**It's important to note that this class is, first and foremost, about gaining familiarity and comfort with watercolor paint's many possibilities and NOT about creating 'finished' artwork. If you're looking for a step-by-step, copy-me class - this isn't it.**

With the exception of one partially-guided day, students do not copy what I'm doing to end up with identical artworks - there will be a lot of room to take things in their own direction. So they may end up with a few "finished" looking pieces, but don't expect them to have a bunch of landscapes and florals etc - the one thing they're almost certain to have is a nightscape painting, and one piece with fish and/or birds in it, but beyond that, I'm not sure. 

They will definitely end up with quite a few pages of lines and textures that may not look like a finished piece of art, unless students choose to do more on top of them later. All of those pieces are important as part of their exploration! And they will have developed a great familiarity with the medium!

(I was teaching this unit as part of my "process art for early elementary" classes - but you can see reviews for the shorter, "camp-style" version of this class here: https://outschool.com/classes/art-camp-wonderful-wet-world-of-watercolor-painting-basics-and-special-effects-4LzS8kxn#usvmadas0y )


WHAT WILL WE DO OVER THE 8 WEEKS?
Week 1: intro, basics: even if students have used watercolors, we'll be reviewing and playing with the most important concepts, down to how much water we should be using!
Week 2: wet on wet 
Week 3: special effects/textures day 1
Week 4: special effects/textures day 2
Week 5: putting it into practice, day 1
Week 6: resist effects 
Week 7: putting it into practice, day 2
Week 8: putting it into practice, day 3

WHO AM I/WHAT IS MY TEACHING APPROACH?
I strive for an interactive environment; I ask questions and hope learners will respond! During demonstrations, I highlight my hands using a document camera, and offer clear instruction about what I am doing. I check for comprehension throughout work time. 

A note on sharing: I ask students to share, but never insist - I don't believe in forcing anyone to share their work or their thoughts! I ask them if they'd like to, and learners are always welcome to volunteer, but I understand that some kids are more shy than others and, having myself been a kid who didn't like to speak up too much in class, I know what it feels like when teachers push you to share. It is my hope that any learners who feel shy initially will eventually feel brave enough to share their work and speak up.

WHAT WILL A CLASS SESSION LOOK LIKE? 
Our 45 minutes together usually works out to be 5-15 mins discussion/demo; 20-25 mins working; 5-10 wrap-up and sharing.
-I start each session with a quick review of the prior week's learning, then introduce the day's idea.).
-I'll demo, using a document camera to highlight my hands working. 
-Students will spend around 20-25 minutes working.
-We'll spend the last few minutes sharing and reflecting on our work (whomever would like to share).

OUTSCHOOL RULES OF NOTE:
-Although siblings are welcome to share a camera, each individual learner must be registered.
-Cameras must be on to verify students, and if possible I prefer they stay on throughout for me to gauge their understanding. However, I know some learners prefer to stay off-camera during work time. If that's the case, I hope they will at least check in and/or show me their work. 
-Adults/other unregistered individuals may not appear on camera. You may sit near your learners, but please stay offscreen.

Hope to see your learner in class!