Watercolour
Create vibrant and lively watercolour sketches by learning how to control your water, create watercolour magic and
know when to layer or work wet-in-wet.
Does this sound like you?
“I’m afraid to ruin my ink drawing by adding paint”
“My watercolour sketches look flat, lifeless and overworked”
“I don’t know how to mix the colours I want and always end up with muddy mixes”
“I can’t decide on what colours to put in my palette”
Watercolour has been designed to address these common struggles
Why learn Watercolour
When you begin sketching with watercolour it’s common to create sketches with murky washes, flat colours and areas that are overworked. Gaining a solid understanding of how pigment suspended in water behaves is the secret to producing lively watercolour washes.
In this course, you’ll learn a few specific strategies for using watercolour in a quick and spontaneous way that makes the most of its unique properties.
The more you understand about watercolour the more you can work with it rather than fight against it!
This will liberate your sketching and you’ll find that watercolour will start performing magic on your page.
In the Watercolour course you will learn how to:
– increase your control of water – whether using a precise style or working looser and taking risks
– decide when to layer/glaze and when to work wet-in-wet
– create vibrant colours with a limited palette
– be more confident with your use of colour
– apply all these techniques to sketching on location
– develop your own style for watercolour sketching
You’ll be part of an inspiring community of sketchers from around the world who will share their unique styles. You’ll never lack inspiration! You’ll have lifetime access to an incredible gallery of watercolour sketches inside our virtual classroom.
You can use these techniques for any subject matter, for a variety of different sketching styles and any level of experience. You don’t need to be producing ‘masterpiece’ sketches to create some watercolour magic!
Sign up here for 3 free Watercolour Intro Lessons
Learn how to choose the best watercolour paints, brushes and sketchbooks
Who is the course for?
Watercolour is aimed at beginners and self-taught urban sketchers who want to fill in the gaps of their understanding of watercolour.
JUST STARTED WATERCOLOUR SKETCHING?
If you are a beginner, Watercolour will teach you the basics of how pigments suspended in water behaves so that you can get more consistent results from Day 1.
BEEN SKETCHING WITH WATERCOLOUR FOR A WHILE?
If you are frustrated with not getting the right amount of water on your brush, with creating murky and patchy washes and overworked watercolour sketches this course is for you!
WANTING YOUR WATERCOLOUR SKETCHES TO BE MORE LIVELY?
This course will show you how to work wet-in-wet, create washes with lots of watercolour magic and fall in love with watercolour even more!
This course is focused on basic watercolour skills including achieving consistently lively watercolour washes and working with colour.
If you are wanting drawing instruction please refer to Foundations
If you are wanting drawing instruction please refer to Foundations
How will the course work?
Start today and work at your own pace
- All lessons are available when you purchase the course so you can work through the lessons at your own pace
- Share your work and interact with other students inside the custom-designed classroom galleries and forum
- Ask Liz questions related to the course in the dedicated question section for each lesson.
Work through the course with a group
- Each year Liz hosts a number of Group Self-paced or Live Versions for selected courses.
- A Group Self-paced Version allows you to work through the lessons as a group with weekly emails to prompt you to move onto the next lesson.
- A Live Version will include bonus live teaching sessions with Liz (private YouTube Livestreams) as you work through the lessons with a group.
- If you’ve purchased the course at any time you can join these group events for free. See FAQ below for more details
Ready to create watercolour magic in every sketch?
How you'll learn
Custom-designed classroom
Interactive Livestreams
How you'll learn
- over 15 hours of step-by-step video lessons, each lesson building on the previous, so you can make steady progress in a systematic way
- theory sections that clearly explain the essential concepts so that you can apply them to your own style and way of working
- downloadable PDF handout so you can quickly review the key elements of each lesson when you need it
- specific assignments designed so that you really understand and know how to use the concepts from the lesson – these can be done from the comfort of home, from photos, or out on location
- multiple examples from Liz’s sketchbooks explaining how to use the concepts
- bonus material showing how to apply the concepts in more intermediate ways so that you can continue to improve your sketch every time you go through the course.
