Creative Ideas and Practical Techniques for Watercolor Painting in Grades 4-8

Professional development for elementary teachers and homeschool parents

In this hands-on workshop, teachers will receive guidance in watercolor painting while exploring Waldorf curricula themes.

Under the instruction of a highly experienced class teacher and trained artist, you will:

• Examine elements of artistic composition, including color and form
• Work with various watercolor techniques
• Practice wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry painting
• View student examples
• Discuss themes that work well for specific age groups
• Learn how paintings can span the years
• Explore methods for establishing good classroom habits and maintaining a focused mood of artistic exploration

You’ll leave with valuable skills, newfound confidence, and practical ideas to bring back to your classroom, along with the variety of paintings you will create.

Instructor Steve Simonak is currently fourth grade class teacher at Brooklyn Waldorf School. Prior to coming to Brooklyn in 2016, Steve was a longtime faculty member at Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School; during his 26 years there, he served as a class and high school teacher; middle school math and arts teacher, and Council of Teachers chairperson. He also established the Hawthorne Valley Surveying Practicum and wrote many class plays that have been performed around the country. Steve, who holds a BFA in Painting from Pratt Institute, received his Waldorf Teaching Certificate from the Alkion Center (for which he is a contributing faculty member) and has training in Foundation Studies from Antioch. Before becoming a Waldorf educator, he was a teacher in New York City. Steve’s hobbies include New York State history, medieval Christian painting, gardening, birdwatching, and bird photography.

Students who took a Sunbridge art course with Steve in summer 2016 had this to say:

~ Steve offered a very comprehensive art class. I appreciated the many techniques covered as well as the ongoing feedback discussions.
~ Very knowledgeable and many examples… (with) step by step instructions
~ Awesome! Steve was super helpful and gave great feedback and helpful suggestions.
~ His stories of how own classroom experience also provided another level of informative discussion and insights.
~ This course was very helpful. It moved at a pace that was conducive to our class’s broad interests and needs while still challenging us to go outside our comfort zone.
~ I was impressed by how much I learned in such a short space of time.
~ Thank you, Steve! I am feeling much more confident.

Schedule:
Monday, July 17: Registration opens at 8am and concludes by 8:30am; Classes run 8:30am-5:30pm
Tuesday, July 18: Classes run 8:30am-5:30pm
An hour is given for lunch, with shorter mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks

Fee:
$335 (includes all materials and non-refundable $30 registration fee). Discounts may apply; see registration form for details.

Visit https://www.sunbridge.edu for further information.