Watercolor classes begin next month at Fredonia First Methodist Church.

Fredonia First Methodist Church will be offering a series of skill classes for watercolor beginning Friday, April 5 from 9:30 a.m. until noon.

Participants will have the opportunity to practice each skill in class. The classes are taught by local artist Ronnie Lafferty.

Please register with Lafferty for each of the classes you intend to participate in. Text or call 716-640-8199 to register. Class size is limited to 12 participants.

All painting supplies are provided. Donations are gratefully appreciated and help cover the cost of supplies.

For all classes participants will need to bring two water containers — clean plastic cups, cottage cheese or yogurt containers — several white paper towels, an old, small, clean hand towel or washcloth, not exposed to fabric softener, and two number 2 pencils. Classes include a time of faith building devotions. Please do not wear good clothing. Parking is available in the rear of the church.

— April 5: Basic supplies and process: Using professional grade supplies you will learn about and experiment with brushes, paint, paper, water.

— April 12: Learn about and experiment with “washes”. Washes are often used for smooth surfaces like background, sky, or water.

— April 19: Explore color. Learn to mix from primary pigments, achieve lovely grays and rich blacks, as well as obtaining whites. (all from 3 primary colors) How to prepare a palette. Also learn about the properties of watercolor paints and how to use them to your advantage. Example: transparent, semi transparent, granulating.

— April 26: Achieving textures: tools and techniques for water, foliage, bark, rocks, wood, bricks, fur, hair, clothing, etc. Also we will learn skills for removing paint and correcting mistakes.

— May 3: Value: Learning to identify values (a range of light/dark) and painting light and shadow. How to make value studies as a planning tool for a good painting. Painting in values with a single pigment.

— May 10: Line and Shape: Planning a good design and use of these key elements. Learn about positive and negative space and how to paint “negatively.”

Registration is limited and will be taken, until the classes are full.