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Deborah Shaw to Teach the Ultimate Color Mixing Workshop at the Virginia Robinson Gardens

by Deb Shaw

Tired of spending endless time and paint trying to find the right color? Learn to mix colors through color theory. This fun, no-stress overview workshop is for beginners through advanced participants and goes beyond what is typically taught in botanical color mixing classes. Although this watercolor workshop will focus on botanical subjects, the theory and exercises apply to all art forms and media, including: plein air, still life, and portraits; whether they’re created in watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, or pastel. Learn about:

  1. The hidden values in color, and color mixing basics.

  2. Where colors fall on the color wheel, and how that affects mixing.

  3. Transparency, lightfastness, granulation.

  4. Basic color theories and changing color through the ages (how did Van Gogh get those sad violets?).

  5. Color mixing and painting methods.

  6. How to avoid mixing mud, AND how to (purposefully) mix the appropriate mud, shadows and other nasty colors.

  7. Mixing beyond the basics, including a handout containing the ultimate color mixing exercise.

Monday, October 27, 2014, and Tuesday, October 28, 2104, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm Cost: $225 for Virginia Robinson Gardens members and Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California (BAGSC) members; $275 for non-members. $50 deposit is non-refundable.

Tea, coffee and water provided. Bring your own lunch. A materials list will be supplied. Paint samples will be supplied.


Suz Landay and Kerstin Royce look over Deb Shaw's shoulder during a demonstration.

Suz Landay and Kerstin Royce look over Deb Shaw’s shoulder during a demonstration.


Classes will be held in the Pool Pavilion, Virginia Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills. To make reservations, visit Virginia Robinson Gardens; call (310) 550-2068; or mail a check, made payable to: FRIENDS OF ROBINSON GARDENS.

Instructor biography: Deborah Shaw has a degree in fine art from Pomona College, The Claremont Colleges, where she also studied botany and native California flora. Ms. Shaw is an active member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California, and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. She has taught art and botanical art at numerous venues, including The Getty; The Hunting