Wyatt Waters | Workshop FAQs

Whether you are new to plein air painting or have been painting for years, Wyatt’s workshops are designed to challenge the way you see, strengthen your decision-making and encourage you to keep painting. Below are answers to some of the questions we receive most often.

BEFORE YOU REGISTER

Who are Wyatt’s workshops designed for? Wyatt’s workshops are open to painters of all skill levels. Some participants have years of watercolor experience, while others are still relatively new to painting. Wyatt’s instruction focuses on principles that apply at every level—learning to see, simplifying what is in front of you, understanding values and color relationships, and making more intentional decisions with watercolor.

What matters most is a willingness to learn, experiment and work outside your comfort zone.

Do I need experience with watercolor? Some watercolor experience is helpful, but you do not need to be an advanced painter.  If you are completely new to watercolor, we recommend spending some time before the workshop becoming familiar with your paints, brushes and basic watercolor techniques. This will allow you to focus more fully on Wyatt’s instruction once you arrive.

Do I need experience painting outdoors? No. Many participants come to Wyatt’s workshops specifically because they want to become more comfortable painting plein air.  Painting outdoors is different from working in a studio. The light changes, the weather changes and there are many more visual choices to make. Learning how to respond to those conditions is an important part of the workshop experience.

WHAT TO EXPECT

What does a typical workshop day look like? While the exact schedule may vary by workshop and location, the day generally begins with a demonstration by Wyatt. During the demonstration, Wyatt talks through what he sees, how he chooses a subject, establishes values, simplifies a complicated scene and makes decisions before and during the painting process.

Participants then work independently while Wyatt moves throughout the group, offering individual instruction and guidance.

The day generally concludes with a group discussion and critique designed to help participants evaluate what they learned and determine what they want to carry into their next painting.

Will Wyatt paint a demonstration?  Yes. Demonstration is an important part of Wyatt’s teaching.The purpose is not simply to watch him complete a watercolor. Wyatt talks through his thought process—what attracts him to a subject, how he identifies the important value patterns, what he chooses to leave out, and how he approaches color, composition and light. The emphasis is not on copying Wyatt’s painting. It is on understanding how he sees and makes decisions.

Wyatt’s demonstration paintings are also available for workshop participants to purchase at a 50% discount from the regular price. Framing is not included. After the workshop, the painting will be taken to the Gallery to be professionally scanned for Wyatt’s records and reproduction archive, then carefully packaged and shipped to the purchaser.

How much individual instruction will I receive? After the demonstration, Wyatt works with participants individually throughout the painting session. Rather than asking everyone to paint the same way, Wyatt helps each painter recognize what is working in his or her own painting and identify areas that could be strengthened. His goal is not to teach you to paint like Wyatt Waters. It is to help you become more confident and intentional in the way you paint.

Will everyone paint the same subject? Participants generally paint within the same area, but everyone is encouraged to find the subject and composition that interests them. Learning how to look at a location and determine what is worth painting is an important part of plein air painting. Wyatt helps participants simplify the many possibilities in front of them and make those decisions intentionally.

WYATT'S TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

What makes a Wyatt Waters workshop different? Wyatt’s goal is not to have you leave the workshop painting like him. He wants you to leave wanting to paint your next painting. His teaching emphasizes seeing before painting—understanding values, simplifying a complicated scene, recognizing color relationships and becoming more intentional about what you choose to put on the paper. Technique is important, but Wyatt believes observation and decision-making come first.

A successful workshop is not measured only by the paintings you take home. It is measured by what you begin to see differently and what you carry into the next painting.

Why does Wyatt emphasize values so much? Wyatt believes a successful painting begins with understanding the relationships between light and dark. Before becoming concerned with color or detail, he encourages painters to identify the larger value patterns within a scene. Simplifying those patterns creates structure, depth and focus and provides a stronger foundation for the painting. Learning to see value is one of the fundamental principles of Wyatt’s approach to watercolor.

What is the critique like? The critique is designed to encourage self-evaluation rather than simply having Wyatt judge each individual painting. Participants are encouraged to look at their own work and consider three things:

What worked? What didn’t work? What will I focus on in my next painting? This reflects Wyatt’s own approach to his work. He does not spend a great deal of time dwelling on what went wrong in a painting. He identifies what he learned, carries that lesson forward and begins the next one.

The purpose of the critique is not to determine whether a painting is good or bad. It is to help you understand what the painting taught you and how that knowledge can improve the next one.

