Cindy Briggs’ workshops are focused on developing your own style and building confidence as you develop a deeper understanding of design and watercolor techniques. She creates an enriching and positive atmosphere for all levels of artists. Discover her process from start to finish to create paintings with dramatic light, jazzed up harmonious colors, and captivating compositions.
Smithsonian Studio Arts
Quick-Sketch Watercolors: 2 Session Weekend Course | Smithsonian Studio Arts
2 sessions from Saturday, December 2, 2023 to Saturday, December 9, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET
Discover how to quickly capture a variety of subjects with loose lines and painterly colors using a quick sketch watercolors method. This go-with-the-flow technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art.
Amaryllis in Watercolor | 2 Session Evening Studio Arts Course
2 sessions from Tuesday, December 5, 2023 to Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET
Amaryllises, whose name comes from the Greek word for “to sparkle,” are often given as holiday gifts. Fine-tune a drawing of an amaryllis from a provided tracing, then focus on creating captivating, colorful shapes while preserving white areas with masking fluid. As you add details, the rhythmic lines and soft folds of the petals become even more vibrant and lifelike. End with a dramatic floral painting that will brighten winter days and last forever.
Simply Start Painting Watercolors | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
3 sessions from Tuesday, January 16, 2024, to Tuesday, January 30, 2024
at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Unlock Your Watercolor Potential with Smithsonian Studio Arts. Discover the joy of watercolor painting in our 3-session evening studio arts course. Dive into the basics, unleash your creativity, and master the artistry of watercolor. Join us from January 16 to January 30, 2024, and create beautiful paintings while building your confidence.
Seasonal Quick-Sketch for a Day | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
Saturday, January 20, 2024 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Weekend Studio Arts Workshop
Unleash your creativity in our Seasonal Quick-Sketch Workshop! Join us on January 20, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. Learn the art of quick-sketching, perfect for capturing the beauty of any season with loose lines and vibrant watercolors. This workshop is designed for experienced beginners and intermediates who want to build confidence and have fun with free-flowing luminescent watercolors.
Poetic Watercolor Skies – 2 Evening Sessions | Smithsonian Studio Arts
2 Session Evening Studio Arts Course
from Thursday, February 1, 2024, to Thursday, February 8, 2024
The sky’s ever-changing moods have long challenged painters in watercolor. Discover techniques to capture the sky, whether filled with wispy cirrus clouds or dramatic cumulus clouds. Learn to mingle colors and take advantage of wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques to create colorful, captivating skies.
Dramatic and Luminous Canyon Lands – 2 Session | Smithsonian Studio Arts
S. Dillon Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC, United States2 sessions from Tuesday, March 19, 2024, to Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Inspired by the natural stone cathedrals of the West, capture the dramatic majesty of the scenery in an original watercolor painting. Review reference photos to discover how the time of day affects the lighting as it creates dynamic shapes and shadows.
Watercolor Workshop: Quick-Sketch for a Day | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
Saturday, June 1, 2024 - 10:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET
Spend the day learning to capture your travels with flowing lines and painterly colors. This technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art. Learn to simplify a scene and to compose and draw more organically and confidently. Inject captivating, mingling watercolors into your sketch in just minutes. In addition, get useful suggestions on packing watercolors to take along on any adventure. All levels are welcome; a 30-minute break for lunch is included in the class time.
Simply Start Painting Watercolors (3 Session Evening Course) | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
3 sessions from June 4 to June 6, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
The limitless creative possibilities of watercolor can be a bit intimidating for beginning students. In this series of classes, focus on the basics of watercolor with methods that narrow parameters, without sacrificing your creativity and the artistry of the medium. Learn what supplies make all the difference and how to manipulate your brush to create flowing lines, as well as how to mix, mingle, and control watercolor so you achieve the effects you want. In class, talk about how to make corrections and fine-tune your work. As you build your confidence in each session, create one or more paintings and explore how values create depth, shapes can be defined, and color adds character.
Watercolor Workshop: Quick-Sketch for a Day | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
Saturday, June 8, 2024 - 10:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET
Spend the day learning to capture your travels with flowing lines and painterly colors. This technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art. Learn to simplify a scene and to compose and draw more organically and confidently. Inject captivating, mingling watercolors into your sketch in just minutes. In addition, get useful suggestions on packing watercolors to take along on any adventure. All levels are welcome; a 30-minute break for lunch is included in the class time.
Seasonal Quick-Sketch for a Day – Weekend Studio Arts Workshop | Smithsonian Studio Arts
S. Dillon Ripley Center 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC, United StatesSaturday, August 3, 2024 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
Discover how to quickly capture the beauty of any season—whether it’s snowy, rainy, or sunny outside—with loose lines and painterly colors using a quick-sketch watercolors method. This go-with-the-flow technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art.
Simply Start Painting Watercolors (3 Session Evening Course) | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
3 sessions from October 10, 17, and 24, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Discover the joy of watercolor painting! This beginner-friendly course will guide you through the basics, from mastering your brush to creating stunning works of art. Build confidence, explore color, and unleash your creativity in just three sessions.
Watercolor Workshop: Quick-Sketch for a Day | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
Saturday, October 19, 2024 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
Spend the day learning to capture your travels with flowing lines and painterly colors. This technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art. Learn to simplify a scene and to compose and draw more organically and confidently. Inject captivating, mingling watercolors into your sketch in just minutes. In addition, get useful suggestions on packing watercolors to take along on any adventure. All levels are welcome; a 30-minute break for lunch is included in the class time.
Watercolor Celebrations: Paint a Holiday Centerpiece
2 sessions from December 4 to 5, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Join watercolor artist Cindy Briggs in a 2-session evening course to create a festive holiday centerpiece. Capture the beauty of pine cones, ornaments, berries, and poinsettias in flowing, expressive colors. Perfect for all skill levels!
Simply Start Painting Watercolors (3 Session Evening Course) | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
3 sessions from January 15 to 29, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Discover the joy of watercolor painting! This beginner-friendly course will guide you through the basics, from mastering your brush to creating stunning works of art. Build confidence, explore color, and unleash your creativity in just three sessions.
Iconic American Landmarks and Landscapes: Historic McPollin Farm – 2 Evening Sessions | Smithsonian Studio Arts
2 sessions from January 16 to 23, 2025
from Thursday, January 16, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET
Paint the McPolin Farm in Park City, Utah, alongside with the instructor using a provided tracing for an easy start. The barn on the historic property dates to 1922. Demonstrations show how to save the whites, create colorful shadows, paint fabrics, and mix a variety of greens.
Quick-Sketch for a Day: Iconic American Landmarks and Landscapes | Smithsonian Studio Arts Workshop
Saturday, February 8, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
Discover how to draw with flowing lines and paint with flowing watercolors in this new Quick-Sketch workshop. The class focuses on iconic American landscapes and landmarks. This technique is perfect for studies, travel journals, and finished fine art. Learn to simplify a scene and to compose and draw more organically and confidently. Inject captivating, mingling watercolors into your sketch in just minutes.