Discover the Best Watercolor Classes Near You
Watercolor is a form of art that uses water-soluble paint on paper. The artist will apply the paint in layers, slowly building and creating a complete picture with varying levels of pigment based on the amount of water used. Students can learn several watercolor techniques, including wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, lifting, and more. The best way to learn watercolor painting is by taking a watercolor class.
Watercolor classes provide a structure for students to learn the basics before proceeding to advanced techniques. Teachers can also help the students learn common watercolor styles and develop a unique art style. By taking a watercolor class, you can streamline the learning process.
Why You Should Learn Watercolor
Watercolor is a unique medium that can be used to create simple or intricate art pieces, and both professional artists and art hobbyists are attracted to the medium. There are endless opportunities for experimentation with watercolor. For example, adding salt to a watercolor page will create a unique lightening effect by pushing the pigment.
Watercolor paint is also portable, making it a great medium for those who like to travel. It’s a perfect hobby for relieving stress, and it’s a valuable skill. Plus, by taking a watercolor class, you can connect to other artists in your area, make friends, and join watercolor clubs and groups.
5 Ways to Learn Watercolor
Learning watercolor is a productive way to spend your free time, and there are five great ways to become an expert in this skill.
- In-person classes: An in-person class offers 1-on-1 instruction with a professional artist. It also exposes you to opportunities to make new friends.
- Live online classes: Remote classes remove the obstacle of traveling, making it easier for busy individuals to fit the classes into their schedules.
- Self-paced courses: Some schools offer self-paced courses where students pay for the course and material but watch lectures at their own pace.
- Video-sharing platforms: Websites like YouTube are great free resources for those looking for affordable teaching options.
- Art school: Taking a semester or term class at an art school can help you master the skill, but it can be time-consuming.
Choosing a learning style that fits your budget and lifestyle is important. For example, joining an art school might be too time-consuming for most people. So instead, a short watercolor class that teaches the basics might be a better fit.
CourseHorse offers several classes, including one-time classes and classes that meet for several weeks. Classes are also offered throughout the week and at different times, so those interested in taking watercolor classes can find the perfect class for their schedule.
In-Person Watercolor Classes
Many art hobbyists choose to take in-person watercolor classes because they offer an opportunity to excel with professional guidance. The classes are often affordable, flexible, and focused, ensuring that students learn all the skills needed to master the art.
CourseHorse offers an extensive range of watercolor classes in cities across the country. As you browse CourseHorse’s watercolor class catalog, you’ll see options for beginners, intermediate, and advanced art students. You can also sort the classes based on your location.
For example, individuals in New York have access to hundreds of in-person watercolor classes in NYC. Students can start with the Watercolor 101 class through the Brooklyn Craft Company. The class is a three-hour course that teaches watercolor basics, including using a wet brush, dry brush, blooming, scumbling, and blotting. You’ll also learn to create texture in your watercolor pieces using unique mediums like salt, plastic wrap, and crayons.
After taking a beginner class, you can move on to the Watercolor Painting (Intermediate/Advanced) course. The class offers six sessions and dives into the specific styles that watercolor artists use. Students will learn to specialize their technique and look to famous watercolor artists for inspiration. Throughout the course, students will develop their own styles and master the tiny details of watercolor.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of watercolor, consider taking a class like Approaches to Abstraction with Watercolor in NYC. This unique class focuses on teaching abstract art rather than copying a photo. Students will learn how to go from concept to completion and expand their knowledge of abstract watercolor art. The class includes six sessions that each last for over two hours.
Students living near Los Angeles can also find in-person watercolor classes in LA on CourseHorse. For example, the East Los Angeles College offers a Painting with Watercolors for Adults class. It includes five sessions over the course of five weeks. Students will learn color mixing, color application, brush stroke techniques, and more. Plus, the class is open to students without prior watercolor experience.
CourseHorse also offers in-person classes in Chicago, like Sarah Yeoman’s Finding Your Light in Watercolor class. Students will have three seven-hour class sessions to learn from an award-winning artist. You will learn to paint in an impressionistic style and manage composition and paint application.
Students in San Diego can take an Intro to Watercolor Painting class that has five three-hour sessions. They will learn to capture the natural world in fluid compositions. The class also teaches how to apply finishing touches to a watercolor painting to reveal hidden colors and unique lines. All skill levels are welcome in the Intro to Watercolor Painting class, and the class provides a full supply list. To take the class, you will need watercolors, brushes, watercolor paper, a soft pencil, and white masking tape. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to reach out beforehand.
