Today was a great day at Jacki Kellum Studios. I finally gave my students a day to paint a chosen still life in watercolor and to paint it however they felt THEY should paint it–well almost. Today’s class began 1 week ago when the students created elaborate ink drawings of an arrangement of sunflowers in a painted vase:

Jackie Daniels and Vicki Bell. Sunflowers – Drawings in ink

And today’s Ink Drawing Session was one of many for these two students who began studying art with me about 6 months ago.

How Long Does It Take to Learn to Paint in Watercolor?

The quick answer is: at least 6 months
The truth is: a Lifetime

Today, I began class with a little sharing time. I showed them my ink drawing of the same sunflowers 1 week later–after the blossoms had aged:

Weeping Sunflowers: Sunflower’s Last Days
Jacki Kellum Ink Drawing

I briefly reminded my students of the importance of both gestural and contour drawings and why I draw without lifting my pen:

Weeping Sunflowers – Jacki Kellum Ink Drawing – Why I Draw Without Lifting My Pen

Why I Draw Without Lifting My Pen

When I pick up my pen, my concentration is interrupted–I lose the energy of the subject matter–and I lose my place in the actual drawing.

Reminder: This drawing session was one of many before for these two students, who I estimate have studied art with me for at least Six Months before today.

Again–

How Long Does It Take to Learn to Paint in Watercolor?

The quick answer is: at least 6 months
The truth is: a Lifetime

Studying watercolor or any other art form From Jacki Kellum is not a quick fix for the faint of heart

Jacki Kellum is a true teacher. She takes the time necessary to be sure her students understand before she fully releases them for their own study. The last challenge is that of painting alone.

Still Life Painting  in Watercolor: Two Students Today in Class

Today, Both students decided that they would paint in watercolor over an ink drawing in sharpie:

Vicki Bell Step 1a

Jackie Daniels Step 1b

Both Students Step 2 Side by Side

Both Students took their paintings home to complete them.

Nothing pleases me more than the fact that these 2 watercolor paintings are stylistically different–unique.

Painting Parties where everyone copies the same painting is not the goal of classes at Jacki Kellum  Studios.

Do you have 6 months of dedicated time to learn to paint correctly in watercolor?

The response is that starting watercolor now and studying as hard as you can for at least 6 months is preferable to wasting the rest of your life and tons of money–just piddling around.