START PAINTING!

Magnolia
Flowers
mini-course with Jelena Grinberga

We’ll learn to capture the delicate beauty and sculptural form of magnolia blossoms, from luminous petals to the natural texture of the branch.

You’ll discover how to build realistic form through transparent layering, mix subtle botanical colors, and use glazing to create depth, light, and vibrant color.

With soft shadows, refined contrasts, and delicate details, you’ll create a watercolor that brings the elegance and natural beauty of magnolias to life.

Material: watercolor

Duration: 2h 50m

Access: unlimited

Learn more

In this mini-course you'll learn to:

  • Build delicate magnolia petals through multiple transparent watercolor layers to create luminous color and realistic form;
  • Mix subtle botanical colors and control their intensity while maintaining freshness and transparency;
  • Use glazing techniques to develop depth, refine shadows, and create stronger, more natural contrasts;
  • Paint a realistic wooden branch by capturing its form, texture, and organic color variations;
  • Bring the entire painting together with selective transparent glazes for a vibrant, harmonious, and painterly finish.

Jelena Grinberga

watercolor artist

  • Based in Riga, Latvia, working as a botanical artist with over a decade of dedicated practice and international training.
  • Hold a Master’s degree in Graphics from the Art Academy of Latvia and a Diploma with Distinction from the Society of Botanical Artists (UK).
  • Founded IDEALIST Art School in Riga in 2015.
  • Member of the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) and the Latvian Society of Botanical Artists.
  • Combine my artistic practice with teaching, sharing a refined and structured approach to botanical art.
Jelena Grinberga

Course materials

1. Paper

  • Watercolour paper — HOT PRESSED, 300 gsm, 100% cotton
    Recommended brands: Arches, Fabriano, Hahnemühle

2. Brushes

  • Sable brushes — size 1 and size 2 (optional)
    Recommended brands: Raphael, Escoda, Winsor & Newton, Da Vinci

3. Professional Watercolours

Professional-quality watercolours in tubes or pans.
Recommended brands: Winsor & Newton, Schmincke, Daniel Smith, Sennelier

Colours:

  • Lemon Yellow — PY53
  • Ultramarine / Ultramarine Finest — PB29
  • Permanent Rose — PV19
  • Opera Rose — PR122 (optional)
  • Alizarin Crimson — PR83 / PR179
    Can be replaced with Burgundy Red or Bordeaux Red

4. Basic Supplies

  • Pencil — 2H / 3H
  • Ceramic palette
  • Paper towels
  • Jar of water
  • Eraser
  • Paper tape

5. For Transferring the Drawing

  • Pencil — 4B / 5B / 6B
  • Tracing paper
  • Cosmetic cotton pad
  • Light box (optional)

Inside the course: guided practice sessions

Before the final magnolia painting, Jelena Grinberga guides you through essential watercolor techniques step by step — helping you build luminous petals, mix subtle botanical colors, create depth through transparent layering and glazing, and refine delicate details before bringing everything together.

Transferring the Reference Drawing
Transferring the Reference Drawing · 13 min
Explore several simple and effective methods, including tracing with a light pad or window, using graphite transfer paper, and projecting the image with a projector.
Watercolor Washes, Gradients, and Brush
Watercolor Washes, Gradients, and Brush · 16 min
Explore the essential watercolor techniques needed to capture the delicate texture and graceful form of magnolia petals.
Color Mixing for Leaves and Branches
Color Mixing for Leaves and Branches · 17 min
Learn how to mix natural-looking greens and browns for the leaves and branches of your magnolia painting.

Pricing

Full access
 
  • 2h 50m of step-by-step video: theory + real-time practice
  • 1 finished painting — «Magnolia Flowers»
  • Machine-translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Lifetime access to all course materials
20.99 $
$ €
START PAINTING!

Instant access after payment — yours forever

Feedback

Didn't find the answer to your question? Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram.

Telegram