January 19, 20 and 21, 2026
9 am - 4 pm (1 hour for lunch)
"Breathing Life into Your Painting" Watercolor
Best suited for adventurous beginners through advanced painters (Some prior watercolor experience recommended)
Workshop Fee: $334
(includes three full days of instruction)
“I look for visiting artists who bring something genuinely different while still supporting painters at every stage. Cole’s approach does exactly that—and it’s unlike anything else we’ve offered.”
— Wanda Boyd, Village Art Workshops
To register:
• Mail payment using the registration form
• Or pay securely online via PayPal
Cole Wolford
Workshop Description:
This workshop is ideal for you if:
- • You have some watercolor experience and want to loosen up
• You’re curious about alternative tools and experimental techniques
• You enjoy bold color, texture, and expressive composition
• You want guidance without rigid step-by-step copying - This workshop may not be ideal for you if:
- • You are brand new to watercolor
• You prefer highly traditional, brush-only techniques - In this three-day workshop, visiting artist Cole Wolford introduces a fresh, process-driven approach that helps painters loosen up, build confidence, and create bold, expressive work—without losing control of composition or color.
Step outside the norm and into an innovative watercolor experience where brushes take a back seat and creativity takes the wheel. Using a mouth atomizer and masking fluid—techniques Cole developed after being inspired by Berlin’s street art—you’ll build vibrant, textured paintings that push beyond traditional watercolor methods. While some brushwork is involved (it is watercolor, after all), the expressive spray techniques open exciting new possibilities.
Whether you lean toward abstract or representational work, this workshop will help you harness the power of texture, color harmony, and bold composition using a limited palette. Cole will guide you through the full process—from preparation to final touches—so you can complete strong, personal pieces that reflect your own style. Pre-workshop images and setup instructions will be provided so you can arrive ready to create. - Student endorsements:
- "Cole was very prepared with a schedule and handouts, and he was both engaging and knowledgeable."
"This was a different technique that was exciting to learn, and Cole was excellent in teaching the process." - Click for Supply List
- Cole's Bio:
- F. Cole Wolford is an Oklahoma-born watercolor artist who made a dramatic career shift from internal medicine to full-time painting. After practicing as a physician, specializing in HIV care, he discovered his lifelong passion for watercolor and embraced the medium’s capacity to transform flat planes into three-dimensional forms through subtle value shifts.
Although he had no formal art training initially, Cole honed his craft by studying with renowned artists like John Salminen and Catherine Anderson. He draws inspiration from Berlin’s vibrant street art, developing a unique technique that uses a mouth atomizer and masking fluid to achieve rich textures and harmonized palettes
Cole’s work is celebrated across multiple watercolor societies—he holds signature memberships in the Florida Watercolor Society, Gold Coast Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society, and more.
His paintings have been featured in prestigious exhibitions worldwide, including a solo show in Munich (“Shadow Journeys”) and inclusion in the U.S. State Department’s Art Bank collection.
Named one of Watercolor Artist magazine's “Ones to Watch,” Cole continues to inspire with sold-out masterclasses, where he shares his innovative techniques and encourages artists to discover fresh ways to express form, tone, and atmosphere
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