Nov. 2026 Workshop
November 2026 Zoom Workshop
with David R. Smith
AWS, NWS, TWSA
3 Days: Nov. 4th, 6th, & 8th, 2026
PLUS 60 days of recordings!
11:30am - 4:30pm (ET)
10:30am - 3:30pm (CT)
9:30am - 2:30pm (MT)
8:30am - 1:30pm (PT)
Cost: $315
5hr. classes Packed with painting!
Workshop will be recorded so you can review it for 60 days!
Reference photos, drawing guides, & outlines available to download and print!
Let's Paint Some Watercolor Critters!
I had so much fun painting these three delightful subjects, and I can't wait to share the process with you! Together we'll explore loose, expressive watercolor techniques that bring personality and life to your paintings. Rich textures, beautiful color mingling, and lively brushwork will create paintings that capture and hold the viewer's attention.
Along the way, you'll learn:
- When and where to use rich color and strong value contrast.
- How to incorporate soft, lost, and hard edges to create depth and interest.
- Techniques for preserving your whites and luminous highlights.
- How to recognize the different moisture stages of your paper and when to use each one.
- How to paint confidently on wet paper while maintaining control when it matters most.
We'll pack each session with practical techniques and creative approaches as we paint all three subjects. My hope is that these lessons will inspire your watercolor journey long after the workshop is over.
After each step, I'll give you time to paint at while answering questions along the way. We'll finish each session with additional Q&A, followed by a friendly sharing and critique session.
I hope you'll join us for this fun and inspiring watercolor adventure!
How the Online Workshop works:
- Recordings available for 60 days beyond the workshops! You may watch and participate in the actual Zoom workshops AND you may also review the workshops at your convenience for 60 days! *The workshops will be recorded and the links of the recordings will be sent to you so you can review the instruction. Fast forward, Rewind, and Pause the video to get the most from the workshops.
- Each morning of the workshop, you will receive an e-mail that includes a link. Simply click on the link and it will bring you to the LIVE Zoom Workshop. The video will not be public, but will only be available to those who receive the links. At the end of each day, you will receive a link to the recordings so you can review instruction.
- Not only will you save money, but you’ll have all the benefits that come from taking workshops from the comfort of your own home: skip the flight &/or drive and paint in your PJ’s while getting assistance from your beloved feline or canine. ;-)
- Interactive! Simply unmute yourself during our Live workshops and ask a question. Towards the end of each session, I will also participate in a Q&A to answer questions &/or critique your progress. And you may also e-mail me a question if you prefer.
- There are 3 video cameras that I’ll alternate between to give you a view of the painting and the palette. As there is picture-within-a-picture capabilities, you will be provided a reference photo in the corner of the screen. The cameras and instruction will be live online. If the times are not convenient, remember you have the recordings to view the content at your convenience following the live stream.
- Reference photos, drawing guides, and the outlines will be e-mailed to you so you can prepare the drawing Before the workshop so we can maximize our painting time together.
- Pre-recorded videos will be provided that show you how to transfer a drawing. And of course David will be available during the LIVE Zoom workshop to answer any questions you have.
Caveats:
- Printing considerations: The drawing is the foundation of a good painting. To help, a drawing guide will be e-mailed to you.
- You may transfer the drawing guide by using a light box, window, or free-hand draw it. But I will provide a video link in which I demonstrate how to transfer the drawing using graphite paper. If you choose this method, you will need to download the drawing guides and print them, or have a copy center such as Office Depot, FedEx, etc. print them for you, to your preferred painting dimensions. I will be painting on a quarter (11”x15”) sheet of paper, so I will print the drawing guide onto an 11”x17” (tabloid size) sheet of paper to accommodate the large size. Each printer is unique. On many printers, one can go into the printer settings and select various sizes. On mine, I select 11x17 and “Scale to Fit”.
- If you are unable to print the drawing guide, you may need to draw free-hand, which will take more time.
*To reserve your spot, I must receive your registration via check or PayPal by November 1st.
I recommend registering at least a week or so before the workshop so you have time to complete the drawings!
