Rhode Island Watercolor Society upcoming events

INSPIRED BY NATURE: Exploring Landscapes in Alcohol Ink with Mary Wojciechowski: 1-DAY WORKSHOP (Advanced Beginner and Beyond) (01 May 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

INSPIRED BY NATURE: Exploring Landscapes in Alcohol Inks
with Mary Wojciechowski
(Advanced Beginner and Beyond)

Instructor: Mary Wojciechowski
Date/Time: Friday, May 1st, 10am-3pm
Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level)
Materials Fee: $7

This workshop will explore the unique qualities of alcohol inks and how they may be used for flowing abstracted works, representational images and subjects that incorporate both. Landscapes will be the primary subject, taking full advantage of these vibrant colored inks that intermingle in ways that create color and textural effects, often with unexpected results.

In this one-day workshop, with both guided demonstrations and individual experimentation, students will create expressive landscape compositions combining the fluid movement of ‘first pours’ with deliberate mark-making. Expansive views of skies, landforms and water as well as detailed depictions of foreground trees will be developed using the unpredictability of this medium to create unique paintings.

Designed for those with prior experience, students will be given opportunities to learn through exploration with a sense of creative playfulness during the process.

Materials student will need to provide: A paint shirt or apron and a snack or lunch
Materials provided by instructor: ALL materials supplied

Materials Fee (This is collected by the instructor): $7

PART 3: Color Theory and Color Mixing for Watercolorists with Susan Stranz: 4-WEEK CLASS (02 May 2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

PART 3*: Color Theory and Color Mixing for Watercolorists with Susan Stranz
4-Week Class
Part 1 & 2 are REQUIRED to take this class!

Advanced beginner and beyond
Instructor: Susan Stranz BIO
Date/Time: Saturdays, May 2nd - 23rd 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

DESCRIPTION:

Learn all the basics of color theory and see how much your artwork will improve! You will gain a deeper understanding of the color wheel and the relationships between colors. Instruction will include a series of color studies and exercises in addition to paintings. These will be done both in class and as review homework. Topics will include a variety of color schemes including complementary colors, split-complementary colors, analogous colors, triads, neutrals, and semi-neutrals. Color mixing will be explored for all those plus a special focus on mixing lively grays, browns and realistic greens. While the focus will be on color, instruction will also include watercolor techniques and composition. Learn how to paint with a limited palette while mixing a wide variety of colors that will create both beautiful and cohesive paintings.

~INSTRUCTOR IS VERY ALLERGIC TO FRAGRANCE. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING SCENTED PRODUCTS ~

There is no substitution for the 6 tubes of paint listed on the materials list. Please have them for the first class.

*This is a three-part class for a total of 14 weeks. It is divided into parts for ease of payment. Part 1 & 2 are pre-requisites for Part 3.

This class is suitable for advanced beginner and beyond.

MATERIALS LIST

JOIN NOW AND SAVE! Members get a discount on all classes & workshops

Watercolor for Beginners - Susan Stranz: 5-WEEK CLASS (20 May 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Watercolor for Beginners - Susan Stranz
5-Week Class

Instructor: Susan Stranz BIO
Date/Time: Wednesdays, May 20th - June 17th, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)

DESCRIPTION:

Join Susan as she teaches you all about the process of creating a watercolor painting. With over 25 years of painting and teaching experience, she will guide you through the complete process at a pace comfortable for beginning watercolor painters. You will learn about the materials, the basic fundamental techniques, and how to develop a good composition. Instruction will also include basic color theory and color mixing to create beautiful and cohesive paintings. A variety of subjects will be painted. Small class size will ensure individual attention for all.

*INSTRUCTOR IS VERY ALLERGIC TO FRAGRANCE. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING SCENTED PRODUCTS.

MATERIALS LIST

JOIN NOW AND SAVE! Members get a discount on all classes & workshops

Capturing the Beauty of the New England Coast with Joel Popadics, AWS, ASMA - 3-Day Workshop (29 May 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Capturing the Beauty of the New England Coast with Joel Popadics, AWS, ASMA
3-Day Workshop
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Instructor: Joel Popadics www.watercolorpop.com
Date and Time: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, May 29th - 31st, 2026 9am-4pm each day, with time for a lunch break
Location: RIWS Classroom

Workshop Description:

Join acclaimed watercolorist and marine painting master Joel Popadics for an immersive three-day workshop dedicated to capturing the timeless beauty of the New England coastline. Designed for advanced beginners to intermediate-level painters, this workshop will focus on developing techniques to express the drama, light, and atmosphere of coastal scenes.

A signature member of the prestigious American Society of Marine Artists, Joel brings decades of experience painting the Northeast’s iconic shoreline — from the soft dunes of New Jersey to the rugged, windswept rocks of coastal Maine. His deep knowledge of maritime subjects and masterful control of watercolor make him an inspiring and insightful instructor.

Through live demonstrations, personalized guidance, and plein air studies, you’ll learn how to confidently paint a variety of boats — from weathered working vessels to elegant schooners — with accuracy and expression. In addition, Joel will guide you through the techniques for rendering crashing waves, foamy surf, dramatic skies, and the rich textures of a rocky shore.

Whether you're looking to refine your marine painting skills or gain a deeper understanding of capturing water, light, and movement, this workshop promises to elevate your work and deepen your appreciation for coastal watercolor painting.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from one of today’s leading marine watercolorists and be inspired by the ever-changing beauty of the New England coast. Spaces are limited — reserve your spot today!