Custom-designed classroom
- specially designed private classroom with dedicated assignment galleries and forum so that you can connect with and be inspired by other sketchers from around the world who are working alongside you
- ability to ask Liz questions about the lessons you are working through so you can get help when you need it
- livestreams during Live Versions – which will include reviews of student’s work, mini demos, bonus material and a chance to have your questions answered in real-time
- full transcripts for all video lessons so you can easily follow along
- lifetime access to all course content and any future Group Events and bonus material so you can continue to learn as your skills grow
Interactive Livestreams
- A very special part of SketchingNow courses is the interactive livestreams that are hosted during Live Versions. These live Q&A sessions include a review of work posted in the classroom, additional demos and a chance to get all your sketching questions answered in real-time!
- Live Versions only occur once every 1-2 years however replays of previous livestreams are available inside the classroom.
“This course is by far the best course I’ve ever had and I only regret I didn’t know about it sooner when I first started 5 years ago.
Compared to my early work, I’m now using much juicier colors. I also pay attention to values much more than I did in the beginning giving my paintings depth.“
Compared to my early work, I’m now using much juicier colors. I also pay attention to values much more than I did in the beginning giving my paintings depth.“
Janice
“I’ve been watercoloring for 20 years, and still learned so much in this course!
It helped me to be more confident in using watercolors in my sketches, and helped me appreciate the intermingling of colors, watercolor marks, and other “happy accidents” as good things. I no longer fear them as mistakes that I would have to fix.“
It helped me to be more confident in using watercolors in my sketches, and helped me appreciate the intermingling of colors, watercolor marks, and other “happy accidents” as good things. I no longer fear them as mistakes that I would have to fix.“
Annette
“Despite having dabbled with watercolour for a few years, I was always frustrated by it, and didn’t understand why my paintings didn’t turn out how I wanted.
The explanation of ‘watery, juicy, pasty’ and ways to control the amount of water and pigment was a revelation! Such basic concepts, but I had never grasped it before.”
The explanation of ‘watery, juicy, pasty’ and ways to control the amount of water and pigment was a revelation! Such basic concepts, but I had never grasped it before.”
Claire
“When I am mixing colour now, I'm constantly thinking about how I can achieve a pigment party. I’m also thinking about how strong my hues and values are so that I can achieve lightness in my sketch.
Watercolour is now part of my everyday life & I credit that to taking part in these wonderful SketchingNow classes.“
Watercolour is now part of my everyday life & I credit that to taking part in these wonderful SketchingNow classes.“
Mary
" What a wonderful gift of community you have given all of us! The fact that we were able to open our most inner selves and share with a like-minded community is truly a gift I will always treasure.
Your creation of this community has allowed us to take chances, explore new ideas and lend each other a helping hand, is a true gift!!"
Your creation of this community has allowed us to take chances, explore new ideas and lend each other a helping hand, is a true gift!!"
Heather
Course Outline
Part 1: Introduction
1 week
Putting together your watercolour kit for the course
- palette
- brushes
- sketchbook/ paper
- palette
- brushes
- sketchbook/ paper
Part 2: Controlling Water
1 week
– How to create watercolour magic
– Some important principles when working with watercolour
– How to control water
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
– Some important principles when working with watercolour
– How to control water
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
Part 3: Mixing, Layering and Working Wet
1 week
– How to mix vibrant washes
– How to layer (glaze)
– How to work wet
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
– How to layer (glaze)
– How to work wet
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
Part 4: Review Week 1
1 week
Review of selected work from the classroom showing further applications of the concepts from the first half of the course.
Part 5: Pigment Characteristics
1 week
– Introduction to studying pigments
– The different characteristics of pigments
– Practical advice for using transparent and staining pigment
– Practical advice for using opaque and granulating pigments
– The different characteristics of pigments
– Practical advice for using transparent and staining pigment
– Practical advice for using opaque and granulating pigments
Part 6: Using Colour
1 week
– Important colour theory
– Creating a master palette
– Liz’s Hue/Value/Intensity Rules
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
– Creating a master palette
– Liz’s Hue/Value/Intensity Rules
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
Part 7: Sketching with Watercolour
1 week
– Working from light to dark
– Starting with the darks
– Mixing it up
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
– Starting with the darks
– Mixing it up
This week contains:
Theory sections
2 Demos
Gallery (examples from Liz's sketchbooks)
Exercises
Questions, Feedback and Takeaways
Bonus Material
Livestream replays from previous Live Versions
Part 8: Review Week 2
1 week
Review of selected work from the classroom showing further applications of the concepts from the second half of the course.
