What the course is about

This course focuses on the transformative power of light in your artwork, teaching you how to preserve light using negative space and soften shadows through wet-on-wet techniques.

You will learn to create captivating glowing effects with transparency, enabling you to bring your paintings to life.

Light is one of the most powerful tools in watercolor — it adds life, depth, and emotion to your creations.

You'll develop a keen eye for highlights, soft transitions, and tonal contrast, enhancing your overall painting ability.

Who will find this course useful

This watercolor course is perfect for beginners who want to explore the beauty of light and shadow in their artwork.

No prior experience is needed — all lessons are beginner-friendly and build your skills gradually.

Whether you're completely new to painting or looking to improve your technique, this course will boost your confidence.

Course program

Lesson 1

Getting Started

An introduction to the course, along with a welcome message from the instructor.

Lesson 2

List of materials

In this lesson, I will show you all the materials you'll need for the course.

Lesson 3

«Winter sunset»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

In this lesson, you will paint a soft, light-filled winter landscape with snow-covered pines and a gentle rising sun.

You will learn to:

  • paint fluffy snow using both wet-on-wet and dry brush techniques;
  • use contrast between cool blues and warm golden hues;
  • create a glowing sunlight effect filtering through the trees.

Lesson 4

«In the mountains»

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

In this lesson, you will create a peaceful winter village at sunset, surrounded by soft mist and majestic mountains. The focus will be on capturing light — the glow of the sun and the shadows on the snow.

You will learn to:

  • create smooth gradient washes for the sky and mist;
  • apply techniques for painting distant mountains with soft edges;
  • layer to develop depth and perspective in a landscape;
  • paint snowy rooftops and suggesting structures with minimal details;
  • use warm and cool color contrast to enhance lighting effects.

Lesson 5

«First rays of sun»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

In this lesson, you will paint a serene morning landscape filled with soft mist and glowing sunlight.

You will learn to:

  • paint luminous mist and fog using soft washes and water control;
  • convey early morning light and sun rays through tonal contrast;
  • build depth by layering trees and background elements;
  • simplify complex natural scenes into harmonious shapes.

Lesson 6

Mastering Aerial Perspective: Dry vs. Wet Paper

In this lesson, you will explore watercolor techniques while painting a beautiful landscape.

You will learn to:

  • understand the difference between the technique of working with dry and wet paper;
  • use the properties of paper for aerial perspective.

Lesson 7

«Sunny forest»

Duration: 2 hours

In this lesson, we will combine soft washes, expressive brushwork, and strong contrasts to create a dreamy, atmospheric forest scene.

You will learn to:

  • create a sense of space with foreground, midground, and background elements;
  • work with balance of light and shadow to enhance mood;
  • create an airy, atmospheric feeling with soft transitions and sun beams.

Lesson 8

«Romantic day»

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

In this lesson, you will paint a luminous summer landscape with a bride and groom walking through a sunlit meadow.

You will learn to:

  • create glowing skies with smooth wet-on-wet gradients;
  • paint fresh, vibrant grass using layered washes;
  • build depth and perspective in an open landscape;
  • use light and shadow to enhance atmosphere;
  • apply finishing details to bring harmony and balance to the composition.

Lesson 9

«City above the river»

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

In this lesson, you will paint a peaceful evening cityscape of Prague.

You will learn to:

  • create a smooth sky wash with gentle color transitions to suggest dusk;
  • simplify complex architecture into clear, readable shapes;
  • use warm and cool color contrasts to show glowing city lights;
  • paint water reflections;
  • convey atmosphere and depth through tonal values;
  • keep details loose to preserve freshness and light.

Lesson 10

Workplace Overview

In this lesson, I will show you my workspace and how I organize it.

Lesson 11

«Yachts at sea»

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

In this lesson, you will paint an elegant sailing scene with shimmering reflections on calm water.

You will learn to:

  • smooth wet-on-wet washes for sky and water;
  • creating realistic reflections and water movement with soft transitions;
  • painting distant mountains and shoreline with atmospheric perspective;
  • simple techniques for clean, crisp sail shapes;
  • how to balance composition with multiple boats and varying scales.

Lesson 12

«Evening in a coastal town»

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

In this lesson, you will paint a peaceful evening harbor with glowing lights and reflections on the water.

You will learn to:

  • create soft architectural silhouettes with minimal detail;
  • achieve warm glowing window light through negative painting;
  • build contrast between cool night tones and warm artificial light;
  • paint convincing water reflections with vertical brushstrokes;
  • create depth and perspective in an urban waterfront scene.

Lesson 13

Conclusion

A final summary of the course, along with parting advice for your continued creative growth.

Victoria

Lukina

Watercolor artist

  • I have an education in architecture
  • I've been painting since 2012
  • I have been teaching drawing since 2021
  • I have painted about 350 paintings for all time

Instructor's
Works

Course materials

1. Watercolor paper:

  • Watercolour paper 100% cotton, 8.27×11.69 inches (21×29.7 cm), 5.83×8.27 inches (14.8×21 cm), coldpress 300g/m² (for example Saunders Waterford, Lanaquarelle, Hahnemühle Cezanne, Arches etc.)

2. Drawing supplies:

  • Pencil HB or B
  • Soft eraser

3. Brushes:

  • 2-3 Kolinsky round brushes size 8-12, 2-4
  • Flat synthetic brush (optional)

4. Watercolor paint and palette:

  • Watercolor palette (ceramic is better than plastic)
  • Professional artist watercolours (White nights / Schmincke / W&N etc.)
  • Colours: Naple Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Magenta (Quinacridone rose), English red, Kadmium Orange, Celestial Blue, Indigo, Ultramarine, Lake Blue, Cobalt Blue, Bright Blue, Olive Green, Emerald Green, May Green

5. Auxiliary:

  • Clean water (two jars)
  • Masking fluid (I use Sennelier)
  • Workboard (plastic / wood)
  • Paper tape
  • Paper towels

Pricing

Standard
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 landscapes filled with light
  • 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 marathon. Valid for 3 months
200 $
$ €
SIGN UP!
Plus
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 landscapes filled with light
  • 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 marathon. Valid for 3 months
250 $
$ €
SIGN UP!
Premium
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 landscapes filled with light
  • 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 marathon. Valid for 3 months
500 $
$ €
SIGN UP!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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

Absolutely! The course is designed to start with simple exercises and gradually move toward more complex projects. This step-by-step approach helps you ease into the process and achieve strong results.

The course is also beneficial for experienced artists, as it will help you refine your technique and deepen your visual understanding.

At the end of each lesson, you will upload a photo of your work. The instructor will provide feedback in several formats: written comments, visual annotations directly on your artwork, and audio notes.

Each lesson also includes a comment section where you can ask any questions related to the learning process.

If you choose a plan without feedback, the duration depends entirely on your personal pace.

For plans that include feedback, active instruction typically lasts two months from the moment you activate the course.

Overall, it's best to move at a comfortable pace and truly enjoy the creative process.

It's never too late to start drawing. In fact, about 30% of our students are over 50. They successfully develop their skills, strengthen their creative thinking, and find joy, inspiration, and mental refreshment through art.

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