This is truly an excellent time to become a watercolor painter. There is an unprecedented quantity of high-quality instruction available to us for free, accessible from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. I started watercolor painting during Covid lock-down, and I found learning from online sources worked well for me. I think I learned the most from watching real-time demos of master artists from the Daniel Smith weekly demos and from Art School Live (only the free ones though!) I started a practice of watching demos while I ate breakfast, which I still continue. However, at a certain point I had a solid grasp of the technical skills and a set of supplies I was comfortable with but my art was still missing something. I could tell there were pieces missing from my painting knowledge puzzle – but I didn’t know what they were or how to find them. Luckily, I made a wise choice at this point – to find a painting community.
A community of artists are the sounding board you need to help you find and take the next step in your artistic journey. They provide what another do-at-your-own-pace video course can never give you: real artists with a variety of lived experience looking at your actual art and providing unique advice tailored to your specific needs. I think we’ve all heard of the “loneliness epidemic” in our society today – feeling unconnected to others is bad for our mental and physical health, and that’s bad for our art also. Feedback from peers is a powerful motivator, and working alongside others is an accelerant for artistic growth. Since many of us paint because it brings us pleasure, finding a painting community can also add a new, social level of enjoyment to our craft.
So what kinds of painting communities are out there, and how do you find them?
Classes
When I first set out to find a community, I looked for a class. Since it was Covid times, there weren’t any in-person options, but I was able to find a class online (with artist Carol L. Douglas) that replicated most of the features of an in-person course: the class was live, there was a limited quantity of students (ten), and the instructor provided ongoing feedback on our work while we painted. Besides this, the students could talk to each other – our video was live also – so we actually got to know each other and could provide feedback on each other’s work. This is the mark of a good community – everyone is able to learn something from each other, regardless of the level of their work. It’s also a strong contrast with many of the classes available online. Even the live ones usually don’t include interaction with instructors or other participants beyond asking questions in the “chat.” There were some limitations – seeing work through a laptop monitor and blurry camera didn’t always allow the instructor to have a full picture of what I was working on, and she couldn’t observe my technique. However, if an in-person class isn’t available to you, finding a live, small-group class may be a good option. For me, this class made a huge difference in my work as I was shown what pieces I was missing and where to focus my learning.
An in-person class is an even better option, and a Google search will probably show you many available in your area at art and community centers or offered at artist’s studios. Since in-person and live small-group online classes can be expensive, take some time to figure out if the class will be a good fit. Look at the instructor’s work and see if you like the style. Email the instructor some of your paintings to see if the instruction will be at the right level for you, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about the course content. A good instructor will be happy that you are making sure the class is right for you in advance.
Art Associations
A great place to find classes is from an Art Association – but joining an association offers many other benefits as well. I’m currently a member of the Vermont Watercolor Society; a very active group which offers classes, demos, field trips to art exhibits, and in-person and online artist meet-ups of various sorts. These meet-ups provide space for frequent critiques, which is essential to continue progressing (and to just fine-tune your pieces so they look their best). I want to be clear here – a critique isn’t what you get when you post your new painting in a Facebook group and everyone comments “wow” and “good job.” It’s also not what you get when you show your painting to aunt Thelma, who just loves anything you make because you made it and she loves you. The best critiques are from artists experienced in looking at art, and ideally experienced in your medium, who are willing to share their thoughts frankly and in a spirit of mutual improvement. Giving a critique (or watching someone else give one) can be just as instructive as getting one yourself, as it helps you train your eye and learn what makes a good painting. A group of peer artists can also help you troubleshoot how to get the effect you want or how to master a certain technique, and can keep you motivated with painting challenges or just having a supportive audience.
The National Watercolor Society (NWS) is one of two main country-wide associations in the US, along with the American Watercolor Society (AWS). Although these upper-echelons of watercolor painting are mostly too large and diffuse to count as a community, the NWS provides this list of state and local watercolor groups which may help you find yours. You can also ask at a local art center or art supply store to see if there are other groups near you. Many cities and towns have urban sketch meet-ups or plein-air painting groups. If an active watercolor group isn’t available to you, an artist’s association serving artists working in many mediums is also a great option. If you truly live in the middle of nowhere, look for an online group – Facebook and Reddit host some – that offers honest but supportive critiques and where people answer each other’s questions.
Shows
Artist associations often sponsor shows of their member’s work. Showing your work can be a great way to see your art through new eyes. Go to the opening and listen as the public discusses your painting – I’ve learned a great deal from seeing how others react to my art. If the show is juried, you might also get the perspective of the jurist – and you get the thrill of getting in (and maybe even winning a prize) in the show. Shows are a community experience, and attending an opening or being part of a group show can really help you and your work feel part of something larger.
Teaching
Although we’re all still learning, it doesn’t mean we can’t teach as well! I believe there’s space for artists of all levels to share their skills with others – whether it’s a workshop at a local library or community center, working with children or seniors, or teaching at an art center. Besides providing community for you and others, teaching forces you to break down your instinctive processes so that you gain a much deeper understanding of what you’re doing. You’ll end up with a stronger foundation for later work.
Supply Swaps
Although a swap is perhaps less of a community than the examples above, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include it. There is certainly something community minded about trading your extra and unwanted art supplies for new-to-you art goodies, or mailing a homemade dot card to someone on the other side of the country who wants to sample a specific pigment. I know of two lovely watercolor swap groups on Facebook, here and here, and in-person swaps are sometimes organized by art associations. Perhaps you can organize your own!
In what ways have you built community around your art? How does community help your art thrive? Comment below – and be sure to subscribe if you’d like these posts delivered to your inbox!
Carrie Glessner 