Workshop: Integrating watercolor with Chinese ink and oil pastel, with Dr. QinQin Liu

Limited to 12 students
Saturday March 38, 2026,
12:30 pm -3:30pm
Tickets: $90 for Non-members;
$80 for members and students

Class materials are not included. If you prefer the instructor provide your materials, you have the option of paying an additional $30 (up until 10 days before the class). 

In this lively workshop, Dr. Liu will teach students a unique form of watercolor integration with Chinese ink and oil pastel. Students will also learn design, composition, shape, line, point, value and color by painting natural objects. By using Chinese brush stroke and wet-on-wet techniques, participants will explore the power of positive and negative paintings. They will also experiment with watercolor expression and abstraction with splashing, dripping, and Chinese calligraphy painting.  

The workshop will begin with an instructor demo, followed by individual instruction and group discussion

Dr. Qinqin Liu has taught watercolor workshops since 2017 at Yosemite National Park, Sitka Art and Ecology Center, and Chalk Hill Art Residency in California and Oregon Coast. She has practiced ink painting and calligraphy in China since 1974. When she came to the U.S., she studied with award-winning watercolorists Frank Webb and Professor Cheng-Khee Chee.  

Required Materials List: 

·      Sketchbook (at least 5"x 8")
·      Watercolor paper (Arches Cold press 140lb at least two sheets 11x15)
·      2 B and 6B pencils  
·      Palette for color mixing (e.g. a recycled egg plastic container)
·      Watercolor brushes (Princeton brand is good): Rounds sizes 6 and 10 or 12; Flats sizes 1 ½” and larger
·      Watercolor paints: 3 primary colors (e.g., Ultramarine Blue, Azo Yellow, and Cadmium Red or rose madder), optional sap green, and any of your favorite colors.
·      Two water containers (e.g., two empty yogurt containers).
·      Paper clamps, a water spray bottle, sponges, and a paper towel.
·      Masking tapes and boards to secure the watercolor papers during the painting.
·      Mr. Clean Erasers (cleaning pads that you can buy in Walmart or other stores).
·      Optional: masks; your favorite natural objects and drawings.

Materials Provided by Instructor:

·      Chinese ink and brush as well as oil pastels for class demo and limited uses.
·      Tissue paper, plastic wraps, and natural objects such as sunflowers 
·      Watercolor paintings and sketch examples as well as class handouts.