Watercolor 101 | 3 Week Workshop | Portsmouth

Watercolor 101: A Three-Week Beginner Workshop
Ready to learn watercolor the right way? Whether you've never picked up a paintbrush or you've dabbled a little and want a stronger foundation, this three-week workshop is designed to give you the confidence and skills to continue painting long after class is over.
Over the course of three weekly sessions, you'll learn the fundamentals of watercolor in a relaxed, encouraging environment while completing projects that build upon one another. Rather than simply copying a painting, you'll gain a true understanding of why watercolor works the way it does, making it easier to create your own artwork with confidence.
Each class is 2 hours and held at my studio, where you'll paint alongside me with step-by-step instruction. All supplies are provided, so all you need to bring is yourself and a willingness to learn.
Week 1: Building Your Foundation
We'll start by demystifying watercolor supplies and discussing what you actually need to paint successfully (hint: it's not nearly as much as you think!). You'll learn proper brush handling, essential brush strokes, color control, and foundational watercolor techniques before putting everything into practice by completing your first watercolor still life.
Week 2: Understanding Depth & Layering
This week focuses on one of watercolor's most important concepts—working in layers. You'll learn how to preserve highlights using negative space, create beautiful depth in your paintings, and paint trees that look dimensional instead of flat. We'll finish the class by creating a watercolor bookmark you'll be proud to take home.
Week 3: Bringing It All Together
Our final session combines everything you've learned as we explore simple landscape composition and create a beautiful botanical wreath. We'll also discuss resources, practice guides, and ways to continue developing your watercolor skills long after the workshop ends, giving you a clear path forward on your artistic journey.
What You'll Learn
Choosing watercolor supplies without overspending
Brush control and essential brush strokes
Water control and paint consistency
Layering techniques
Negative space painting
Creating depth and dimension
Simple landscape composition
Botanical painting fundamentals