Current Classes
Watercolor for
Absolute Beginners
August - October 2025
If you resolved to “get more creative” this year, here’s a good place to start.
Choose from the following classes;
Dates and times are below:
* Absolute Beginner 5-week classes,
both Studio and Zoom
* Intermediate 4-week classes, Studio
One-Topic 3-week classes on various subjects, Tuesdays in the Studio
1-Day Beginner Workshops in the Studio, usually Sunday
Drop-In classes, 1 pm on selected Thursdays
Drop-In classes, 3 pm on most Saturdays
Individual instruction (Studio and Zoom)
Kids’ After-School Classes
Current class dates and descriptions, plus full details, are below. If you find a date error, kindly let me know.
Have questions? Want to sign up?
Just email me!
A LIST of 3-Weeks-One-Topic Classes follows the Beginner Class description. Each one-topic class is given two or three times a year.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER
Basics Class
SATURDAY STUDIO: August 16 , 12 noon - 2:30 pm (no class Labor Day)
THURSDAY STUDIO: October 2, 1 - 3:30 pm
* If you’re interested in a Zoom Beginner class, please email me.
The 5-Week Absolute Beginner Class covers all the basic watercolor techniques with simple exercises. You’ll learn water control, paint consistencies, color mixing, creating highlights and shadows, and differences in working on wet and dry paper...while creating simple fruits, flowers, foliage, and a landscape. Lots of individual help and demos.
You'll receive an email recap of each session, with video and tutorial suggestions for homework —which is encouraged, but NEVER mandatory.
We'll work from some of these ideas on my Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/zoom-wk1-beginner-basics/
CLASS TIMES and DATES:
SATURDAY Noon STUDIO: August 16 at noon
Fee: $285 . Complete Materials Kit: $70
via Zelle, cash, or Venmo
Dates: Saturday, Aug. 16, 23, NO CLASS AUG. 30, Sept. 6, 13, 20
Time: 12 noon - 2:30 pm Saturdays
THURSDAY 1 pm STUDIO: Oct. 2, from 1 - 3:30 pm
Afternoons, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Time: 1 pm - 3:30 pm Thursdays
Mondays on ZOOM: Please email me if you are interested in a Zoom Beginner class. Time: 6 -8 pm
INTERMEDIATE Class
Four Thursdays at 1 pm, Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
The 4-Week INTERMEDIATE CLASS is given only two or three times a year. Open to those who completed the Beginner class, or have previous experience. You’ll learn some new techniques and master the old ones (water control, feathering, and color mixing), and produce four 9x12” paintings. You’ll create a mountain landscape with a dramatic stormy sky, complex white flowers (pictured), a forest using negative painting, and you can vote for either a still life with transparent glass or an urban landscape. Lots of individual help and demos.
Intermediate class Fee:
4 sessions: $225 . Complete Materials Kit: $70
via Zelle, cash, or Vemno
Dates: Thursdays 1 pm, Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 1 - 3:30 pm Thursdays
The next Saturday Intermediate class in the Studio will be offered sometime in October or November.
DROP-IN CLASSES
Four THURSDAYS: 1 pm - 3:30 pm on August 7, 14, 21, 28.
Ongoing SATURDAYS: 3 pm - 5:30 pm
In a Drop-In class, you can come to one, two, three, or all sessions, paying as you go, $45 per session. You will get an invitation OR cancellation email a few days before class. Just reply if you DO plan to attend.
Everyone paints her own image, and everyone gets individual help. I do a demo of different subject matter in class, based on your suggestions; you can paint along, or do your own thing with guidance.
Saturday Drop-in Classes are ongoing. If I need to cancel, I’ll email you in advance.
Thursday Drop-in classes take place for four or five weeks between the Thursday Beginner classes.
Just email me to be put on either Drop-In invitation list. No obligation, of course. Just reply and confirm to the weekly email so I’ll know how many plan to attend.
Fee: $45 per session, pay as you go, cash/Zelle/Venmo
Dates: Thursday Drop In: 1 pm-3:30 pm, on August 7, 14, 21, 28
Saturday Drop-in: ongoing, 3 pm - 5:30 pm
KIDS’ ART CLASSES
Email: artykidsart@gmail.com
My colleague Norma Greenwood offers after-school classes all year, and some summer classes, for kids Pre-K to 3rd grade (I teach only students age 16 and older.)
She’s a NY State certified teacher and professional artist in my Union Square building. Please email her directly for current classes dates and details:
Email: artykidsart@gmail.com
ANIMAL PORTRAITS
Tuesdays at 6, August 5, 12, 19
Trace and paint your own pet, or paint a gift for a friend…cats, dogs, parrots, elephants, dinosaurs, whatever creature you like! You’ll learn techniques for painting realistic eyes, fur, stripes, hides, and so on. One of my fave classes to teach.
Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wcanimals/
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person STUDIO sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: Tuesdays, dates above, from 6 – 8:30 pm
Alpaca by my student Tracey B.
COLOR THEORY II
GOING DEEPER
Tuesdays at 6, August 26, Sept. 2, Sept. 9
Color affects our surroundings and our emotions, more than you think. Understanding color theory and classic color schemes/palettes is fascinating even if you don’t paint, and essential if you do. We’ll explore color harmonies via painting several simple exercises and landscapes in various color schemes.
