Discover the art of drawing with pencil, eraser, and paper in this introductory course at 92nd Street Y. Expert teachers will guide you through the fundamentals of art, including line, shape, shadow, and perspective. Perfect for aspiring artists looking to build a solid foundation in drawing.
Next start date:
Monday, Apr 1st, 10am–12:30pm Eastern Time
Create two of your own personalized candles in stunning upscale glass jars with lids. Join expert candle maker, Marla Bosworth, in the Upper West Side of Manhattan for a relaxing candle making experience. Perfect for gift-giving or for yourself, these non-toxic candles are made with eco-friendly materials and come in a variety of colors and bestselling fragrances. Don't miss out on this candle-making workshop!
Next start date:
Friday, Mar 29th, 11am–12pm Eastern Time
This class is for the complete beginner. If you want to try pottery but never had the chance, this class is for you. Held in the heart of New York City and taught by an experienced instructor, you will leave class having been introduced to the fundamentals of pottery wheel making.
Next start date:
Saturday, Mar 30th, 10am–12pm Eastern Time
Unleash your creativity in a relaxed and social setting, as an experienced artist guides you step-by-step through replicating a beautiful work of art. Bring your favorite beverages and enjoy a fun and stress-free painting experience with friends or colleagues at the Painting Lounge. Perfect for events, parties, or team-building workshops.
Next start date:
Friday, Mar 29th, 7–9pm Eastern Time
Unleash your creativity in a relaxed and social atmosphere, as an experienced artist guides you step-by-step through creating a beautiful work of art. BYOB and enjoy a fun and stress-free painting experience with friends and coworkers or on a unique date night. No experience is necessary, just bring your enthusiasm!
Next start date:
Friday, Mar 29th, 6–8pm Eastern Time
For over 25 years, I worked as a non-fiction writer and a travel photographer. Fourteen years ago, I took up watercolor on a lark, and soon became pleasantly obsessed with it. Unfortunately, the two classes I took (both with accomplished professional artists) never covered the basics of working with watercolor, and left me confused and frustrated. As I taught myself from books, I began to put together the course I wish I'd been able to take - this course, Watercolor for Absolute Beginners.
Most basic art classes just set up a still life and tell the students to start painting. That's fine, but it doesn't answer the dozens of questions that beginners have about how to use watercolors. Tubes or pan paints? What kind of paper and brushes are best? Damp paper or dry? How do I get those glowing effects without creating mud?
The Watercolor for Absolute Beginners class is different. It's designed from the start to "build in" success, with the right paper, paints, brushes, simple exercises, and patient instruction.
It's the right course for you if:
You have never painted before and you suspect you "have no artistic talent"
You have tried watercolor, but “just made a big mess”
You have had some success with watercolor, but don’t know how to create the effects you've admired in watercolor books or in galleries
Unlike acrylics or oils, watercolor paints have a mind of their own - rich and juicy, yet unpredictable and hard to control. But learn to work with them, and they'll do most of the work for you. You'll study exactly how to handle the paints to get the beautiful effects only watercolor can provide.
No special artistic or drawing skill is necessary. Really.
Anyone, including you, can learn to do it - all it takes is practice and persistence. So take the pain out of painting. If you'd like to express yourself with watercolor, this is the easiest place to start.
Reviews of Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
(4.8-star rating across
27 reviews)
Absolute Beginner Basic Class
Anonymous review on 10/8/2017
Highly recommend this watercolor intro class to beginners. Joan is a great teacher -- very patient and encouraging. She follows up every class with emails with the full recap of the class and links to videos and examples for further instruction. The class sizes are nice and small and the studio is very conveniently located near Union Square.
Absolute Beginner Basic Class
Reviewed by Jae C. on 9/25/2017
My wife and I have been thoroughly enjoying this class (6 week beginner's class)! Joan is an excellent teacher, offering the patience and clarity for any beginner students, while also offering a wealth of resources and information for more advanced students to dive in as deeply as they want. Our class had a couple of students who were actually taking it a second time around, and we can see why. Joan is a rare talent who is both an accomplished artist in her own right, while also having the gift of teaching with clarity and illumination to any novice. I personally gained a deeper understanding of color theory that I had not learned in any of my previous classes in painting or drawing. She does a great job of offering structure to her classes while making the learning process feel very organic and natural.
Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
Reviewed by Colleen O. on 5/2/2016
Joan is such an amazing teacher. I learned so much in this class and enjoyed every minute of it. I will probably take this class again, that is how much I loved it.
Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
Reviewed by Lindsay W. on 10/30/2015
This is a wonderful class! The instructor, Joan Iaconetti, was right when she said I didn't have to know how to draw to learn how to use watercolor -- or have any prior art experience. She teaches you simple techniques and tricks, gives clear instruction, and is full of encouragement and praise. She loves what she does and it shows in how she teaches the class and interacts with her students. I learned so much and now I'm hooked on watercolor! I've already signed up for another class!
Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
Reviewed by Lisa B. on 8/21/2015
I learned so much in a relatively short period of time.
Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
Reviewed by Hayley S. on 6/24/2015
Joan is a very knowledgable, talented and patient teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed her class and will definitely continue to take classes with her. Each of the exercises and paintings are explained clearly, and each class flies by.
Absolute Beginner Watercolor Workshop
Anonymous review on 6/21/2015
Excellent teacher!!! Would take another class with her
Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
Anonymous review on 11/26/2014
Joan is very encouraging and patient-- and talented. She allows you to make up for a class if you miss one. Her class was delightful and I would highly recommend it.
Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
Reviewed by Joan R. on 11/20/2014
This was a terrific intro to watercolor. Small group, nice environment, terrific teacher. Just the right amount of structure, information and help to get a beginner started and excited. Everyone was successful at creating lovely work right from the first class. Teacher is supportive and organized. Each lesson is followed up with an email and blog entry recapping everything taught that session. Lots of links to helpful inspiring websites and homework suggestions to continue working on the skills.
Watercolor for Absolute Beginners
Reviewed by Ellen H. on 10/10/2014
Joan is a GREAT teacher. I learned so much in those
classes I feel I so much better understand watercolor.
The only thing I wish is that
it was earlier in the day.
Students who have taken the Watercolor for Absolute Beginners class highly recommend it, praising the teacher, Joan, for her patience and encouragement. They appreciate that Joan follows up every class with emails that include recaps of the class and additional resources for further instruction. The class sizes are small and the location is convenient. Students mention that the class provides a wealth of information and resources, suitable for both beginners and more advanced students. They were able to gain a deeper understanding of color theory and learned simple techniques and tricks for using watercolor. Many students express their intention to take the class again and continue learning with Joan. Overall, students found the class to be structured, informative, and enjoyable, with a supportive and organized teacher.
Direct quotes:
1. "I personally gained a deeper understanding of color theory that I had not learned in any of my previous classes in painting or drawing."
2. "Joan is such an amazing teacher. I learned so much in this class and enjoyed every minute of it. I will probably take this class again, that is how much I loved it."
3. "This is a wonderful class! The instructor, Joan Iaconetti, was right when she said I didn't have to know how to draw to learn how to use watercolor -- or have any prior art experience. She teaches you simple techniques and tricks, gives clear instruction, and is full of encouragement and praise."
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