Painting Nature’s Textures in Watercolor with Linda Gerhard

Location – Peter Becker Community. Maplewood Estates, 815 Maplewood Drive, Harleysville, PA 19438. The class is located upstairs in the craft room. Take the stairs (or elevator). When the stairs divide, take the left stairway and turn right at the top (straight ahead off the elevator, passing the stairs). The classroom will be on your left just before the exercise room.  For parking, there is a visitor parking lot across the street from the main entrance of Maplewood Estates.

Dates/Time – March 10, 2026 – April 28, 2026 (8 classes); Tuesday mornings from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Enroll by February 15 and save on the cost of the full 8-week session!

Not able to attend all 8 weeks in the session? See our Flexible Schedule enrollment options! Pay for only the dates you select to attend!

For questions about the class or course registration, please email Linda Gerhard – lingerart@aol.com.

Skill level – Appropriate for beginner through advanced beginner or anyone who desires to add more texture and form to natural subjects in their work. This class is a great next step if you are familiar with the basic washes and techniques and are ready to level-up your watercolor game or if you are new to the medium, it’s a great place to begin.

Course Description – The focus of this 8-week session will be on creating textures for natural subjects like leaves, bark, rocks, flowers, etc., using just a few basic techniques. While we will work on painting natural subjects, this is not a botanical illustration class, as that is a specialized area of study. The main techniques that will be covered for building texture include: layering and glazing, negative painting, dry brush and line and wash. Also covered will be value and composition.

Each class will begin with the demonstration of a technique or short discussion followed by student practice with lots of opportunities for individual assistance and time for Q&A throughout. Students may bring their own objects or photos for reference if desired.

Supply List – Students must bring their own supplies

*All students must bring a table covering to protect your work space.

• Paper – Arches brand 140lb cold pressed paper is preferred. Other brands of 100% cotton paper are acceptable. Any size pad or block is fine. Most techniques will be practiced on a smaller scale. Larger pad or block sheets can be cut to provide several smaller practice surfaces if desired.
• Brushes – Any good quality synthetic or natural hair watercolor brushes that come to a sharp point when wet are best suited to these techniques. Recommended sizes are #4, #6 and #8 rounds. I use and prefer Silver Black Velvet series 3000S. These brushes come to a very fine point when wet. Other brands of brushes you may already have are fine provided they point well.
• Paints – For natural subjects, suggested colors are – Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Indian Red, Cobalt Green, Ultramarine Blue, Sap or Hooker’s Green and Sepia or Raw Umber. Reds, yellows, violets, and oranges are great for flowers. Use the colors you already have. Your results will be unique and beautiful! No need to purchase additional paints.
• A Pigma Micron Pen (or other fine liner micron pen) of your choice in size 005, 01 or 03. Sepia (more natural) or Black will be used for line work. Size 005 creates the finest line; sizes 01 and 03 create slightly bolder lines but are still considered fine. Note: We will begin line and wash technique about mid-way through the course so you'll have plenty of time to get the pen if you need more information regarding which one(s) to select. Available on Amazon, Jerrysartarama.com or Dickblick.com.

Other supplies include:

• Painter’s tape or masking tape
• A rigid backing board. Unless you are working on a watercolor block, a backing board is a must. A clip board that will accommodate the size of your paper works well.
• Tissues. A purse pack or a dozen or so tissues will get you started
• Paper towels
• Pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• 2 containers for water
• Hair dryer – optional
• Note book/binder – optional. Students in previous classes have found that a binder with top-loading clear page protectors is a handy way to store and organize practice sample paintings and notes for future reference.

For questions about the class or course registration, please email Linda Gerhard – lingerart@aol.com.

This is an eight-week session consisting of eight two-hour classes held on Tuesday mornings, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Begins March 10, 2026, ends April 28, 2026.

Cost: PVAC Member: $160; Non-Member: $176. Enroll by February 15 and save on the cost of the full 8-week session!

PVAC members must be logged-in to receive the member price. 

CLASS LIMITED TO 9 PARTCIPANTS 

To pay for registration by check, note that the payment is for the textures watercolor class. Make the check payable to Perk Valley Art Center and mail to:

Perk Valley Art Center
PO Box 474
Schwenksville, PA. 19473

If you are paying by mail, your check must be received prior to class start date to guarantee your reservation in the class.

Cancellation/Refund Policy – Paid registration fees will be refunded only if the instructor cancels the entire 8-week session.