SketchingNow courses have been designed to build on each other so you will see the most progress in your own sketching by working through them in a logical order.
Buy Watercolour as a standalone course or buy the Sketch Your Life bundle and save!
Watercolour
Course
Course
In Watercolour
- Master the basics of watercolour
- Learn to control the water in your brush and how to create consistently lively washes
- Create vibrant colours with a limited palette
- Sketch objects at home and from photos in training for sketching on location
- Develop your own style for watercolour sketching
$
199 USD
Sketch Your Life Bundle
In Watercolour
- Master the basics of watercolour
- Learn to control the water in your brush and how to create consistently lively washes
- Create vibrant colours with a limited palette
- Sketch objects at home and from photos in training for sketching on location
- Develop your own style for watercolour sketching
PLUS
In Foundations - Develop fundamental observational skills needed to draw anything
- Explore different ways of sketching so that you can start developing your own style
- Design beautiful layouts for every page in your sketchbook
- Add text and elements to elevate your pages regardless of how successful each sketch was
Money back guarantee
We offer a money 30-day back guarantee for SketchingNow courses. If you are unhappy with the course for any reason, let us know and we will refund your payment within the first 30 days of the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials do I need for Watercolour?
Basic requirements:
- A watercolour kit – see below for more details.
- Watercolour paper/sketchbook A5-A4 in size and 180-300gsm in weight.
- A round brush #6 – #10 (depending on the size of paper/sketchbook you are using). Either sable, sable-blend or synthetic. Note: waterbrushes are not recommended for this course.
- A permanent pen – such as a 0.3 fineliner or fountain pen (EF or F nib) with permanent ink. More about fountain pens here and safe ink to use in fountain pens here.
- A B or 2B pencil
More detailed material list is available here.
- A watercolour kit – see below for more details.
- Watercolour paper/sketchbook A5-A4 in size and 180-300gsm in weight.
- A round brush #6 – #10 (depending on the size of paper/sketchbook you are using). Either sable, sable-blend or synthetic. Note: waterbrushes are not recommended for this course.
- A permanent pen – such as a 0.3 fineliner or fountain pen (EF or F nib) with permanent ink. More about fountain pens here and safe ink to use in fountain pens here.
- A B or 2B pencil
More detailed material list is available here.
Is the course live or pre-recorded?
The course contains over 15 hours of pre-recorded videos which can be watched at any time.
During a Live Version (which only happens every 12-24 months) there are some bonus livestreams. Replays of previous livestreams are available in the classoom.
During a Live Version (which only happens every 12-24 months) there are some bonus livestreams. Replays of previous livestreams are available in the classoom.
Can I work through the course at my own pace?
Yes! All SketchingNow courses are available as self-paced courses at all times. All you have to do is signup and you can start working through the lessons straight away!
- You have full access to all lessons on enrollment within the custom-built SketchingNow classroom.
- You can interact with fellow students inside the classroom, comment on each other’s work in the homework galleries and discuss all kinds of art topics within the forum.
- You can ask Liz questions related to the course in the dedicated question section for each lesson.
- If you want some accountability in working through the lessons, you can sign up to receive weekly lesson reminder emails. Each week you will receive a new email to prompt you to move on to the next part of the course.
- You have full access to all lessons at the time of enrollment and free access to all future Group Self-paced and Live Versions for that course.
- You have full access to all lessons on enrollment within the custom-built SketchingNow classroom.
- You can interact with fellow students inside the classroom, comment on each other’s work in the homework galleries and discuss all kinds of art topics within the forum.
- You can ask Liz questions related to the course in the dedicated question section for each lesson.
- If you want some accountability in working through the lessons, you can sign up to receive weekly lesson reminder emails. Each week you will receive a new email to prompt you to move on to the next part of the course.
- You have full access to all lessons at the time of enrollment and free access to all future Group Self-paced and Live Versions for that course.
What is a Group Self-paced version of Watercolour?
Group Self-Paced Versions occur within specific courses each year. There is no extra charge to participate.
- From time to time Liz will suggest a specific course to work through in preparation for an upcoming Live Version.
