When I started the LifeAfterBreakfast Workshops in 2012, they were just informal ‘crafternoons’ where participants gather to create projects, and to learn a little bit more about a specific craft. The primary goals then were to set some time to create, to get out of our little crafty shells, and meet other artists and create/co-work. I eventually created modules for each craft, and the crafternoons evolved into more formal classes. 200+ workshops later (!!!), the classes still feel like the first craft gatherings back then, now leveled up with food + awesome kits + handouts. The workshops are great way to meet new friends as most people come alone for their own ‘me time’, while some bring friends/sisters/moms/boyfriends/husbands for some bonding time. This is my way of helping both creatives and non-creatives: by sharing with them a new hobby, a chance to forget about the real (and digital) world for a while, and by making art more accessible / the creation process less intimidating. 🙂 After teaching arts & crafts to kids for 8+ years, and crafternoons for almost 4 years, I realize that crafting is my passion just as much as teaching is!
Last Tuesday’s workshop was my first public weekday class. When the crafternoons began in 2012, I set the modules to be 3 hours long on Saturday afternoons, so that more people could attend. But after teaching weekday evening courses in the US this past year, I thought, why shouldn’t Manila have weekday classes as well? Besides, people are out already during the week days, so they can just go straight to the classes from work (and leave their weekends for family time and rest). In short, here begins a new era of weekday evening craft workshops!:) The weekend workshops will still be there of course, and you can check out bit.ly/LABWorkshopSchedule for the updated list of classes.
The first Botanical Watercolor Workshop was held last Tuesday evening at Prism Gallery in Salcedo Street, Makati. While waiting for the rest of the class to arrived, the students had their early dinner and unboxed their new watercolor sets.
If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ll know that I’m a sucker for craft supplies shopping, so my workshops are my sneaky way of hoarding craft materials…and sharing them with other people. 😛 I loooove putting together the workshop kits, and creating new modules. At this class, I gave out a new Workshop Zine on Botanical Watercolor!
Happy to see the participants appreciate the kits!:)
In case you’re wondering, the workshop kit includes:
Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Sets
Arches 300 gsm & Montval 185 gsm Watercolor Paper
Workshop Zine
#8 & #20/0 Brushes
plus other tools, and of course, food & refreshments.
The first part of class was a lecture on the basics, and then we moved on to the mixtures & washes.
After discussing the step-by-step watercolor process, and a primer on botanical illustration, we dove right into painting the projects for the night. I included my watercolored flower samples in the handouts as reference for the students. In the beginning, everyone was scared to put brush onto paper, so I went around the room to help some students with sketching first. Because of the intricate petal details, this is the only watercolor class where I allow my students to use pencil before the actual work. 😛
Everyone did such a great job, and I’ve never been more proud of my students. Check out their works and works-in-progress below!
Succulents
Poppies and Peonies
Roses
Some of them posted their finished works on Instagram, too!:)
Thanks to everyone who joined, and to Prism Gallery for having us over!