What the course is about

In this course, I will share my unique techniques for mastering various textures and navigating the fluid flow of watercolor. As I paint, I’ll walk you through my thought process, revealing how I approach challenges and problem-solve in real-time. This insight will empower you to tackle similar obstacles in your own work, fostering independence and confidence as an artist.

While the primary focus of this course is on marine subjects, the strategies and insights you’ll gain are applicable to any watercolor project. Many aspiring artists find watercolor intimidating and often give up, believing it to be too difficult. However, my goal is to demystify the medium. Once you understand the fundamentals of watercolor, it can become an enjoyable and liberating form of expression. This course will guide you in developing your unique style while reinforcing essential concepts of composition and visual language.

Who will find this course useful

>he course is designed for artists of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.

>ndividuals with an interest in marine themes will find this course especially advantageous. We will depict such scenes as majestic ships with sails, a boat after a storm, people on the pier and much more.

>y mastering the basics of watercolor, you will discover your own artistic style and improve your understanding of composition and visual expression.

Course program

Lesson 1

Getting to know your teacher

Basic information about the course, greeting from the teacher.

Lesson 2

Materials

In this lesson, I will give a list of materials necessary for completing the course.

Lesson 3

«Lighthouse»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

We are going to paint a lighthouse with the ocean and waves behind it. In this painting we will learn how to apply the masking fluid and leave whites for the foams of the waves.

You will learn to:

  • apply a concealer liquid and do not slow down when drawing the background;
  • leave white tones for the water;
  • build a composition.

Lesson 4

«Silent harbor»

Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes

In this lesson we will draw a harbor scene from the past using a limited color palette.

You will learn to:

  • convey the mood and light so that the audience can feel what is happening to the maximum;
  • draw ships and sailboats with a minimum number of brush strokes;
  • use several eyeliner brushes or dagger brushes so as not to lose the energy of the lines.

Lesson 5

«Sunset in Vistula River»

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Let's try to use a limited number of warm tones to paint a sunset scene against the backdrop of medieval architecture.

You will learn to:

  • work in monochrome with warm colors;
  • highlight the sun as the brightest point and slowly distribute the light around it;
  • depict water and reflections;
  • go from white to dark to convey the light.

Lesson 6

Plein air painting: why is it so important for an artist

In this lesson, we will dive into the world of plein air painting and discuss why it is so important for developing artistic skills.

Lesson 7

«Northrend»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

In this lesson, we will depict a ship sailing among icebergs.

You will learn to:

  • save the white color for snow;
  • use cool colors to shape the snow;
  • harmoniously combine all the elements in the scene;
  • create a background using softer elements.

Lesson 8

«Chaos’s Symphony»

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Cloudy day after a severe thunderstorm. We will draw using opaque colors.

You will learn to:

  • use warm and opaque colors to keep the light in the painting;
  • apply the technique to convey the mood of a thunderstorm;
  • use a spatula or a credit card to add texture to the stones.

Lesson 9

«Once upon a time»

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

A busy dock with some figures walking around. This painting will be taking us to past with the fashion of the figures and the colors.

You will learn to:

  • paint individual figures with watercolor;
  • give the paintings history and life;
  • draw shadows and some opaque background elements without overloading the picture.

Lesson 10

Review of works

In this lesson I will show you my sketchbook and tell why thumbnails and small sketches are important in professional life and how it helps you to be a better artist.

Lesson 11

«Afternoon repairs»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

In this lesson we will draw a happy afternoon on a shore and people working for boat repairs and getting ready to go fishing.

You will learn to:

  • create soft reflections and apply them to our water:
  • draw shapes in dynamic poses and during their movement;
  • plan the composition;
  • balance vertically and horizontally.

Lesson 12

«Moored for the Night»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

We are going to paint a very dark and atmospheric scene in the port using a limited palette.

You will learn to:

  • draw a monochrome picture and use 2 additional colors for this;
  • use a credit card or palette knife to create a large number of drawings and textures;
  • create sharp and soft reflections on the water;
  • convey mood and lighting on a foggy day.

Lesson 13

Conclusions on the course

Our course has come to an end. Let's sum it up and listen to parting words for further creative development!

Reha

Sakar

Watercolor artist from Canada

  • Worked on several projects with Warner Bros, Paramount, Capcom, Ubisoft, 2K, Square Enix and Bethesda
  • I’ve been painting since I was 5
  • I’ve been teaching since 2020
  • I created over 1000 paintings

Instructors
Works

Teachers
works

Course materials

Colors:

  • Burnt Sienna;
  • Yellow Ochre;
  • Alizarin Crimson;
  • Ultramarine Blue;
  • Pyrrole Orange;
  • Cerulean;
  • Cobalt Turquoise;
  • Cobalt Turquoise Light;
  • Lavender;
  • Transparent Pyrrole Orange / Quinacridone Sienna;
  • Chinese White;
  • Payne's Gray;
  • Jaune Brilliant №1 and №2;
  • Indigo;
  • Horizon Blue;

All colors are optional, you can use any warms or cools but Lavender, Chinese White and Jaune Brilliant colors are hard to replace.

Brushes:

  • Mop Brush, big and smaller sizes;
  • Large Brush to wet the paper;
  • Synthetic Round Brushes, from size 0 to 16;
  • Dagger or rigger brushes;
  • Calligraphy Brush, small and big ones.

All Brushes are optional, you can use whatever you have similar to those.

Other Tools:

  • Spatula Knife or a credit card;
  • Excel Knife for scratching highlights;
  • Masking Fluid;
  • Water spray bottle;
  • White foamboard/backingboard;
  • 300gr Cold or Rough Pressed Quality Paper.

Tariffs

Standard
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 Spectacular Marine Scenes
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze
  • The opportunity to watch the analysis of other participants' artworks
  • Access to course materials without time limits
  • Review of your artworks and answers to questions in the comments for 60 days from the start of the course
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with a course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next workshop. Valid for 3 months
200 $
$ €
SIGN UP!
Plus
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 Spectacular Marine Scenes
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze
  • The opportunity to watch the analysis of other participants' artworks
  • Access to course materials without time limits
  • Review of your artworks and answers to questions in the comments for 60 days from the start of the course
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with a course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next workshop. Valid for 3 months
250 $
$ €
SIGN UP!
Premium
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 Spectacular Marine Scenes
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze
  • The opportunity to watch the analysis of other participants' artworks
  • Access to course materials without time limits
  • Review of your artworks and answers to questions in the comments for 60 days from the start of the course
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with a course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next workshop. Valid for 3 months
500 $
$ €
SIGN UP!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I can't draw at all. Should I take the course?

Of course you should! The course is designed so that it starts with simple paintings and then progresses to more complex ones, allowing you to smoothly integrate into the process and achieve high results!

The course will also be beneficial for experienced artists. You will further refine your technique and enhance your visual understanding.

At the end of the lesson, you will upload a photo of your work. The teacher will have the opportunity to leave textual, graphic (annotations on the drawing), as well as audio comments on your work.

At the bottom of each lesson, there will be a comment section where you can ask any questions related to the learning process.

If you have a plan without feedback, it will depend on your personal pace at which you complete the lessons.

With plans that include feedback, we actively conduct lessons for two months from the moment you "unfreeze" the course.

Overall, I recommend taking the course at a relaxed pace. Enjoy the process more!

It's never too late to learn to draw. In our school, 30% of students are over 50 years old. They enjoy drawing, developing their skills, creative thinking, and rejuvenating their spirit and mind!

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