Brooklyn Brainery

A Summer of Painting

Jen Messier — Tue, 19 May 2026 08:33:00 -0400

Join us all summer '26 to learn a ton of new painting skills in watercolor and goauche!

May 23 + more - Watercolor Fundamentals: The Very Basics
May 28 - Gouache Desert Landscapes
May 31 - Backyard Watercolor Exploration (Outdoors)
June 3 + July 9 - Gouache Florals
June 4 + July 7 - Watercolor Food Illustration
June 5 - Watercolor Landscapes: Beaches and Oceans
June 10 + July 14 - Painting Flowers with Watercolor
June 16 - Satisfying Still Lifes in Watercolor
June 17 - Watercolor Coasters
starts July 1 - A Month of Watercolor
July 2 - Introduction to Gouache Painting

Introducing Brainery Annual Memberships

Jen Messier — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:12:19 -0400

We're super excited to officially announce our annual membership program! Sign up at this link: https://brooklynbrainery.com/courses/brainery-annual-membership

Membership is $130/year until April 1, 2026 ($175 thereafter) and includes the following benefits:

- Get a $225 Brainery gift certificate that can be used for any classes or events you like, whether you want to take a class each month yourself and explore new skills, treat a few friends to an event, or splurge on a couple pricier classes.

- tote bag + sticker + notebook (pick up at our first member event in April!)

- members-only giveaways (books, products from local businesses, art kits and more!)

- special one-off events that are free for members only, like our April 20 tour of the Red Hook Pinball Museum. We'll aim to do 6-10 special events per year.

After signing up, you'll receive an email with your gift certificate information within 5 days. When signing up for monthly social events, use the "free for members" ticket option to RSVP.

Upcoming (free!) member events:

- Private tour of the Red Hook Pinball Museum on Monday, April 20th

- Spring happy hour + tote bag pickup party on Friday, April 24th

Membership valid for one year from date of purchase. Right now we only have an annual option available, but may add a monthly option for the future. I'm hopeful that with a solid base of member support, we can lower prices for some classes going forward, making them more accessible for everyone.

Thanks for all your support!

Supply List: Watercolors

Jen Messier — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:05:23 -0500

Paper

100% Cotton Paper is key, but don't feel like you have to spend a ton. Buying online is your best bet, as cotton paper sold in stores is mostly always really expensive, like Arches. Meeden is a good budget brand, but stay away from Strathmore and Canson, or any paper that doesn't specifically say it's 100% cotton.

Paints

Meeden is really decent for the price ($12 for 12 tubes). A good "student grade" set is Windsor & Newton Cotman, and for professional paints I love Daniel Smith and Windsor & Newton, but there are a lot of good brands out there.

Online Classes 2026

Jen Messier — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:23:51 -0500

Law of Attraction 101 - March 7

A Brief History of Irish Food - March 10

Hand Lettering - March 12

On the Outlander Trail - March 19

A History of Cake - March 24

American Food at 250 Years - March 31

Forbidden Fruit: 1000 Years of Prohibition - April 16

More coming soon!