What the course is about

Over the course of this program, you will create eight expressive watercolor paintings of wildlife, focusing on animals and birds. We will bring each subject to life by capturing its unique character and energy, without distracting background details. The emphasis will be on form, color, and movement.

You will explore a wide range of watercolor techniques, from wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry to dry brush. We will work with both very wet washes and almost dry paint, learning how to prevent muddiness and help you keep your details fresh and clear. These approaches will allow you to build texture, depth, and layered, lifelike results.

By the end of the course, you will feel more confident painting wildlife in a way that is expressive, dynamic, and professional.

Who will find this course useful

This course is perfect for anyone who wants to paint animals in watercolor and create expressive, realistic artworks without complex backgrounds.

It is suitable for both beginners and intermediate artists who want to explore a variety of watercolor techniques, learn to create smooth transitions, capture the texture of fur and feathers, and convey the character and mood of animals in a clean, minimalist style.

Course program

Lesson 1

Getting to know your teacher

In this lesson, I introduce myself and walk you through the course structure, its goals, and the creative journey we will take together.

Lesson 2

List of materials

In this lesson, we will review the materials you will need to complete the course.

Lesson 3

How to work with layers to blend tones and achieve different effects

You will learn how to work with watercolor layers to build and mix tones, creating a wide range of visual effects. Through guided practice, you will master layering and on-paper color blending, allowing you to achieve subtle color variations and rich, expressive details.

Lesson 4

The artist's path

You will explore the artist's personal journey and creative process, discovering the ideas and emotions behind each artwork. This insight will help you understand the artist's unique style and artistic vision.

Lesson 5

The roar of the zebra

Duration: 3 hours 5 minutes

You will paint one of Africa's most iconic animals, the mountain zebra, capturing the rhythm of its stripes and the animal's lively energy in watercolor.

You will learn to:

  • achieve ultimate vibrancy by using the wet-on-dry technique and mixing colours directly on the paper.
  • create soft, seamless transitions between colours using the wet-on-wet method.
  • emphasize highlights and shadows to build depth and clarity.
  • use the dry brush technique to add extra layers without disturbing previous ones, enhancing texture and overall dimension.

Lesson 6

The proud eagle

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

In this lesson, we will explore how to convey the power and character of an eagle in watercolor, from a clear, confident silhouette to deep shadows beneath the wings.

You will learn to:

  • create a sense of dimension by mixing colors directly on the paper, discovering that what we perceive as a single color is actually made up of many pigments;
  • identify and use subtle red undertones in grey feathers to add vibrancy and depth through on-paper color mixing;
  • apply the wet-on-wet technique to the chest area, using the same principle;
  • work with a fine brush to define feather direction, including a small but effective trick to enhance the sense of movement.

Lesson 7

The grace of springbok

Duration: 2 hours 55 minutes

In this lesson, we explore expressive color contrasts and layered transitions to bring an elegant African gazelle to life.

You will learn to:

  • use complementary warm colours and opposite hues to create warm, harmonious shadows.
  • work progressively from very wet to very dry stages, building layers from diluted washes to more saturated tones.
  • choose the correct brush for each task, including how to use a flat brush in a semi–dry technique.

Lesson 8

Turtle in motion

Duration: 4 hours 15 minutes

In this lesson, we focus on conveying strength, volume, and a timeless sense of character through layered watercolor, using the turtle's form and shell to create a feeling of weight and monumentality.

You will learn to:

  • lay down a clear base layer to establish color blocks, tonal values, and temperature;
  • add fine details with precision brushes.
  • create shadows by dropping and softly spreading color.
  • strengthen light and dark contrasts.
  • control water-to-pigment ratios for each layer.
  • finish with a glazing wash to unify and enrich the colors.

Lesson 9

The imperturbable Jackal

Duration: 3 hours 50 minutes

This lesson focuses on capturing the jackal's alert, expressive character through light, tone, and subtle fur textures, creating a lively and convincing watercolor portrait.

