What the course is about

In this course, I demonstrate how I use light and shadow techniques to paint sunlit urban landscapes. Step by step, I guide you through each painting process, showing how to convey the glow of sunlight on buildings and streets.

We will pay special attention to creating expressive, complex shadows that go far beyond simple “black.” Using wet-on-wet washes, layered color, and soft tonal gradients, you will learn how to build depth, atmosphere, and vibrancy.

Through practical exercises, you will develop the ability to capture mood, movement, and the unique energy of a dynamic urban environment.

Who will find this course useful

This course is suitable for artists of all levels — from complete beginners to experienced watercolorists.

  • beginners will gain a solid foundation in understanding light, shadow, and the four fundamental watercolor techniques;
  • advanced students will refine their skills and discover new ways to add depth, atmosphere, and expressiveness to their cityscapes.

By practicing these methods, all participants will improve their ability to create lively, light-filled, and emotionally engaging urban scenes.

Course program

Lesson 1

Introduction

In this lesson, we get to know each other. I explain the structure of the course, its goals, and the tasks we will work on together.

Lesson 2

Materials

I provide a detailed overview of all the materials needed to complete the course.

Lesson 3

What I Learned Teaching Watercolor: Common Mistakes

You will explore the most common mistakes students make when working with watercolor. Through clear examples, you’ll learn how to avoid them and apply the correct techniques to achieve expressive and harmonious results.

Lesson 4

«At the carousel»

Duration: 2 hours

You will paint the first cityscape of the course — a lively carousel scene filled with sunlight and summer joy.

You will learn how to:

  • use the two-layer watercolor technique by separating light and shadow;
  • create rich, transparent, and expressive shadows;
  • add figures to convey scale and bring the scene to life.

Lesson 5

«Shadows in Piazza della Repubblica»

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

Capture the bright morning sun and the dynamic play of light and shadow in a city square.

You will learn how to:

  • convey sunlight through strong light–shadow contrast;
  • preserve illuminated areas while adding subtle details;
  • control edges using soft, hard, and disappearing transitions.

Lesson 6

«Field work»

Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes

A sunlit field, slow-moving workers, shimmering air — this lesson focuses on mood, light, and atmosphere.

You will learn how to:

  • build a landscape using the two-layer technique;
  • plan composition and distribute light and shadow outdoors;
  • convey depth and atmosphere with minimal detail.

Lesson 7

«Bavarian Shadows»

Duration: 1 hour 48 minutes

A warm summer day on a Bavarian street, filled with light, calm, and quiet joy.

You will learn how to:

  • unite different parts of a composition into a cohesive whole;
  • focus on large shapes instead of small details;
  • depict light using minimal contrast;
  • add subtle detail to figures without overworking them.

Lesson 8

Hometown Grays

Duration: 1 hour 22 minutes

This lesson explores the beauty of restrained color and subtle tonal transitions.

You will learn how to:

  • simplify forms by selecting only essential elements;
  • omit unnecessary details, especially in shadow areas;
  • mix rich, varied, and expressive shades of gray.

Lesson 9

«The Outside World — As My Studio»

I explain my approach to painting outdoors and how I work on location.

Lesson 10

«Arches of Mercato Centrale»

Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes

A quiet morning beneath the elegant arches of Florence’s Central Market.

You will learn how to:

  • apply the two-layer technique in near-interior scenes;
  • add subtle elements of city life to enliven a composition;
  • use strong contrasts and hard edges to guide the viewer’s eye;
  • work with smooth paper and understand its unique properties.

Lesson 11

«Morning in Venice»

Duration: 2 hours 8 minutes

A backlit scene in Campo San Barnaba, dominated by large shadow areas.

You will learn how to:

  • understand and paint contre-jour lighting;
  • unify large shadow shapes while keeping them interesting;
  • plan complex shadow washes step by step;
  • paint canal water in a simple and effective way.

Lesson 12

«Coffee break»

Duration: 2 hours 05 minutes

A close-up view of a cafe facade in Florence, filled with light, shadow, and subtle detail.

You will learn how to:

  • paint light surfaces and saturated shadows;
  • organize and simplify complex architectural scenes.

Lesson 13

Conclusion

In this final lesson, we summarize the results of your work and reflect on the progress made throughout the course.

Simon

Schmidt

Watercolor artist

  • Teaching watercolor since 2021
  • Exhibited in Germany and Italy
  • Over 15 years of artistic experience
  • Passionate about sharing knowledge and helping students grow with confidence
  • Creator of more than 300 paintings

Instructor's
Works

Instructor's
Works

Course materials

All listed materials are just what I use and you do not need to have exactly the same. You can use what you have and feel comfortable with.

1. Watercolors: I recommend always to have a warmer and a colder hue of each color.

Minimum colors required:

Two blues, one colder one warmer:

  • Cobalt Blue;
  • Ultramarine Blue.

Various brown colors:

  • Yellow ochre;
  • Raw umber;
  • Burnt umber;
  • Burnt sienna.

Reds:

  • Cadmium Red;
  • Chrome orange hue.

Effect colors (mainly for people):

  • Lavender;
  • Chinese white.

For mixing greens:

  • Cobalt Turquoise;
  • Cadmium yellow.

2. Paper:

100% cotton hot pressed/smooth paper (optional for one painting), 100% cotton fine grained watercolor paper (Arches, Saunders Waterford, Fabriano Artistico).

For the first painting: I used an outside paper format of 30cm x 29 cm (h x w) and the actual painting has a format of 26,5cm x 25,5cm).

Paper size for the other paintings: quarter sheet (28 × 38 cm, inner size 24 × 34 cm)

3. Brushes:

  • a big mop brush;
  • two round brushes (one large one medium size with a git tip);
  • a small rigger brush.

4. Pencil, Eraser

5. A spray bottle

6. Paper towels

7. Scotch-tape

8. A simple board to tape the paper down to

9. A sponge remove excess water from your brush

Prices

Standard
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice
  • 8 impressive urban landscapes
  • 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
  • 8 impressive urban landscapes
  • 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
  • 8 impressive urban landscapes
  • 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 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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