Try It Watercolor Classes
Have you always wanted to try watercolor painting? These relaxed and friendly classes are designed for beginners. I demonstrate each painting step-by-step so you can easily follow along.
All supplies are provided — paints, brushes, and paper — so you don’t need to buy expensive materials before trying watercolor.
Most students in these classes have never painted before. To give you a realistic idea of what to expect, the links below show all the student paintings from past classes — not just the best ones.
Class Projects
This introductory class focuses on simple watercolor trees.
It’s a great way to learn basic watercolor tools and techniques in a relaxed setting.
In this class you will learn:
- About brushes, paper & paints
- How to mix natural-looking greens
- Using splattering and sponge techniques for foliage
Paint a rustic countryside barn surrounded by grasses and textures. This class emphasizes expressive watercolor techniques that create character and interest.
In this class you will learn:
- Dry-brush techniques for weathered wood
- How to suggest grasses with loose brushwork
- Scraping and lifting techniques to add texture
A cheerful painting of several small robins perched on a branch. This project is ideal for beginners who want to try painting simple animals.
The bird shapes are traced, allowing students to concentrate on painting rather than drawing.
In this class you will learn:
- Wet-into-wet watercolor techniques
- How to preserve the white of the paper
- Simple approaches to painting small birds
This is a fun and simple watercolor crab — perfect if you have never painted before. We trace the crab outline before painting so no drawing experience is needed.
Painting layered color
Using salt for texture
Paint splattering for a loose effect.
- Painting layered color
- Using salt for texture
- Paint splattering for a loose effect
Learn to paint glowing skies and soft watercolor clouds.
- Painting clouds
- Rounded forms
- Layering and softening edges
- Palm trees
Paint a glowing sunset with a ship silhouetted against sparkling water.
This class introduces techniques for painting light and reflections.
In this class you will learn:
- Gradated washes for sunset skies
- Using a rigger brush for fine details
- Scraping techniques to create sparkle on the water
Paint a festive masquerade mask with jewel-toned feathers and a touch of shimmer. The mask outline is traced so no drawing experience is needed — students can focus entirely on color and technique.
In this class you will learn:
- Wet-into-wet color mingling for soft, blended feathers
- Working with iridescent watercolor to create a glowing metallic effect
- Paint splattering for a lively, celebratory finish
Create handmade watercolor holiday cards to send to friends and family.
Students paint several simple seasonal designs while learning these techniques:
- Negative painting
- Layering colors
- Embossing, stamping, and tasteful glitter
Design your own watercolor birthday or thank-you cards.
This introductory class is perfect for beginners and focuses on small, simple paintings.
In this class you will learn:
- Simple masking techniques
- Color blending for festive effects
- Paint splattering and decorative textures
Paint sea oats and palm trees inspired by the Florida coast.
- Painting the ocean
- Sand texture techniques
- Palm trees
- Shadows
Beginner
Provence Landscape
Paint a peaceful landscape inspired by the countryside of southern France.
This class focuses on creating depth and distance in watercolor landscapes.
In this class you will learn:
- How to suggest distant mountains
- Simple techniques for painting trees and buildings
- Creating atmospheric perspective
Paint a graceful flamingo surrounded by tropical foliage and water.
This class introduces techniques for painting reflections and lush greenery.
In this class you will learn:
- How to paint water and reflections
- Techniques for tropical foliage
- Wet into wet washes
Beginner
FLOWERS in A vase
Paint spring flowers found in Kentucky gardens.
- Use wet into wet techniques
- Negative painting
- Layer to deepen the forms
Paint a pair of autumn pumpkins in soft, glowing watercolor.
Marian walks you through building warm washes from light to dark, dropping in shadow color, and finishing with dry-brush texture.
In this class you will learn:
- Layering warm washes from tea-strength to milky
- Soft shadows with purple and red
- Dry-brush texture and splatter
Intermediate Beginner
Grapes
Paint a cluster of grapes inspired by fruit from my niece’s vineyard.
This class focuses on creating soft backgrounds and interesting textures.
In this class you will learn:
- How to paint a soft background wash
- How to paint around objects to preserve highlights
- How to blow paint for loose, organic effects
Intermediate Beginner
Poppies
Paint bold, expressive red poppies using loose watercolor techniques.
This class encourages students to let watercolor flow naturally while building strong color.
In this class you will learn:
- Layering rich color
- Negative painting
- Creating dramatic drips for a lively effect
Intermediate Beginner
Seagulls in the Surf
Capture the energy of waves and sea foam along the shoreline.
This class uses expressive techniques to create the movement of water. In this class you will learn:
- How to throw and splatter paint for wave texture
- Using salt to create foam effects
- Techniques for painting ocean scenes
Intermediate Beginner
Azaleas
Celebrate spring by painting vibrant azaleas inspired by the flowers in my neighborhood.
This class introduces expressive watercolor techniques while still guiding you step-by-step through the process.
In this class you will learn:
- How to mix rich dark colors for contrast
- Negative painting techniques to shape petals and leaves
- How to blow wet paint to create soft, abstract effects
Intermediate Beginner
night sky
Paint a glowing night sky with the Milky Way reflected in still mountain water. This class uses masking fluid to preserve crisp stars while building rich, layered color in the sky and foreground.
In this class you will learn:
- How to use masking fluid to protect highlights and stars
- Wet-into-wet techniques for glowing, blended skies
- Splattering and dry-brush techniques for trees and texture
Great for beginners. Almost all students achieve good results in these classes.
Still beginner friendly but slightly more time-consuming.
Best after you’ve painted a few watercolors, but beginners often do well too.
