Vika Gallery | Capturing Water & Wet Surfaces in Acrylic

In this hands-on workshop, Bran will break down the visual techniques she uses to create the illusion of water and wet surfaces in acrylic paint. Through artist demonstration, guided exercises, and individual application, participants will explore how light, color, value, edges, and brushwork work together to create convincing liquid effects.

During the workshop, we’ll explore:

• Creating the illusion of water using value, color, and brushwork
• Painting reflections and reflected light
• Creating movement, ripples, and depth
• Understanding hard and soft edges
• Using highlights to create the appearance of moisture and gloss
• Painting transparency and layered color
• Creating drips and other wet-surface effects

The workshop is designed for participants who already have some familiarity with acrylic paint and want to strengthen their technical skills while developing a better understanding of how to observe and interpret water and wet surfaces.

Participants will have opportunities to ask questions, experiment with techniques, and receive individual guidance throughout the workshop.

*This workshop is a good fit if you:

• Have painted with acrylics before and are comfortable using basic brushes and paint
• Understand basic color mixing or have some familiarity with working from a reference
• Want to move beyond beginner step-by-step painting and develop stronger technical skills
• Are interested in learning how to observe and recreate water, reflections, transparency, drips, gloss, and other wet-surface effects
• Feel comfortable experimenting and making individual creative decisions during the painting process

You do not need to know how to paint water already. That's what we're there to learn.

Because this is not a traditional follow-along paint-and-sip, participants should have at least some prior experience painting with acrylics. You do not need an art degree, portfolio, or advanced painting experience.

Everything you need to participate is included with your registration.

All paints, brushes, painting surfaces, reference materials, and other workshop supplies will be provided. Just arrive ready to paint, experiment, and learn.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Medium: Acrylic
Instructor: Bran Cherie, Fine Artist
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Location: Vika Gallery, Washington, DC
Class Size: Limited enrollment to allow for individual instruction

Info: Arrive, check in, get situated at your workspace, and prepare for the workshop.

Info: Explore what makes a surface visually read as water or wet, including light, value, reflection, color, edges, and movement.

Info: Bran will demonstrate acrylic techniques for creating water and wet-surface effects, followed by opportunities to experiment with the techniques.

Info: Apply the techniques to your own work with hands-on guidance and individual feedback throughout the process.

Info: Refine your work, troubleshoot individual challenges, and discuss how the techniques explored during the workshop can be applied to future paintings.

Event venue & nearby stays

Vika Gallery, 1700 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

Get the app →

Discover more events by tag