Creative Combination: Watercolor & Acrylic
with Dan Wiemer 
*Presented in collaboration with the Central Minnesota Watercolorists

*Priority registration to Central Minnesota Watercolor Society Members through July 15. Members should contact Sandra Theis to pre-register. 

General public registration opens on July 16 at 10am. 
Experience Level: Previous experience recommended
Tuesday September 19-Thursday September 21, 9am-4pm (3 sessions)
Ages 14+

Good painters are first good designers. Learn concepts that allow you to find strong abstract shapes in your scenes. We will learn about the different types of contrasts and how they add drama to your painting. The workshop will focus on painting like a printmaker – finding and constructing negative shapes to create mosaic-like paintings using watercolor and acrylic paints. Your learning experience will include demos, guided painting, self-exploration, and a bunch of fun.

Dan Wiemer Artist Statement

I am obsessed with design, negative shape making and the ruggedness of the north. These obsessions led me to study Canadian painters, most notably Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, who worked primarily in the early 1900’s. The illustrative style is personally relatable to me. Their career paths evolved from graphic designers, to illustrators, to painters. This has been my path as well.

Finding rhythm in the landscape has become a hallmark of my work. Rhythm to me is connecting highlight shapes with linked shadow shapes in an interesting way that creates movement and pathways for the eye.

My technique uniquely combines opaque acrylic with transparent watercolor that stylizes the landscape and is influenced by printmakers and batik artists. Their approach to creating negative shapes is similar to how I construct and distill my scenes.

Painting on location (plein air) and in the studio are different experiences and bring different perspectives to my work. As a past president of the MN Watercolor Society, I saw firsthand the endless variety of ways to handle watermedia. This excited me and drove me to explore and develop the distinctive style I have today.

I was fortunate to have two extended stays in China– painting, teaching and exhibiting. In addition to China, I have painted in Puerto Rico, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and throughout the United States.

Materials for class:

Many people already have supplies that are fine. Bring those; you can impress your neighbors and your teacher. WATERCOLOR PAINTS: I use a fairly traditional collection of colors. If you have others you enjoy working with that’s fine, bring them. Mine include cerulean blue, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, raw sienna, burnt sienna, Cadmium or winsor red, alizarin crimson (or permanent rose), Sap green, viridian and Paynes gray or neutral tint that I often use for value studies. You may have some wonderful new colors to show me! It is easier for watercolor artists to have the paints already squeezed into and dried in a plastic palette. If you prefer working with fresh-squeezed paint that is fine as well. If you choose the dried paint option, I recommend you do this process several days prior to the workshop. ACRYLIC PAINTS: Bring several 2 oz. tubes of acrylic paints, a small container of acrylic matte medium, and a 9” or 10” white plastic plate to use as a palette. Suggested paint colors: Raw sienna, quinacridone burnt orange, cerulean blue, cobalt blue, light ultramarine blue. I use Golden brand acrylic tube paint. If you have similar or additional colors, bring them. BRUSHES: Bring several different size brushes. My watercolor brushes differ from my acrylic brushes. I use a round pinky-sized synthetic brush for my masking and acrylic painting. You probably already have your favorites. PAPER: Sheets or blocks are fine, just make sure it is 100% rag (cotton). No student-grade paper for your sake and mine. Student grade paper leads to more frustration and pain than the money you save. There are many fine rag papers. I recommend 140# Arches cold pressed or hot pressed because this can handle the repetitive masking process of the technique you will learn. Softer papers are not sufficient for this process. All of our studies will be 11×15 quarter sheets or smaller. OTHER: Pencil, sketchpad or copy paper, soft eraser (Magicrub) or something like a white eraser, a thick black marker, Windsor-Newton masking fluid, clear water container, roll of paper towels, board or piece of Masonite to tape down loose paper, masking tape. If you choose, bring some paintings that you are struggling with and would like a constructive critique. We all have different setup areas when we paint, bring whatever makes you work comfortably. Bring what you have, don’t spend a whole lot of money and change your palette for this workshop, I am not that fussy. If you have any questions about supplies or the workshop don’t hesitate to call or email me. 651-276-5559 danwiemer@gmail.com Thanks – Dan Wiemer