- She will suggest a start date and a schedule for going through the course. You'll get the benefit of working through the exercises together and getting lots of helpful and supportive comments from the group.
- You can ask Liz questions related to the course in the dedicated question section for each lesson.
- If you have enrolled for the specific course previously, you can join a Group Self-paced version of that course for free.
- From time to time Liz will suggest a specific course to work through in preparation for an upcoming Live Version.
- She will suggest a start date and a schedule for going through the course. You'll get the benefit of working through the exercises together and getting lots of helpful and supportive comments from the group.
- You can ask Liz questions related to the course in the dedicated question section for each lesson.
- If you have enrolled for the specific course previously, you can join a Group Self-paced version of that course for free.
What is a Live Version?
Live Versions are special events that occur within specific courses each year. There is no extra charge to participate.
- Every year Liz chooses a few SketchingNow courses to go through with a group. Together we work through the lessons and keep each other motivated and inspired!
- You will get the benefit of working through the exercises together and getting lots of helpful and supportive comments from the group.
- Each week you'll be prompted to move on to the next section of the course and participate in bonus live streams where you can ask questions, see reviews of selected work from the classroom and hang out with the group.
- Every livestream will have unique discussions and demonstrations related to the current lesson and there will be lots of opportunities to ask Liz questions in real-time.
- Livestreams will be held at alternating time slots to accommodate people in all time zones and replays will be available in the classroom after the event.
- Liz will be in the classroom regularly looking at the work uploaded and answering questions.
- If you have enrolled for the specific course previously, you can join any Live Version of that course for free
- If you get behind during the Live version, you can finish off the lessons at any time.
- Every year Liz chooses a few SketchingNow courses to go through with a group. Together we work through the lessons and keep each other motivated and inspired!
- You will get the benefit of working through the exercises together and getting lots of helpful and supportive comments from the group.
- Each week you'll be prompted to move on to the next section of the course and participate in bonus live streams where you can ask questions, see reviews of selected work from the classroom and hang out with the group.
- Every livestream will have unique discussions and demonstrations related to the current lesson and there will be lots of opportunities to ask Liz questions in real-time.
- Livestreams will be held at alternating time slots to accommodate people in all time zones and replays will be available in the classroom after the event.
- Liz will be in the classroom regularly looking at the work uploaded and answering questions.
- If you have enrolled for the specific course previously, you can join any Live Version of that course for free
- If you get behind during the Live version, you can finish off the lessons at any time.
Do I need to have any special social media accounts?
Everything you need to access the lessons, post homework and interact with others is contained within the SketchingNow classroom.
The only exception are the Livestreams (during Live Versions) which will occur on Youtube. A YouTube account is needed to interact with the live chat but without it you can still watch the livestream and send your questions via email. Replays will be available.
The only exception are the Livestreams (during Live Versions) which will occur on Youtube. A YouTube account is needed to interact with the live chat but without it you can still watch the livestream and send your questions via email. Replays will be available.
Will Watercolour help me develop my own style?
It’s really important to have confidence in your own personal expression and acceptance of your own mark-making. But it’s hard to develop these if all you do is follow demo-based art classes.
Watercolour is a concept based course designed to help you really understand the essential skills and at the same time develop your own style and preferences. Once you become more comfortable with your own preferences and style the whole creative journey will become so much more fun!
Watercolour is a concept based course designed to help you really understand the essential skills and at the same time develop your own style and preferences. Once you become more comfortable with your own preferences and style the whole creative journey will become so much more fun!
I’ve been painting for a while… will Watercolour be too basic for me?
Even though it’s a course designed for beginners there is a lot of content for more seasoned painters/sketchers.
Watercolour sketching (particularly out on location) involves a different approach from traditional watercolour studio painting and this is what we will explore in the course.
So even if you have painted a lot in the studio there will be plenty of new concepts for you to explore inside Watercolour . We also look specifically at quick direct watercolour approaches.
Watercolour sketching (particularly out on location) involves a different approach from traditional watercolour studio painting and this is what we will explore in the course.
So even if you have painted a lot in the studio there will be plenty of new concepts for you to explore inside Watercolour . We also look specifically at quick direct watercolour approaches.
Still deciding whether Watercolour is a right fit for you?