Cancelation policy: Artists may choose to cancel up to the first day of the workshop and receive a refund minus a 15% handling fee. To receive a refund, minus a handling fee, you must send an e-mail requesting a refund prior to the workshop beginning. Send e-mails to: [email protected]. No refunds will be provided once the workshop begins unless the host is unable to stream the video instruction. In which case, your money will be refunded.
Questions: Feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at 952-846-9448. Thank you, David.
- - - - - - -- - - Please register online Or send below registration - - - - - - - - - -
Registration for November Zoom Workshop
Two Options: Register with PayPal or Check (Due by November 1st)
Option 1: Check. Send Registration and Check ($315) to:
David R. Smith
40 County Road 44
Grand Marais, MN 55604
Option 2: Online Payment.
Click your preferred means of payment below:
You should also send or e-mail the below information to [email protected].
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Please clearly write e-mail as this is how the online/streaming link will be provided to you.
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Material List
Usual Supplies: palette, water container, masking tape (optional), clips, towels, Kleenex, large spray bottle, mist spray bottle, hair dryer, pencil/eraser, etc. IF you have an iPad/tablet, it can be used to display reference photos.
High Quality Paper. Have at least 4 quarter sheets (11x15). I’ll use 140# Cold Press Fabriano Artistico Bright White Paper. However, you could choose another brand, weight, and texture.. such as Arches, 300#, and it could be Rough… Your choice.
If you’re curious about the difference between Fabriano Artistico and Arches, Fabriano is more sensitive and the paint lifts easier and textures are created more easily… which can be nice or frustrating depending on whether they are desirable or not. Arches is more forgiving. E.g. one can more easily apply a wash of color on top of a previous color without lifting/disturbing the previous wash. *Note: IF you order Fabriano, make sure it states “Artistico” after the name, otherwise you may be ordering student grade paper.
Highly recommend Craftsmart/MonaLisa Graphite Paper or Loew Cornell Gray Transfer Paper (can buy at Michaels art & craft store, JoAnn Fabric, or online) and a colored ball-point pen (red works well).
Professional Brand Tube Paint: Your choice of colors, but have some form of the primaries: Yellow, Red, Blue, a dark such as Indigo, Neutral Tint, Payne’s Gray, &/or Lunar Black, and White Gouache &/or Dr. Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White. *Below I underlined the colors I’ll use most often for this workshop:
On my palette: Winsor Lemon or Bismuth Vanadate Yellow (QoR), Cadmium Yellow, Quinacridone Gold, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Thalo Blue, Cobalt Teal (QoR), Alizarin Crimson, Winsor Red or Joe’s Red, Opera (Holbein), Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna, Lavender (Holbein), Dioxazine Purple (QoR), Indigo, Neutral Tint, Lunar Black (Daniel Smith), White Gouache, and a jar of Dr. Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White.
Brushes: I recommend brushes with a nice point. If you’re curious, I typically use a variety of Synthetic Brushes: Escoda Perla Round size 12 (I use 90% of time). Faux Squirrel 1827 Liner Aux. Reservoir size 2 (Dynasty) is nice for whiskers and fine hair. A 1” or 1.5” Flat Brush, and a large round or mop. There are many options such as the Princeton Aqua Elite Quill #6, and the Escoda Prado (size 16).
Brushes for lifting: I used the #2 Artisan Short Flat/Bright long handled (Winsor & Newton). Optional: #4 & #16 Fritch Scrubber. Magic Eraser.
Masking Fluid. Recommend: Pebeo drawing gum, that is still fluid and has not become hard or have clumps in it. You will also need a long thin bristle brush with a nice point - I usually use an inexpensive craft brush, but for some fine lines I used the Faux Squirrel 1827 Liner Aux. Reservoir size 2 (Dynasty). And dish soap for cleaning your brush.
Paint Boards (two come in handy): I use thick foam core, but your choice of material. The board dimensions should be larger than the sheet of paper, which will be 11”x15”.
For part of the process, we will work at a slant. So, a table easel may come in handy or you may simply prop one end of your painting board up on a tissue box or something.
Optional: Palette knife.
Other handy materials: White Pastel Pencil, Stencil Material (Translucent Stencil Film, Acetate, or Transparency Film).