In addition, some cities offer classes that focus on painting specific subjects, such as the Sketching in Watercolor and Ink: Flowers and Gardens class in Seattle. This in-person class specifically focuses on teaching students how to draw the natural world, focusing on flowers and foliage.
CourseHorse offers watercolor classes in Seattle, Atlanta, Denver, Boston, Houston, and more cities nationwide. You’ll be able to find classes fit for all skill levels and techniques. When booking a class, make sure to check the class schedule. Some courses offer multiple sessions, while others meet once for a few hours. Choose a class that teaches the skills you need to progress at your current art level.
Virtual Watercolor Classes
Virtual watercolor classes are a great option for those who can’t travel to in-person classes. Another benefit of online watercolor classes is that you can access more options. While in-person classes are only available in certain cities, online classes are available no matter where you live. So, online classes are a good option if you don’t live in a city.
CourseHorse offers several online watercolor classes. One of the most popular classes is the Painting Portraits in Watercolor course. The class includes six two-hour sessions and focuses on teaching students how to capture a person’s face in a fluid medium. While some art mediums are more precise, watercolor’s fluid nature can make details difficult to master. Therefore, this class will focus on using a reference photograph and capturing details using watercolor.
If you have no experience with watercolor, then Watercolors for Absolute Beginners is a great option. The class has six two-hour sessions where students learn watercolor techniques. The course description says that students will learn the “basics of watercolor painting including — paint, brush, paper, value, color mixing, wash, wet-in-wet, and wet-over-dry.” At the end of the class, students should have a good understanding and basic mastery of the medium.
Students interested in specific subjects can also find class options. For example, Painting Seascapes with Watercolor focuses on teaching students how to paint ocean scenery. The class is open to students with intermediate to expert watercolor skills.
Browse CourseHorse’s extensive list of online watercolor classes to find the best fit for your schedule.
Private Group Watercolor Classes
Watercolor painting is a fun, relaxing outlet that allows people to express their creativity in a forgiving medium. It’s the perfect team-building event for businesses and organizations. CourseHorse offers several great watercolor classes for private groups. A private instructor will guide your group through the basics of watercolor and help them learn to destress while painting.
CourseHorse's most popular watercolor class is the Virtual Watercolor Workshop course. The class lasts for one hour and thirty minutes, making it a perfect event to let remote employees take a break during a tough and stressful schedule. The instructor will teach the group members how to paint while letting the medium flow. You’ll gain a foundational skill for watercolor painting and even choose a specific image for the instructor to paint during the class.
This course is also great for groups because it includes all the materials needed to get started. The course instructor will ship the materials to the front doorstep of each group member, making it convenient and easy for your group to get a full experience.
Another option is the Virtual Watercolor Workshop. The class is one and a half hours and teaches the group how to use watercolor painting to relax using a wet-on-wet technique. The group members will walk away from the class knowing the basics of watercolor. This course does not include the materials, so your group needs to bring the materials to fully participate in the class.
Some watercolor classes teach specific styles, like the Virtual Watercolor Georgia O’Keeffe course. Georgia O’Keeffe’s unique painting style allowed the medium to flow and blend. It emphasizes color and landscapes. The group members will learn to mimic her style while earning appreciation for an influential painter.
When booking with CourseHorse, there are no booking fees, and the classes and instructors are often flexible and willing to work with large groups. All of the classes mentioned above will teach groups of up to 255 people.
What Will I Need to Learn Watercolor?
Watercolor painting doesn’t require many materials, and most watercolor paints and brushes are extremely affordable. Craft stores sell full watercolor sets for less than $10. This makes it a great medium to begin learning since there isn’t a steep starting price for the materials.
Some of the materials that you might need include:
- Watercolor paints
- Watercolor paper
- Two or more watercolor brushes
- A container to hold water
Some watercolor sets include all of the necessary materials in the same kit (excluding the water). This means you can easily carry it with you if you plan to paint and travel. If you take a watercolor painting class in-person, the instructor may provide the needed materials. When booking a class through CourseHorse, you can check the class description to see whether the course provides the materials.
Is it Difficult to Learn Watercolor?
Watercolor is a forgiving medium, especially once you learn the right techniques. However, mastering the art of watercolor can be difficult if you don’t have the right instructions. Luckily, CourseHorse offers classes for beginners, intermediates, experts, and all levels in between to help you master watercolor as quickly as possible. In addition, many in-person classes offer 1-on-1 instruction in small groups to ensure that students get immediate feedback.