Mary Wojciechowski: 1-DAY WORKSHOP - The Art of Painting with Alcohol Inks (ALL LEVELS WELCOME!) (12 Jun 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

THE ART OF PAINTING WITH ALCOHOL INKS
ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

Instructor: Mary Wojciechowski
Date/Time: Friday, June 12th, 10am-3pm
Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level)
Materials Fee: $7

During the five-hour workshop students will explore the unique qualities of alcohol ink and how it may be used for flowing abstracted works with the addition of representational elements. Advanced attention to design and color will be emphasized and opportunities to create florals or landscapes using brushwork will be included and in a larger format for those who wish. Class time will be divided between demonstrations of the unique possibilities in painting with this medium and time for personal exploration. As in the introductory class, experimentation with a sense of creative playfulness is encouraged.

Materials student will need to provide: A paint shirt or apron
Materials provided by instructor: ALL materials supplied

Materials Fee (This is collected by the instructor): $7

Introduction to Watercolor Painting with Susan Stranz: 1-DAY WORKSHOP (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Introduction to Watercolor Painting with Susan Stranz

Instructor: Susan Stranz BIO
Date/Time: Saturday, July 25th, 9:30am-3:30pm, with 30 minute lunch break
Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level Gallery)
Materials Fee: $20 (bring to class)

DESCRIPTION:

Learn all the basics of Watercolor Painting in this fun and informative one day workshop. If you have ever wanted to try watercolor but didn’t know where to start...this is for you!

Learn about the basic watercolor supplies and how to use them. Instructor will have a variety of brushes, papers, paints, and more to let you experiment with.

You will learn how to mix basic colors and complete a color chart to use at home. In addition, basic watercolor techniques will be demonstrated and you will create a techniques page for your reference. Finally, the instructor will guide you through a step by step process to create a small landscape painting.

Supplies will be provided for a small materials fee of $20. This is paid to instructor in cash or credit card at class. These supplies are required to attend the class. You will take home your palette loaded with paint, a #8 round watercolor brush, a 1/2” flat brush, sketchbook, HB pencil, plastic eraser, foam core board, instructor handouts, two reference charts and a painting.

**INSTRUCTOR IS VERY ALLERGIC TO FRAGRANCE. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARING SCENTED PRODUCTS.

Kendra Ferreira - Watercolor Pencils & Colored Pencils: 1-DAY WORKSHOP (All Levels Welcome!) (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Kendra Ferreira: Watercolor Pencils & Colored Pencils 1-Day Workshop
ALL LEVELS WELCOME!

Instructor: Kendra Ferreira www.kjfdesign.com
Date/Time: Saturday, October 17th, 10am-3pm
Location: RIWS Classroom (Lower Level)

This workshop will explore working with colored pencils and watercolor pencils, perfect for beginners and those looking to expand their artistic skills. Students will learn essential techniques such as layering, blending and burnishing techniques with colored pencils, as well as how draw and paint with watercolor pencils to achieve vibrant washes and delicate details. We will also explore color, composition, and methods for combining both mediums to produce vibrant, expressive artwork. Some drawing experience is helpful but beginners are also welcome.

Materials for RIWS WC and CP workshop.pdf

Painting Land, Sea, and Sky in Watercolor with Iain Stewart, AWS, NWS - 3-Day Workshop (13 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Painting Land, Sea, and Sky in Watercolor with Iain Stewart, AWS, NWS
3-Day Workshop
Advanced Beginner & Beyond

Instructor: Iain Stewart stewartwatercolors.com
Date and Time: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, November 13th - 15th, 2026 9:30am-4pm each day, with time for a lunch break
Location: RIWS Classroom

Workshop Description:

In all my workshops I like to try and cover subject matter you will find useful as you move through your painting journey. Dramatic skies, water in different forms, landscape, and the urban environment including entourage, people, cars, boats, etc. At the beginning of every workshop I ask all students to say a few words about what they would like to take away from the time spent together. I take that information and begin to compile a particular methodology where I can touch on everything the students have said is important to them. For me at least, I teach the way I would enjoy being instructed. I am no fan of pulling rabbits out of hats. I want my students to understand my decision making process and why I make certain choices when working.

I demonstrate wet on dry, wet in wet, dry brush, basic and complex washes, as well as how to break down complex forms into their most basic geometry and build from there. “We are so good at adding detail by nature. We are rarely as adept at letting that detail go. Similarly we are fantastic at finding the bad portions of our paintings and much less so the passages that can be quite beautiful.”

The real goal is to see things simply and from there add detail. This structure allows for a deeper understanding of composition, editing, and allowing yourself the freedom to change and rearrange objects within your painting to strengthen your unique voice within the work. I always work from a study sketch as I plan so I can make informed decisions when I do choose to edit.

My thought process is to give the students a well rounded understanding of how I approach as many different subjects as possible which will allow them to try these techniques on their own long after the workshop is over. My goal is simple. I am there to teach. I am not there to blow you away with a few deft brush strokes and leave you wondering what the heck happened.

I believe creating an environment where the students feel relaxed and comfortable is key to letting them find what they have to say. We all have a unique inner voice. I try to demonstrate the importance of that and how valuable it is in creating artwork that speaks to others.

MATERIALS LIST

JOIN NOW AND SAVE! Members get a discount on all classes & workshops