Dates: Tuesdays, August 26, Sept 2, 9
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: Tuesdays, STUDIO Aug. 26, Sept. 2, 9
TREES and FORESTS
Tues. at 6, Sept. 16, 23, 30
Review the basics and learn new techniques for lush foliage and trunks, in all seasons and styles, both realistic and impressionist. We’ll create individual trees and forest landscapes, and possibly use trees to frame simple buildings.
Fee: $155 for 3 STUDIO sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: 6 to 8:30 pm
Dates: Tuesdays, Sept. 16, 23, 30
Landscape by my student Susan Y.
ABSTRACT LANDSCAPE
Tues. at 6, dates to come
Start small to learn how easy it is to create compelling, colorful landscapes with only minimal detail. We’ll work on half-sheets of paper, wet and dry, using watercolor, and experimenting with acrylic inks and dry pigment if you like. All it takes is a little courage and washable clothing!
Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wc-zoom-landscape/abstract-landscape/
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: Tuesdays, STUDIO, from 6 to 8:30 pm
FLOWERS & BOUQUETS
Tuesdays at 6, dates to come
We’ll paint both simple and complex flowers and arrangements: close-up flowers, negative painting, detail, and loose impressionism. We’ll review beginner techniques, and practice new ones. Suitable for those with no experience, and for those who have completed the basic Absolute Beginner Class.
Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wcfl-impressionist-bouquets/
Fee: $155
Time: 6 to 8:30 pm
Dates: Tuesdays,
URBAN LANDSCAPE
Tues. at 6, dates to come
New York City streets have no end of drama: Some images will be detailed, some impressionist, some layered, in both dark monochrome and colorful palettes. Images to trace will be sent before class. Some examples:
https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wclandscape-urban/
NOTE DATE CHANGE:
Dates: Tuesdays,
Time: 6 till 8:30 pm in the Studio
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
BIRDS and MORE BIRDS
Tuesdays at 6 pm, dates to come
Don’t worry, no pigeons…unless you want them! We’ll never run out of birds to paint — hummingbirds,
parrots, crows, vultures, pterodactyls -- let me know if you have any favorites. We'll learn techniques to easily create their colorful feathers and beady little eyes. Some examples:
https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wcanim-birds-butterflies/
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: Tuesdays, 6-8:30 pm, above
EDIBLES:
FRUITS & VEGGIES
Tuesdays at 6 dates to come
Suitable for those with no watercolor experience. Just want to paint something colorful and fun? Simple, impressionist edibles (no, not that kind!) make great little “kitchen paintings” for yourself or a friend. Simple techniques, with added spatter and pen-and-ink. Some examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wcedibles/
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person STUDIO sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17 from 6 – 8:30 pm
UNDERPAINTINGS
CREATING DRAMA and MYSTERY
Tuesdays at 6, dates to come
If you want to move away from tight, controlled paintings with hard edges everywhere…learn to create underpaintings on wet or damp paper for the unpredictable, translucent effects watercolor is famous for. Negative painting heightens the drama.
We’ll start with simple still life and landscape, using this technique that you can then apply when painting from your own photographs.
Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wcwet-paper-examples/
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: Tuesdays, STUDIO
PEOPLE PORTRAITS
Three Tuesdays at 6, dates to come
Want to create a portrait of your friend or family member? Once you learn the simple basics of facial proportions, creating a portrait becomes far easier. You’ll learn to measure and sketch a random imaginary face, then practice painting features and layering washes. I’ll create a simplified tracing from the photo you’ll send me, and you’ll trace and paint your friend/family member in class.
Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wc-zoom-portraits/
Fee: $155 for 3 in-person STUDIO sessions, via cash, Zelle or Venmo.
Time: Dates to come, Tuesdays, 6 – 8:30 pm
ONE-DAY
BEGINNER Workshop
Spring 2025, Date to come
Introduce yourself to watercolor in just one day, with lots of demos and individual attention. We’ll paint simple flowers, fruits, foliage, and clouds in a simple landscape.
Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/zoom-wk1-beginner-basics/
Date: STUDIO, Sunday, October 6
Time: 11 am–4:30 pm with 45 minutes for lunch (lots of nearby places to get lunch, or bring your own)
Fee: $140 via cash, Zelle, Venmo. To use a credit card, I can send you a PayPal invoice. (Apologies: PP now adds a $10 surcharge for invoices.)
HOLIDAY CARDS 2025
One Sunday in the Studio, and
Two Wednesdays on Zoom, Nov. 2025
Paint your own greeting cards for Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s, plus birthdays or whatever you like. Lots of examples will be provided (or use your own ideas), along with using salt and spatter techniques for snow.
You can photograph your paintings and send them to VistaPrint.com or Moo.com — they will create beautiful, professionally printed cards for you in time for the holidays.
Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wcholidaywinter/
Fee: $90
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Dates: to come
ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS
VALENTINE CARDS 2026
Studio Workshop
Paint your own greeting cards for Valentines Day, for your friends, sweetheart, husband, kids! You can also focus on birthdays or whatever you like. Lots of examples will be provided (or bring your own ideas), along with individual help using salt and spatter techniques for texture. I’m always happy to write a few words in calligraphy for you.
You can photograph your paintings and send them to VistaPrint.com or Moo.com — they will create beautiful, professionally printed cards for you.
Plenty of examples here: Examples: https://www.pinterest.com/jiaconetti/wcholidayvalentines/
Fee: $145
Time: 11 to 4:15-ish pm