Available Tutorials
On this page you are able to browse through the most recent watercolour projects and discover what's available through membership. If you're not a member and would like to join the Online Watercolour School click 'subscribe' to find out more about the different pricing plan options or if you would like to join my In-Person classes complete the contact form and I will get in touch with you! Not sure if you want to commit yet? Why not become a website member for FREE and try out some of my 'Free to Members' videos and get painting!
Seagull Splash!
In this lesson you will learn how to develop a range of textures using a variety ot techniques and tools. You will make your own tin foil applicator to reserve the white of the paper using masking fluid. You will apply colour wet into wet and create texture using salt, plus backruns by introducing a wet brush. For the seagull you will work onto dry, blending and softening edges and layering colour to create form. You will also have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of brushes including a Hake, a Rake, a stiff-bristled brush and a selection of round brushes and a Liner Writer.

Artist Master Class ~ Constant Duval
In this Artist Master Class you will learn about French graphic artist Contant Duval. You will consider his use of shape and colour as we translate this Lithograph into a watercolour. You will learn how to create a flat and a variegated wash to establish the background colours. Then you will also work onto dry, using the glazing technique to overlay colour to create different hues. You will also learn how masking fluid can be used to aid the application of flat colour and to reserve areas of established colour.

Spring Frame
In this lesson you will learn how to create a range of beautiful spring flowers just using your brush. Using the direct brush method you will consider the amount of pressure you use and the direction of each stroke to create Crocus, Grape Hyacinth and Forget~Me~Nots without using a pencil. This technique will develop both your brush techniques and hand-eye coordination as you learn all of the shapes. Once you have discovered how to create the flowers you will design your own composition and colour theme. To complete your flower frame I will show you how to apply and transform lettering using a range of techniques and media to create a truly personalised painting.

Belgravia Shop Front
In this project you will learn how to translate a photograph into a line drawing to create a simplified illustration. You will then simplify your colours and apply these mainly onto dry. You will consider value ~ creating muted colour for the windows and bold colour for the exterior. Later you will add a sense of depth using darker values to add shadows. For the optional brickwork you will measure, draw and then mask the brick patterns on top of a base colour. To add colour you will work wet into wet mixing colours on the surface. To complete your painting you have the chance to use a white paint/ink marker to add the shop lettering and any high lights.

Artist Master Class ~ Cyanotype
In this Artist Master Class we will be looking at the photographic process known as Cyanotype. This early form of photography really lends itself to the recreation of natural forms. In this lesson we will reserve the white of the paper using masking fluid before applying loose colour over the top. We will create a soft natural look using water to develop soft edges and 'blooms'. We will layer the masking fluid and darker tones of Prussian Blue to produce a layered image akin to a Cyanotype. To finish we will use a dip pen and the lifting out technique to draw more subtle shapes and create depth.

Festive Illustrations
In this lesson you will have the opportunity to recreate a range of winter inspired illustrations. You can select which ones you would like to paint and then use your imagination to develop your own designs and colour palette to really make them your own. You will work using resist techniques to reserve the hi-lights. Then apply colour mainly onto dry. You will develop form and work wet into wet then drop in stronger values. Once complete you can even embellish the paintings with metallic markers. Perfect for use on cards and gift tags.

Autumn Lamp
In this lesson you will learn how to build loose layers of colour to create a vibrant Autumnal painting. You will work wet into wet, adding spatter to establish your background shapes. You will then layer colour using a range of techniques including: working wet onto dry to establish strong leaf shapes. Using a water spray and a damp brush to dissolve and soften edges. You will strengthen areas creating edges by painting the negative space and develop areas of contrast by layering darker hues. To complete your painting you will draw the lamp using a water-based fine line pen which you will blend and dissolve with water to create a softer drawing.

Holiday Snaps
In this lesson you will learn how to use lots of the basic watercolour techniques to create different landscape and holiday scenes. You will work on a small scale in the Polaroid format using wet into wet to blend colours on the surface and you will work wet onto dry using direct brush to build up detail and textures. I will also show you how to develop and display your paintings using different techniques.

