Watercolour painting course for beginners

This watercolour painting course is designed for both absolute beginners and those with some experience looking to refine their skills. Whether you are new to watercolours or want to develop your technique further, this structured course will guide you step by step, helping you build confidence in your painting abilities.

Starting with the fundamentals, you will learn essential techniques such as brush control, washes, layering, and colour mixing. Each week, you will have the opportunity to practise through structured exercises designed to introduce and reinforce key watercolour skills. As the course progresses, you will apply your learning to create three complete paintings, each carefully designed to develop your technique and artistic expression.

Your tutor will structure each session to support all levels of experience, ensuring that beginners receive clear guidance while more experienced students are encouraged to expand their skills. The small-group environment allows for personalised feedback, helping you to gain confidence in your approach to watercolour painting.

This course is designed to be ongoing, with students encouraged to re-enrol as many times as they like to continue refining their skills. Whether you are exploring watercolours for the first time or looking to enhance your abilities, this course provides a supportive and inspiring environment to develop your painting style.

Join us and discover the beauty of watercolour painting, gaining the skills and confidence to bring your artistic vision to life.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this watercolour painting course, you should have:

• Learned a variety of brush techniques

• Learned tonal value in a painting and how to manipulate colour and tone

• Applied techniques of watercolour painting

• Learned the power of composition

• Used glaze, wash and sketching techniques

Course content

What will be covered in this watercolour painting course?

• The medium and your watercolour equipment

• Application of pigment and brush techniques

• Rules of watercolour

• Colour mixing and atmospheric perspective

• Controlling the interplay and water, paper, pigment & you

• Problem Solving: How to paint your watercolour for success

• Composition in the context of still life and botanical subjects

• The illusion of three-dimension and the role of light and dark

Intended audience

This watercolour painting course is designed for all levels. Beginners are welcome, but some drawing experience will be an advantage.

Course materials

What to bring to class

Option 1: Purchase a full materials kit at enrolment checkout. This will be supplied at your first class.

Option 2: Uncheck the materials kit at enrolment checkout and bring your own - materials list.

*Materials kits are ordered from our supplier and can take up to a week to arrive. If you enrol close to the start date, you may receive your kit at the second session instead of the first.

Additional information

• Closed-in shoes required

• Please wear old clothes and/or bring an apron

• Long hair must be tied back