The Energy of Water and Light Course with Olga Kozyra

Lesson 1

Getting to know your teacher

Basic information about the course, a greeting from the teacher.

Lesson 2

List of materials

In this lesson, I will show you the materials we’ll use in the course.

Lesson 3

Watercolor Workflow: Essential Tips

In this lesson, I’ll share the tips and personal practices that help me develop as an artist. You’ll discover simple but powerful ways to strengthen your watercolor technique.

Lesson 4

«Sea at Dusk»

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Paint a peaceful sunset seascape where warm light meets cool shadows.

In this lesson you will:

• paint a complete seascape in just two layers;
• use the dry-brush technique to create rock textures;
• build atmosphere with only four colors;
• simplify landscape elements for a stronger composition;
• paint expressive clouds using wet-on-wet and dry-on-wet techniques.

Lesson 5

«Capturing a Sea Turtle’s Journey»

Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes

Let’s begin the practical part of the course with a sea turtle. In this lesson, we’ll work with color, texture, and the atmosphere of the underwater world.

In this lesson you will:

• discover a simple method for transferring an image from a photo onto watercolor paper;
• practice glazing techniques to build up layers in areas protected by masking fluid;
• create convincing reflections on the water’s surface;
• experiment with expressive textures to depict the lively, colorful ocean floor.

Lesson 6

«Shark»

Duration: 2 hours

The next piece features a graceful yet powerful shark gliding beneath the water’s surface. We’ll focus on creating movement, light, and depth within a unified, harmonious composition.

In this lesson you will:

• use gravity to let the watercolor form a dynamic, fluid background;
• compose the scene to naturally draw the viewer’s attention to the shark;
• apply glazing techniques to achieve depth and transparency;
• use a flat, hard-bristled brush to lift pigment and add texture;
• paint convincing reflections and splashes of water on the surface.

Lesson 7

«A Diver’s Tale»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Let’s continue our underwater journey with a new story. In this painting, we’ll capture the sense of freedom and movement beneath the waves.

In this lesson you will:

• compose an underwater scene with a female diver as the focal point;
• use the wet-on-wet technique and tilt the paper to achieve depth and drama;
• explore free painting techniques to let watercolor flow naturally;
• practice fixing small mistakes and solving issues directly in the process.

Lesson 8

The history of my creative journey

In this lesson, I’ll talk about my artistic journey and share how to find more joy in the creative process. I’ll also discuss the challenges I’ve faced as an artist and how I’ve learned to overcome them.

Lesson 9

«Light Beneath the Surface»

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

We’ll paint a serene underwater encounter between a diver and a seal, learning to convey depth and movement through light and color.

In this lesson you will:

• create light gaps beneath the water surface;
• achieve convincing depth effects in your painting;
• develop rich textures on the ocean floor;
• confidently paint larger areas that were previously protected with masking fluid.

Lesson 10

«Waves in Motion»

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Let’s feel the rhythm of the waves and the freedom of motion they carry. In this lesson, we’ll focus on capturing the power, depth, and movement of the sea.

In this lesson you will:

• master the composition of a dynamic seascape focused on the movement of waves;
• create depth and texture using the dry-on-wet technique and tonal contrast;
• paint foam and capture a variety of shades within the water;
• add a modern touch by including a simplified surfer silhouette.

Lesson 11

«Immersion in Water»

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

We’ll create a poetic underwater scene filled with light, color, and graceful movement.

In this lesson you will:

• make a sketch and safely transfer it to watercolor paper;
• paint sunlight filtering through the water;
• create a simple yet expressive color palette for the submerged figure;
• emphasize key parts of the body to enhance atmosphere and depth;
• use granulating paints to create lively, textured water surfaces.

Lesson 12

«The Girl and the Dolphin»

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

Capture a tender moment between a girl and a dolphin, full of softness and flowing light beneath the water.

In this lesson you will:

• make both figures stand out clearly against the watercolor background;
• use pigment lifting to add glow and subtle corrections;
• paint underwater lighting and soft reflected tones on skin;
• keep the water atmospheric, using soft gradients and texture that enhance rather than distract.

Lesson 13

Course conclusion

Our course has come to an end. Let’s summarize it and listen to some advice for further creative development!