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Steve Griggs Biography

Steve Griggs is a Colorado artist best known for his loose watercolor painting style. Steve has won an abundance of awards for his paintings and has been the invited juror for numerous state and national exhibitions. He has been commissioned to create paintings for several client homes and offices as well as a national restaurant chain. Steve and his partner, Sue, have  written an extensive library of instructional articles, primarily in The Artist magazine published in the UK, as well as in Watercolor Artist in the US. Additionally, several magazines have published articles about Steve and his unique painting style. A series of his instructional videos are available through Epiphany Fine Art and Kara Bullock Art School and he teaches workshops throughout the US. He also teaches classes at his Denver based studio. Steve’s paintings can be seen on his website, at his studio, as well as at Mirada Fine Art Gallery in Denver; Twisted Fish Gallery in Elk Rapids, Michigan; J Petter Gallery in Douglas, Michigan; and Five 3 Gallery in Laguna Beach, California. 

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Class Materials for Loose Watercolor Painting 

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Paint

I use Daniel Smith almost exclusively. Winsor Newton Cotman or Van Gogh watercolors will do. I often use Winsor Newton Cotman or Van Gogh for sketching and preliminary studies. Please choose the brand and price point that works best for you.

One warm primary triad:

  • Ultramarine

  • Cadmium Red OR Pyrolle Red OR Permanent Red

  • Gamboge OR Cadmium Yellow

One cool primary triad:

  • Cerulean Blue

  • Alizarin Crimson OR Rose Matter

  • Lemon OR Hansa Yellow

Shading Colors

VanDyke Brown OR Sepia OR Lunar Black OR Paynes Grey (I prefer VanDyke Brown OR Lunar Black)

Brushes - the best quality you have or are able to purchase

  • One round big, mop/quill-shaped

  • One round pointed brush (sable or squirrel)

  • One rigger or needle point for fine details and lines

  • Small round brushes sized #8, 10, 12 (I like Escoda Versatil or Princeton Neptune or Da Vinci)

  • 1” Flat

Paper

  • Arches OR Fabriano 300 grams rough texture 140 lb. It is best to use 1/4 or 1/2 size sheet, but of course, you can paint in any size you feel comfortable. I will demonstrate on 1/4 and 1/2 size sheets.

  • Sketchbook – Canson or Arteza Watercolor 9” x 12” (or something comparable)

Misc

  • Tissues

  • Water containers

  • Masking tape 

  • Scotch tape

  • Pencil

  • Spray bottle

  • Small pocket knife or palette knife

  • Painting board to mount paper

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