Light and Femininity Course with Julia Ustinovich
Material: watercolor
Number of paintings: 8
Course duration: 14 hours
Access: unlimited
What the course is about
This course is a deep, immersive journey into expressive, atmospheric watercolour portraiture — where emotion, light, and technique meet.
We begin with essential foundations and mindset lessons that help you feel free and confident with the medium, then gradually move towards more ambitious, large-scale works.
There is no academic pressure and no rigid rules — only brush, paper, and your personal artistic vision.
Who will find this course useful
This course is suitable for artists of all levels, from complete beginners to experienced painters.
It is designed for those who wish to slow down, relax, and express emotions through painting, while refining skills and building confidence — without losing the lightness and beauty of watercolour.
If you are just starting out, you will learn:
- the fundamentals of portrait construction;
- colour harmony and skin tones;
- how to approach the human figure without fear.
I will guide you step by step through each stage of the process, so you feel confident and deeply connected to your work.
If you are a more advanced artist, you will enjoy exploring:
- complex glazing techniques;
- soft transitions without hard edges;
- atmospheric, contemporary approaches to portrait painting.
Whether you are looking for structure or creative freedom, this course invites you to observe more closely, slow down, and paint the female form with sensitivity and depth.
Course program
Lesson 1
Getting to know the teacher
IIn this introductory lesson, we will get acquainted and discuss what you can expect from the course.
Lesson 2
List of materials
In this lesson, I will walk you through all the materials needed for the course.
Lesson 3
How to find and develop your personal brand
In this inspiring lesson, we explore how to build your personal artistic voice and visual identity.
We will discuss key elements such as sincerity, chosen themes, colour palettes, storytelling, and the importance of daily practice.
Lesson 4
Unique shades
You will learn how to move beyond standard colour palettes and create distinctive, personal shades.
We will talk about conscious colour mixing and how to give your work individuality, depth, and character.
Lesson 5
«Girl with Seagulls»
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
In this calm, sun-filled lesson, you will paint a summer-inspired portrait that conveys freedom and serenity.
You will learn how to:
- create glowing skin tones in just a few layers;
- build depth and contrast without overworking the painting;
- suggest movement and atmosphere through soft transitions;
- balance warm and cool tones for harmony.
Lesson 6
«Portrait Wrapped in the Sheets»
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
In this lesson, we will paint a portrait using the wet-on-wet technique to achieve soft, fluid transitions and a luminous effect.
You will learn how to:
- work wet-on-wet while maintaining control;
- layer delicately on smooth paper;
- use masking fluid for highlights;
- avoid common portrait mistakes;
- mix natural, glowing skin tones.
Lesson 7
«Echo of Shadows»
Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
This lesson focuses on glazing (layering), one of my favourite watercolour techniques.
You will learn how to:
- block in shadows using a single pigment;
- keep washes transparent and luminous;
- apply subtle layers without disturbing the base;
- control edges and softness;
- preserve the sculptural quality of the figure.
Lesson 8
«Mother’s Love»
Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
In this lesson, we will paint a tender double portrait celebrating one of the most timeless emotions — the bond between mother and child.
You will learn how to:
- create a more complex sketch with multiple figures;
- keep washes transparent, emotional, and fresh;
- achieve maximum impact with minimal layering;
- balance line and colour;
- convey intimacy and tenderness.
Lesson 9
«In the Bed»
Duration: 1 hour 35 minutes
An intimate, sun-kissed portrait that feels fleeting — as if it could dissolve back into light at any moment.
You will learn how to:
- build a fully transparent palette for maximum glow;
- create softness through lost and blurred edges;
- use wet-into-wet shadows for atmosphere;
- reactivate dried brushstrokes for gentle transitions;
- express intimacy through mood rather than detail.
Lesson 10
«Sunny Garden»
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
A vibrant portrait set in a blooming garden, filled with summer light and colour.
You will learn how to:
- approach complex compositions without getting lost in details;
- use masking fluid effectively;
- paint expressive yet soft backgrounds;
- adapt to unusual paper textures;
- unify the painting through atmosphere and light.
Lesson 11
«Sun Kissed»
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
In this lesson, you will paint a high-contrast, realistic portrait with a photographic quality.
You will learn how to:
- approach realistic watercolour portraiture step by step;
- use glazing to build depth while preserving transparency;
- control edges for a polished finish;
- work on special paper surfaces;
- use pure transparent colours to achieve luminosity.
Lesson 12
«Linger»
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Our final and most ambitious project — a contemplative portrait about stillness, light, and detail.
You will learn how to:
- construct a complex portrait from an initial sketch;
- use grisaille to unify values;
- layer transparent glazes for nuanced skin tones;
- decide which details to refine and which to soften;
- add final touches that give the work a professional, exhibition-ready finish.
Lesson 13
Course conclusion
We summarise what we have learned and discuss further creative development.
Julia
Ustinovichcontemporary figurative and portrait painter
I am a contemporary figurative and portrait artist- I am the winner of several international competitions
- I have participated in numerous exhibitions and biennials throughout Europe
- My paintings are held in private collections in Europe and the United States
- I have also completed commissioned works for clients from all over the world
Instructor'sWorks
Instructor'sWorks
Course materials
1. Paper A4–A3 size (available in blocks or sheets)
- Renesans Magniani Italia – cold-pressed
- Renesans Magniani Portofino – hot-pressed, for smoother details
- Clairefontaine Fin – fine-grain
- Thin sketching paper – same size as your painting surface (for composition planning)
2. Paints (Renesans Intense Watercolors in tubes)
- 1 Titanium White
- 5 Naples Yellow Reddish
- 11 Transparent Yellow
- 12 Transparent Gold Ochre
- 15 Indian Yellow
- 17 Cadmium Orange
- 18 Scarlet Red
- 23 Quinacridone Red
- 24 Purple Magenta
- 27 Mineral Violet
- 28 Ultramarine Blue
- 31 Phthalo Blue
- 32 Cobalt Blue Pale
- 33 Cobalt Blue Deep
- 35 Indigo
- 37 Prussian Green
- 38 Helio Turquoise
- 40 Sap Green
- 49 Gold Ochre
- 51 Raw Sienna
- 53 Burnt Sienna
- 57 Potter’s Pink
- 58 Brown Madder
- 59 Burnt Umber
- 62 Sepia
- 63 Vandyke Brown
3. Plus three additional favorite colors (any brand):
- Cobalt Mint
- Cadmium Red Light
- Cerulean Blue
4. Brushes (Synthetic, squirrel imitation – round, various sizes)
- Renesans Mop 3020 – sizes 4, 8, 12
- Renesans 7401R – sizes 1 and 5
- Renesans 7401FR – size 8
- Renesans 1580S – size 1
- Renesans 8021 – 2’’ flat brush
5. Additional Tools & Materials
- Ceramic palette
- Plastic board (for mixing paints or taping paper)
- Palette knife (for custom color mixes)
- Empty pans (for favorite color combinations)
- Atomizer (water spray bottle)
- Water container
- Paper towels or sponge
- Tape
- Soap (for brush cleaning)
- Masking fluid (classic latex)
- 2B and 6B pencils
- Mechanical pencil (0.5 mm)
- Soft eraser
- Hard eraser
Prices
- 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
- 8 sensual watercolour paintings
- 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
- 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
- 8 sensual watercolour paintings
- 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
- 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
- 8 sensual watercolour paintings
- 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
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.
- How is the feedback organized?
-
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.
- How long will the training take?
-
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!
- I am 67 years old, will I be able to learn to draw such illustrations in the course?
-
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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