Master Layers: Level up your watercolour

If your watercolour paintings lack contrast or definition, this is the class for you!

If you struggle to add details or depth, I have created this class to help you become a master of layering.

This class is a must-watch for beginners and perfect to get in the 'watercolour mindset' if you are an acrylic or oil painter.

At the end of this class you will have learned these key concepts:

• Mixing washes
• Transparency
• Different ways to layer colour including using negative space.
• Order of layers for watercolour painting.
• Working wet on dry
• Using multiple layers in one composition - glazing, layering and adding detail.
• Brush control and precision

Project

In the final project we will put it all into practise! We will utilise transparency and working light to dark in wet on dry layers to paint a sea turtle. BONUS: We will also create a notecard using negative layering.

Class Outline

1. Layering concepts
2. Glazing exercise
3. Transparency
4. Negative painting
5. Complex layering
6. Final project - the sea turtle

Supplies

Watercolour brushes - round brushes in sizes that feel comfortable. Size 6 or 10 are good. I always recommend you have a 0 or 00 for fine details. It makes all the difference.

Watercolour paper - I like Canson and Fabriano. Anything that is 250-300gsm

Watercolours

A container of water, for rinsing brushes

Pencil and eraser

Flannel, or art rags

A white plate or palette for mixing colours

The templates found under the project tab,

and this Pinterest board.

Project

Paint a sea turtle! In the final project we will combine our new skills; using transparency; working light to dark; and wet on dry layers to paint a sea turtle. 

1. Use the resource images on the Pinterest board to sketch out your turtle, or trace the provided template onto watercolour paper.

2. Prepare your washes by mixing four values of the one colour.

3. Build up your turtle using 3-4 wet on dry layers of colour, using progressively darker washes.

4. Upload your sea turtle to the project gallery. I'd love to see your warm up exercises too :)

Ask any questions in your projects or on the community board.

Resources

• Worksheets 1 & 2 (links to the right)
• Sea turtle template (link to the right)
• Pinterest inspo board