Studio: Painting - Watercolor - The Art of Education University

Explore the unique qualities of watercolor paint through many methods and learn to share techniques and inspiration with your art students.

Watercolor is unique because it has transparent qualities unlike any other painting medium. Whether participants are teaching advanced painting at the high school level or are looking for a more successful approach to watercolor at the elementary level, there will be something new to learn in this class. Topics will include brush selection, material management, color theory, visual journaling with watercolor, as well as basic and advanced techniques for the art room. This course is designed specifically for art teachers, which means participants will leave this class full of inspiration for direct application into their art classrooms. Participants will also have time to advance their own practice in watercolor.

See the course syllabus and Graduate Catalog for more details.

Required Materials

Watercolor Materials List

Additional Materials

Computer with basic audio and video output equipment
Internet access (broadband recommended)
Basic computing skills (see AOEU’s Technology Requirements)
Access to AOEU’s online learning platform, Brightspace, to view the course content, submit assignments, and engage in discussion (provided)
A Google Drive account (not provided by AOEU)
Word-processing platform (Microsoft Office, Pages, Google Docs)

Graduate Credits

All courses will now close at 11 PM Central time on the 27th of each month. Graduate Credits 3 Graduate Credits

Price Graduate Credit $1197.00

Timeline

Mon 9 Sun

Nov 7 Weeks Jan 8

Upcoming Course Run Dates

Nov 7 Jan 8

Dec 5 Feb 5

Jan 2 Feb 26

Feb 6 Apr 2

Mar 6 Apr 30

AOEU Course Code

ART532

Morningside Course Code

EDUC500 AOE032

Course Objectives

Research best practices including basic, advanced, and color theory techniques for watercolor painting in the classroom setting.
Identify ideation strategies for developing concept-based lessons and artwork.
Create resources and hands-on examples to use directly in the classroom.
Create or extend a practical watercolor curriculum.
Develop a visual journal with watercolor.
Practice new watercolor techniques.

Course Breakdown

Week 1

History and Process

Review and research the history and science behind watercolor.
Prepare a sketchbook to use as a visual journal throughout the course.

Week 2

Basic Watercolor Techniques

Explore paper, brushes, and the properties of watercolor paints.
Experiment with several basic watercolor techniques and share your progress.

Week 3

Color Theory and Color Mixing

Explore color theory exercises for the classroom.
Create an original watercolor painting that incorporates one component of color theory.

Week 4

Experimental and Advanced Watercolors

Investigate strategies to advance both your and your students' watercolor practice.
Use visual journaling to document the process of creating your own finished piece.

Week 5

Instructional Strategies

Investigate pedagogy to improve your instruction and lessons.
Design a watercolor lesson for your classroom.

Week 6

Watercolor Management and Organization

Explore ways to manage the execution and cleanup of watercolor.
Create instructional tools to help you organize and manage watercolor paints.

Week 7

Teacher Showcase Series

Create a body of personal work using the new techniques and processes you learned in the course.
Critique peer work and offer meaningful feedback.

Week 8

Reflection

Refine a body of personal work using the new techniques and processes you learned in the course.
Compile a final portfolio of work from the course, reflecting on your own work as you refine and improve your watercolor curriculum.

A sample assignment from Week 3 of the class Studio: Painting — Watercolor

1. Research

Watch a hands-on demonstration showcasing how to teach color theory and conduct color exercises with watercolor in the classroom.

2. Discussion

Briefly discuss your new learnings about color theory and watercolor. What new strategies or ideas will you share with your students? Share a brief synopsis of the methods you explored in your visual journal.

3. Creation

Create a watercolor lesson, instructional packet, poster series, video, or another instructional tool to help guide students as they learn about color theory with watercolor.

"I felt this course not only gave me more skills, tools, and techniques I can apply directly to my class, but it also helped me grow as a teacher and artist. "

Jaime S., NE

"This is a very great course that taught us techniques and how to apply them to our classroom setting."

Jillian M., MA

What do past course participants think?

Hundreds of art teachers have taken the course Studio: Painting – Watercolor. Here’s what they actually think — without cherry-picking.
(12-month rolling average from all post-course survey respondents – Updated 1/28/2021)

97.3%

Course content was relevant and current.

91.35%

Instructor was knowledgeable and provided value-added contributions.

96.17%

 I achieved the goals I set at the beginning of the course.   

Let's Get Started

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