What if my painting doesn’t turn out the way I hoped? That is part of painting—and especially part of painting plein air. Wyatt encourages participants not to become overly attached to the success or failure of one painting. Every painting gives you information.

Some paintings will work beautifully. Others will teach you something important. Both have value.

Rather than getting mired down in what went wrong, the goal is to recognize what worked, understand what did not and move forward with that knowledge. The next painting is always another opportunity.

What if I don’t finish my painting?  That is completely normal. A workshop is not about producing a finished or perfect painting every time. Workshop paintings are opportunities to experiment, make decisions, take risks and learn.

Sometimes a painting that feels unfinished—or even unsuccessful—can teach you more than one that comes together easily.

PAINTING OUTDOOR

Are the workshops held outdoors? Yes. Wyatt is a plein air painter, and his workshops are centered around painting from life and on location. Participants should expect to spend much of the workshop outdoors, responding to natural light, weather and the environment around them.

For Wyatt, those changing conditions are not inconveniences to eliminate. They are part of learning to see and respond as a painter.

What happens if the weather is bad?  Plein air painting requires flexibility. Weather conditions are monitored, and plans may be adjusted when necessary. Depending on the workshop location, we may move to a more protected area, select another painting location or modify the schedule.

Unless conditions are unsafe, participants should come prepared to work in a variety of outdoor conditions.

How physically demanding are the workshops?  Participants should be comfortable spending time outdoors and moving their painting equipment between locations. Depending on the workshop, painting areas may include sidewalks, grass, gravel, uneven ground or short walks.

We encourage everyone to keep their plein air setup as simple and lightweight as possible.

If you have mobility concerns or specific accessibility questions about a particular workshop, please contact us before registering so we can provide more information about that location.

SUPPLIES & PREPARATION

What should I bring? Participants are responsible for bringing their own watercolor supplies and plein air painting setup.  A detailed supply list is provided prior to the workshop.

Because you will be working outdoors, we also recommend comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate layered clothing, sun protection, water and anything else you need to remain comfortable throughout the day.

The goal is to keep your painting setup simple, portable and familiar.

Do I have to use the same supplies Wyatt uses? No.  Wyatt’s supply list includes the materials and equipment he personally uses and recommends, but you do not need to purchase an entirely new setup to attend the workshop. You are welcome to use watercolor supplies you are already comfortable with. Knowing your materials is far more important than having exactly the same materials Wyatt uses.

MEALS, TRAVEL, & ACCOMMODATIONS

Is lunch included?  Lunch is included with many Wyatt Waters workshops, but inclusions vary by workshop. Please refer to the description for the specific workshop you are attending for details regarding meals and other inclusions.

Are travel and lodging included?  Unless specifically stated otherwise, participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodations.

Destination workshops and retreats may include special lodging arrangements, room blocks, recommended travel plans or other coordinated logistics. Those details will be outlined on the individual workshop page and provided to registered participants before the trip.

Can my spouse, partner or guest come with me? Guest arrangements vary depending on the workshop.

Some destination retreats are designed to accommodate non-painting companions and may include activities or arrangements for guests. Local workshops are generally structured specifically for registered painters.

Please refer to the individual workshop description or contact us regarding guest options for a particular workshop.

CANCELLATIONS & POLICIES

What if I have to cancel my attendance? We understand that plans can change. Cancellation policies vary depending on the type of workshop.

One- and Two-Day Workshops: If you cancel more than 90 days before the workshop date, we can issue a refund, as we generally have sufficient time to fill your space.

If you cancel within 90 days of the workshop, we will first attempt to fill your spot from the waitlist. If we are able to fill the space, we will issue a refund.

If we are unable to fill your spot, you will receive a credit that may be applied toward a future Wyatt Waters workshop.

Destination Workshops and Retreats: Because destination workshops require advance commitments for accommodations, transportation, meals and other arrangements, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for the cost of the workshop.

If you cancel more than 90 days before the workshop begins, monies paid will be refunded less a 35% cancellation fee.

No refunds are available for destination workshop cancellations made within 90 days of the workshop start date.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Who should I contact about a workshop? For questions about Wyatt Waters workshops, registration or workshop logistics, please contact: Kristi Waters at kristi@wyattwaters.com or 601.813.1080.

For general Gallery questions, please contact:

Wyatt Waters Gallery
601.925.8115
gallery@wyattwaters.com