Last month I hosted my first watercolor workshop at The Copper Cup in Lancaster, PA. It was such a memorable and enjoyable evening. Several lovely ladies joined me for some creative time, seasonal drinks, and an exciting learning opportunity.

Workshop Location – Lancaster’s Best

The Copper Cup was the perfect place for this workshop—delicious coffee (I had a chai latte myself), the kindest baristas, and a welcoming space that made everyone feel comfortable settling in with their brushes. Between sips and friendly small talk, everyone found their rhythm with watercolor.

My First Workshop – Watercolor Basics

This workshop focused on a few foundations of watercolor techniques. I taught how to:

• Manipulate water and paint to control opacity
• Blend colors smoothly
• Create shapes and textures that can be used for different floral designs
• Hold paintbrushes in different ways to get different visual effects

Instead of a rigid “step-by-step” or a “paint by numbers” approach, I wanted it to feel more like a “learn something new, take it with you, and make it yours” approach, giving participants the tools to practice at home and grow their skills. By the end of the night, everyone had a finished (or nearly finished) piece to take with them.

Beginner-Friendly Watercolor Supplies

I kept things simple and beginner-friendly, while also bringing along a few of my personal favorites. I wanted people to have a good experience with the materials, since goopy paint or a bad brush can make for a really frustrating experience. Linked below are the things I prepared for the class!

• Watercolor paper
• Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolor Paints
  • Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow, Hooker’s Green, Cerulean Blue, Permanent Rose, and Purple Lake
• Round brushes
• Palettes
• Plenty of water, cups, and paper towels for mixing and experimenting

These supplies gave everyone the chance to play, explore, and gain confidence without feeling overwhelmed. Feel free to view my supply list on Amazon to see exactly what I bought!

Why I Love Workshops Like This

Where else can you learn how to paint something new from a local artist in a low-stakes, low-cost way? I wanted my first watercolor workshop to set the tone for the rest of them: open to all community members, using quality materials and content, professionally prepped, taught, and managed. There was a beautiful balance of chit chat and focused painting—moments of laughter mixed with the quiet concentration of creating something new. Watching each person discover (or re-introduce themselves to) what watercolor could do was such a joy.

How to Stay Connected for Future Lancaster Watercolor Workshops

If you’d like to know about upcoming Lancaster watercolor workshops I’ll be hosting, be sure to:
Join my email list for first access to events and updates
Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and new artwork

Additionally, if you’d like to host a private watercolor workshop or painting party – I’m all ears! I’d love to come teach you and your friends something new at your next girl’s night, birthday party, bachelorette, etc. Please fill out a general inquiry form to get started.

Keep your eyes peeled for a fall announcement! I can’t wait to see more people discover the magic of watercolor at future workshops!