Chris Buchholz

Instructor Bio

Based in New Oxford, I’m a watercolorist and sketchbook artist who draws everywhere I go—especially while traveling. After 15 years working as an illustrator and graphic designer, I now spend much of my time painting both from my studio and on location, capturing the everyday moments and places that shape my life.

Family is central to who I am and often appears in my artwork, along with landscapes, nature, and the familiar scenes around me—from the creek near my home to the places my family and I return to again and again, including our well-loved cabin in the woods. Above all, I’m passionate about painting a true sense of light and bringing that feeling into everything I create.

Watercolor Foundations: Light, Values, and Expression

This full-day class introduces the essential foundations of watercolor painting in a relaxed, supportive environment. We’ll begin by exploring the basic tools of the medium—brushes, paper, paints, and other supplies—and how each affects your results. Students will receive a list of recommended materials to bring.

A major focus of the day will be understanding values—the light and dark relationships that give paintings depth, form, and atmosphere. Through guided exercises and demonstrations, you’ll learn how to control value, suggest light, and simplify what you see.

We’ll also explore techniques for creating loose, expressive watercolor paintings that feel fresh and luminous rather than stiff or overworked. Special attention will be given to the wet-in-wet technique—a beautiful but often challenging approach. I’ll demonstrate practical ways to control moisture, timing, and paint flow so you can use wet-in-wet more confidently and successfully.

This class is ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to strengthen their fundamentals and gain confidence with watercolor.