learn watercolor painting, drawing, or en plein air painting:
Private lessons: $70/ 1 hour; $120 / 2 hr. Please email hi@giselleharrington.com, or call (603) 369-2928.
Supplies lists (for students bringing their own supplies):
Outdoor/ En Plein Air Watercolor
>> WORKSHOP POLICIES + EXPECTATIONS <<
upcoming classes
—- CLASS FULL —- “Watercolor Painting for beginners” at Looky Here! Art center, Greenfield, MA
June 15 - July 20, 2026: 6 Mondays, 6pm - 9pm
Location: Looky Here!, 28 Chapman Street, Greenfield, MA. Cost: $300/ $325 with supply rental. 6 Mondays, 6pm-8pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class. Sign up on the Looky Here website!
This class teaches you the traditional methods of handling transparent watercolor in representational painting. You will learn how to control watercolor through washes and glazes, creating soft edges, using wet-in-wet techniques and using dry-brush. You will also learn how to work with the time constraints of the medium through a simplification of value shapes: a key to success in watercolor.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Watercolor Painting for beginners” at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s Adult Community Education Program, Northampton, MA
June 30 - August 4, 2026: 6 Tuesdays, 10am - 1pm
Location: Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School (1st floor library in the main building), 80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA. Cost: $300/ $325 with supply rental. 6 Tuesdays, 10am-1pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class. Register here on the Smith Voc website!
This class teaches you the traditional methods of handling transparent watercolor in representational painting. You will learn how to control watercolor through washes and glazes, creating soft edges, using wet-in-wet techniques and using dry-brush. You will also learn how to work with the time constraints of the medium through a simplification of value shapes: a key to success in watercolor.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Painting Landscapes in Watercolor” at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School’s Adult Community Education Program, Northampton, MA
June 30 - August 4, 2026: 6 Tuesdays, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Location: Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School (1st floor library in the main building), 80 Locust Street, Northampton, MA. Cost: $300/ $325 with supply rental. 6 Tuesdays, 10am-1pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class. Students will be responsible for a plein air easel set-up, but we will discuss how to assemble one during the first class. Register here on the Smith Voc website!
When we think of watercolor landscape painting, we often think of the beautiful Adirondack or Bahamas paintings by Winslow Homer or the en plein air paintings of John Singer Sargent. In this class you will learn how to create impressionistic landscape paintings, by identifying a strong value design and simple color patterns. We will start with a grounding in watercolor brush handling, and how to glaze washes to build up paint layers in the traditional way. You will learn how to choose a scene to paint from, identify a simplified value and color design to paint, and capture this on paper in a planned-out series of watercolor wash layers. We will be using watercolor paint in this class, though the lessons in color and value composition will be useful across media. Students of all levels are welcome.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Drawing” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Sept 2 - October 7, 2026: 6 Wednesdays, 8Am - 10Am
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room: 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $220. 6 Wednesdays, 8am-10am. Bring your own drawing supplies; A list of recommended supplies can be found above, under Supplies Lists. Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Whether you want to learn to draw in its own right or to become a (better) painter, this class will give you a solid foundation in traditional skills. You will learn sighting tools and perspective, and will be shown how to see differently. You will also learn about drawing materials, styles, and drawing for painting.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Painting Landscapes in Watercolor” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Sept 2 - Oct 7, 2026: 6 Wednesdays, 10:30Am - 1:30pm
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room. 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Wednesdays, 10:30am-1:30pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
When we think of watercolor landscape painting, we often think of the beautiful Adirondack or Bahamas paintings by Winslow Homer or the en plein air paintings of John Singer Sargent. In this class you will learn how to create impressionistic landscape paintings, by identifying a strong value design and simple color patterns. We will start with a grounding in watercolor brush handling, and how to glaze washes to build up paint layers in the traditional way. You will learn how to choose a scene to paint from, identify a simplified value and color design to paint, and capture this on paper in a planned-out series of watercolor wash layers. We will be using watercolor paint in this class, though the lessons in color and value composition will be useful across media. Students of all levels are welcome.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Watercolor Painting Fundamentals” at Simpatico Gallery, Charleston, SC
Sept 8 - Oct 13, 2026: 6 Tuesdays, 10Am - 1pm
Location: Simpatico Gallery, 63 Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Tuesdays, 10am-1pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Learn wash types, all aspects of brush handling, basic color mixing, how paintings are built up, and how to apply this to representational painting. We will be using photo references.
*Note: This popular class covers a lot of material, and many students choose to take this class more than once.
*Class size limit: 8 students
“Watercolor Painting - Still Lifes” at Simpatico Gallery, Charleston, SC
Oct 20 - Nov 24, 2026: 6 Tuesdays, 10Am - 1pm
Location: Simpatico Gallery, 63 Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. Discount for those who take both the previous Watercolor Painting Fundamentals and this class, for a total of $575 for both. 6 Tuesdays, 10am-1pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Learn to scale back what you see into simplified single-value shapes. We will gradually build up from very simple renderings of the still life into more and more complicated, layered paintings. Students who are interested in this class are encouraged to take Watercolor Painting Fundamentals first and/ or have some background in drawing.
