Watercolor & Abstraction

Course #2000018
Josette Urso

Required materials for all class sessions:
paint:
(Watercolors in tubes: Windsor Newton/Schmincke/Sennelier/Old Holland) Professional quality paint is highly recommended. (If possible, avoid Winton and Cotman -- they are WN's student grade).
Alizarin Crimson
Cadmium Red (medium)
Cadmium Yellow ( light or pale)
Ultramarine Blue
Hooker's Green/Permanent Green
Neutral Tint (this is a very dark -- dark color)
Yellow Ochre

optional paints:
Cadmium Yellow (medium)
Cobalt Blue
Prussian Blue or Indigo
Sap Green
White Gouache

watercolor brushes (large round brush that comes to a point):
daVinci Spin-Synthetics (Series 488 #6 or larger)
Robert Simmons: AquaTip/other (#14-#16 round synthetic)
flat brush 1 to 1 1/2"

Note: Watercolor brush selections vary from store to store.  If you can’t find the large round brush recommended on my list, choose one that seems the largest that also comes to a really sharp point. Measure the neck (where the metal meets the brush) and try for 3/8” or larger. White synthetic holds up well and is a practical alternative to natural brushes.

palette:
John Pike/other large, white watercolor palette

paper:
18"x24" watercolor pad/block, (Arches 140 lb./cold press is recommended)
optional: assorted large sheets and/or blocks (Canson/Fabriano/other)

other materials:
two large containers (for water - large plastic yogurt containers work well)
several saucers/bowls/tuna cans/etc. (for mixing pools of color)
paper towels/kleenex
drafting or masking tape
clear push pins (after first class meeting depending on classroom location)
#2 HB pencil / gum eraser
straightedge or ruler

Suggested Art Supply Stores:
New York Central Art Supply—3rd Ave. between 10th and 11th Streets
Utrecht—111 East 4th Ave. between 11th and 12th Streets
Pearl Paint—308 Canal Street

Some of these stores will give you a student discount if you present your Cooper Union Continuing Education registration receipt.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.