Color Conversations with Alexis Joseph

TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 6:30pm - 8:30pm PT This is an in-person workshop at CfM Art Room: 4035 Judah St, San Francisco, next door to our shop! Ever stood in front of a painting wishing you had your paints with you? This workshop was born from exactly that feeling. We'll use projected abstract artworks as our reference and build a color map together -- a kind of paint-by-numbers where the "numbers" are your own personal notes about the colors you see. It's part color study, part self-discovery: a way to surface how you talk to yourself about color, and how that shapes the way you mix, match, and remember hues. This session is inspired by an exercise Alexis developed on a trip to Amsterdam. Standing in the Abstract Expressionist room, she found herself mentally cataloguing every pigment she recognized -- and desperately wishing she could paint them. So she did the next best thing: pulled out her sketchbook, mapped the composition, and recreated the painting that night from memory and a few pencil notes. What started as a workaround became a revelation -- not just as a color-matching exercise, but as a window into how we name and notice color for ourselves. You'll leave with a new tool for studying paintings anywhere, and a deeper understanding of how you see color. MATERIALS NEEDED These are the supplies you'll need to bring for class—feel free to supplement this list with other options you love or have on hand! Watercolor paints – We recommend a mix of warm/cool/earth tones and a few brights or neons if you have them Watercolor paper – A pad or block of cold press paper, or individual sheets (8"x10" recommended, but any approximate size will do!) Brushes – A Size 6 or 8 Round and Size 10 Flat, along with any other sizes/styles you enjoy using Soft pencil - HB or B Erasers Optional: Washi, Artist's, or Nichiban masking tape If you'd like to purchase supplies from our shop, you can order online and select in-store pickup, or shop in person before class. Shop hours are 11am-6pm daily; please plan ahead if you're picking up supplies! Instructors will not have access to the shop when we're closed. ABOUT INSTRUCTOR Alexis Joseph founded Case for Making in 2014 as a space to explore all aspects of the creative practice. She's so excited to be able to teach workshops in our new Art Room space, and to be able to connect with our wonderful community! @caseformaking / @caseformaking.bsky.social THINGS TO KNOW If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible so we can open up your spot! We are only able to refund if we’re notified at least 48 hours prior to the workshop. Workshop doors open 15 minutes early for all to arrive and get settled. Class will start promptly so everyone has plenty of time to create! For public transit, both the #18 bus and the N-Judah muni lines stop just at the corner of our block. If you're driving, there is 1-hour parking along Judah St., and unmetered street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. We recommend building in extra time to park for evening and weekend classes! If you are planning to teach in the future using anything you’ve learned from us, we kindly ask that you credit Case for Making + the individual instructor where applicable. Thank you so much for taking our workshops!!