Spider Web
This lesson is a great introduction to some of the most basic watercolour techniques ~ as such, it might appeal to a younger audience. Note: If you decide to try this project with your 'wee one' please remember to supervise them at all times. In this lesson you will learn how to use masking fluid to create a simple resist pattern. You will then select colours and learn how to mix them on the surface of the paper using the Wet into Wet technique. You will also discover how you can embellish your work using iridescent medium, plus add more detail using the wet onto dry technique.

Moroccan Mosaic
In this lesson you will learn the 'mosaic' technique. This illustration style can be adapted in many ways and will encourage you to think about your colour palette and how you can simplify an image into basic shapes to enhance the mosaic feel. You will have the opportunity to apply colour in a variety of ways, depending on what effect you would like to achieve. You will work wet onto dry to achieve areas of flat colour and you will also learn how to mix and merge colour on the surface. To achieve the mottled background you will work in layers, first working wet into wet to create soft, blends of colour and then onto dry to create delicate hard edges.

Eric Ravilious
In this lesson you will discover the techniques Eric Ravilious used to create his striking, stylized landscapes. You will consider your use of colour to create muted values. You will also develop your brush work skills, learning how to create form using directional brush and layering techniques similar to those used in print making. You will also learn how to add texture using dry brush.

Echinacea & Bees
In this lesson you will learn how to create your own composition thinking about size and scale. You will create your image using direct brushwork building up layers of colour from light to dark to give the illusion of form. You will work onto dry to create hard edged silhouettes, then create soft edges and backruns by introducing a wet brush into the paint.

Vintage Book Stack
In this lesson you will create form using graphite pencils to build up the initial layers of tone. You will then overlay muted watercolours, wet onto dry, across the graphite to create the illusion of aged books. You will also use a variety of techniques to create the different decorative styles on the book spines. These include: masking resist, direct painting, wet onto wet and the use of gold metallics to apply the lettering with pen.

Sunlit Winter Woodland
In this lesson you will learn how to compose a landscape without a drawing. You will discover how to use 'lifting out' techniques to describe light. You will also work wet into wet to achieve diffused colour and wet onto dry to define shapes. You will develop texture using dry brush, detail using a natural sponge and create highlights using a scalpel.

Lake District Landscape
In this lesson you will learn how paint reacts when you place it onto very wet paper, semi-wet paper and onto dry. You will also experiment with water and learn how to create cauliflowers, blossoms & blooms in your paint to achieve natural, organic shapes. This technique will help you to understand how to control your paint therefore showing you how to achieve a looser, less controlled style.

Autumnal Wreath
In this lesson, let nature inspire you and learn how to develop your brushwork skills using direct painting techniques. Use your brush to draw basic shapes and develop these using different colour and layering techniques. Then discover how to use a selection of autumnal elements to create your own composition.

Hydrangea Abstract
In this lesson you will learn how to blend colours so they beautifully transition from one to another. You will work wet into wet to create a softly blended background, then develop your painting using layers of colour. You will create each petal individually working wet ino wet and create new colours by dropping in different hues. You will also build up form and detail as you layer each stage of the painting. Once you have developed the technique you can add more sections to your painting to form your own abstract.

Potting Shed
In this lesson you will develop your drawing and mark-making skills using ink pen. You will take control of the finished look of the painting by discovering how to select and mix a range of different colours of your choice and by making decisions on how much colour you use. This will help you to give this illustration style painting a personalised feel.

Keys
In this lesson you will create 5 different watercolour keys using a range of techniques. You will use watercolour paint to create 3 of the keys using resist and salt to create texture. In another you will mix colour on the paper and in the third you will layer colour to build up hues and values. I will also show you two alternative watercolour methods using watercolour pencils and Graphitint pans.

Landscape Skies
In this lesson you will learn how to paint three different types of sky to us within a landscape painting. You will use lifting out to create clouds in a summer sky. You will create a stormy sky mixing colour on the paper, layering, lifting and backruns. You will also create a sunset sky by blending colour washes.

