WATERCOLOR I WEBSITEBuffalo, NY - The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens announced a variety of new online art classes and workshops beginning July 21. Watercolor I-Foundations, II-Beginner Techniques, III-Intermediate Expression and IV-Masters will offer classes for all skill levels and will begin starting July 21. The watercolor classes and workshops will be held online via ZOOM meeting and will be taught by the Botanical Gardens' newest art instructors Judith Kosinski and Deanna Weinholtz. 

Each watercolor series has been designed to accommodate all skill levels including a foundational level for beginners with little to no experience, a beginner level for those looking to learn more techniques, an intermediate level for those with more experience, and an advanced masters class for those looking to fine tune their skills. 

Watercolor I- Foundations will be offered weekly August 11 through September 1 or September 15 through October 6 from 9:00am through 11:00am. Participants will explore watercolor painting materials and basic techniques that will help build an excellent foundation to master this inspiring and expressive form of painting. Over the four-week sessions, students will get an introduction to watercolor painting, learn how to work with color, value and texture, explore watercolor techniques and discover how to find their inspiration to paint. Watercolor I is suitable for those with little to no painting experience and will be taught by Judith Kosinski.

Watercolor II- Beginner Techniques will be offered weekly August 12 through September 2 or September 16 through October 7 from 6:30pm through 8:30pm. Participants will learn the principles of design, composing and sketching, explore color, learn how to apply washes, how to control watercolor to get the effect you want and how to apply the finishing touches to your projects. Taking Watercolor I is recommended but it is not required. This class is suitable for those with little to no painting experience and will be taught by Judith Kosinski.

Watercolor III- Intermediate Expression will be offered weekly July 21 through August 11 or August 18 through September 8 from 6:30pm through 8:30pm. Participants will expand on their skills and learn luminescent, glazing and texture techniques. Students will work on their own watercolor painting from start to finish with help from an expert every step of the way. This series will take students on a creative journey to recreate and enhance an image of their choice with the option of Inspired Landscapes in Watercolor (Session I) or Reflective Sunsets (Session II). This class is suitable for anyone 16 and older with some previous watercolor painting experience who would like to move beyond the basics and will be taught by Deanna Weinholtz. 

Watercolor IV- Masters will be offered weekly July 22 through August 12 or August 19 through September 9 from 9:00am through 11:00am. Participants will focus on landscapes or seascapes created in watercolor from their own photos that inspire them or one the instructor supplies. Students will utilize advanced techniques such as wet in wet, wet in dry, and glazing to create textures and depth within a refined composition with the option of Sunset Inspired Cloud Formations (Session I) or Agricultural Landscapes (Session II). This class is suitable for anyone 16 and older with a working knowledge of color theory and design elements as well as intermediate to advanced watercolor painting experience and will be taught by Deanna Weinholtz. 

Judith Kosinski and Deanna Weinholtz are excited to join the Botanical Gardens' family of instructors for these new online classes. Judith Kosinski has been creating for more than 20 years! She is passionate about all aspects of artmaking and truly loves to help other artists create and grow their skills.  She is an experienced and engaging educator; skilled with creative curriculum development, teaching all media in fine art, ​and providing youth and professional mentoring. She most recently worked as an educator for Alden Central Schools for 23 years, teaching art and life skills to grades 9-12, art classes to inmates in a correctional facility, coordinated adult education programs, and organized community-wide art events. Her passion for painting and drawing is infused in her teaching. Deanna Weinholtz is a water media artist who is best known for her luminous landscapes and seascapes in watercolor and acrylics. Her creations have been displayed in numerous exhibitions and galleries and have won national and regional awards. Deanna's inspiration comes from travels throughout the United States, Canada and Italy. Observing spectacular sunsets over the water and the Northern Lights occasionally dancing across the sky has inspired a number of her paintings. A graduate of State University College at Buffalo with a degree in design, Deanna is a full time professional fine artist, is a Signature Member of Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, an Exhibiting Member of the Buffalo Society of Artists, an Associate Member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and is an Exhibiting Member of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society.

Each watercolor series will consist of four, two-hour classes and will be offered online via ZOOM meeting. Each series requires students to provide their own supplies.  Supply lists for each series are available online.  All classes are suitable for anyone 16 and older and the cost is $78 per four-week series.  Each watercolor series fills quickly as spots are limited.  Sign up online at buffalogardens.com. If you have questions, please call 716.827.1584 ext. 730 or email education@buffalogardens.com

Use #BuffaloGardens and @BuffaloGardens when tagging on social media. Proceeds benefit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to inspire curiosity and connect people to the natural world through its historic living museum.

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