*Class size limit: 8 students
Thursdays ongoing: “Make a Watercolor Painting Night” at Simpatico Gallery, Charleston, SC
Sept 10 - Nov 19, 2026: Thursdays, 6pm-8pm (optional review lesson at 5:30pm)
Location: Simpatico Gallery, 63 Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Cost: $85 with optional supply rental, $8. Thursdays, 6pm-8pm (or come at 5:30pm for review). Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($8 per class). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
This class is about producing a single finished painting. We will be working from a photo and following the teachers lead, step-by-step. This class is about experiencing the process of building a painting. Since every painting presents its own unique challenges, this class is not intended to replace a formal beginner or fundamentals watercolor class, but rather is a taste of what watercolor painting is like.
*Class size limit: 8 students
“Drawing” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Oct 14 - Nov 25, 2026 (No class veterans Day, Nov 11): 6 Wednesdays, 8Am - 10Am
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room: 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $220. 6 Wednesdays, 8am-10am. Bring your own drawing supplies; A list of recommended supplies can be found above, under Supplies Lists. Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Whether you want to learn to draw in its own right or to become a (better) painter, this class will give you a solid foundation in traditional skills. You will learn sighting tools and perspective, and will be shown how to see differently. You will also learn about drawing materials, styles, and drawing for painting.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Watercolor Painting for Beginners” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Oct 14 - Nov 25, 2026 (no class veterans Day, Nov 11): 6 Wednesdays, 10:30Am - 1:30pm
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room. 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Wednesdays, 10:30am-1:30pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
This class teaches you the traditional methods of handling transparent watercolor in representational painting. You will learn how to control watercolor through washes and glazes, creating soft edges, using wet-in-wet techniques and using dry-brush. You will also learn how to work with the time constraints of the medium through a simplification of value shapes: a key to success in watercolor.
*Note: This popular class covers a lot of material, and many students choose to take this class more than once. Therefore, the teacher will use all-new reference material for Beginners-series classes taught within the same year.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Watercolor Painting for beginners” at Looky Here! Art center, Greenfield, MA
Nov 30 - Dec 21, 2026: 4 Mondays, 6pm - 9pm
Location: Looky Here!, 28 Chapman Street, Greenfield, MA. Cost: $250/ $275 with supply rental. 4 Mondays, 6pm-8pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class. Sign up on the Looky Here website!
Description: Learn wash types, all aspects of brush handling, basic color mixing, how paintings are built up, and how to apply this to representational painting. We will be using photo references.
*Note: This class is bookended by Thanksgiving and Christmas and there is no room for make-up dates. If there is a cancelation (such as due to a snow storm) students will be reimbursed for the missed class and there will be no make-up date.
*Class size limit: 10 students
2027
“Landscape Painting in Watercolor” at Simpatico Gallery, Charleston, SC
Jan 5 - Feb 9, 2027: 6 Tuesdays, 10Am - 1pm
Location: Simpatico Gallery, 63 Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Tuesdays, 10am-1pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
This is an intermediate class and students are encouraged to have taken a basic watercolor painting class that at minimum covers running washes, or have as least a 15 hours of guided watercolor practice, or some drawing experience. We’ll start by learning how to sight the scene and put it together in a simplified drawing (drawing will be a component of this class especially early on). Then we’ll identify value-blocks. Then we will move on to grouping and building paintings in increasingly complex layers. Each day we will spend part of the class inside and part outside on the street, weather permitting.
*Class size limit: 8 students
“Drawing” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Jan 6 - Feb 10, 2027: 6 Wednesdays, 8Am - 10Am
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room: 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $220. 6 Wednesdays, 8am-10am. Bring your own drawing supplies; A list of recommended supplies can be found above, under Supplies Lists. Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Whether you want to learn to draw in its own right or to become a (better) painter, this class will give you a solid foundation in traditional skills. You will learn sighting tools and perspective, and will be shown how to see differently. You will also learn about drawing materials, styles, and drawing for painting.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Watercolor Painting for Beginners” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Jan 6 - Feb 10, 2027: 6 Wednesdays, 10:30Am - 1:30pm
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room. 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Wednesdays, 10:30am-1:30pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
This class teaches you the traditional methods of handling transparent watercolor in representational painting. You will learn how to control watercolor through washes and glazes, creating soft edges, using wet-in-wet techniques and using dry-brush. You will also learn how to work with the time constraints of the medium through a simplification of value shapes: a key to success in watercolor.
*Note: This popular class covers a lot of material, and many students choose to take this class more than once. Therefore, the teacher will use all-new reference material for Beginners-series classes taught within the same year.
*Class size limit: 10 students
Thursdays ongoing: “Paint the Still Life in Watercolor” at Simpatico Gallery, Charleston, SC
January - May, 2027: Thursdays, 5:30pm-8pm
Location: Simpatico Gallery, 63 Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Cost: $85 with optional supply rental, $8. Thursdays, 5:30pm-8pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($8 per class). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
There’s no better way to learn to paint or draw than to throw yourself into it. This class is less theory and more timed-painting “workouts,” and students are encouraged to come to as many sessions as suits their schedules. I will be giving several demos with paintings increasing in complexity, which will be followed by timed student practice. I will go around the room critiquing and answering questions. We will have a different still life each session.