You will learn to:

  • build the painting layer by layer, starting with a light, diluted wash to block in main colour areas and undertones.
  • develop soft fur textures using a dry-on-wet approach.
  • refine details with small, specialty, and flat brushes on a dry surface.
  • use and adapt different brushes to create varied hair textures.
  • apply dry brushing to add depth and realism.
  • enhance the painting with vibrant, well-balanced colour combinations.

Lesson 10

The monkey's gaze

Duration: 4 hours 25 minutes

An expressive gaze, a gentle tilt of the head, a quiet sense of life. In this lesson, we focus on capturing the character of a monkey through light, form, and free, transparent brushwork.

You will learn to:

  • build depth with glazing, starting from a grey base and layering warmer transparent tones.
  • use and adapt different brushes to create realistic hair textures.
  • apply dry brushing with controlled pressure for added layers and realism.
  • choose harmonious color combinations for white areas and shadows.

Lesson 11

Graceful giraffes

Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes

You will paint graceful giraffes, capturing their calm elegance through simple silhouettes, layered transparent color, and soft tonal transitions.

You will learn to:

  • build the painting layer by layer with small brush movements, from medium wet to almost dry.
  • create a soft, velvet-like texture by combining traditional watercolor and flat dry-brush techniques.
  • mix complementary warm colours directly on the paper for vibrancy.
  • use different colour combinations for warm and cool shadows.
  • add detail with controlled, small brush strokes.

Lesson 12

Leopard on a walk

Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes

The final painting of the course features a leopard, focusing on its fluid movement, powerful form, and the expressive texture of its fur.

You will learn to:

  • draw the leopard with a focus on movement, form, and pattern.
  • use precise, balanced lines and shapes to emphasize structure, folds, and shadows.
  • build the painting layer by layer, starting with a very diluted wash to separate warm and cool colour blocks.
  • define clear boundaries between colour areas, using the first layer as an undertone.
  • indicate the spots with a light Ultramarine Blue layer while preserving pencil details.
  • use spot shapes as visual guides to support form and pattern placement.

Lesson 13

Course conclusion

You've reached the final chapter of the course. Let's look back on your progress and explore how to keep growing as an artist.

Abi

Naude

WATERCOLOR ARTIST

  • I come from a family of artists, where creativity has always been a way of life
  • I have been teaching and mentoring artists since 2019
  • I am the author of 12 instructional art courses
  • I run my own art shop, where I exhibit and sell my artwork
  • My work has been featured in art magazines

Instructor's
Works

Course materials

1. Paper:

  • Saunders Waterford watercolour paper 300gsm (26.8 x 36.8 cm)

2. Pencil:

  • Pentel P203 0.3mm, eraser

3. Hardboard to fix the paper on it

4. Brushes:

  • Tintorino Mop brush (Size 4)
  • Prime Art studio brush (Size 1 and 2)
  • Prime art Flat brush (Size 4)
  • Faber Castell brush (Size 2)
  • Rosemary brush (Size 0 and 00)
  • Raphael Kolinsky brush (Size 4)
  • Customized brush

5. Colors:

  • Daniel Smith watercolour: Paynes Grey, Sepia, Lamp Black, Burnt umber, Undersea Green, Buff Titanium, Transparent Yellow Oxide, Lemon yellow, Naples Yellow, Coral, Manganese blue, Phthalo Blue, Cobalt green
  • QandR: Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Hansa Yellow light
  • Maimeri: Ultramarine blue
  • Sennelier: Primary Yellow, Opera Pink, Rose Pink

6. Paper towels

7. 2 cups for water

Prices

Standard
 
  • 13 lessons: theory + practice + developmental exercises
  • 8 breathtaking paintings of Africa's wild animals
  • 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 breathtaking paintings of Africa's wild animals
  • 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 breathtaking paintings of Africa's wild animals
  • 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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