Basic Watercolor Painting

This event is no longer on sale.

Saturday June 19

9:00 AM  –  11:00 AM

Preregistration is required. This program is designed for adults.

Enhance your artistic skills and spark your creativity as Cynthia Kukla, Emerita Professor of Art, provides a quick tutorial on sketching followed by a quick overview of watercolor painting basics. We'll then paint in the Pollinator Garden.

About the instructor: Cynthia Kukla, Watercolor Honor Society, Emerita Professor of Art has taught watercolors in the U.S. and abroad, and exhibits her watercolors nationally.

Where to meet: This relaxing class meets in the Pollinator Garden near the Abner Hollow Cabin. Class will be moved inside during inclement weather.   

Registrants are responsible for their own materials. Please bring the following:

  • A mat to sit on (chairs will be provided)
  • 2 bowls and 1 plastic jar with lid for water
  • Pocket sketch book for quick sketches
  • #2 pencils or basic art pencils
  • A good eraser (plastic art eraser)
  • Watercolor set: Prang, Cotman, Winsor Newton or other pan or tube set
  • OR individual colors (If you do not have all these colors, don’t worry. This is a great starter list of colors to use as a guide. If you have more colors than this basic group, bring them along.)
    • Cadmium yellow light or Hansa yellow light
    • Yellow ochre
    • Burnt sienna
    • Cadmium red light
    • Alizarine Crimson
    • Violet or purple
    • Pthalocyanine or Winsor blue
    • Ultramarine blue
    • Hooker’s green
  • Watercolor pad or block: Canson, Strathmore, Aquarelloor other “house” brands. Buy 1 or 2 "postcard" watercolor pads and if advanced, 1 pad or block that is at least 9 inches x 12 inches. Do not buy multipurpose paper, only watercolor paper.
  • Brushes: Buy individual watercolor brushes.  Good brushes aren’t cheap. Don’t buy only small brushes (#1 or #2), you should also have a round #6 or #8 and a #10 or #12.  Also, buy 1-2 large bamboo brushes, about $3 each.
  • Miscellaneous: cloth rags, plastic watercolor palette $1.50-$15.00
  • Supplies are available at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby or online at Dick Blick.
  • Be sure to bring a full water bottle — this program will take place entirely outside. While there is some shade, sun screen is recommended.

 Members $10; nonmembers $19 (includes daily admission).

Unvaccinated people, including children kindergarten and up, are required to wear masks while inside all facilities (for example, Rowe Visitor Center, restroom, etc.). Masks are not required outdoors. 

*Please note that cancellations must be made at least two weeks in advance of the event. No refunds or transfers of fees will occur if the request is made less than two weeks prior to the event. All programs continue, rain or shine.

Important Information For All Program Registrants:  Please retain an electronic copy of your order number or save/print off a copy of the email acknowledgement as a receipt.  You may be asked for your order number from your transaction to gain entry at the gate/to attend your program. 

Cincinnati Nature Center will run advertised programs and events ​in accordance with current guidelines outlined by the CDC and local health agencies. The status or format of programs may change based on COVID-19 best practices and conditions at the time of the program. In the event that Cincinnati Nature Center cancels a program, full refunds will be issued.