waterCOLOUR workshop - Gain confidence with colour and pigment

Last year they announced a dull white as Pantone colour of the year, and the creative world unanimously rejected it. Instead they voted for deep, rich phthalo greens, shades of violet, and anything else that pushed back against the muted sameness of white and beige aesthetics. Come embrace colour with me!

This is a workshop where you can learn all about colour and how to make it sing for you. Whether you enjoy muted earthy tones or strong vibrant colours, understanding how they work together through pigment and light can have an incredible effect on everything you create. We will work with a range of good quality watercolours that are an excellent way to explore and gain confidence, and assist you in making colour choices going forward.

Through guided exercises and experimentation, along with an introduction to the vast field of colour theory and how they work together, we will take an exciting and adventurous journey through colour together. 

Some of the topics to be covered –

Introduction to watercolour as a medium, different materials and pigments, paper etc.

Mixing vs layering, and achieving muted vs vibrant tones

Understanding transparent vs opaque colours

What is the difference between cyan/magenta/yellow and red/yellow/blue palettes and why does it matter? 

Learn about warm and cool colours, primary and tertiary colours, tone and saturation

The difference between dyes and pigments and why some colours last longer than others

Why some pigments create texture all on their own (granulating) and the reason for common colour names such as ‘pthalo’, prussian’ ‘indian’ and ‘quinacrodine’

A brief introduction to seeing colour in skin tones, reflective surfaces and more.

Materials are provided, but feel free to bring any paints, brushes etc. that you have and are familiar with, or curious about.

Time: 10:00 - 13:00 with a refreshment break

Cost: R825 pp (inclusive of materials and a welcome drink)

Facilitator:

Seth Deacon is an accomplished artist based in Cape Town South Africa, he works in a range of media including oil painting, watercolour and ink, as well as installation and digital media. He completed his Masters of Art in Fine Art from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2009. He has experience facilitating a wide variety of workshops for different age groups as well as experience teaching at a tertiary level in the arts.

7 February 2026: 07 February 2026
Time: 10:00 - 13:00
Venue: Woodstock Exchange, Cape Town
Cost: 825

More info:

66 Albert Road, Woodstock