SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Painters gathered at Aurora College last weekend for the latest workshop series hosted by the Yellowknife Watercolour Society.

Calgary art instructor Brittney Lintick used the folds and creases of various fabrics, such as in this painting of a pillow, to introduce some of the principles of creating realistic images with watercolour. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

Guest instructor Brittney Lintick of Calgary opened the first day with a small exercise in which participants experimented with colour. They soon moved on to a large painting project that took up the remainder of the workshop.

The experience helped the painters recognize the vibrant contrasts watercolours can offer.

"For some people, watercolour clicks," Lintick said. "I used to think watercolour was washed out, pastel and boring to look at. But you can get really bright, saturated colour using watercolour."

Lintick said she watched the students grow more comfortable with the medium as the workshop progressed.

"You can see everyone's confidence coming out in the paintings," she said.

Event co-ordinator Shawna Lampi-Legaree said the society will bring the 23-year-old instructor back up to Yellowknife for another workshop again in the future.

"She was an exceptional teacher," Lampi-Legaree said. "The class was absolutely fabulous. She has a lot to teach us."

The society's next workshop series is planned for April and will be led by professional Calgary painter Jean Pederson. The society's third annual art show will follow in May.