Color Confidence for Painters – September 2026

Color Confidence for Painters : Mixing color without making mud

Instructor: Katy Betz

Start Date: Monday, September 28, 2026

Schedule: Monday and Wednesday, September 28, 30, 2026, 10:00am- 2:00pm

Cost: Member $85 / Friend & Non-Member $125

Skill Level: All Levels

Location: Foothills Art Center – Creative Campus, 809 15th St  

Course Description:

Take the mystery out of color. This hands-on class explores the foundations of color mixing and color relationships through practical exercises designed to strengthen confidence and improve painting results. Students will learn howto mix cleaner colors, create harmonious palettes, understand warm and cool color relationships, and avoid muddy mixtures. The concepts taught in this workshop apply to gouache, watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.Students will develop a stronger understanding of color theory, learn practical color mixing strategies, create a series of color studies, and gain tools that can be applied across multiple painting mediums

Techniques

• Warm and cool color relationships
• Creating harmonious color palettes
• Understanding value and colorintensity
• Mixing chromatic neutrals and how touse them
• Color temperature and atmosphere
• Limited palette strategies
• Avoiding muddy color mixtures
• Using color to create focus and mood

Supplies

Basic paint brushes

Palette knife (optional)

Palette

Materials fee

$15

Artist Bio

Katy Betz is an artist, illustrator, and art educator with more than 15 years of teaching experience. She has taught at colleges and various art programs, helping students of all skill levels build confidence while developing strong artistic foundations. Alongside her teaching, she maintains an active studio practice centered on landscape painting and nature inspired illustration.

Through her YouTube channel, online courses, and educational workbooks, Katy encourages artists to slow down, observe deeply, and cultivate a sense of wonder through the creative process. Her workshops combine practical instruction with an encouraging, curiosity driven approach that makes art both approachable and meaningful.

Contact: For any questions, please email Leslie Fitzsimmons at leslie@foothillsartcenter.org.

***To receive the Member / Open Studio rate – please “login” the upper right- hand corner of this page with the email associated with your membership***

Please Note: Classes and workshops may be cancelled if enrollment minimums are not reached. You will be notified by telephone at least 3 days prior to the scheduled start date should cancellation become necessary.