Washes of Light to Dark: Watercolor Portraits at Denver Botanic Gardens
Adult Course | Registration opens 11/4/2025 10:00 AM MDT
Find your flow of creating a portrait through the fluidity of watercolor. In this class, students will learn techniques to develop a portrait from light, transparent washes of watercolor and build with layers of deeper saturation to reveal the forms of the person while working with a live model. With no past experience necessary, this class is aimed at teaching the light-to-dark method of watercolor through the lens of portrait, to take away the intimidation of watercolor and bring out the joy of the art form.
Watercolor palette (recommended suggestion: Portable Watercolor Paint Palette Case)
1 heavyweight cold-press watercolor block, recommended weight: 300 GSM (Any brand is fine, Arches is preferred)
Watercolor brushes: round brushes at a variety of sizes, one medium-sized dagger brush, one mop brush, one liner brush for details, one flat brush if desired
Watercolor paint cakes or tubes: at least bring primary colors and black (any brand is acceptable, my favorites are Gamblin, Daniel Smith, Schmincke)
Rag
Cup for water
Portable easel is optional
Supplies are available locally at: HR Meininger, Guiry’s, Red Herring Art & Supply, Point Creative Supplies
Also available online: Blick Art Materials and Michaels
Mikael Olson
Born in Denver in 1973, Mikael Olson has been painting for as long as he can remember.“I paint because it is the most natural way for me to define myself. I prefer to paint ordinary things, and I try to paint them honestly. Painting is my response to the intoxication of my visual experience.”
Mikael is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and has continued to hone his craft through studies at the Arts Student League of Denver. He has worked alongside such prominent painters as Quang Ho and fellow Coloradan Kevin Wechbach, and includes among his influences such diverse talents as Andrew Wyeth and Richard Diebenkorn. His painting style, which he describes as “impressionistic toward slightly expressionistic,” is beautifully suited to the subjects he prefers: single objects in bold still-life, human figures thoughtfully composed and cleanly rendered, and light-infused street scenes.