What the course is about

This course is about creating living, breathing watercolor paintings through a free and mindful approach to the medium. Students explore how water and pigment interact directly on paper to form organic transitions and textures.

The course encourages letting go of excessive control, working with expressive shapes and rhythm, and developing a personal artistic language. Special attention is given to the artist's original techniques, including custom brush creation and the search for an individual style. It is not mechanical instruction, but a contemplative and creative journey.

Who will find this course useful

This course is designed for artists who already have basic watercolor skills and want to move beyond an academic approach. It is especially beneficial for those seeking a freer, more emotional, and atmospheric style of painting, and for artists interested in developing their own visual voice.

Suitable for intermediate and advanced levels, as well as for anyone looking for inspiration and a fresh perspective on watercolor.

Course program

Lesson 1

Getting to know your teacher

I will introduce myself, give you an overview of the course, and share how we'll be working together.

Lesson 2

List of materials

In this lesson I will show you the materials that we will need in the course.

Lesson 3

Creating the Author's Brush & Watercolor Special Effects

In this lesson, you will learn how to create and customize your own author's brush, as well as explore unique watercolor special effects.

Lesson 4

«Radiant Light»

Duration: 1 hour 07 minutes

In this lesson, we will paint a landscape with radiant sunlight streaming through the trees. We will explore how to create beams of light, soft forest atmosphere, and the feeling of sunlight filtering through foliage.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to paint radiant beams of light;
  • How to paint stones in a river;
  • How to create silhouettes of trees and forest elements.

Lesson 5

«Golden Sunrise»

Duration: 43 minutes

In this lesson, we will paint a fishing harbor in the morning light. We will explore how to show sunlight and its reflection on the water, and how to create a glowing atmosphere in watercolor.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to paint radiant sunlight and its reflection on the water;
  • How to simplify objects and paint them as silhouettes;
  • How to create a bright, light-filled atmosphere.

Lesson 6

«Waterfall»

Duration: 50 minutes

In this lesson, we will explore how to guide the viewer's eye toward the waterfall and create a soft, atmospheric mist effect in watercolor.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to guide the viewer's eye toward the main focal point — the waterfall;
  • How to preserve the white of the paper to create light and mist effects;
  • How to use masking to protect important light areas.

Lesson 7

«Forest Awakening»

Duration: 44 minutes

In this lesson, we will explore a quiet morning forest scene with a focus on tree silhouettes and soft reflections in the water.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to create silhouettes of trees;
  • How to express reflections on the water;
  • How to achieve depth and perspective in the forest;
  • Wet-in-wet watercolor techniques.

Lesson 8

A Personal Look at My Art: History, Favorite Works, and Development

In this lesson, I share a personal overview of my artistic journey.

Lesson 9

«By the Pond»

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

In this lesson, we will explore how to paint komorebi — the beautiful effect of sunlight filtering through trees — with a special focus on light reflections and soft atmospheric transitions.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to express the effect of sunlight streaming through foliage;
  • How to create natural reflections using the pouring technique;
  • How to use masking to preserve light areas;
  • How to achieve soft blends and luminous effects in watercolor.

Lesson 10

«Sunlit Trees»

Duration: 45 minutes

In this lesson, we will explore how to use shadows effectively to make light expressive and truly captivating.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to depict trees with depth and luminous light;
  • How to create soft transitions and gentle contours (soft edge);
  • How to realistically capture reflections in water.

Lesson 11

«Autumn landscape»

Duration: 1 hour 03 minutes

In this lesson, we will explore how to paint an autumn landscape featuring vibrant foliage and a riverside scene, focusing on color harmony and natural textures.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to capture the rich and nuanced colors of autumn leaves;
  • How to realistically depict river stones and their texture;
  • How to create a harmonious composition of trees and water.

Lesson 12

«Freshness of Nature»

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

In this lesson, we will explore the beauty of sparkling water in a natural landscape. You will learn how to capture the shimmer of light on the water, creating a sense of freshness, depth, and movement in your painting.

In this lesson, you will learn:

  • How to paint trees as a unified, living mass with depth and atmosphere;
  • How to create soft, natural transitions along the water's edge (soft edges);
  • How to use masking fluid to preserve luminous highlights;
  • How to give river stones convincing volume and three-dimensional presence.

Lesson 13

Course conclusion

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

Kanta

Harusaki

Watercolor artist

  • I have been teaching watercolor since around 2010.
  • I graduated from Kyushu Designer Gakuin in Japan.
  • Before focusing primarily on watercolor painting in 2006, I worked as an architectural perspective artist and illustrator.
  • I created the YouTube channel Watercolor Kanta Harusaki & Yoko Harusaki, which now has more than 130,000 subscribers.
  • I regularly conduct watercolor workshops across Japan.
  • I am the author of several watercolor books.
  • My works have been exhibited in Japan and Taiwan, including at Kai’s Gallery and Bumpodo Gallery.

Instructor's
Works

Course materials

1. Watercolors (Winsor & Newton):

  • Burnt Sienna;
  • Winsor Violet;
  • Sap Green;
  • Ultramarine Green Shade;
  • Sky Blue (Cerulean Blue type, Japanese brand);
  • Transparent Orange (occasional use);
  • Transparent Yellow (occasional use).

2. Opaque paints & tools:

  • Poster Color White;
  • White opaque pen.

3. Paper:

  • Waterford F6, Cold Press (Medium), 300 gsm (410 × 318 mm).

4. Brushes:

  • Hake brush;
  • Pencils;
  • Japanese brushes (medium and small);
  • Detail brush;
  • Holbein Black Rigger brushes SQ1 / SQ3.

5. Other tools:

  • Masking tape;
  • Eraser;
  • Masking fluid;
  • Spray bottle;
  • Dropper;
  • Melamine sponge;
  • Paint palettes (4);
  • Water container.

Pricing

Standard
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 Radiant Landscapes
  • Machine translated subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, Indonesian
  • Course Unfreeze
  • Access to course materials without time limits
  • +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next workshop. Valid for 3 months
200 $
$ €
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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.

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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