Presented by:Amanda Clarke-Peterson Location: Gaffney Visitor’s Center & Art Gallery in the CAVA Basement Studio 210 W. Frederick St. Gaffney, SC 29340 Hosted by: The Cherokee Alliance of Visual Artists (CAVA) Date: June 24, 2025 Time: 6:30 pm EST
What to Expect: I’m excited to invite you to a special 30-minute talk where I’ll be sharing the foundational magic of watercolor—what makes this medium so luminous, fluid, and beloved across generations.
We’ll explore the essential qualities that give watercolor its distinct personality, from the way pigment flows across the page to the way it interacts with paper and light. I’ll also walk you through a live demonstration of how watercolor paint is made from scratch using traditional ingredients—an eye-opening (and surprisingly simple!) process that gives you a deeper connection to the materials we often take for granted.
We’ll spend a few moments looking at some core tools and supplies you’ll want to be familiar with—like papers, brushes, and pigments—so you feel more confident building your own creative setup, no matter your experience level.
At the end of the session, I’ll be sharing a free digital resource: The Ultimate Watercolor Product Guide—a downloadable tool I created to help beginners and budget-conscious artists choose quality materials. I’ll also briefly introduce my book, Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide, for those who want to continue learning at their own pace.
(I will have a few copies on hand, should anyone desire to purchase a signed copy of Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor at the event. I am able to accept cash at $86.39 including taxes and credit or debit card through the website.)
Whether you’re new to watercolor or simply curious about the craft behind the paint, I’d love to have you join me for this warm, beginner-friendly introduction!
Introducing Our First Publication: Comprehensive Watercolor by Mandakyns, Published by Makyn Press
A Book Years in the Making – Now in Print
It’s with great pride (and no small amount of watercolor smudges) that I introduce the first official publication released by Makyn Press, in collaboration with Mandakyns:
Comprehensive Watercolor – An Interactive Guide for Learning to Paint with Watercolor
This is more than a book—it’s a fully guided experience designed for beginners, developing artists, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the process of painting with watercolor.
Crafted with clarity, structured for real learning, and infused with interactive elements, this guide represents not only the heart of Mandakyns, but the very mission of Makyn Press.
About the Book
comprehensive watercolor – an interactive guide for learning to paint with watercolor
Comprehensive Watercolor isn’t a typical instruction manual. It’s a modular, visually intuitive workbook that teaches watercolor as a system—not just a series of techniques.
Here’s what makes it special:
✅ 200+ embedded video tutorials via QR codes ✅ Hands-on worksheets, color charts, and concept exercises ✅ A carefully structured path through tools, materials, timing, application, technique, and composition ✅ Sections on pigment properties, blending, and brush control ✅ Designed to work whether you’re learning solo, teaching in a classroom, or building your own watercolor journey at your pace
This publication marks the official debut of Makyn Press, the independent publishing sister company to Mandakyns. Makyn Press is devoted to creating instructional, artistic, and educational books that help readers not just read, but make.
We specialize in:
Thoughtful design
Educational clarity
Books that are as useful as they are beautiful
By starting with an internally developed title, we’ve been able to build the systems, tools, and templates needed to support future publishing—without compromise.
Why This Book Matters
Watercolor is a medium that confuses and intimidates many artists. I created this book not just to teach—but to translate.
This guide was designed from the ground up to support:
Visual learners who need more than text
Busy creatives who want structure without fluff
Educators who need clarity for classrooms
Self-learners who are tired of generic tips and want to build a real skillset
What Readers Receive
A high-quality printed book Scannable QR codes for on-demand video learning A tactile, organized process that gives beginners a path and returning artists a refresh
BONUS: The book includes access to The Ultimate Watercolor Product Guide, a downloadable companion full of reviewed, categorized, and budget-conscious tools and supplies.
This book represents years of trial, testing, organizing, painting, teaching, and reworking. Every video was filmed by me. Every layout was chosen with care. Every QR code, tip, and section was developed to make watercolor more accessible to more people.
It’s not perfect—but it’s everything I’ve learned, and everything I needed when I was starting.
Looking Ahead
Makyn Press is currently accepting outside submissions—and this book marks just the beginning. More titles, workbooks, FlowThroughs, and creative collaborations are on the horizon!
Together, we’re building a creative publishing ecosystem—one thoughtful book at a time.
VISIT OUR SISTER COMPANY
Makyn Press is a proud sister company to Mandakyns, where you’ll find a wide range of professional Publishing Services.
Together, both companies share the same logo, creative vision, and values. While Mandakyns focuses on art, design, and education, Makyn Press extends that mission through creative and thoughtful publishing.
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