OC Network: Watercolor by The Sea and the Science of Pigments
Sun 8/2 • 8AM PDT
Heisler Park • Laguna Beach CA
Join other UCLA alumni, friends, and families for a $30 watercolor class fundraiser in beautiful Heisler Park in Laguna Beach. No experience is needed. High-quality supplies will be provided for use during the event. Each participant will take home their own plein-air watercolor painting on high-quality cotton watercolor paper, and a color theory practice sheet. A bring-your-own picnic will follow after!
This is more than a paint-along class. Participants will get hands-on access to rare and historic pigments that are usually too expensive for casual use, including Egyptian Blue, medieval frit(smalt), genuine Lapis Lazuli, Periwinkle phthalo blue, Benzimidazolone Blue, and genuine Quinacridone Gold PO49.
We’ll explore the science and history behind these colors: Egyptian blue as the first known synthetic pigment and a material still studied for near-infrared luminescence; smalt as a cobalt-glass pigment; lapis lazuli as one of art history’s most prized blues; and modern pigments that changed what artists can do with transparency, staining, glow, and intensity. This will be a brief crash-course in pigment science and history, including the science behind why AI can’t replace physical art!
Participants will also browse examples of watercolor styles—from realistic landscapes and botanical illustrations to modern abstraction, travel sketching, greeting-card art, and fun crafts—before painting from the ocean, cliffs, gardens, and architecture around us.
Come paint by the coast, meet fellow Bruins, try rare pigments, and learn why handmade art still has optical and material qualities that screens and AI can imitate, but not physically replace. Your $30 registration includes supplies and supports future OC Bruins community events.
PLEASE NOTE:
No Refunds: Unfortunately, we don’t have the ability to offer refunds for this fundraiser or to help transfer your reservation. If you would like to give your reservation to someone else, please email us their name so we can add them to the registration list.
What’s included:
Your $30 registration includes use of high-quality watercolor supplies during the workshop, including shared access to rare, historic, discontinued, and specialty pigments. Each participant will take home their finished plein-air watercolor painting, and their color-theory practice sheet.
Please note that palettes, brushes, pigment samples, books, and demonstration materials are provided for shared class use only and will remain with the instructor so they can be used for future OC Bruin art events.