Watercolor Art Class at Carroll Arts Center

Local artist and veteran instructor Barbara Steele will lead an immersive winter-themed watercolor workshop for adults (ages 18+, or younger when accompanied by a participating adult). A snow date has been set for January 24. Steele opens the session with introductions and a look at winter-inspired examples before guiding students through a wide range of watercolor techniques. Through live demonstrations, participants will practice each method on small papers, then compare their results with their own reference photos. With Steele’s help, students will sketch out their compositions, noting which techniques to use—and in what order—before diving into their final paintings.

Throughout the day, Steele will pause the class for short breaks to address common challenges as they arise. The workshop concludes with a group display and discussion, where participants can share successes, identify problem areas, and photograph their finished pieces. This hands-on workshop offers both beginners and experienced painters a chance to deepen their technique and welcome winter’s quiet beauty onto the page.

Barbara “Barb” Steele majored in painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art and taught high-school art for 15 years before founding Alloway Creek Gardens. There, she expanded her teaching to include workshops on plants, companion planting, natural dyes and tinctures, and botanical painting. Steele is an active writer on plant-related topics and continues to teach in programs such as Plants Speak! during Common Ground on the Hill’s summer sessions. She will also lead “Plants and Their Pollinators,” a water-based painting course in Week 3 of the program this July.

Participants should pack a bag lunch and beverage, along with:
– Work apron
– Cup for water
– Any watercolor supplies already on hand (tube paints, brushes, plastic or ceramic palette)
– Pencil and sketchbook
– Photos of favorite winter scenes, preferably showcasing snow and sky