And it's simple - you need three colours and one brush!
You’ve no doubt seen that there’s lots of equipment available for watercolour painting, but how much of this do you really need when just starting out? You may be surprised to learn that the main things you need with which to discover the joys of watercolour painting, are just these! The three primary colours of blue, yellow and red, with one watercolour brush - along with good quality paper - are the main ingredients for success, all of which I show you in the course. I've been teaching beginners this way for years. It’s a fast, fun and effective way to learn. It's also cost effective as there's less to buy, making painting accessible to everyone.
But this course covers not only all the essentials you need to know, there's also lots more content designed to help you progress beyond the beginner stage really quickly.
I've taught painting for quite a while, but still remember what it was like to be a beginner, easily distracted by the bewildering array of equipment available to buy. That's why I like to keep things as simple as possible for people like you just starting out. By spending less time deciding on what kit to get hold of, you'll have way more time to concentrate on the main reasons for this course - me teaching you the proper techniques, and you, using them to develop your skills as a painter. You can always add to your equipment as you get more proficient, but having said that, I often use just these materials, especially if I'm out and about sketching.
My photographs - the references we'll work from:
Most of us take loads of photographs these days, which often rarely get looked at again. A great way to give them a new lease of life is to use them as reference for paintings, although the skill comes in being inventive, and not copying them exactly. I often take photographs with paintings in mind, and those are what we'll paint from in this course, but then I also encourage you to take your own photos as reference.
What you get here is much more than an online tuition video - it's a complete learning experience.
For example, the course provides you with:
It's a language to be learned
Painting is all about communicating. Taking this course will be a little like learning to speak a foreign language, although the difference here, is that the language is visual. With all the painting practice you'll get throughout this course, you'll soon be able to speak the language of watercolour, and communicate as an artist with those who get to see your work!
FIND OUT MORE BELOW
Essentially, it’s a method of painting with - yes, you’ve guessed it - water and colour!
In essence it’s really simple, yet can be complex and versatile enough that you’re able to develop your own unique style and limitless self expression. Color or colour? You’ll have probably guessed I’m based in the UK, and we spell a few things a little differently to some other parts of the world!
Many people decide to begin their artistic journey with watercolour, thinking it’ll be easy
It can get to be, after a period of time given over to learning, but more often - especially when just starting out - it can be tricky to manipulate, seemingly having a life of its own. But that’s also why so many people - including myself - are drawn to the challenge of it, with 'happy accidents' being a well-used term.
Proper instruction is the key to success
Unlike with some other art mediums, there are a few techniques that need to be learned before you can begin, and many more to truly unlock its potential and further lifelong enjoyment. Even though I went to art school, it was only when I left to pursue an art career that I became aware of the many things I wasn’t taught, so was grateful to the people who helped me discover those techniques I use to this day.
It can be really expressive - calming, meditative and subtle, or bold, energetic and dynamic where transparent layers glisten and pop. How you ultimately end up painting is your decision! Unlike oil paint, there’s no solvents or other chemicals to worry about, and in comparison, it’s really easily to clean up too! Even when it dries out after a painting session, unlike acrylics, all you need to do is wet it, and off you go again!
WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT? Read on!
A brief overview:
I start by teaching you using only one brush, and one colour.
This makes it easy to focus on each specific skill, without for example, trying to mix colours at the same time. This comes later.
The core delivery of the course is through HD video lessons
In each of the paint along lessons, the bulk of the information is shown in real time, as it's important to see the speed at which paint is applied, because this affects how it is absorbed by the paper. The only sections that are speeded up, are times where several actions are repeated, such as when mixing paint in the palette for larger areas. By breaking everything down into key components that are easily understood, and introducing each new skill progressively, you'll find this simplifies the whole learning process, and helps you retain the information easily. You'll begin by exploring the different qualities of paint types, and how to use your brush properly for all the different techniques such as laying a wash, wet in wet and dry brush, even how to create different thicknesses of strokes to paint broad areas, or fine detail. It's easy to learn at your own pace - pause and replay sections of the videos as many times as you like. There's also pdfs with essential information, and tracedown sheets to download and print off, if you're not drawing confidently yet.