Fruit Sensation
In this lesson you will learn how to create illustration style fruit slices using the direct brush method. You will create your own design using the fruits of your choice to make an individual, lively painting. You will use a range of basic watercolour techniques including working wet on dry to build up the simplified shapes. You will drop in colour wet into wet and blend colours together to add interest and detail. You will layer colour and use the lifting out technique to create hi-lights. Throughout the painting you will develop your creative confidence by making choices about composition, colour and scale.

Wee Watercolour ~ Decorative Eggs
In this lesson you will learn how to use a range of different techniques to create beautiful, decorative egg designs. You will develop your own designs and apply paint using your own colour theme. You can select and combine a number of techniques to create your own ideas and individual designs. You will learn how to use masking resist to create pattern. Plus how to use the 'direct painting' technique to draw a range of different designs. Once complete, you will discover a range of ideas on how to embellish and decorate your eggs to make them eggstra special! I will also show you how the completed eggs can be used on cards, in a frame or even as a decoration!

Puffin Portrait
In this lesson you will learn how to create a portrait of a Puffin in flight. You will first consider your composition and scale of drawing, to give a greater illusion of airiness. Then you will discover how to focus the viewer's eye by working onto dry to complete the head and beak. To add the illusion of soft plumage you will work both wet into wet and also onto dry ~ introducing a wet brush to create backruns and subtle changes of values.

Winter Landscape
In this winter landscape you will discover how to use a range of different tools and techniques to help loosen up your painting technique. You will work wet into wet and use salt to add texture to the sky. In the mid-ground you will use the dry brush technique and scratching out to add texture and detail. Then in the foreground you will layer colour to create a tapestry of interwoven organic forms using expressive brush strokes, scratching, spatter and water spray. Finally, you will incorporate ink pen to add areas of detail using lively, expressive drawing.

Wee Watercolour ~ Christmas Tree Decorations
In this set of 5 different videos you will learn lots of basic watercolour techniques. Each video is self contained so you can do just one or try them all. These 'Wee' Watercolours are simple to complete and are great for beginners or they would make a fantastic introduction to painting for younger artists (with some adult supervision). You will work using collected items around the home including wax, crayons, string, cardboard and cookie cutters! You will discover wax resist, layering and printing. You can also develop your own ideas and embellish your completed designs with metallic markers, coloured pencils or felt tips. Once complete you can use these as gift tags or even make decorative bunting.

Artist Masterclass - The New Yorker
This original painting by A Kronengold adorns the cover of the October 1932 edition of the New Yorker magazine. By studying this painting you will discover how the artist used perspective and a limited colour palette to create this dynamic image. Did you know that recreating the work of other artists will encourage you to try new ideas and techniques? In this project you will use masking fluid to reserve the highlights and then work onto a coloured ground. You will work mainly in Monochrome and learn how to mix a wide range of tones, by just adding water to your paint. You will also learn how to use additional media such as chalk pastel to add hi-lights and how to apply typography onto your work.

Harvest Mouse
In this lesson you will learn how to create the illusion of a fur texture. You will layer colour using soft, light values working wet into wet to create a fluffy base layer. You will then use a Liner Writer or Rigger Brush to add directional strokes of colour, building up values from light to dark to create a fur texture and to give the mouse form. You will also learn how to use a range of values to create expression in the eyes, using masking fluid to reserve the highlights first. For the poppy seed heads you can experiment with the Derwent Graphitint Colours and to finish use colour pencils to add the fine details.

Summer Daisies
In this lesson you will learn how to create your own composition. You will reserve the white of the Daisies using masking fluid with a ruling pen and the Cow Parsley using masking fluid with a textured sponge. You will layer colour wet into wet and reserve colour using masking fluid and textural grasses using wax. You will then layer more colour using stronger values. To finish you will build detail using directional brush strokes and spatter onto dry. To complete the flowers you will add colour to the Cow Parsley using sponging techniques and create form in the daisies using a range of values.

Elephant Portrait
In this lesson you will learn how to draw an animal portrait from scratch. You will discover how to plan your composition, and create a simple outline looking at scale and proportion. Find out how to use your pencil as a measuring tool and how to use the negative space to make your drawing more accurate. You will add detail and build tone using a range of graphite pencils before applying your watercolour. You will then apply loose layers of paint using 3 values to build form.

