Landscapes in Watercolor with Dave Cook (Mondays)

Join watercolor painter Dave Cook in this seven-week class exploring the approaches he uses in his own practice to create compelling and expressive watercolor landscapes. Through these methods, students will experience the unique versatility and beauty of transparent watercolor while learning how thoughtful design choices support strong, finished work. Cook will share the elements of good design that are central to his process, along with practical drawing and painting techniques that build confidence and lead to immediate results. Students will learn how Cook uses sketchbooks, value studies, and color sketches to develop ideas and strengthen compositions before painting. Emphasis is placed on applying composition, light, atmosphere, color temperature, and contrast to clearly express mood. Instruction will include group and individual demonstrations, as well as time for focused painting with constructive feedback. This course is suitable for artists at any level and provides a supportive environment for developing stronger watercolor landscapes.

Dave Cook, an artist and architect, explores the beauty of the created world through vivid, colorful shape-dominated paintings.  His approach to water media painting is varied and explorative; he paints landscapes often with references to buildings and structures as a natural outgrowth of his architectural background.  HIs cityscapes, portraits and animal paintings are expressive studies with dramatic light interplay.  The techniques he employs are often spontaneous with energy and emotion.  He paints somewhere between realism and abstraction, using water media on paper, often using various textures, strokes and effects.  www.dcookart.com/