Unleash your creativity with this 8-week beginner-friendly watercolour painting course. Learn the essentials of colour theory, blending techniques, layering, and creating textures, all while developing your artistic confidence. Each session builds progressively, covering composition, balance, and crafting a focal point. Whether you're new to painting or looking for a relaxing creative outlet, this course offers step-by-step guidance in mastering watercolour's expressive possibilities. Explore how colours interact with mood and atmosphere as you create stunning artwork. Perfect for beginners, this course is your gateway to unlocking the magic of watercolour and discovering your artistic potential! One session may be conducted outdoors, as decided through class discussion - the meeting point for this session will be announced via tutor in-class.
- Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner, Mark and Mary Willenbrink
- Everyday Watercolor: Learn to Paint Watercolor in 30 Days, Jenna Rainey
- Watercolor Techniques for Artists and Illustrators, DK
- Introduction to Watercolors: Understanding tools, materials, and basic techniques
- Colour Theory and Mixing: Exploring primary, secondary, and complementary colors; creating custom palettes
- Brush Techniques and Textures: Mastering brush control, washes, dry brush, and creating effective textures
- Layering and Transparency: Building depth and dimension through controlled layering
- Composition and Balance: Understanding elements of composition and creating visually pleasing artworks
- Light, Shadows, and Contrast: Techniques for adding mood and focus using light and dark values
- Creating a Focal Point: Designing centre-of-interest areas to guide the viewer's eye
- Final Project and Feedback: Completing a painting project and receiving constructive critiques
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Develop a foundational understanding of watercolour tools, materials, and basic techniques.
- Master the principles of colour theory, blending, and creating harmonious palettes.
- Gain proficiency in layering, brush control, and creating textures to add depth and dimension.
- Apply composition, balance, and focal point techniques to create visually engaging artwork.
- Build confidence in completing watercolour projects and expressing creativity through personal artistic style.
- Watercolour pans or individual tubes (recommended colours): Cadmium Red; Chrome Yellow; Lemon Yellow; Ultramarine Blue; Burnt Sienna; Black/Gray; Green (Recommended brands: Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith)
- Size 4 Watercolour Brush
- Size 12 Watercolour Mop Brush
- Watercolour Flat Brush – 2 inches
- Napkins or paper towels
- A3-size sketchbook, 300gsm (Recommended brands: Baohong, Fabriano, Arches) - if using loose watercolour sheets, please bring a headboard or drawing board for support
- Water pot
- Small spray bottle (available at most art supply stores like Eckersley's or Came Art)
- Cold-pressed, medium-texture paper is highly suggested and should be included in the materials list.
IMPORTANT: Please arrive to the first class with all the relevant materials. A lack of materials is not just a handicap to you but to the ability to teach. Materials cost is not included in a course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled WEA cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any course materials. We therefore suggest you purchase your materials closer to the time of the course commencing.
The following stockists are examples of places where you can purchase art materials for your course:
- Art on King: 199-201 King Street, Newtown. Ph: 9516 2342
- Eckersley's Art and Craft Store: 93 York Street, Sydney. Ph: 9299 4151. Also located in various locations throughout Greater Sydney. WEA students receive a 10% discount on materials required for their course at the York Street store when showing their course confirmation email.
- Parkers Art Supplies: 3 Cambridge Street, The Rocks. Ph: 9247 9979
- The Art Scene: 914 Victoria Road, West Ryde. Ph: 9807 6900
- The Sydney Art Store: 11 Salisbury Street, Botany. Ph: 9699 2162
You can also purchase materials from places such as Dymocks, Officeworks, Spotlight, Lincraft or online art suppliers such as Art Shed Online.