Here's an example start to a lesson:
Next comes a session where I introduce you to your three primary colours - blue, yellow and red - and you'll have fun mixing them together to explore different colour combinations. Then, using your new found techniques, you’ll paint along with video demonstrations, using three of my photographs that have a primary as their dominant colour. Each one is just a starting point though, as you’ll be making expressive paintings, rather than copying them exactly. See below:
In art terminology, this is often referred to as a 'restricted, or limited palette', but you'll be amazed to see just how many other colours you can make, and it's a great introduction to the important skill of mixing, and understanding how colours work together. There’s loads more colours out there of course, but the aim is for simplicity at the start, so you're able to gain a deeper understanding as a result of exploring the wide range of colours you can achieve, mixing these three in different combinations. There's also bonus materials and a project to complete at the end. By the time you finish this course, you’ll not only have learnt how to paint effectively in watercolour, but by completing all the paintings, you’ll have a unique, lasting memory of what you’ve achieved, and lots of ideas about how to progress further, using your own photographs as the starting point. You can also receive a unique certificate to display proudly on your wall - alongside your paintings!
The course covers everything you need to know for getting started and progressing to a proficient level, and includes:
Once you've enrolled, you can:
Then, also get a discount off the price of my next course!
I also have follow up courses in development. The next one in the series, takes you even further with watercolour painting. I show you how to use reference photos more critically by making values studies before each of the primary paintings. There’s also information about keeping sketchbooks, and developing your drawing skills, along with simple perspective and altering compositions for maximum effect. These are the five paintings you'll be making in the next course - two landscapes, a marine scene and two still lifes:
But that's for later, back to telling you more about what you get in the first course 'Watercolour Simplicity'...
FOR COURSE CONTENT see below.
Primary Painting from Photographs
EQUIPMENT: Overview & Download
MATERIALS & PREPARATION
TRACEDOWN SHEETS: Overview & Download
TRACEDOWN SHEETS
YOUR BRUSH: What Can it Do?
WATER: Controlling the Amount
PALETTE COLOURS: Keeping them Workable
TECHNIQUES: Overview
TECHNIQUES: Your 5 Essentials #1.3
TECHNIQUES: Your 5 Essentials #2.3
TECHNIQUES: Your 5 Essentials #3.3
COLOUR COMBINATIONS: Mixing the Blue with Yellow & Red
Copyright & Use of Images
Blue Summer Sky: Overview
PAINT ALONG: Blue Summer Sky #1/2
PAINT ALONG: Blue Summer Sky #2/2
Softening & Lifting Off
Yellow Flowers in the Garden: Overview
PAINT ALONG: Yellow Flowers in the Garden #1.3
PAINT ALONG: Yellow Flowers in the Garden #2.3
PAINT ALONG: Yellow Flowers in the Garden #3.3
Red Hen in the Field: Overview
PAINT ALONG: Red Hen in the Field #1.3
PAINT ALONG: Red Hen in the Field #2.3
PAINT ALONG: Red Hen in the Field #3.3
PROJECT: Painting the Quill Box - Overview
PROJECT: Painting the Quill Box
CONGRATULATIONS!
In a word - YES! You’ll need to properly follow through with every detail of the tuition though, and to practice - but you know that - that’s why you’re still reading! Many beginners want to start with watercolour as they think it’ll be easy, but quite often it’s not, especially when you’re just starting out. Watercolour doesn’t always behave the way we’d like it to. Even when we've been painting for a while, it can still be challenging, and at times annoying and frustrating - but also really fun - and you can do it! Unlike with some other mediums, there’s a few techniques that need to be learned before you can unlock the potential of this wonderful way of painting. You’ve maybe heard the expression ‘If you can speak, you can sing’. Well with art, I believe ‘If you can hold a brush, you can paint!’ Although both art forms of course, will need some practice first, I’ll show you how (to paint, not to sing - that would be for another course!). You just need the right instruction, from someone who remembers what it was like to be a beginner - and that's me! Not only do I show you the essential painting techniques you need to know, but you’ll also discover in detail how the paint actually works, the different options you have for holding the brush for different effects, even specifics about how to apply tube paint in the palette, without clogging the threads!
IF YOU'VE QUESTIONS, CHECK OUT THE FAQ SECTION ON THE HOME PAGE - HERE
WATERCOLOUR SIMPLICITY
£85.00
One time course fee. 6 months access with online support. Course materials to keep. Discount on follow up course.
...here's a few reasons why I think you should:
If you’ve read this far, I think you’re getting to understand why I teach, why I’ve set up this course, and why I believe it’ll be right for you. Here’s a few more things to think about:
This course is the result of my passing on skills in creative arts for over twenty fife years, to people from all walks of life, having developed innovative ways of teaching that really motivates people. I give lots of support and encouragement throughout the process. I believe this is a partnership - it’s a commitment for both of us - yours to learn and mine to teach you. Also: