Hillsdale Craft Supply has hosted painting classes. Courtesy | Facebook
Hillsdale Craft Supply will host a beginner-level watercolor painting class taught by Cheyrl Thomas on March 9.
“We teach basic beginners and anyone can learn the techniques the way we teach them,” said Shelley Mangus, the owner of Hillsdale Craft Supply. “You don’t have to have any experience with watercolor at all. When you leave that first class, you will know all of the basics and be able to paint at home just by learning one thing.”
Mangus said the store makes it easy for people to learn new crafts.
“We are an art and craft supply store, we make ourselves available for anybody to learn any craft they haven’t done before,” Mangus said. “Customers request what they want to learn to paint, so now we are doing birds.”
The painting for the upcoming class is a Chickadee and other birds will be chosen for future classes.
“Our next bird will be either a robin or a cardinal,” Mangus said.
Mangus said people have shown interest in the class and future classes. The class on March 9 is currently at capacity with eight students.
“Anytime a class runs more than eight we will then add a second time slot on the same day or create another event a week or two later,” Mangus said.
Cheryl Thomas, the owner of CA Thomas Art and teacher of the upcoming coming class, said eight is ideal for teaching a beginners painting class.
“Eight students gives me a chance to spend time with each person,” Thomas said. “It’s a nice number that sits around that table that I can work with.”
Thomas said she loves to see the joy of her students when they create a piece.
“I love seeing the people being in awe of what they produce. Most of them have never picked up a brush before,” Thomas said. “I believe art is for everyone and it’s just a matter of finding the right techniques that resonate with people.”
Thomas said watercolor painting differs from other forms of painting.
“You want to make sure that you don’t soak the paper too much with water because then you are just waiting the whole time for it to dry a little bit,” Thomas said. “Blending colors is also very important. It’s a process of layering the colors. It’s the opposite with pastels on animals where you start with the darkest and build up to the lightest color. With watercolor you start with your lightest and then add more and more color.”
Hillsdale Craft Supply will give students everything they need to paint a Chickadee with watercolors.
“We provide everything –– you just come in with a smile,” Mangus said.