Design, Composition, and Color with Joyce Baron
November 6-7, 9:00am-4:00pm
Sons of the Utah Pioneers, 3301 E Louise Ave, Millcreek, UT 84109
Non-Members - $200
UWS Members - $175*
*Be sure to enter discount code sent in UWS email when checking out to get member pricing.
What to Expect
Expect hands-on fun, supportive environment, and a mix of structured activities and open play. This is a space where painters can move, make, imagine, and grow.
Dates
November 6, 2026 - November 7, 2026
Time
9:00am - 4:00pm MDT
Location
3301 E Louise Ave, Millcreek, UT 84109
Materials List
We will be working on several paintings during our workshop. Each artist should be prepared by bringing these items:
Watercolor paper cut ¼ sheet size (12)
140 (good) or 300 (better) pound paper
Drawing paper or sketch book with pencils.
Watercolor paints with your usual supplies.
Square Brushes
Round Brushes (not too small!)
container for water
board to work on
paper towels, etc.
Workshop Overview - Design, Composition, and Color
What makes a painting by Winslow Homer, Vincent van Gogh, or John Singer Sargent instantly stand out? Why do some paintings feel alive and compelling while others fall flat? The answer often lies in the “secret sauce” of strong composition and thoughtful design—the elements that elevate a painting from simply good to truly unforgettable.
During this twoday workshop, we’ll dive deeply into these foundational principles. Participants will study and create several pieces that explore color, composition, and design, gaining hands-on experience with the tools that make artwork visually powerful. I’ll provide clear explanations and demonstrations showing how artists use these principles to build paintings that captivate the viewer.
Drawing from examples of successful artists, we’ll examine how composition and design form the backbone of a painting. We’ll look closely at shape placement and proportion, dominance, value structure, and color relationships—then discuss how these choices guide the viewer’s eye and create emotional impact.
After our discussion, participants will collaborate with me and with one another to design and sketch their own compositions. We’ll work primarily with abstract studies, since abstraction relies heavily on these principles, but everything you learn will apply equally well to representational painting.
Please bring a sketch pad, pencils, watercolor supplies, and—most importantly—a willingness to experiment and explore. Let your imagination flow and discover how strong design can transform your work.
Meet the Instructor
Joyce Baron has been passionate about art since her first highschool art class. She began her formal studies at Utah State University and later completed her degree in Art and Photography at Weber State University. She works primarily in watercolor and acrylics, creating both realistic plein air pieces and the bright, expressive abstracts she is known for.
Joyce has studied with many nationally and locally recognized artists and is an experienced workshop presenter throughout Utah. She is both a Master and Signature member of the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS) and a Signature member of the Utah Watercolor Society (UWS).
Her artwork has received numerous honors, including several awards at the WFWS annual exhibitions – among them a Second Place award in 2026 in Denver Colorado, multiple awards from the Utah Watercolor Society, including a Best of Show, and a Merit Award from the Springville Museum of Art Spring Salon. Her paintings have been featured in the Zions Bank Annual Show, the Sears Invitational at Utah Tech University, and many exhibitions at the Eccles Art Center in Ogden.
Joyce’s work has appeared on the cover of the Sundance Catalog and in Palette magazine. She served as President of both the Utah Watercolor Society and the Park City Artists Association. She has published a book highlighting her paintings and her artistic journey. Her work can be viewed at her main studio in Herriman, Utah, as well as at her winter studio and at the Juniper Sky Gallery in Kayenta, Ivins, Utah.