How to use light and shadow to design stronger composition
2026 Capturing the Light Watercolor Workshop by Lynn Ferris
Instructor: Lynn Ferris, AWS, BWS, TWSA, FWS
Hosted by: Northern Plains Watercolor Society
Location: Dahl Art Center, Rapid City, SD
Dates: September 16,17 and 18, 2026
Registration opens May 15, 2026
Member Price: $355/person
Non-Member Price: $385/person
Catered Lunch: we offer you to include catered lunch (sandwiches and salads) for Wednesday and Thursday at the time you register or you are welcome to bring a sack lunch. *Please note lunch break will not be long enough to run and get lunch*
Day 1 – $20
Day 2 – $20
Both Days – $40
The workshop will take place on Wed and Thurs – 9 am to 4 PM and Friday 8:30 AM-12:30 PM. Access to the workshop space on Wednesday starts at 8 AM to give you time to get set up, Thursday at 8:30 and Friday at 8:15 AM.
Registration for the workshop will be open Wednesday, May 15th, 2026. The full amount will be due upon registration. We will take registrants on a first-come basis. The class size will be 20. If the class fills, contact Kristi Miller at kmiller60657@yahoo.com to be added to the waitlist.
Refund Policy: Cancellation is a 50% refund through July 18th and no refund after July 18th. If for any reason you cannot attend the workshop you signed up for, you may NOT give your spot to someone else. The NPWS will offer the spot to people on the waitlist in numerical order.
Lynn Ferris Biography
Lynn is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and the Florida Watercolor Society. Her work was the subject of feature articles in both “Watercolor” magazine and “The Art of Watercolour” and can be seen in the prestigious “Splash” series of books published by North Light.
Her many awards include “The Artist’s Magazine” All-Media competition, and “Best of Show” in both the Florida Watercolor and Tallahassee Watercolor Society Annual exhibits.
Look for Lynn’s instructional articles in “The Artist’s Magazine” and “Watercolor Artist”. A sought after instructor and juror, Lynn teaches to sold out workshops and judges exhibits nationally.
Examples of work
Workshop Curriculum
Light and shadow shouldn’t be afterthoughts in our paintings. Good use of light and shadow is one of the best ways to take a painting from ordinary to extraordinary.
In her signature workshop “Capturing the Light,” Lynn will show students how to use light and shadow to design stronger compositions and bring drama to a variety of subject matter. Students will gain new skills and confidence working with shadows, light sources, creating glow, and more as they bring their work to the next level!
Each day will begin with a demo of a new painting and a new subject, for about 45 minutes. Students will work until lunch. After lunch, Lynn will do a short demo to complete the morning’s project and students will have the rest of the afternoon to work on their own paintings. Lynn is always available to help and encourage.
Lynn provides handouts, reference materials, and lots of personal attention.
Materials List
Paper:
Good quality paper is essential! “Student grade” paper will be frustrating to work with. I recommend Arches 140lb cold-press. You will need at least a “quarter sheet” (11 x 15) for each day of class, plus some extra.
Paints:
The list is short, but the colors are important:
Pthalo blue (also called Winsor blue, green shade)
Pthalo Green (also called Winsor green, blue shade).
Alizarin Crimson
Cadmium yellow, (pale or light), -or- Hansa yellow
Cobalt blue
Permanent Rose
Optional colors (but nice to have):
Burnt Sienna
Cadmium red, medium
Brushes:
Whatever brushes you are happy using are fine.
Masking fluid or “frisket”:
Also be sure you have a decent brush or applicator, since you will be reserving the most important parts of your painting: The whites!
Most days I will give you tracings to get you started with the drawing. You are always free to draw by hand, but if you will be using the tracing, you will need transfer (graphite) paper.