will focus on creating a fanciful fish painting, but you can use the techniques you learn with any subject matter.
These techniques have allowed Wanda to create unique, award winning paintings.
This workshop will give you the structure you need to succeed and the freedom to create your own unique paintings.
Experience Level: All Levels Welcome
Non Members Fee: $185.00 Members Fee: $165.00
| Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 - Sunday, February 22, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Garden Painting from Indoors to Outdoors
Instructor: Carolyn Lord
Students will use their plein air equipment in the classroom for the first two days and then move to a garden setting on the third day (weather permitting).
This is a great opportunity to learn Carolyn's approach to simplifying a scene and capturing the essence of a garden.
Recommended experience level: Basic familiarity with drawing and composition. Oil painters and artists who have studied atelier drawing will find many of my approaches to drawing and painting familiar.
Non Members Fee: $450.00 Members Fee: $425.00
| Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - Thursday, March 12, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Advanced Beginner Watercolor Course
Instructor: Julie Anderson
Advanced Beginner Course of Study
This class consists of four 3-hour classes to be held from 6 pm to 9 pm. The class has several objectives. Expanding students’ brushwork and use of paint skills is the first to be achieved. Designing a composition using several different devices; creating a focal point; making and using value plans will follow.
Use of several of the elements and principles of design will be woven into the lessons.
Recommended experience level: All levels are welcome.
Non Members Fee: $185.00 Members Fee: $165.00
| Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026 - Thursday, April 23, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM |
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Water Reflections
Instructor: Pablo Rubén López Sanz
Explore techniques to capture bodies of water in the landscape with this internationally renowned instructor. This workshop will be held in our Education Room only.
Pablo Rubén López Sanz consistently takes first prize in plein air painting events in his native Spain. He has been awarded more than 300 prizes in Spain and France and has recently been given awards at the San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition.
Recommended Experience Level – advanced beginner landscape painters and above
Non Members Fee: $575.00 Members Fee: $550.00
| Date: Monday, April 6, 2026 - Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Design and Abstraction
Instructor: Kathleen Scoggin
Learn how to use the Principles and Elements of Design to plan and paint strong and powerful abstract paintings. We will review the principles of Design and their importance in planning and evaluating your work. You will learn how to use each element as a tool to build your paintings. Techniques to develop good design will be taught. You will learn to will use line, shape, color, value and texture to make your paintings exciting. Step by step instructions will be given for a no fail abstract with lots of WOW FACTOR.
Experience Level - All Levels Welcome
Non Members Fee: $185.00 Members Fee: $165.00
| Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026 - Sunday, April 19, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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People, Places, and Perspective
Instructor: Ron Stocke
In this three day watercolor workshop we will focus on the elements that help painters loosen up their painting style while retaining their personal artistic fingerprint. Students will learn how to see their painting before they put the brush on the palette and follow through with that plan to the end. Creating strong focal points and emotion within their work.
Note that the dates of the workshop are different than in our printed materials.
Experience Level - All levels welcome
Non Members Fee: $425.00 Members Fee: $400.00
| Date: Monday, May 4, 2026 - Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Advanced Beginner Watercolor Landscape Course
Instructor Drew Bandish
This class will be a great follow-on to our Beginner Landscape workshop and it will also be wonderful for anyone who wants to brush up on their landscape painting techniques.
All Levels Welcome
Non Members Fee: $185.00 Members Fee: $165.00
| Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026 - Thursday, May 28, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM-9:00 PM |
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Capturing the Moment in Watercolor
Instructor: Geoff Allen
Learn the joys of capturing the moment, color, and mood in watercolor. This workshop will cover the basic watercolor handling techniques that can speed up your process, loosen you up, and increase your success in capturing outdoor scenes. Beginning and intermediate topics will be covered in the studio and outdoors in plein air.
