Watercolour and Ink: Techniques and Experiments with Jan Lawnikanis

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A Weekend Workshop

Saturday to Sunday 12-13 Sept 9am to 4pm

MEMBER: $165

NON-MEMBER; $195

This immersive weekend workshop explores a range of expressive approaches using watercolour and ink, suitable for artists looking to lloosen up, experiment, and expand their visual language. Through guided demonstrations and hands-on practice, we’ll work across different styles and subjects, combining structured techniques with playful exploration.

You’ll learn classic pen-and-wash methods, discovering how line and wash can work together to create depth, atmosphere, and character. We’ll also push into more experimental territory, using watercolour with acrylic inks and granulation medium to create rich textures, unexpected effects,and expressive surfaces. The weekend will include sessions on ink drawing over stencilled watercolour backgrounds, layering pattern, colour, and line to build dynamic, mixed-media compositions.

The focus The focus throughout is on curiosity, process, and creative confidence, with plenty of time for experimentation, discussion, and individual guidance. Perfect for anyone wanting to explore new techniques, refresh their practice, or simply enjoy a concentrated weekend of making.

Materials List

Paints: A range of professional quality watercolours and a large palette with plenty of room for mixing big washes. Include colours that granulate, if possible. Daniel Smith mineral based watercolours are especially effective, as well as other brands that are specifically marked as granulating.

Inks: Acrylic pigment inks (not ‘drawing inks’ as they fade and are made from dyes, not pigments) in as many colours as you like, or a set of 3 primary colours and white. Perhaps you could share the expense of these with a friend? Opaque colours are most ideal for the methods in this workshop.

Recommended brands are Liquitex, FW, Amsterdam and Golden. Or Art Spectrum with the dropper style lids. (If you already own AS inks with the tiny holes in the top, perhaps you could decant into dropper bottles beforehand. These are available from discount stores)

Brushes: A variety of watercolour brushes in different sizes, including a large wash brush or hake and a rigger (for long lines).

Paper: 100% cotton watercolour paper, 300gsm in either Medium or Rough texture, at least A3 size. (No need to tape or stretch beforehand.) A few A4 size sheets of Hot Pressed cotton watercolour paper for pen and wash subjects.

Other Basics: GRANULATION MEDIUM – Usually available from art stores that sell any watercolour mediums. This is essential as it provides a lot of the unique texture you’ll be working with. I suggest you order or buy this asap as a lot of art stores don’t stock much. Winsor & Newton are the most common brand, but cheaper ones are made by Renesans and Kusakabe.

2 water pots, old towel or rags (I suggest a large old towel to cover the table), tissues, a board larger than your paper, masking tape. 2 or more pipettes or medicine droppers. Nib pen if you own one or waterproof felt tip pen- black and/or brown. An apron would be a good idea. This is a messy workshop!

Stationary: Pen and paper for writing notes. Graphite pencil, eraser and scissors.

Texture Making: Salt and clingwrap make wonderful textures. A small amount of each.

Optional: These extra mediums will be handy, so bring them along if you already own some:

Watercolour pencils; Inktense pencils or sticks; watercolour based pens. No need to go out and buy them though. If you already own large plastic stencils of trees or patterns etc please bring them as well.

References: Any favourite photos/magazine pictures of landscape subjects for inspiration. References for birds, trees, flowers, leaves etc. Jan will also bring some to share.

create@noosaartsandcrafts,org.au

Phone: 07 5474 1211