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Watercolor—Simplifying Your Compositions with Suzanne Natkze

  • Old Hyde Park Art Center 705 w. Swann ave Tampa, FL 33606 US (map)

Learn how to create a contemporary and dynamic quality in your watercolor paintings by editing photo references to eliminate clutter, create simplified shapes and strong values, and add exciting linear elements. Using basic materials and a straightforward method, emphasis will be placed on creating an expressive composition that can be customized for any style of painting

Suzanne is a Signature Member of the Florida Watercolor Society and the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society. Her work is regularly featured in state and national exhibitions, as well as online shows and publications. She teachers watercolor and mixed watermedia classes at the Pasco Fina Arts Council in New Port Richey, and at Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art at the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College.

$50 for members, $65 for non-members

Remember to bring your lunch!

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Demo Thursday October 10th at 7pm

Free to the public

Artist Profile

Suzanne Natzke is originally from Michigan but has lived in Florida since 1985. She began painting in watercolor in 2001 and has studied under several local and nationally renowned artists. She is a Signature Member of the Florida Watercolor Society and the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society.  Her work is regularly featured in state and national exhibitions, as well as online shows and publications.   Suzanne teaches watercolor and mixed watermedia classes at the Pasco Fine Arts Council in New Port Richey, and at Leepa Ratner Museum of Art at the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College.  She also offers workshops and demonstrations on a variety of water media techniques.

Suzanne enjoys the fresh, transparent nature of pure watercolor painting, but is equally captivated working intuitively with acrylic watermedia and collage to develop expressionistic and abstract compositions.  Her method incorporates bold value contrasts, a vibrant and harmonious palette, and simplified shapes.  Suzanne’s art encompasses an eclectic assortment of subject matter and reflects her fascination with motion, the effects of light, and the desire to capture a moment in time. 

SIMPLIFYING YOUR COMPOSITOINS - MATERIALS LIST

Instructor:  Suzanne Natzke firedust@tampabay.rr.com if you have any questions about materials

Please bring the following:

Paper - 140 # watercolor paper – be sure this is 100% rag to get the proper results.  Half or quarter sheets, 2 pieces

Paint - Fresh, juicy watercolor paint, in the colors you usually use.  Please do not bring dried up old paint – this will not reconstitute adequately! I use warm and cool versions of the primaries, plus some earth tones.  Some suggested colors:

Blues:  ultramarine, cobalt or cerulean

Reds:  red rose deep, permanent rose or opera (cool reds), and cadmium red or warm transparent reds such as Poppy or Fire engine red (American Journey),

Yellows:  aureolin or Joe’s blue, New Gamboge, cadmium yellow

Others:  burnt sienna, raw sienna, violet, green, orange, plus any other colors you prefer

Brushes - Bring your biggest brushes!  Basic sizes to have:

1 ½ or 2 inch flat wash

1 inch flat

12 or 14 round

Rigger for finishing details

Other equipment

Palette

Paper towels, Kleenex

Spray bottle for water

Two containers for water (one to rinse dirty brushes, one for clean water)

Blue quick release tape or masking tape

Removable masking fluid (check the label).

Old, not so nice brush for applying masking fluid

Pencil, white plastic eraser

An old plastic credit/gift card for scraping into wet paint

X-acto knife/razor blade for scratching highlights

Any other equipment you normally like to use. 

Tracing paper – at least 8.5 x 11 inches, heavy duty or vellum is best

Photo references.  Please bring a photo reference of something you would like to paint (any subject is fine).  You will also need to make an 8.5 x 11 inch print out of your photo reference (can be black and white or color).  Students are encouraged to work from their own photo references as this promotes original ideas, however, instructor will have an extra reference available.