Hawthorn in Watercolour
with Mike Kowalski
Two session workshop
Saturday and Sunday 21 & 22 November, 2026
10am–2pm
Around parks, alleyways and architecture in Hawthorn, adjacent the Hawthorn Arts Centre and HAS Studio.
I can think of no better way to improve one's painting skills than a trip outdoors. My own work improved tremendously once I took the plunge and painted outside. Often I find students can be hesitant to paint in public, but once attempted, most find it amiable.
The area around Hawthorn is brimming with paintable subject matter. Our weekend workshop will include exploring the parks, alleys, and architecture close to the HAS studio. We will begin our day with a demonstration of some aspect of capturing an outdoor scene. Searching for a good composition, painting effects of light and shadow, or capturing the energy of the moment with figures, and some perspective drawing will be covered. We will also go over colour mixing, paper choice, and brush technique.
The weekend course will include painting in one general location each day. There should be enough time to include sketching and a painting per day.
Students should expect to come away from the workshop with skills that will allow for a softer introduction to drawing and painting in an outdoor setting. Certain “tricks” and techniques will be covered the help in this endeavour.
There is a materials list below. I will be demonstrating with my specific palette, but bring what paints you have. A portable easel is great to have as it allows for standing. You will need to provide a setup that suits you.
Mike Kowalski
All materials and equipment to be supplied by the students.
Note all students are required to provide suitable easel and a pochade box or similar for the workshop.
MATERIALS
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This is my suggested palette. Bring what you have and make sure the paints are MOIST before class. Dry in the pan colors will make your job much harder
1.) Cool Yellow ( I use Nickel Azo Yellow… any cool yellow should work )
2.) Cad red light
3.) Permanent Rose ( I use Quinacridone Rose )
4.) Yellow Ochre
5.) Raw Sienna
6.) Burnt Sienna
7.) Burnt Umber
8.) Raw Umber
9.) Cerulean Blue ( cool greenish blue )
10.) Cobalt Blue
11.) Ultramarine Blue
12.) Viridian ( if you have one green. Viridian is best in my opinion )
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I use a synthetic Round brush exclusively. I like the marks I get with them. My brand of choice is Escoda Perla, sizes 20-4. 4 brushes should do. I lke a little pointed detail brush, also a rigger. Bring whatever brushes you have.
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Block or single sheets. I prefer 100% rag paper. Fabriano is my favorite, Baohong is an unusual paper that I enjoy as well but it takes some getting used to. Saunders Waterford is also a sheet I often use. Stay away from cheap paper if you can. Quarter sheet to half sheet size is fine ( 26x36cm is good. 18x26cm will work but it is a smallish size ). Bring what size you are comfortable with. Two sheets per day plus a few small sheets for some studies.
Note it is a good idea to work on paper that has enough room to test color mixes in the margins. A quarter sheet will do (28 x 38 cm).
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Bring a palette that is large enough to make plenty of mixed color. A folding Meijo plastic palette is suitable.
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I use a soft 6B for sketching, and a 2B for drawing on my watercolour paper.
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Portable chair or stool if choosing to sit. Keep it light. See notes on easels
A sketchbook is a good idea for doing studies and taking notes I like the Hanamuhle. A small watercolor sketchbook is handy, but not required.
1.) Card for SCRATCHING: An old “credit card” is perfect for scratching
2.) WATER BUCKET : ( yogurt container… perfect! )
3.) CLIPS OR TAPE IF NEEDED
4.) PAPER TOWELS OR A RAG
5.) PAINT BOARD if you need one
6.) SPRAY BOTTLE for keeping colors moist
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If you are considering an easel…. I use my own simple set up which is a panel of some sort attached to a quality tripod. I prefer to hold my palette however a tray is useful. Making your own is not too difficult
Pochade boxes/easels:
Martle pochade boxes-Armenia (these seem well designed. Google them).En plein air pro-USA (I have one of these and they work fine for small work).
Mike Kowalski has been drawing and painting since he can remember.
Growing up in California as one of five boys, if he wasn’t building a wooden spaceship he was probably drawing. He started entering shows as a teen and eventually earned a BFA from Utah State University. Mike lived in California and Washington in the USA for many years and now lives in Melbourne, Australia. Mike still works as an illustrator specializing in architectural illustration, however spends most of his time painting internationally award winning watercolors and oils, as well as teaching workshops in Australia and the U.S. In 2015 Mike won the coveted Silver Medal of Honor at the 148th AWS International Exhibition in New York.
The best watercolours, to me are confident and direct, with a bold use of colour. Learning to see and identify colour and it’s temperature will make our job a bit easier. We will spend some time constructing a solid figure drawing working on simplifying form. The addition of clothing will add some colour punch and drawing challenges. Learning to mix good colour, playing with dramatic lighting and interesting poses should make a pleasurable experience with watercolour.