Fruit Patisserie
In this lesson you will reserve highlights using masking fluid, then apply colour using a variety of techniques. You will mix colours on the surface of the paper, work wet on dry and wet into wet as you layer a range of values to create form. You will also glaze colour across the surface to alter the hue & vibrancy of the paint. To complete your painting you will use the lifting out technique to create the strawberry pip details.

Colourful Spring Nest
In this lesson you will use a combination of collage, direct brush and masking resist to build up layers of colour. You will be encouraged to develop your own composition, considering the format and scale of your painting. This painting can be personalised at every stage and you will be encouraged to think about your colour palette ~ how the colours mix on the surface of the paper. You will also add texture by creating backruns, spatter and salt.

Artist Master Class ~ Flower Fairy
In this lesson you will discover the illustration style of Cicely Mary Barker. You will work using a palette of delicate pastel colours to recreate the Snowdrop fairy. You will learn how to mix light, ethereal colours. How to merge colour wet into wet. How to layer colour to create depth and form. You will also consider your use of line by adding ink to your finished piece.

Miami Facade
In this lesson you will learn how to use non-granulating paint, to create a flat watercolour wash. You will apply the paint wet onto dry and discover how to move the paint evenly across the surface of the paper. Once your base colours are complete you will overlay transparent colour onto dry to achieve different hues. You will then enhance this technique using masking fluid and a ruling pen to create fine details and beautifully straight edges. I will also show you how to use the same ruling pen to apply watercolour paint and achieve neat lines of colour.

Artist Master Class ~ Beatrix Potter
In this Artist master class you will discover the work of Beatrix Potter and learn how she used soft pastel colours to create her beautiful illustrations. You will layer colour wet into wet and wet on dry building up depth and detail. Lastly you will add a touch of fine line pen to complete the look.

Rusty Car
In this lesson you will experiment with different techniques and discover how to create the illusion of glass, chrome, peeling paint and rust. You will use masking fluid as a resist. Salt to add texture. The wet onto wet technique to create softness and the wet onto dry technique to create hard edges. You will also learn how to create form by layering colour from light to dark.

Rainbow Zebra
In this lesson you will learn how to enlarge an image using a drawing grid. Create form (the effect of three dimensions) using softly blended colour. Experiment with exciting vibrant colour and learn how to blend them together to create new ones. Learn how to add dynamism to an image using spatter.

Cinque Terre
In this lesson you will learn how to use a variety of wet and dry media and combine these to create a mixed media painting. You will learn how to approach a painting without a drawing, by blending and mixing colours on the surface of the paper. You will create depth by layering colour onto dry using a square brush and you will learn how to create a simplified line drawing using ink pen. To complete the painting you will add touches of colour pencil to add accents and interest to the landscape.

Sunlit Landscape
In this lesson you will create depth and contrast in your landscape. You will use under-painting to establish your values and give your finished painting a sense of warmth and sunlight. You will also create the illusion of distance using aerial perspective and use sponging techniques to build up foliage.

Geese
In this lesson you will learn how to tackle a white subject, looking at the range of values (light to dark). You will discover how altering values can provide greater contrast and give your painting more depth and definition. To do this you will use a range of different brush techniques including dry brush, stippling and direct brushwork to create a range of textures. You will also work wet into wet to create the illusion of distance.

Macarons
In this lesson you will learn how to create form by building up layers of colour using a range of values from light to dark. You will practise working work wet into wet to achieve softly blended colour and wet on dry to achieve the illusion of the macaron holes. You will also see how to add a touch of spatter at the end to give the finished painting a dynamic, lively appearence.

Poppy Seed Heads
In this lesson you will learn how to create a loose interpretation of poppy seed heads. You will learn how to mix colour on the paper, and how to create texture using both backruns and dry brush. You will also develop your mark-making skills, using pen onto wet and dry, plus how to create movement using spattering.

Lily Illustration
In this lesson you will create a range of values (light to dark) using paint and develop an understanding of how to create matching tones using pencil shading. This will help you to really see and recreate painted values in your work ~ thus giving your paintings more depth and realism.
