Curious about watercolor painting but unsure how to begin? Currently using watercolor but feeling frustrated? Mastering watercolor requires learning what you can control and how while also learning when to surrender to the unpredictable effects of this ancient medium.
In this workshop, watercolor artist Nick Zuiderveld (with assistance from Erika!) will teach you the magic and secrets of mastering watercolor. We will start with exploring the fundamentals: color mixing to achieve various value shifts, how to manage water levels, and how to control edge sharpness. You will practice essential techniques such as creating even color shapes (flat washes), color transitions (graded washes), controlling the concentration of pigments (mix strengths), and improving your brush handling.
After getting a feel for how watercolor works, we will apply these fundamentals to a simple landscape painting. Using a shared reference photo, Nick will guide the class in learning how to simplify the scene into large shapes, how to leverage contrast to plan out your painting, and how to complete your painting in clear-cut, manageable stages.
At the completion of this 3-hour workshop, you will have a fundamental understanding of watercolor and its special qualities, techniques for beginning future paintings, and a completed landscape study to take home.
What We’ll Use:
Watercolor paints, brushes, and high quality watercolor paper. All materials and supplies will be provided.
When:
Saturday, April 4th, 2026, from 10am to 1pm
Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Where:
1801 NW Upshur St., Suite 310 (3rd floor –there is an elevator)
Locked building: We will meet in the lobby between 9:45-9:50.
Cost:
$50 per person + $15 materials fee
About Your Instructor:
A cherished friend of both Erika and Ruben, Nick Zuiderveld (pronounced zider-veld) is a Colorado-based artist with a passion for the “magical” qualities of watercolor. After finding his earlier, hyper-realistic pencil drawings to be restrictive, he stumbled across watercolor and quickly fell in love with the medium’s immediacy, luminosity, and spontaneity. Primarily self-taught, Nick’s work is a study in the design of light and atmosphere. While primarily a representational artist, Nick is becoming increasingly more drawn to the expressive, flowing nature of water-based pigment. A former Portlander, Nick now lives in Denver with his wife, two boys, and one energetic dog. Nick works a fulfilling career as a program manager while pursuing his passion for celebrating the joy of discovery through his vibrant and engaging paintings. Learn more on his website.
A selection of his original paintings as well as a few giclée prints will be on display and available for purchase at the Church of Art studio from Thursday April 2nd through Sunday May 10th.