Those who don’t know basic watercolor brush handling are encouraged to sign up for one of my Fundamentals/ Beginners classes.
*Class size limit: 8 students
“Watercolor Painting Fundamentals” at Simpatico Gallery, Charleston, SC
Feb 16 - March 23, 2027: 6 Tuesdays, 10Am - 1pm
Location: Simpatico Gallery, 63 Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Tuesdays, 10am-1pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Learn wash types, all aspects of brush handling, basic color mixing, how paintings are built up, and how to apply this to representational painting. We will be using photo references.
*Note: This popular class covers a lot of material, and many students choose to take this class more than once.
*Class size limit: 8 students
“Drawing” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Feb 17 - March 24, 2027: 6 Wednesdays, 8Am - 10Am
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room: 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $220. 6 Wednesdays, 8am-10am. Bring your own drawing supplies; A list of recommended supplies can be found above, under Supplies Lists. Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Whether you want to learn to draw in its own right or to become a (better) painter, this class will give you a solid foundation in traditional skills. You will learn sighting tools and perspective, and will be shown how to see differently. You will also learn about drawing materials, styles, and drawing for painting.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Botanical Painting” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
Feb 17 - March 24, 2027: 6 Wednesdays, 10:30Am - 1:30pm
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room. 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Wednesdays, 10:30am-1:30pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Slow down and learn to create beautiful watercolor paintings of flowers and other botanicals in gradual, built-up watercolor layers. Students will learn how to build paintings on their own by learning how to identify value-steps and color unification, as well as how to handle watercolor paint for clean washes and intentional, not overworked, watercolor layering. Students will also learn color mixing.
This class is open to all levels.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Drawing” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
March 31 - May 5, 2027: 6 Wednesdays, 8Am - 10Am
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room: 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $220. 6 Wednesdays, 8am-10am. Bring your own drawing supplies; A list of recommended supplies can be found above, under Supplies Lists. Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
Whether you want to learn to draw in its own right or to become a (better) painter, this class will give you a solid foundation in traditional skills. You will learn sighting tools and perspective, and will be shown how to see differently. You will also learn about drawing materials, styles, and drawing for painting.
*Class size limit: 10 students
“Watercolor Painting for Beginners” at Isle of Palms Rec Center, Isle of Palms, SC
March 31 - May 5, 2027: 6 Wednesdays, 10:30Am - 1:30pm
Location: Isle of Palms Rec Center, Tadpole Room. 24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC. Cost: $320/ $345 with supply rental. 6 Wednesdays, 10:30am-1:30pm. Bring your own supplies (see recommended supplies list above), or rent from the teacher for use in class ($5 per class, or $25 for the full series). Registration: Registration is not yet open for this class, so please fill out the form at right and I will contact you once registration is open, so that you can then sign up.
This class teaches you the traditional methods of handling transparent watercolor in representational painting. You will learn how to control watercolor through washes and glazes, creating soft edges, using wet-in-wet techniques and using dry-brush. You will also learn how to work with the time constraints of the medium through a simplification of value shapes: a key to success in watercolor.
*Note: This popular class covers a lot of material, and many students choose to take this class more than once. Therefore, the teacher will use all-new reference material for Beginners-series classes taught within the same year.
*Class size limit: 10 students
Fill this form for: Private lessons, requests for an upcoming class registration alert, and other questions or comments:
QUOTES FROM PAST STUDENTS
“I loved this course. Firstly because of Giselle’s quiet passion to lead us to appreciate, and understand the complexity and logic of water color painting. Secondly because of Giselle’s axiom that appreciation and understanding are nurtured by doing. Thirdly because our doing, with all its flaws, was met by encouragement from Giselle, but never by a diminution in her exacting standards. And finally, because I really appreciated Giselle’s skill as a water colorist and the sense she gave that teaching us was a part of her own process towards greater understanding and mastery of the art.”
“ As a retired art teacher, I appreciated the excellent lesson plans, the clear instructions and helpful demonstrations in Giselle’s watercolor class. She covered many techniques and was flexible in responding to individual queries.”
“Giselle’s Intro to Drawing class was a fantastic opportunity to help myself experience and answer the question that was in my mind “what actually is the foundation for learning how to draw?” Many of us in class and myself included, have never had any or much previous drawing training. Giselle’s guidance and encouragement helped each student tap into that special space within to flex their creative muscles — something I was seeking, and achieved, through this experience. This was also a great way to meet more members in the Western MA community!”
“The watercolor class was very well structured with a clear progression of techniques. Giselle is a very encouraging and thoughtful instructor and conveyed a great depth of understanding of the process. A very enjoyable experience.”
Intermediate Watercolor students at the James Island Town Hall
Watercolor class at the Veterans Affairs in North Charleston
Drawing class at the Isle of Palms Rec Center
Teaching for the Summerville Artist Guild
A watercolor demo for Intermediate Watercolor students
Giselle, painting en plein air