Each year we do a watercolor unit in the Spring. The focus on this unit, much like the painting unit earlier in the year, is learning how to use watercolors. Students learn various techniques modeled during painting and then practice those techniques on their own. There are a few key differences between watercolor and acrylic paints. Watercolors are lighter and tend to be transparent whereas acrylics are heavier and more opaque. There is also no white paint in traditional watercolors. "White" is created by leaving the paper without any color, which requires some planning. Watercolors also have a spontaneous and fresh quality to them. The water often creates interesting and beautiful shapes and textures on its own. Students learn how to control the "water-like" quality of the medium at times for details and then allow the medium to be more free at other times.

Alexander Suarez 8 (Left Image)