Intro to Watercolor

A four-part series — all abilities welcome! Ages 18+

Now enrolling for Fall 2026.

This four-week watercolor program introduces students to fundamental watercolor techniques through fun, creative projects. Each week focuses on a specific skill while allowing students freedom to make their artwork personal and unique. 

Week 1 – Sky: Water & Paint Control 

Students experiment with water, washes, gradients, and paint movement while creating their own sky-inspired artwork. 

Week 2 – Flowers: Color Mixing & Blending 

Students explore color mixing, blending, and layering while creating individual flower paintings. 

Week 3 – Trees: Texture & Special Effects 

Students experiment with different brushes and tools—including sponges, dry brushing, splattering, and salt—to discover ways of creating watercolor textures before creating their own tree. 

Week 4 – My Special Place: Layers & Details 

Students bring together the skills learned throughout the program to paint a place that makes them happy, such as a beach, garden, park, home, or imaginary place. 

Class Structure 

Each 60-minute class follows a consistent structure of introduction, instructor demonstration, skill experimentation, individual artwork, and sharing/celebration. 

Teaching Approach 

The emphasis throughout the program is on process, experimentation, creativity, and individual expression rather than copying a finished example. Projects can also be adapted to different ability levels so that every student can participate successfully while working toward the same core skill.

This class is open to the public. Enrollment is open to any adult, with or without a disability. No diagnosis, referral, or prior art experience is required.

Participants who work with a personal assistant, job coach, family member, or other support person are welcome to bring them to class at no charge.

Class details:

  • Dates: Wednesdays September 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026

  • Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

  • Location: Warwick Valley Community Center, 11 Hamilton Avenue, Warwick, NY 10990

  • Ages: 18 and over

  • Class size: limited to 6 participants

  • Prerequisites: none

  • Instructor: Local artist Geraldine Nelson

  • Rate: Sessions are $40 per participant, per week, or $150 for all four sessions (9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30).

This is the instructional fee. All materials are provided at no additional cost. There are no registration fees, activity fees, supply fees, or add-on charges of any kind.

NOTE: Participants may want to register and stay for our Cooking & Connection class, on the same Wednesdays in September, from 12-1:30 pm. Participants are welcome to bring their own lunches to eat in between the two classes.