There will be daily skill building exercises focusing on controlling paper moisture, mixtures, and timing. Geoff’s demonstrations will review materials and show students how all these techniques flow together to “keep it fresh” while focusing on a variety of subject matter: coastal, landscape, and still-life.
Geoff’s daily demos will cover how to take your inspiration through a process of simplification while enhancing design dynamics, expression, defining light/ shadow, and creating atmosphere. It all starts with practicing watercolor’s quartet of skills; values, shapes, color, and mark making. Geoff will be following up individually with students to reinforce concepts and skills at their easel.
Experience Level - Intermediate and Above
Non Members Fee: $325.00 Members Fee: $300.00
| Date: Monday, June 8, 2026 - Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Figures Through the Light and Shadow
Instructor: Eudes Correia
Eudes Correia is one of the most outstanding contemporary watercolor artists on the world stage.
He transforms ordinary people who travel in the city, almost invisible, into the protagonists of his work. These figures always have great sensitivity and personality. Eudes has excelled on the international stage, participated in exhibitions, and given workshops in more than 30 countries around the world. He is sponsored by Winsor & Newton Global.
Skill Level: Intermediate Painter and Above
Non Members Fee: $575.00 Members Fee: $550.00
| Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026 - Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Wild Birds in the Spirit of Abstract Realism ZOOM Workshop
Instructor: Zoë Evamy
In this workshop we will explore the interface between gestural mark making and controlled use of structure and definition using acrylic paints. The goal is to paint a realistic bird and incorporate an abstract background, which will be useful for all sorts of subjects.
In my wild bird paintings, I aim to communicate a sense of discovery and revelation where the bird is partially hidden in the background - the figure and ground are an integral part of each other. This approach gives us plenty of scope to satisfy different moods in our creative practice; time to play vs time to slow down, adding just enough definition to make a coherent visual statement and a unique artistic expression.
This workshop will be held on ZOOM.
All Levels Welcome
Non Members Fee: $325.00 Members Fee: $300.00
| Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026 - Monday, July 20, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Reality and Imagination
Instructor: Ana Laura Salazar
Learn how International Exhibition 2026 Juror Ana Laura Salazar develops her fantastical paintings in this wonderful opportunity to learn from a contemporary master.
Recommended Experience: Intermediate Painters and Above
Non Members Fee: $450.00 Members Fee: $425.00
| Date: Monday, August 10, 2026 - Thursday, August 13, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Line and Watercolor
Instructor: Lori Mitchell
For this workshop we will explore different materials to create interesting lines (i.e. pens, water soluble pens, dip pens with ink and watercolor, paint brushes, graphite pencil, colored pencil, white pen). We will let our lines show through as part of the finished piece. We will add watercolor and look at different ways of using limited color, as well as painting the whole composition. We will create a palette where all the colors work in harmony with one another.
We will focus on the process more than the finished product and we will encourage play and experimentation. I will walk you through each project, and I will demonstrate and show samples, all in a very relaxed atmosphere. We will be drawing from still lifes and some observation of photos.
Experience Level: Intermediate. You should have at least moderate experience with drawing and painting.
Non Members Fee: $185.00 Members Fee: $165.00
| Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026 - Sunday, September 6, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM |
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Florals and Fruit: From Real to Really Amazing - ZOOM
Students will start a new technique each day, progressing from a realistic approach to an expressive approach to an abstracted approach. Instructor will provide references, but students will be invited to bring their own if they choose to do so. We will work with three different organic subjects. Instructor will provide 2 demonstrations daily, followed by student painting time and personal help. There will be a critique of progress at the end of each day where students will be invited to share their challenges and their successes, guided by the instructor.
This workshop will be held on ZOOM.
Experience Level - Intermediate and above
Non Members Fee: $300.00 Members Fee: $275.00
| Date: Monday, November 9, 2026 - Wednesday, November 11, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
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Financial support is provided
by the City of San Diego.
© 2024 San Diego Watercolor Society
SDWS Tax ID Number is 95-3153264
